Anyone Tried these? Opinions?

[twall13]

I came across these while surfing the web and wanted to see if anyone has an opinion on them or if you know of a similar alternative I should be looking into. Bino-Pac Suspension Harness There are also a couple of quick videos showing the harness in use on the testimonials page of the website.

Let me give you a little background info. so you understand what I'm after. I'm looking for a Fathers Day present for my Dad who is pretty old school when it comes to hunting. His hunting mostly consists of day hunting from a base camp or similar situation and always with a rifle. I know he would never go for a full pouch/pack hanging from his chest as he typically hates to even carry a daypack but he has some heavy glass (Leica Geovids 10x42's) and has always just used the neck strap that came with them until last year. Last year he tried a cheap elastic shoulder harness and hated it. It didn't hold his heavy glass in place and was a pain to get in and out of as it didn't have quick release buckles. Personally I'm very happy with my Alaskan Guide Creations pack and if I had such nice glass that's what I'd be using to protect it but he doesn't worry about protecting it so much as having it readily accessible. I guess he's at a point in life where he can afford not to worry about the costs... Regardless, FHF, Kuiu, OPW BinoBro, AGC, and similar packs are out for him. He needs just a simple, no nonsense harness that will comfortably hold his Binos at the ready.

For the price I'm tempted to just get it but I'd like to know your opinions on the matter as I know there is a lot of combined experience on this forum.

 

[bbrown]

No experience with that one but for a simple harness I really like the Nimrod Bino harness with removable lid.

 

[jquarnberg]

I used to use these http://www.badlandspacks.com/bino-straps-hunting-accessory.html which look to be very similar and a bit cheaper. My buddy and I both had them and liked them, he still uses them. I wanted a harness with more protection is the only reason I kept looking.

 

[twall13]

Thanks for the other options guys, I'll have to look into the Nimrod system. As far as the badlands system goes the attachment point to the actual Binos would be a problem. That is how his elastic harness attached and it drove him nuts not being able to quickly detach just the binos when getting in and out of the truck, etc. Those clips are just a pain to deal with. The Bino-Pac appears to have quick release buckles to solve this so he can leave the harness on but detach his binos when he needs to have seatbelt or something on.

Any other thoughts?

 

[realunlucky]

I'm currently trying a modified Kuiu harness but for years my go to was the nimrod without a pouch. It's quick release also

 

[gmajor]

I'm currently trying a modified Kuiu harness but for years my go to was the nimrod without a pouch. It's quick release also

How did you modify yours? I've been debating attaching the quick releases that are currently attached to the binos to the top of the pouch (I'd add some sort of attachment points on the top of the bag), freeing up the binos completely (easier for on and off tripods). If you've done something like this, I'd love to see it...

 

[realunlucky]

Yes I did just that. At work or id post some photos. Pouch top still leans away from my chest at the top and annoys me, so I still in the " got to be a better way stage" hopefully when I try a lighter binocular it'll work better I'll try and report back

 

[twall13]

Thanks again for the replies guys. I'm having a tough time deciding between the Nimrod and the Bino-Pac at this point. Both appear to be viable options. Does the Nimrod work against you when lifting the Binos to your eyes? It seems like it might hold them tighter to your body than the Bino-Pac which could be good if you aren't pulling against them when trying to use the binos. I'm still hoping someone has some experience with Bino-Pac for reference. Please chime in if you have any knowledge about the company or product. Thanks.

 

[TheTone]

I've had a nimrod for a few years that I dislike quite a bit. I have a real issue with the back of the harness riding up and being right against the back of my neck which drives me crazy. I've tried adjusting the straps as much as I can and never really get any relief. I am using a fairly heavy set of binos which may make the issue I have worse. I will be upgrading to either a kuiu or FHF harness when I upgrade to a better set of binos in the near future.

 

[realunlucky]

I've had a nimrod for a few years that I dislike quite a bit. I have a real issue with the back of the harness riding up and being right against the back of my neck which drives me crazy. I've tried adjusting the straps as much as I can and never really get any relief. I am using a fairly heavy set of binos which may make the issue I have worse. I will be upgrading to either a kuiu or FHF harness when I upgrade to a better set of binos in the near future.

They are all going to do that to some extent with heavy glass.

 

[twall13]

Thanks for the info. on the harness riding up to the base of you neck. I can see how that would be annoying and the optics he would be using for this are pretty heavy. Do you get a lot of resistance when lifting the optics to your eyes with the Nimrod?

 

[Steve C]

For an old school type, you might look at a Rick Young Outdoors harness. These are light and can be used several ways with little to no adjustment. It can be used as a simple neck strap, arm through the left side to hold the binocular to the left, or to the right, or to pack to the side, bandoleer style.

I use these pretty much exclusively anymore. They are light enough you do not really notice them if you just unclip the binocular and leave the harness. They work pretty well. For a test I once wore a heavy binocular, 33 oz., while harrowing alfalfa fields. This was at 7-8 mph over ground squirrel mounds and while not jarring rough the effect is something like trotting your horse or jogging. The heavy glass was well controlled I wore the binocular for five hours with no real issues.

They won't bunch up behind you neck either. Faster on and off than either the Nimrod or Crooked Horn styles. A lot easier to place where you want them among what ever layers of clothing you are using.

 

[twall13]

For an old school type, you might look at a Rick Young Outdoors harness. These are light and can be used several ways with little to no adjustment. It can be used as a simple neck strap, arm through the left side to hold the binocular to the left, or to the right, or to pack to the side, bandoleer style.

I use these pretty much exclusively anymore. They are light enough you do not really notice them if you just unclip the binocular and leave the harness. They work pretty well. For a test I once wore a heavy binocular, 33 oz., while harrowing alfalfa fields. This was at 7-8 mph over ground squirrel mounds and while not jarring rough the effect is something like trotting your horse or jogging. The heavy glass was well controlled I wore the binocular for five hours with no real issues.

They won't bunch up behind you neck either. Faster on and off than either the Nimrod or Crooked Horn styles. A lot easier to place where you want them among what ever layers of clothing you are using.

That's interesting, I'd written the RY off thinking it wouldn't be good for heavier optics.