Vortex Crossfire HD 10x42 Binoculars
- Brand:
- Vortex
- Part no:
- CF-4312
Image: cdn.kygunco.com
Where to buy
Specifications
- Magnification
- 10 x
- Objective
- 42 mm
The Vortex Crossfire HD 10x42 is a binocular with 10x magnification and a 42 mm objective lens. Its linear field of view is 325 feet at 1,000 yards, and its angular field of view is 6.2 degrees. It weighs 23 ounces. Those figures tell you how much of the scene you see and how much you carry. The 10x power brings distant markers, buoys and other vessels closer, but it also magnifies hand movement, so brace your elbows or lean on a rail for long sessions. The 42 mm objective lens sets the size of the front glass, and the 325 feet per 1,000 yards figure tells you how much water a single view covers at that range. Check those numbers against the job before you buy.
Our take
Buy this if you want 10x power with a 42 mm objective for watching markers and other boats from a fixed spot, such as the cockpit at anchor. Skip it if you need a wide sweep across a busy harbor, since the 6.2 degree field is its main limit, or if you will hold it by hand all day, since at 23 ounces it is a heavy pair to keep steady.
From our buying guide
Steiner calls 7x the marine standard. Higher magnification narrows the field of view and makes the image more sensitive to hand shake.
Check before you buy:
- The water rating comes with its depth and time, since ratings vary widely between makers.
- The maker says what floats, the body or only a strap, since some make no flotation claim at all.
- A stabilised pair has a water rating you're happy with, since not every one carries a waterproof rating.