Crossfire II vs Diamondback 3-9x40

[DMW1116]

I need to replace my Nikon Buckmasters scope. I dropped it and the upper it’s attached to and there appears to be a crack in one of the internal lenses. I can’t really see it clearly and it’s not in the field of view, but still, I feel it needs replacing.

With that in mind, the Crossfire II seems like the most direct replacement. How much of an upgrade is the Diamondback line?

 

[LoonWulf]

I need to replace my Nikon Buckmasters scope. I dropped it and the upper it’s attached to and there appears to be a crack in one of the internal lenses. I can’t really see it clearly and it’s not in the field of view, but still, I feel it needs replacing.

With that in mind, the Crossfire II seems like the most direct replacement. How much of an upgrade is the Diamondback line?

Optically its noticeably better imo, especially when not being used in ideal conditions.

I would look at the burris fullfield 2 or E1, in my opinion, they're better scopes than both.
I haven't used them yet but the next time I pick up a 3x9 it'll be a sightron. If My experience with the brand holds true then that should be an even better scope than the full fields.

 

[dranrab]

Burris before Vortex at that price point.

 

[DMW1116]

Interesting. I’ll look into Burris. I’m not familiar with Sightron but they’re worth a look too.

 

[troy fairweather]

Burris or a leupold if you can spend the extra, any vortex below the Japanese stuff just aren't worth the time messing with any longer. Maybe worth calling Nikon, they can't fix scopes anymore but think guys were getting coupons or something on anything else they make, better then nothing.

 

[Nature Boy]

I have a couple of crossfire II’s. I have one on a Savage 17HMR and the other sit in its box in the closet. One has been sent back to Vortex for repair (the ocular housing came loose)

They are what they are: low cost, low quality, bottom tier offerings.

Bottom line: get the Diamondback

 

[DMW1116]

I see Burris has a 2.5-10 that looks like it would work too. The scope was on my DMR (Discount Marksman Rifle). A 10x is a nice even number too. 9x always seemed a random value.

 

[troy fairweather]

I see Burris has a 2.5-10 that looks like it would work too. The scope was on my DMR (Discount Marksman Rifle). A 10x is a nice even number too. 9x always seemed a random value.

Has to do with the lenses and stuff in the scope, 3-9 is 3x factor same as a 4-12 power.

 

[LoonWulf]

I see Burris has a 2.5-10 that looks like it would work too. The scope was on my DMR (Discount Marksman Rifle). A 10x is a nice even number too. 9x always seemed a random value.

I believe thats the Fullfield IV.....newer option ive not looked thru, tho I know someone on here has at least one.......and if i remember correctly was pretty happy with it.

 

[troy fairweather]

I believe thats the Fullfield IV.....newer option ive not looked thru, tho I know someone on here has at least one.......and if i remember correctly was pretty happy with it.

I looked thru two of the iv and didn't think they looked as clear as the other burris's and the iv are Chinese.

 

[DMW1116]

Has to do with the lenses and stuff in the scope, 3-9 is 3x factor same as a 4-12 power.

Ok that explains it. There is a 2-7x I’ve considered for a 30-30, but I’m guessing it’s slightly more than 2 so the ratios work out to 3:1?

 

[troy fairweather]

Ok that explains it. There is a 2-7x I’ve considered for a 30-30, but I’m guessing it’s slightly more than 2 so the ratios work out to 3:1?

I think sometimes they round up or down, kinda like how nothing can be true 1 power. Many guys overlook the 2-7s there a real nice power range for hunting even with more powerful rounds. There pretty light to, even compared to a leupold 3-9.

 

[DMW1116]

I’m considering a 2-7x for my URG-I inspired upper on a different lower. Mostly to save weight but I also just can’t get used to the look of a 30mm tube with a 24mm objective lens.

 

[DMW1116]

So 1-6x24 aren’t actually 1x? Why is that?

 

[gotboostvr]

So 1-6x24 aren’t actually 1x? Why is that?

A 1-6x on 1x is way different than a red dot. You do have parallax and eye box restrictions you don't get with a decent red dot.

Even on 1x, it's much harder to get your left eye image and your right eye images to collimate than a normal red dot. Like how you can look through a red dot, and the body of the optic can "fade out" and all you see is your target and a brightly illuminated floating dot.

 

[slowr1der]

If you have to get one of those two, the Diamondback is the better choice. It's also made in the Philippines versus the Crossfire II is made in China. I've owned both of these scopes and I really don't think I'd buy a Crossfire again.

However, that said I agree with the other posts. The Burris Fullfield II or E1 line is in the same price range and a much better scope than both of the Vortex options. It's the way I'd go. They new Fullfield IV line did switch production to China and I haven't used one. So I can't comment on those. The Fullfield II's, E1's, and Droptines are all made in the Philippines. Not that a Chinese optic can't be good, just as a general rule of thumb I've had much better luck with optics from the Philippines.

 

[Necessary_Nutrient]

I have a Burris fullfield new in 23 and it’s not the same quality of the Philippines glass fullfields from 20 years ago. I think you might need to step up to their signature line to get there.

 

[hdbiker]

I put a Diamondback 4X12 X40 on my .243 and liked it so much I put one on my .270.

 

[Captains1911]

The Diamondback has much nicer glass than the Crossfire. Worth the extra money for sure.

 

[HKGuns]

I have two Diamondback 4-16's sitting on my shelf because the eye-boxes are so tight, they are horrible to use. Also, the glass isn't great but it isn't the issue with the scope.

In that price range stick to Burris.

 

[dranrab]

Burris Droptine scopes are made in the Philippines. I own two and highly recommend them.

 

[Mike J]

I have an Diamondback scope from around 2011. I think it was made in the Phillipines. I have looked through a Crossfire II that was on someone else's rifle between the two I'd choose the Diamondback. The Crossfire II scope I looked through was not as clear. I have a Burris Fullfield II I picked up a while back. They were heavily discounted on Amazon at the time. It is a 3-9x40. I bought it thinking to put it on a centerfire rifle but right now it is on a .22. I like it.

 

[DMW1116]

I ended up getting a Burris Droptine 3-9. The reticle in the 2.5-10 looked very busy, which I tend not to like. The one I got has the drop reticle but no wind dots or “Christmas Tree”. 12% off coupon and free shipping didn’t hurt either from Optics Planet.

 

[DMW1116]

The scope arrived and seems like a good specimen. Glass appears clear, reticle is nice and fine and the drop hash marks are clear. Two things I like about it over the old Nikon are the metal turret caps and the fast focus eye piece. Sometimes a little focus change is necessary.

One of the down sides, in fact the only one so far, was the turrets are a little mushy but only in one direction. I haven’t shot with it yet, so there is the final test. One thing about the Nikon was the clicks were very reliable. I don’t intend to dial on this scope, just zero and leave it. As long as the zero doesn’t change it should be fine.

 

[Peakbagger46]

Don’t do low level Vortex glass unless you feel the need to cash in on their warranty. Good call on buying something else.