My gear/pack layout from base layers to binos

[Formidilosus]

I appreciate the detailed responses.

No problem.

 

[pattimusprime22]

7). Have a means for carrying a pistol if required.

How are you attaching a pistol with the SG Sentinel setup? I've tried adding a razco holster below the harness but felt it was sitting too low and got in the way when sitting. The behind bino harness plate that Dioni released looked good but I didn't think it worked on the SG Sentinel.

 

[cubdriver84d]

How are you attaching a pistol with the SG Sentinel setup? I've tried adding a razco holster below the harness but felt it was sitting too low and got in the way when sitting. The behind bino harness plate that Dioni released looked good but I didn't think it worked on the SG Sentinel.

Here’s how I have mine setup with the guardian plate. Only have a couple days in the field with it but so far it works okay for me. Basically sag the pouch down a little relative to the plate and pin the strong side shoulder strap buckle under the holster. That’s the best solution I could come up for a pistol with an optic and light.

 

[RockAndSage]

I appreciate the detailed responses.

Same. That info was gold. This maxim in particular needs to be shouted far and wide:

“Gear fits around how you shoot, you do not shoot around your gear”.

 

[Formidilosus]

How are you attaching a pistol with the SG Sentinel setup? I've tried adding a razco holster below the harness but felt it was sitting too low and got in the way when sitting. The behind bino harness plate that Dioni released looked good but I didn't think it worked on the SG Sentinel.

I don’t anymore. After using a bunch of different options, it’s come out that having the pistol in a separate holster on the chest and the harness over it is the way. Lots of times I want to drop the harness, but want the pistol still on me.

 

[WyldGoose]

Ugh…Bino pouches…there’s a million of them and all seem to miss the mark. At least for my purposes. I too have found the SG Sentinel to be the best option currently, but Form’s right about the shoulder harness. And no clue why the wings are velcro and not laser cut molle/pals for more options, but rigging some HPG pouches has worked good for me. I’ve been tempted to have an SG bino pouch modified with pals webbing to the back to attach to an HPG Recon or Medium Recon kitbag to handle all the essentials Form laid out. Their harness is wide for clearing the neck, rides correctly/comfortably, plus it carries a pistol.

 

[HighUintas]

I'm wondering how the kuiu pro chest pack compared to the sentinel. I think it'd be a little heavier and the wing pockets attached, but similar layout.

 

[Formidilosus]

I'm wondering how the kuiu pro chest pack compared to the sentinel. I think it'd be a little heavier and the wing pockets attached, but similar layout.

Looks like the harness is going to have the same issue that all do- sagging and riding up on the back of your neck.

 

[atmat]

I used the Airframe on the Sentinel this year. Better than the SG harness- my issue with the SG is that it stretches. It’s a “chest” pouch, not a “stomach” pouch, and the SG in a bit of use stretches and sags to where it can’t be adjusted higher anymore.

The Airframe buckles and straps aren’t the same as the SG, but it’s workable.

View attachment 986949


The harness is much better, moves less and is more stable. The issue I have is the shoulder straps should have been adjusted a bit in the back so that they were wider when worn- the yoke should have been done differently. As it is, if you have a thick neck- they rub as below.

View attachment 986948


View attachment 986951



It is better than the SG harness even still, but I will try the Overwatch harness as the yoke seems to be both deeper and wider.

This looks like it rides better but holy smokes does that look tight around the neck. I have pretty thick traps — I think that would drive me nuts.

Keep us updated on the Overwatch

 

[Bluumoon]

I'm wondering how the kuiu pro chest pack compared to the sentinel. I think it'd be a little heavier and the wing pockets attached, but similar layout.

I had one a couple years ago, it rode up and squished the brachial plexus nerves by the end of the day.

 

[Speaks]

Same air frame harness combined with the FOB pouch with more or less same load out kit that Form described. I dont feel like my neck gets pinched (but im 6’2 165 with a skinny neck) Shown both with and without Teratorn pack on.

I wouldnt mind trying the SG one if they would make one in orange. But this works well.

Shown with the 8x42 Geovid R binos in it.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I'm wondering how the kuiu pro chest pack compared to the sentinel. I think it'd be a little heavier and the wing pockets attached, but similar layout.

I tired my buddies back in September. A large step down from my Marsupial (which isn’t perfect either).

 

[Helislacker]

My issues with the SG are similar. It got noticeably looser as I used it, and ended up like this….basically hanging from the stomach towards the end of the season.




The other issue with the Stone Glacier I’ve found is durability. The bungee cord wears out and fails, once in the middle of a sheep hunt and had to be tied back together to work. If you haven’t already, replace it with thicker, better quality bungee from somewhere else. The SG stuff is thin. Also, the pouches don’t handle abrasion well and tend to degrade quickly when compared to something like the Sitka. I don’t feel like replacing my pouches every season but the main pouch and accessory pouch will likely have to be replaced before next as they have small holes stemming from abrasion. Overall minor issues but stuff to keep in mind. To me, the Sentinel is still worth it for the utility and overall design of the pouches but lacking in many areas.

I’ve reached out to a small company out of Calgary who I’ve had experience with their products and have been very impressed by the quality. They’ve already got a product that addresses the harness design IMO. The question is whether they want to slim that down and adapt it for binoculars and hunting. They’re capable of producing a solution to this with a better product, I’m just waiting to hear back if they’re willing to.

 

[KY_coop]

Some may have tried them already but the eberlestock recon may be worth a look. Ive ran mine a few years now with no complaints. Ordered a eberlestock bravo( no magnets) recently so I'll try that out on some hunts next year. Seems to be improved from the recon in a few ways but time will tell.

 

[coy17]

I've always carried my pistol under or attached below my bino harness with gunfighters inc holsters. They worked well but the extra heavy chest rig would make my shoulders & neck ache wearing all day. This year I carried my pistol and other essentials in a marsupial fanny pack below my bino harness. It didn't interfere with my pack waist belt at all. I'm pretty blown away with how comfortable this method is

 

[Pilsner]

I don’t anymore. After using a bunch of different options, it’s come out that having the pistol in a separate holster on the chest and the harness over it is the way. Lots of times I want to drop the harness, but want the pistol still on me.

I started here, spend a stupid amount of time and money trying to find a better method, and ended up back here right where I started.
Kenai Chest Rig under my bino harness for the win. Again...

 

[Pilsner]

Same air frame harness combined with the FOB pouch with more or less same load out kit that Form described. I dont feel like my neck gets pinched (but im 6’2 165 with a skinny neck) Shown both with and without Teratorn pack on.

I wouldnt mind trying the SG one if they would make one in orange. But this works well.

Shown with the 8x42 Geovid R binos in it.

Since I picked up a set of Sig RF 10k binos that don't fit my AGC bino pouch very well I have been looking at the Eberlestock system or the T&K. Got any input on one vs the other? My other T&K products have been fantastic, my one experience with an E-stock product was an abject failure but their customer service fixed it promptly and impressed me.

 

[Dobermann]

I used the Airframe on the Sentinel this year. Better than the SG harness- my issue with the SG is that it stretches. It’s a “chest” pouch, not a “stomach” pouch, and the SG in a bit of use stretches and sags to where it can’t be adjusted higher anymore.

The Airframe buckles and straps aren’t the same as the SG, but it’s workable.

View attachment 986949


The harness is much better, moves less and is more stable. The issue I have is the shoulder straps should have been adjusted a bit in the back so that they were wider when worn- the yoke should have been done differently. As it is, if you have a thick neck- they rub as below.

View attachment 986948


View attachment 986951



It is better than the SG harness even still, but I will try the Overwatch harness as the yoke seems to be both deeper and wider.

Hi Form, thanks as ever for taking the time on this.

I'm not sure if you've covered it before, but I'm curious about your use of a full-size Kestrel, rather than just a windmeter (such as a smaller Kestrel, Brunton ADC-Pro, Calypso). Are you using the Kestrel for solutions/DOPE in the field, or something else? And why?

Cheers!

 

[Speaks]

Since I picked up a set of Sig RF 10k binos that don't fit my AGC bino pouch very well I have been looking at the Eberlestock system or the T&K. Got any input on one vs the other? My other T&K products have been fantastic, my one experience with an E-stock product was an abject failure but their customer service fixed it promptly and impressed me.

I dont really. I started with FHF, added a set of marsupial which I liked less, the got the FOB which I have been very happy with leaving me with little desire to further experiment at the moment. I am keeping the old FHF for my 15 year old beater truck binos and use the FOB for my main rig. I need to sell the marsupial along with a bunch of other gear that didnt work for me.

No experience with anything from T&K and my only thing from Eberlestock was an old X2 pack which IMO was a neat design executed terribly. I think it might have worked fine for unusually short guys but zero chance of it working for someone 6'2. If not for being built for midgets its a little like what a mini, lidless, day hunt, baby teratorn might be.

Lots of others commenting have way more experience with multipal harness set ups.

What I am honestly curious about is given how similar my overall set up is to forms in terms of harness, wings, pouches, and what goes in them, what is different in the bino pouch its self between SG and FOB. I cant think of what I would like better done on the FOB but I am always a curious tinkerer.

 

[dirtshooter]

As someone that is not happy with the SG puffy jacket I'm definitely looking forward to the new mystery anorak! I've always used OR puffy jackets but got the SG for a good price and it seems way too fragile for my liking and not warm enough.