Bino harness

[Hunter mike]

What does everyone run for a bino harness.  I've always used just the basic style with no protection for the optics.  I really don't have any complaints with what I'm using other than maybe some more dirt and grunge on my binos.  The reason I'm looking at a change is to maybe find a harness that can hold a rangefinder too and maybe a couple of elk diaphragm calls. 

I primarily backcountry hunt on the coast, so rain protection is great, but I'm not sure how it will go with the binos in and out of the pouch 100 times a day while still hunting in the rain. 

I'm mostly changing setup so I can drop my pack for a stalk and still have everything I need attached to my chest.

[Wolfdog2314]

I love my Kuiu bino harness. I attached an FHF rangefinder pouch to it. Kuiu just came out with a rangefinder pouch of their own. FHF makes a similar Biko harness to the kuiu.

Solo Hunter has a really cool looking Nino harness id love to get my hands on and check out.

Badlands makes a nice one with a magnetic closure.

Alaska guide creations makes a nice one I hear a lot of good things about.

Do a little search on here. There's a few threads talking about all the different ones.

Good luck!

[Magnum_Willys]

Have only used kuiu.  Not a problem to go in and out of harness 100 times a day, thats typical.  Others may be better but kuiu works fine.  You adjust tension of cover so tighter if nasty conditions to open for dry.   

[Duckslayer89]

AGC Cub. Couldn't be happier with it. Rangefinder and 10x42 binos fit perfect super comfy and durable

[high country]

AGC here too. It's everything I need and nothing I dont.

[hollymaster]

Looked at the AGC pics it looks like a chest pack not a bino harness Maybe its smaller than it looks?

Just depends on if you get the extra front pocket. To the op after trying most of them, my favorite is the AGC for protection, and the FHF for compact comfort.

[Okanagan]

I hunt the wet side and have tried a half dozen brands and styles of bino harness, Crooked Horn et al.  I have gone to the minimalist Rick Young spaghetti strap style and added my own rain cover.  http://rickyoungoutdoors.com/basic-ultra-light-bino-harness/

The binos stay close to my chest and can instantly be snugged tighter against my chest by merely changing the lay of the bungee cord:  no buckles, sliding cinches nor any kind of adjusting fittings.  All of the other brands I've tried flopped out at the top no matter how I rigged them, and banged against my chest when I run a few steps.

FWIW a technique for using binos in the rain:  I wear a large brimmed Florida fishing cap when hunting in heavy rain, with a bill that is much wider than a baseball cap and extends out farther.  When I want to look through binos, I lean forward enough to keep the rain off of the lenses, bring them almost to my eyes and then slip off the rain cover under the brim of my cap.  So far, this is the only system I've used in 50 years of such doings that allow me to use binos when still hunting rainy forest and keep the lenses dry.  Amazing. 

In heavy rain my grandson carries his binos in a protected cover case and only takes them out when glassing from a ridge.  He uses them more in dry weather.  If you don't use binos frequently when hunting, a covered case cinched tight is good. Still hunting timber in rain and using binos frequently to check close range stuff in wet brush creates the hardest condition for me to keep binocular lenses dry.

[Tim in Wa.]

Oregon Pack Works makes a nice bino rig

[SteelheadTed]

I have the FHF Gear bino harnass http://fhfgear.com/hunting/bino-harness/

So far, so good.  It is spendy but the build quality is worth it.  It holds snug to my chest and distributes the weight nicely and I don't have any issues crashing brush with it.  The binos slip out of the harnass quickly.  I wish the side pocket was a little bigger, I store my wind checker in there and it is a little tight. 

Before the FHF harness I used the Vortex elastic strap type harness that remains connected as you use the binos.  I don't like that system of always pulling against an elastic strap, I like having the binos completely free when I use them and quickly packed away when I'm not.  When they are on a strap it is harder to use a tripod when glassing bigger areas (if you aren't using your binos on a tripod, do it, you'll thank me later, you'll see more animals, promise)

[Stalkin Prey]

I bought the vortex guide binopack. Decided to give it a shot. Wind detector fits in the top elastic band. Range finder fits in the front pouch which also has some sewn in elastic for extra rounds. Side pouches on both sides for calls etc. Bino's attach using buckles so they can be detached very easily to run on a tripod as well. I've had it out a couple times so far and I have absolutely no complaints.


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[Hunter mike]

Decisions decisions... 

[jackelope]

The vortex pack is an AGC pack with a Vortex patch stuck to it.
Took me some convincing but I picked up the AGC Cub pack and love it.

[greenhead_killer]

I'm a AGC guy now too. Tried kuiu but didn't like it. Tried the minimal ones as well and didn't like those either. The AGC has held up well these first few trips of the year, lightweight to me and are comfortable.

[Cylvertip]

has anyone every tried keeping an activated hand warmer (or two) in with the binos during late season to keep them from fogging when you look through them? 

[romaknows]

Please check out marsupial , it is simple and opens to the front, great customer service too!!.

[Buckhunter28]

MuleyFreak Bino Harness by far, has the front rangefinder pouch that is zippered, and the Kuiu opening design for the binos(no zipper or magnets), as well as places for a wind tester, calls, etc, AND has a rain cover to put over the whole thing in bad weather. On top of all that, its very comfortable and affordable

[dyhardhuntr]

I have the vortex guide pack and so far I really like it. I've had Kuiu,badlands and a few others but I wanted something that would function as a small pack and carry my essentials like diaphragms, wind detector,license, rangefinder and such. It works great. I like the loop strap that holds the lid down. It's easier for me to access my binos. The only thing I didn't care for were the buckles. Mine wouldn't stay in place so I purchased a few kifaru buckles and they fit perfect. The pack also holds my rangefinder in front. As mentioned it is made by AGC and is made in America!


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[milldozer]

For all the AGC guys in here, what is the exterior material on them?  Is it waterproof/water resistant?  Will it get water-logged on wet days?

Thanks

[Duckslayer89]

For all the AGC guys in here, what is the exterior material on them?  Is it waterproof/water resistant?  Will it get water-logged on wet days?

Thanks

It's like a Cordura material. I don't know how waterproof it is but you could probably just spray it down with a silicone spray not a bad idea. Tucked up against my chest it's kind of out of the rain anyhow with a hat and stuff

[Tim in Wa.]

For all the AGC guys in here, what is the exterior material on them?  Is it waterproof/water resistant?  Will it get water-logged on wet days?

Thanks

Mine is definitely not water proof and spraying it with camp dry worked for about 10 min.My Oregon Pack Works bino rig stays pretty dry.But after you pull the binos out a couple of times and let them get wet you are putting them back wet so eventually it seems like everything is wet anyway.
In western Wa. if you aren't going to use the glass during the rain you may as well leave them in the truca 

[TheHunt]

I just ordered and received the AGC pack for fathers day.  Looking forward to giving it a go.

[Wanttohuntmore]

For those that had the badlands, what did you dislike on them,  and which other brand improves on that?  Looking at all options right now.

[shmacker]

I have a badlands, and I really like the magnetic closure.  The other plus is that I have used it in downpours and never had by binos get wet.

[JDHasty]

I have a badlands, and I really like the magnetic closure.  The other plus is that I have used it in downpours and never had by binos get wet.

I have three and they keep my binoculars dry in rainy western Washington.  What is more I have never had any problem w/dust intrusion and I have carried my gear in the bed of a Polaris Ranger and in the back of a pickup on dirt roads where everything is absolutely coated w/dust.  I have given three of them for gifts and the recipients have reported the same.  I have crawled over dead falls and rocks with them betw me and what I have been crawling over and they seem to not suffer.  I like them real well.   

[zackmioli]

+1 more for the Muley Freak bino harness. Upgraded to it for this season and love it so far. Stays very tight to your chest, opens easy, has rangefinder pocket on the front, wind checker/calls pockets, and a zippered pocket for your tags as well. Seems durable, is lightweight, and has all the room needed without being bulky.

[follow maggie]

I've been using the S4 for several years & love it. Stays tight to my chest, doesn't bounce & keeps crap off my Leupolds

[Scheindogg]

FWIW the badlands one is on sale at cabelas for only 80$ right now if you don't mind the real tree pattern because they are no longer making that color
 

[huntnnw]

My S4 is in the garbage ! A glorified neckstrap. Almost every pic I see of a guy wearing one the thing is on their neck. Plus the side straps constantly move ! My binos would be pounding me on the stomach every 10 minutes. Went with Alaska guide creations .. Night and day better Bino harness

[GHETTO GUIDE]

Yesterday i cut off the bungee strap on the S4.  I sewed on some 1.5" webbing to the shoulder ends to replace the bungee.  We shall see how this works.?..  Im on the verge of pulling the trigger on something new..

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[Nash]

I've got 2 of the mules freak harnesses. One in each size. My new glass is still to big for the big harness but they are pretty sweet. I've got one for sale on here. Depending on where you are you can try it out if you want.

[L8NITE]

Love my badlands...so far it rain and snow i have not had any issues. Little extra room inside as well. Keep my cell phone and wind indicator tucked inside with no issues. Magnets are pretty quiet as well.

[Stein]

Just got my new Alaska Guide Cub Max in the mail today.  I loaded it up and like it a bunch, it doesn't seem as big and bulky as I thought it would. No real experience, but I am happy with the design, fit, finish and price.

[pianoman9701]

has anyone every tried keeping an activated hand warmer (or two) in with the binos during late season to keep them from fogging when you look through them?

I think that would worsen the fogging problem. The reason they fog is that your body heats them up and then you bring them out into the cold. If you used a handwarmer, same thing. Using cat pi$$ (brown bottle and bag, not sure of the real name), on the lenses works great for both my binos and my eyeglasses.

[pianoman9701]

I've used 3 bino harness - Nimrod, S-4, and the Badlands case w/magnetic closures.

The one which worked best with all my gear on was the Nimrod, the cheapest one. Simple design and because the straps go over the shoulders and not up behind your neck, there's no pulling on your neck when you're using something in addition like a bow sling. Both the Badlands and the S4 tend to pull a little.

The Badlands case helps a lot with the problem of fogging up. Being in the case, the binos are insulated a bit from your body heat. Even if they do fog up, there's a handy lens cloth sown inside. Downside is the pulling and it's bulky. I also like the reinforced fabric loops that you can hang stuff off of.

The S4 isn't bulky and the bino attachment keeps it really sturdy. I would rate this higher than the Nimrod if it weren't for the pulling while using a bow sling. Fairly simple in design and sturdy.

[Troutnut]

I've been using the Alaska Guide Creations bino chest pack for several years in Alaska. Clearly their line has improved since I bought mine, but mine certainly wasn't waterproof. On a sheep hunt last year I had trouble keeping my binos dry even after the rain stopped, because the case was soaked through. Some waterproofing treatment is a good idea. Apart from the water, it has been one of my favorite pieces of gear.

[yakimanoob]

The reason they fog is that your body heats them up and then you bring them out into the cold. If you used a handwarmer, same thing.

You've got this backward.  Cool surfaces, not warm ones, fog in damp environments.  That's why your back window has a heating element on it, and you de-fog your windshield by blowing warm air on it. 

Binoculars fog because the environment near your body (especially your face) is always damp.  When that damp, warm(er) air comes in contact with the cool glass of your bino lenses, the warm air cools below the dew point and the moisture condenses onto the lens, i.e., you get fog. 

No idea if handwarmers would prevent this or not, but it's certainly true that warm lenses wouldn't fog as much. 

[pianoman9701]

I think that going either from hot to cold or cold to hot will fog binos and glasses. In NH, we kept our rifles outside at night so the glass wouldn't fog when we came out of the cabin in the AM.

[JDHasty]

The reason they fog is that your body heats them up and then you bring them out into the cold. If you used a handwarmer, same thing.

You've got this backward.  Cool surfaces, not warm ones, fog in damp environments.  That's why your back window has a heating element on it, and you de-fog your windshield by blowing warm air on it. 

Binoculars fog because the environment near your body (especially your face) is always damp.  When that damp, warm(er) air comes in contact with the cool glass of your bino lenses, the warm air cools below the dew point and the moisture condenses onto the lens, i.e., you get fog. 

No idea if handwarmers would prevent this or not, but it's certainly true that warm lenses wouldn't fog as much.

 

[Alchase]

I think that going either from hot to cold or cold to hot will fog binos and glasses. In NH, we kept our rifles outside at night so the glass wouldn't fog when we came out of the cabin in the AM.

It actually works both ways. If you have your bino's or scope in a warm room or tent, then take it outside into cold air they will also fog.

I leave the bino's and rifle in the cold, so in the morning when you walk out in the cold they do not fog up. Until you breath on them, LOL

Seriously, there are many fog-proof wipes you can use. I use Sight Saver Wipes to clean them the night before. Almost illuminates any fogging.

[JDHasty]

Water molecules in moist air condense and form the "fog" when it comes in contact with a surface that has a high rate of thermal transfer and is colder than the air the water vapor is in.  That is kind of a poor explanation of what I remember from thermodynamics and physics classes, but the bottom line is that the surface has to be colder than the surrounding air for condensation to take place.

[pianoman9701]

It doesn't matter. When it's cold, they fog up without some kind of defogger. That work?

[yakimanoob]

It doesn't matter. When it's cold, they fog up without some kind of defogger. That work?

I'm on board with that.