Vortex Raptor 8.5x32 specs and field of view
At 8.5x the Raptor 8.5x32 sits between the usual 8x and 10x steps, with a 390 ft field of view and a 7.4 degree view. The exit pupil works out to 3.8 mm.
- Field of view
- 390 ftat 1,000 yd
- Eye relief
- 14 mm
- Close focus
- 15 ft
- Weight
- 18.7 oz
- Exit pupil
- 3.8 mmcalculated
Why pick it
- Waterproof
Who the Raptor 8.5x32 suits
The 390 ft view and the 18.7 oz weight suit a day of birding on foot, at a list price band of $100 to $200. The porro prism layout and the 50 to 70 eye spacing range fit many faces.
Close focus is 15 ft, and the 14 mm eye relief is short for anyone who keeps glasses on.
Raptor 8.5x32 or another model: the best binoculars by maker figures shows how the popular ones differ. Vortex lists it in the $100 to $200 price band, alongside the models in best binoculars under $200.
Raptor 8.5x32 specifications
Raptor 8.5x32 figures as Vortex prints them; rows marked * are calculated from the 8.5x32 size.
| Magnification | 8.5x |
|---|---|
| Objective lens | 32 mm |
| Prism type | Porro |
| Field of view | 390 ft at 1,000 yd (130 m at 1,000 m) |
| Angular field of view | 7.4° |
| Apparent field of view | 63° * |
| Eye relief | 14 mm |
| Close focus | 15 ft (4.6 m) |
| Eye spacing range | 50 to 70 mm |
| Weight | 18.7 oz (530 g) |
| Length | 5 in (127 mm) |
| Width | 6.2 in (157 mm) |
| Waterproofing | Waterproof |
| Fog-proofing gas | Nitrogen |
| Focus system | Center focus |
| Maker list price | $100 to $200 |
| Exit pupil | 3.8 mm * |
| Twilight factor | 16.5 * |
| Relative brightness | 14.2 * |
* Calculated from the size, not printed by the maker.
Other sizes of the Raptor
Vortex makes the Raptor in 2 sizes; a larger front lens adds brightness and weight, and more magnification narrows the view.
| Model | Size | Field of view | Eye relief | Close focus | Weight | Exit pupil |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vortex Raptor 8.5x32 | 8.5x32 | 390 ft | 14 mm | 15 ft | 18.7 oz | 3.8 mm |
| Vortex Raptor 10x32 | 10x32 | 339 ft | 13 mm | 15 ft | 19 oz | 3.2 mm |
Vortex binoculars
Raptor 8.5x32 questions
Raptor 8.5x32: does it work with glasses?
Raptor 8.5x32 has 14 mm of eye relief, under the 16 mm the RSPB advises for people who wear glasses, so the edge of the view may be cut off with glasses on.
Raptor 8.5x32: what does 8.5x32 mean?
Raptor 8.5x32 magnifies 8.5 times through 32 mm front lenses, which works out to an exit pupil of 3.8 mm, the width of the beam of light that reaches each eye.