High power binos (14x +). How are you carrying?

[HuntFishCamp]

With 10s in your chest harness, how are you carrying in your higher power binos? I was planning to use the nice zippered soft case from swaro (9+ oz) to hold my 14 NLs, but now I am trying to shed some ounces for a backcountry hunt. Anybody running them in a lightweight zippered pouch while they are in your pack or would you favor more padding/protection?

I’ve also seen the marsupial gear BTX/15x case which is reported to fit 14s and 15s well. 6 oz, $80
Another option I have been waiting to hear about is the LS Wild Bino Armor but I have not seen the smaller sizes posted on the website. This would allow the case to remain on while optic is mounted on the bino adapter/tripod. @hereinaz - any updates?

Interested to hear what others are using to protect their binos when weight is a factor.

 

[hereinaz]

We are getting additional sewing help in board to release the smaller sizes that fit the NL Pure and others.

If you are not carrying them on your chest, I think a light weight case makes the most sense.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Lightweight padded case. I need one for my NL 14s as I’m using the heavy factory zip case.

@hereinaz let me know when an orange prototype is ready and I’ll send you money

 

[htlt_surfboards]

I don’t have 14s but for my spotter I wrap my puffy around it and then put that into a ultrasil dry bag so it stays around the spotter.

 

[Bridgerland]

I don’t have 14s but for my spotter I wrap my puffy around it and then put that into a ultrasil dry bag so it stays around the spotter.

^ This. If you’re already carrying a puffy or other layers in your daypack, the clothing can double as padding for the big eyes. I’ve been doing this with my NL 14’s

 

[dreamingWest]

I've always carried my 15s in Exo lid.

 

[Aaron-in-CO]

I carry my Maven 18x in the drawstring pouch that came with it. I usually have lens caps on it too, but am starting to move away from those. It usually rides in one of the tall side pockets of my K3.

 

[canyonhunter47]

In open country, especially when I’m hiking into a glassing knob early and plan to stay all or most of the day I keep my 15s in a chest rig and leave the 10’s in the pack (or at home). If conditions change I can swap back.

15s are more usable for handholding than they are made out to be. You can help a lot by grabbing the brim of your hat together with your binos. You can also connect them to your tripod and extend it like a monopod or with a bow you can put the bino over your top cam and pinch the bow against your body or rest the bottom cam on your foot.

 

[flyfisher117]

So far my 15s live in the padded marsupial case. Said marsupial case is either in my packs lid or main compartment. If I could protect the glass more I’d probably ditch the padded case.

 

[mainbeam pursuit2]

Same as flyfisher for me.

 

[nphunter]

Kuiu large harness fits the NL14’s well. I keep mine it it all the time. You can take off the harness if you want to cut more weight but i just leave the harness attached. If in big open country or areas where we will be stopping regularly it gives me the option to put them on my chest and I leave my adapter in the tripod in an outside pouch. Most of the time I stuff them in the lid of my pack, inside the Kuiu harness they fit in my K4 and Kifaru lid. If you are really counting OZ you could easily just toss them in the lid of your pack by the self’s. I prefer to have a dedicated harness because I’ll often go back and forth between my 8’s and 14’s on the tripod and hate leaving them out in the open uncovered.