Rodzilla Raptor joystick

[FarmallSM]

Just received my new Rodzilla Raptor. Ordered about 3 months ago. Went to the range this morning and sent a about 80 rounds down range. Very happy with this rest. Much smoother and lighter touch compared to my Neo X. However, the rodzilla joystick is ugly as sin and just feels cheap.
Are there any after market joysticks? Has any body built one? If so post some pics please.

 

[gmr4]

Just received my new Rodzilla Raptor. Ordered about 3 months ago. Went to the range this morning and sent a about 80 rounds down range. Very happy with this rest. Much smoother and lighter touch compared to my Neo X. However, the rodzilla joystick is ugly as sin and just feels cheap.
Are there any after market joysticks? Has any body built one? If so post some pics please.

All I can say is you are correct! I am used to mine and it works great. I roughed up the stainless rod where it is attached so it would not slip…. I like mine better than the SEB.. its doesn't look like a corvette though

 

[Fire Dog]

Just received my new Rodzilla Raptor. Ordered about 3 months ago. Went to the range this morning and sent a about 80 rounds down range. Very happy with this rest. Much smoother and lighter touch compared to my Neo X. However, the rodzilla joystick is ugly as sin and just feels cheap.
Are there any after market joysticks? Has any body built one? If so post some pics please.

Light weight tubing is why the Raptor feels lighter to touch… You can add various knobs/balls to the end… I have a friend that put a golf ball on the end to help his arthritic fingers… The fact that it breaks down into two pieces makes it handy and can be shoved into your back pocket and the elevation “L” handle slips into a belt loop for easy carry off and on to the mound/bench.
In many ways SEB has copied Raptor ideas into the Neo X though in a much more “Bling” look… {:~/
If you like how it performs than perhaps the “ugly” will fade away with your satisfaction over time…?
You could see if you can find some chrome tubing to replace the painted original if looks are absolutely a must…

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I made a couple of different ones for mine but Road wasn't crazy about the idea. The way he explains to adjust the rest, his concern was the weight of any different knob...fwiw. You're right though...they are super light and smooth to work. JMHO, but they are the Cadillac of rests, in spite of the cheesy knob. It's just thin 3/8" aluminum tubing but the knob itself can be removed and make a light but better feeling and looking knob. Sorry, can't help with pics right now. Loaded in the truck for a match tomorrow.

 

[ogre1911]

I made a couple of different ones for mine but Road wasn't crazy about the idea. The way he explains to adjust the rest, his concern was the weight of any different knob...fwiw. You're right though...they are super light and smooth to work. JMHO, but they are the Cadillac of rests, in spite of the cheesy knob. It's just thin 3/8" aluminum tubing but the knob itself can be removed and make a light but better feeling and looking knob. Sorry, can't help with pics right now. Loaded in the truck for a match tomorrow.

Used mine this morning. Like it better than the Neo X

 

[Fast14riot]

I just got a T-rex rest in February. I got two joy stick attachments and don't like either option. I'm working on something better.

 

[jnm300ultra]

I have both rests, and the difference between the two rests is minimal. I have used my Raptor rest more. The main difference between the two is that the Raptor control is lighter to move. I believe I can tighten it up but never did. It seemed to light. I liked the fact I didn’t have to wait months, ease of operation and assembly. Also the fact I was able to purchase a case that fits everything feet included. Rod custom service is great and so is his rest. The resale is not the best. I was only going to sell the Raptor and keep the Neo X. but. I decided to keep it for my daughter to shoot with.

The Neo X looks great and works great. I did wait exactly the time that he quoted and very happy with the rest. The customer service was excellent and enjoyed talking with Ernie. The finishing touches are nicer and very well thought out. I wish that he sold a case that fits everything. I ended up buying a case and then using the styrofoam that was in the wooden crate. The price was cheap on the Neo X.

In conclusion I would recommend either rest. If you want the rest tomorrow and the cost is a little more than the Raptor. If you want something that has nicer finishes and save a few bucks get the Neo X. I really need to spend more time shooting F Class but been more focused on hunting and with the family.

Jason

 

[muleystalker]

I have both rests, and the difference between the two rests is minimal. I have used my Raptor rest more. The main difference between the two is that the Raptor control is lighter to move. I believe I can tighten it up but never did. It seemed to light. I liked the fact I didn’t have to wait months, ease of operation and assembly. Also the fact I was able to purchase a case that fits everything feet included. Rod custom service is great and so is his rest. The resale is not the best. I was only going to sell the Raptor and keep the Neo X. but. I decided to keep it for my daughter to shoot with.

The Neo X looks great and works great. I did wait exactly the time that he quoted and very happy with the rest. The customer service was excellent and enjoyed talking with Ernie. The finishing touches are nicer and very well thought out. I wish that he sold a case that fits everything. I ended up buying a case and then using the styrofoam that was in the wooden crate. The price was cheap on the Neo X.

In conclusion I would recommend either rest. If you want the rest tomorrow and the cost is a little more than the Raptor. If you want something that has nicer finishes and save a few bucks get the Neo X. I really need to spend more time shooting F Class but been more focused on hunting and with the family.

Jason

Actually the Raptor is quite a bit cheaper than the NEO-X now. Rod sold the company and the new owner lowered the price quite a bit and also the Raptor comes with the hard case now, I think they are $1775.00 now. The way I understand it the owner of the business that was machining all Rods parts bought the business from Rod. https://therodzilla.com/collections/all-products/products/raptor-front-rest?variant=42395486093372

 

[Fire Dog]

I made a couple of different ones for mine but Road wasn't crazy about the idea. The way he explains to adjust the rest, his concern was the weight of any different knob...fwiw. You're right though...they are super light and smooth to work. JMHO, but they are the Cadillac of rests, in spite of the cheesy knob. It's just thin 3/8" aluminum tubing but the knob itself can be removed and make a light but better feeling and looking knob. Sorry, can't help with pics right now. Loaded in the truck for a match tomorrow.

Absolutely, the golf ball my friend used was a “Wiffel Ball” kind and just a hollow ball with the size of a golf ball.
Rod had made several comments on his site about modification of the joy stick knob and always suggested that it be light, what ever you used, so as to maintain that light feel and not have to add more preload to support it in a neutral position.

 

[jnm300ultra]

Actually the Raptor is quite a bit cheaper than the NEO-X now. Rod sold the company and the new owner lowered the price quite a bit and also the Raptor comes with the hard case now, I think they are $1775.00 now. The way I understand it the owner of the business that was machining all Rods parts bought the business from Rod. https://therodzilla.com/collections/all-products/products/raptor-front-rest?variant=42395486093372

I didn’t realize that Rod sold the company. If the price is lower and comes with a case that was my only 2 gripe’s. I haven’t been shooting my F Class lately and haven’t been staying updated on this site to find out all the new info. I hope the customer service is the same with the new company, but everything sounds good.

Jason

 

[Fuj]

+-------------
"ROD SOLD THE COMPANY" ??? Well Hell.....Now he won't get mad
at me for......Stay tuned.

 

[323]

As my wife is showing interest in wanting to
shoot f class. I will be buying another Rodzilla rest eventually. As others said great rest.

 

[Area51]

I was going to order an orange one,now i know why no more color options.

 

[bholcomb]

I was going to order an orange one,now i know why no more color options.

Stay tuned, lots of good options coming soon….

 

[gmr4]

+-------------
"ROD SOLD THE COMPANY" ??? Well Hell.....Now he won't get mad
at me for......Stay tuned.

I had a question couple of weeks back and spoke to Rod.. they just transfered my call to him. He is still around the place and working with the new crew on new stuff….

 

[muleystalker]

I just noticed RODZILLA has a new rest now, the VELOCIRAPTOR . its heavier, wider footprint and the legs fold up with a Button/lever like the SEB Neo-X.

 

[Shooter13]

I made a couple of different ones for mine but Road wasn't crazy about the idea. The way he explains to adjust the rest, his concern was the weight of any different knob...fwiw. You're right though...they are super light and smooth to work. JMHO, but they are the Cadillac of rests, in spite of the cheesy knob. It's just thin 3/8" aluminum tubing but the knob itself can be removed and make a light but better feeling and looking knob. Sorry, can't help with pics right now. Loaded in the truck for a match tomorrow.

You made a joystick for me also and I really liked it, again like you said you rest must be readjusted for the different weight joystick. This is the reason I wasn't completely happy with the Raptor, trying to shoot two guns and having to readjust for the different weights between relays. I'm really happy with my SEB NEO-X BR with the Ratigan type weight in the front, if I need to adjust it only takes seconds. Glad to see you are back out shooting!!

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

You made a joystick for me also and I really liked it, again like you said you rest must be readjusted for the different weight joystick. This is the reason I wasn't completely happy with the Raptor, trying to shoot two guns and having to readjust for the different weights between relays. I'm really happy with my SEB NEO-X BR with the Ratigan type weight in the front, if I need to adjust it only takes seconds. Glad to see you are back out shooting!!

I shoot guns from 12.5 to about 20lbs on mine without readjusting it. I could possibly fine tune it to either/or but I simply haven't seen the need.

It was good to shoot with everyone. It got pretty sporty! Randy said he clocked a 33mph gust....at THAT range. You can probably imagine, it was tough at times. The switches were pretty crazy.

 

[Shooter13]

. I could possibly fine tune it to either/

That is what Rod suggests

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

That is what Rod suggests

Of course. It's not the rest that dictates absolute best performance if adjusted to a specific weight applied to it...that's physics. My point is I'm extremely pleased with it like I have it set up for my use. That being multiple guns that are drastically different in weight. With that said, if I run it with a bit more tension than it's capable of, it still works well with a large difference in gun weights. It's still stable and still takes about 1/6th the effort to move the stick as opposed to a well adjusted Neo. Smooth as butter and still the best rest I've used in that regard.

IIRC, when we shared a rest at a match, you said it was set lighter than you preferred. So, before a Nats, where I thought I might need to share equipment, I increased the tension somewhat in between A Neo and where I had it. They're much like pulling a 2 ounce trigger for the first time. They can literally go to about 4 ounces and neither a 2 ounce trigger nor a 4 ounce rest is gonna feel natural until you get used to it. But when ya do, ya struggle to move the handle on an otherwise very fine Neo. The difference is huge but it's within your control. If ya want it light, run it light. If ya want it heavy...run it that way. But Rod is right...if ya want it absolutely the best it can possibly be, set it up with a gun weight range that's a lot closer than what I have to with going from custom to a 20lb unlimited bag gun.

I'm actually impressed it works as well as it does with that much difference in weight. I've seen rests set up for 13lb guns that just collapse down with a 20lb run set on them with a ton more tension than I feel on my rest.

But fwiw, it looks like the new Velociraptor will accommodate a weight system to help optimize the balance setting for different weight rifles. I assume it's similar to what you mentioned. When I look at it, I see a couple of small changes that I think will make it a bit more Bench friendly.

• Engineered for future weight kit compatibility for advanced balance tuning

Here's a link to it.

Velociraptor

Rodzilla Velociraptor (VR) Front Rest The Rodzilla Velociraptor (VR) is engineered for competitive shooters who demand maximum stability, precision tracking, and adaptable performance. Featuring an increased overall weight and expanded footprint, the VR delivers enhanced recoil control and...

therodzilla.com