Yosemite vs Raptor (2 Viewers)

[Dave H]

Ok folks, help me out here...

Yosemite 6x30 at £100

or

Vortex Raptor 6.5x32 at £80

(the best UK prices I could find after considerable research!)

 

[kristoffer]

The Yosemite seem to be one of the most liked bins on BF, actually I think I will order a pair tomorrow to have as backup and at my desktop at work, (I have a good view from my window and two resident eagle owls at the stadium opposite to my office). That said I have not tried them, but the price is very tempting.

 

[John Dracon]

Dave - Optically, the Yosemite is superior. The edges of the Raptor are a blur. Only time will tell about the Yosemite's durability. When compared to the optics of a common standard for 6x30, viz., the Bausch & Lomb Zephyr 6x30. the Yosemite is clearly better.
John

 

[Kevin Purcell]

And for the optimists there are the newer Celestron 8x30 (that haven't appeared yet) that boast a 8.2 or 8.2 degree FOV. How good they are ... well we have to see them.

 

[WiscTJK]

Dave - Optically, the Yosemite is superior. The edges of the Raptor are a blur. Only time will tell about the Yosemite's durability. When compared to the optics of a common standard for 6x30, viz., the Bausch & Lomb Zephyr 6x30. the Yosemite is clearly better.
John

I have both (6x30 Yosemite and 6.5x32 Raptor) and I think the Raptor has better optics. They are close optically, but the 6.5 seem just a little clearer and birds seem a touch bigger. I don't agree that the edges are a blur. They both soften at the edges. And both are a great value. They are similar in size, but the raptor is taller by a 1/2 in or so.

The reasons I like the Raptor better are as follows:

- the focuser on the Raptor has a different texture (like all the vortex) that I like a lot better than the yosemite (the Eagle Optics Raven is similar to the Yosemite). my Raptor focusuer is a bit smoother than the Yosemite.
-there is more eye relief on the Raptor and its eyecups have 4 up positions and 3 intermediate stops versus I think only 1 or 2 intermediate stops on the Yosemite.
-it has a really nice soft case that is better than the leupold.
-it comes with tethered objective covers that the Leupold doesn't have - if that is important to you.
-personally i like the nice dark green color versus the all black or natural
-Vortex warranty is the VIP transferrable warranty and the Leupold is limited lifetime to the original owner only.

You can't go wrong with either, I just like my Raptor better. I hope that helps.

Todd

 

[WiscTJK]

Ok folks, help me out here...

Yosemite 6x30 at £100

or

Vortex Raptor 6.5x32 at £80

(the best UK prices I could find after considerable research!)

Also, I forgot in the US, you have to pay more for the Vortex than the Leupold, so you would get the advantages at a better price point.