Gear Review: Vortex 8x42 Diamondback Binoculars

The Vortex 8x42 Diamondback Binoculars

Preliminary Review

I've been in the market for a good set of binoculars for quite some time. I wanted a set with a good reputation without breaking the bank. I also wanted to purchase them on the island to support the local economy.

It eventually came down to the 8x42 Diamondback by Vortex, who offered a lifetime warranty at a reasonable price. In my research, I came across a lot of birders and wildlife enthusiasts who suggested purchasing them from The Bird House and Binocular Shop in St. John's and while this will be a review of the binoculars, it will be a review of the shop as well.

Babs, the owner of The Birdhouse and Binocular Shop provided phenomenal customer service, giving me the information I needed to make an informed purchase. I received the Diamondbacks for less than MSRP plus taxes and $20 to ship them from St. John's to Corner Brook. Babs processed my order on a Friday, the following Monday they were in my mailbox waiting to be collected. Needless to say, I was very impressed with the shipping and the customer service was something not experienced anywhere else.

The Diamondback binoculars look much nicer in person and the padded neck strap makes carrying the binoculars a joy, however, the carrying case is bulky and takes up a lot of space in your pack but it is a good option for long-term storage or if you need to transport your binoculars long distances.

Compared to the 7x35's that the Diamondback replaced, the image quality and sharpness are unsurpassed. The binoculars are argon gas purged to ensure that the glass remains fog-free and watertight.

Vortex offers an amazing warranty and will "repair or replace defective or damaged products no matter the cause..." with the exception of lost, stolen or deliberately damaged items. This warranty, along with the great price and customer service provided by The Birdhouse and Binocular Shop is what persuaded me to purchase the Diamondback binoculars over other contenders such as the Monarch 5 by Nikon.

Gear Review: Benchmade 551H20 Griptilian

First Impressions

I received the 551H20 Griptilian as an early Christmas present in 2013 and was quite impressed by the packaging that it came in. My initial concern was the size, as it felt big in the hand, and had even considered exchanging it for a 556 Mini.

I immediately fell in love with the AXIS Locking Mechanism and after some time playing with it, got used to the size and feel of the knife. The NorylGTX scales provided the perfect gripping surface with the added benefit of being resistant to excessive hot and cold temperatures and commonly used fuel, grease, and oil.

The Griptilian arrived pre-sharpened and was sharp enough to shave the hair off my arm. I also learned of Benchmade's Lifesharp Service where they will resharpen your knife to a factory edge for a small fee of 5 dollars, which I thought was nice.

The bright orange handle makes the large blade "less scary" and suitable for an EDC. I also noticed that the knife had a lot of jimping—notches in the spine—to provide a better gripping surface. Deployment was smooth and effortless although I did loosen the pivot screw to make it easier to flick open with one hand.

After Several Months of Carry

The Griptilian has held its edge quite well and looks and performs as it did out of the box with no signs of wear and very minimal side-to-side play. My only gripe with the knife is the blade centering and its ability to collect pocket lint. Thankfully, the Griptilian is easily cleaned with a Q-Tip and some lubricant without having to take it apart.

Another feature worth mentioning is that the blade of the 551H20 is corrosion resistant, meaning that it is designed to be used around saltwater. As a born-and-bred Newfoundlander, I can appreciate this.

Overall, this knife has become a favorite of mine and has even gotten some well-earned praise from those who I have let borrow it. I believe that it is well worth the $135 price tag, although you could probably find it cheaper by shopping around, and would definitely recommend it to anybody in the market for a new blade.