Bino Harness System

[NewToCali]

So I'm in the market for a Bino/Acc Harness, not something I've used in the past but being new to the west I'm finding this a necessity. I'd like to have the ability to carry 10x42 Bino's, hopefully a range finder, and a simple wind checker while maintaining a low profile and not breaking the $bank$.
Any advice Pros/Cons of products used is greatly appreciated!!

 

[JimP]

It is pretty hard to find one thing that will do all you want it to do.

I have a Badlands bino harness that I have been using for the last year and really like it. It will keep your binoculars out of the weather and I have had no problems with it.

Here is a thread that talks about all kinds of them that you can check out.

https://forum.eastmans.com/showthread.php/18231-Bino-Harness-with-case-or-not

 

[WapitiBob]

I have Badlands, KUIU, FHF, Rick Young, and Marsupial.

Marsupial is far and away a better setup than the others for me. If you need full coverage the Outdoor Vision is a better system than the KUIU. Both of those two use magnets to hold the lid. That lid is the achilles heel of the Badlands, FHF, and KUIU.

 

[NewToCali]

It is pretty hard to find one thing that will do all you want it to do.

I have a Badlands bino harness that I have been using for the last year and really like it. It will keep your binoculars out of the weather and I have had no problems with it.

Here is a thread that talks about all kinds of them that you can check out.

https://forum.eastmans.com/showthread.php/18231-Bino-Harness-with-case-or-not

Thank ya Sir, I have to get better at searching Forums/threads!!

 

[ScottR]

Few thoughts here on some that we have used in no particular order:

Eberlestock: Brandon loves this bino harness, he used it a bunch last fall and it has has served him well. The pull away system for opening and protection works very well along with the cushy harness.

Mystery Ranch: I put this one through the ringer last fall and it stood up to the abuse. If you like it to open up on top towards you this one is worth a look.

Outdoor Vision: New company, you have probably seen their ads on the forum recently. Very Good product that I wore last week turkey hunting and I really like the layout. I like how it opens frontward as well as some of the cool features, the front pocket is well designed.

Badlands: : The magnetic bino pack is one that many of my friends really liked. The harness on this is designed with wearing a pack in mind.

FHF: Todd has used one for a couple of seasons now and has been pleased. I will see if i can get him to chime in.

Sitka Gear: This one has been used around the office as well. Variety of size options and if you like a zippered option it is worth a look.

 

[Hilltop]

I love the S4 lockdown X. It's cheap ($50) and does a great job of protecting my Vortex Vipers. It holds comfortably tight to my chest and is easy to operate with one hand opening and closing. It's probably not the best of the best out there but it sure is better than anything I have owned.

 

[D_Dubya]

I’ve been using the S4 Lockdown for several years now, I’ve got a few others but the S4 is what I usually go with. One thing I do is run the bottom straps through my belt loops to keep the harness from riding up on my neck. Makes it very comfortable.

 

[Slugz]

I'm also looking to get a new one and am really torn between a few different models.

Lots of reviews on YouTube and comparisons are making it even more confusing.

My priority in order is.

1) Keep it out of the weather when not in use. I seem to get mine dirty, snowflakes on it...etc etc.
2) Close to my body as I like the extra storage the AGC provides with all the pockets but felt it was just too bulky.
3) Quiet. I'm not sure how to judge some of the comments on the magnets making noise when it closes. Usually if I'm so close that an animal can hear a magnet then I would think I'm with in sight stalking range and not gonna use the binos.

 

[JimP]

I do know that on the Badlands one that I purchased that the magnet will make the lid snap close but if you pay attention to what you are doing you can close it without making any noise. I think that if you are close enough for the animal to hear that odds are he is going to see you before he hears you.

I crawled through some narley brush and grasses with my Badlands one and not a speck of dirt or grass go into it. It sits on your chest, no bouncing around even when jogging a little.

 

[NewToCali]

Few thoughts here on some that we have used in no particular order:

Eberlestock: Brandon loves this bino harness, he used it a bunch last fall and it has has served him well. The pull away system for opening and protection works very well along with the cushy harness.

Mystery Ranch: I put this one through the ringer last fall and it stood up to the abuse. If you like it to open up on top towards you this one is worth a look.

Outdoor Vision: New company, you have probably seen their ads on the forum recently. Good product that I wore last week turkey hunting. I like how it opens as well as some of the cool features, the front pocket is well designed.

Badlands: : The magnetic bino pack is one that many of my friends really liked. The harness on this is designed with wearing a pack in mind.

FHF: Todd has used one for a couple of seasons now and has been pleased. I will see if i can get him to chime in.

Sitka Gear: This one has been used around the office as well. Variety of size options and if you like a zippered option it is worth a look.

Great info, especially interested in the Badlands considering I had concerns about how a rig will perform while wearing a pack. (I have a 30-40lb pack on about 90% of the time).

Thank ya Sir!!

 

[NewToCali]

I do know that on the Badlands one that I purchased that the magnet will make the lid snap close but if you pay attention to what you are doing you can close it without making any noise. I think that if you are close enough for the animal to hear that odds are he is going to see you before he hears you.

I crawled through some narley brush and grasses with my Badlands one and not a speck of dirt or grass go into it. It sits on your chest, no bouncing around even when jogging a little.

It appears the Badlands is making its way to the top of the list!

greatly appreciate the info!!

 

[WapitiBob]

My Badlands is probably the worst piece of hunting gear I own. Dumped my binos in the dirt every time I leaned forward or belly crawled on Antelope.

 

[hunter25]

I've been using a Badlands for years and loved it other than no pockets for extra stuff.
I've changed this year to an Alaska guide creations. Good compact size but extra pockets for GPS and rangefinder. Everything in one place

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[mntnguide]

I've used alaska guide creations for years now, has every feature I want and is quiet.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[Ikeepitcold]

I buddy runs the Badlands and loves it. I have used the FHF for a free years and they worked great but upgraded my binos so got the Vortex Guide and I really like it. I can put a lot of stuff in that harness. Only downfall that I had to fix was the straps kept loosing up. I put some of the Kifaru locking buckles and that fixed the issue.
The Outdoor Vision harness will be my next purchase. I like the look the fit and the rain cover.

 

[JimP]

On the Badlands watch Camo Fire. They have them on sale every now and then for quite a bit off. Right now they are selling them for 46% off for another 3 hours. But they will come back, you just have to watch the web site.

https://www.camofire.com/index.php/Deals/5

 

[NewToCali]

That's an awesome discount, still have a few to check out before I purchase though... Great info, greatly appreciated!!

 

[Slugz]

Thought I would list my research the past 48 hours. I have it down to Marsupial, Kiss/Cub AGC, OV and FHF

Marsupial - 75$, small pocket storage, small webbing for harness, bigger holes on the sides for your bino to harness connection

Kiss/Cub AGC - 89-94$, lots of pocket storage, very big shoulder straps, seems kinda bulky and protrudes from the body.

OV - 95$, small pocket storage, small web backing with large sewn in X, harder square top closure.

FHF - 110$, small pocket storage, webbing straps that I see twisted all the time in videos, seems really small and compact to the body.

I'm leaning towards the OV now because.
Marsupial don't like the big holes on the sides
AGC just seems huge
FHF would be at the top of the list but I don't like the straps and I want to be able to throw this thing on in the dark.

Thought? Comments form the users of the above?

Thanks

 

[NewToCali]

Great info Slugz, thanks for sharing.. there's no shortage to choose from that's for sure, it seems like I change my mind daily on which to purchase.

 

[JimP]

I have found that you just need to make a eduicated guess on what you like and then go for it. Try it for a season and if it doesn't work out for you sell it and find another one.

I am unlucky in that department in that I have a few nephews that like to hunt so they inherit all of my equipment that I don't want to use.