New Bino harnesses

[2ski]

I was in Sportsmans warehouse today and noticed a few new Bino harnesses. Badlands has redesigned theirs into a bulkier design. It does have an interesting design to the lid. Same magnets but it has two folds on it so that you can open just the very top or swing the whole thing out like the old one. I also noticed that Eberlestock has a harness now too. It's heavy. I didn't try either on in the store. Just lifted them up. I fully expect guys won't like the new badlands. Myself I just went in to get an fhf gps pouch and walked out with a new Bino harness to replace my old badlands. Anybody else played with them?

 

[couesbitten]

So which one did you buy?

 

[2ski]

The FHF. I had gone to one of the archery shops that sells FHF first. I was kind of wasting time on my way home when I stopped at SW. I happened to be walking by when the salesman was trying to sell a guy a Sitka Bino pouch and noticed the Eberlestock. Then the salesman pointed out the new design of the Badlands.

 

[couesbitten]

I have 3 of the FHF harnesses and absolutely love them.

 

[squeekieslayer]

I have tried KUIU, S4, badlands, sitka, crooked horn, and FHF gear. I have tried to like others, but always come back to the fhf gear one. The magnets on the badlands would open and allow my binos to fall out. Same with the Sitka. The kuiu is just a flat out stupid design that must have had ZERO r and d or prototyping because it just plain doesnt work well. FHF is loud and the lid is a bit in the way sometimes, but i dont think I will every try another again... unless they make an FHF gear one out of material like the KUIU one.

Joe

 

[squeekieslayer]

shit... i just looked at the Eberle one... i may have another to add to the list. http://www.eberlestock.com/A2CP-Nosegunner.htm

not sure if i will like the big panel on the back... but i bet i can cut out the molle webbing to make it lighter and more comfortable. lid seems to open the correct way. Looks like it is quet material compared to FHF.

Joe

 

[squeekieslayer]

You say they have it in Boz?

Joe

 

[slim9300]

I have tried KUIU, S4, badlands, sitka, crooked horn, and FHF gear. I have tried to like others, but always come back to the fhf gear one. The magnets on the badlands would open and allow my binos to fall out. Same with the Sitka. The kuiu is just a flat out stupid design that must have had ZERO r and d or prototyping because it just plain doesnt work well. FHF is loud and the lid is a bit in the way sometimes, but i dont think I will every try another again... unless they make an FHF gear one out of material like the KUIU one.

Joe

I couldn't disagree more. I have owned or used all of the harnesses you mentioned except the Crooked Horn. I am currently running the Kuiu simply because it's the lightest, yet has all of the features of my Sitka except the ability to put the binos back in the harness one-handed. (Albeit annoying, I have found a remedy) The Sitka has the fastest removal and the issue you pointed out is easily remedied by zipping up the zippers about 3" on both sides after you have installed your binos. I have used the Sitka for 3 seasons and carried it for well over 500 miles in the field. The only reason I stopped using it, and now have donated it to my gf, is because it's Sitka, the camo and it's heavier than the Kuiu. If it was a solid brown or green and didn't have a logo, I would probably buy another one. I even thought about having Paul make me a custom one. I do love Paul's harness (FHF) but it's not as fast as the Sitka in terms of removal and re-install, and it's far too heavy for me. The S4 fails on coverage for me from rain (amongst other reasons). Just my .02

 

[wapitibob]

I finally dumped my badlands junker and I'm done looking. Kuiu is the one. One handed operation, 12s fit fine, no movement when walking and stays tight to the body when belly crawling. Adjustment is key for it to work. Btm strap needs to be tight and the lid tension elastic a needs to be adjusted so the lid will snap over the eye cups.
No more baby carrier on my chest....

 

[mt100gr.]

Don't overlook the horn hunter bino hub. I like it. The elastic slip pouch on the side holds a knife, back pocket for tags, and a magnetic hookup on the side and/or bottom for the rangefinder. I can drop my pack, stalk, range, kill (ideally) and dress out a critter on the spot. Then go get my gear. It works well for me. I rigged a magnetic rangefinder holder to my S4 harness and it worked well, I like this one better though.

 

[2ski]

You say they have it in Boz?

Joe

Yeah. To the left of the knife counter. The last row before you hit the camo clothes.

 

[rodney482]

No one makes a perfect one!

 

[quackaddict]

Don't overlook the horn hunter bino hub. I like it. The elastic slip pouch on the side holds a knife, back pocket for tags, and a magnetic hookup on the side and/or bottom for the rangefinder. I can drop my pack, stalk, range, kill (ideally) and dress out a critter on the spot. Then go get my gear. It works well for me. I rigged a magnetic rangefinder holder to my S4 harness and it worked well, I like this one better though.

I just saw one of these this past weekend and I REALLY liked it. I think I'll be picking one up pretty soon.

 

[rodney482]

Kifaru should make a harness that straps to your pack shoulder straps.

 

[TEmbry]

Kifaru should make a harness that straps to your pack shoulder straps.

And what about when you shed your pack? Seems like a hassle.

IMO the perfect harness is Kuiu IF they would add a second set of shoulder straps for the pouch itself to keep it from slouching when binos are pulled out. Two more feet of webbing and it's a design that can't really be improved on much IMO.

 

[Screamrider]

And what about when you shed your pack? Seems like a hassle.

IMO the perfect harness is Kuiu IF they would add a second set of shoulder straps for the pouch itself to keep it from slouching when binos are pulled out. Two more feet of webbing and it's a design that can't really be improved on much IMO.

Couldn't agree more! I just said this exact same thing in another post. I have the Kuiu and 2 FHF harnesses. The only single area where FHF outperforms the Kuiu is that it has the second set of shoulder straps. Otherwise, the Kuiu is a fantastic design! Between the 2, if I'm not totally removing the binos to put on a tripod I take the Kuiu hands down every time.

 

[Outwest]

Don't overlook the horn hunter bino hub. I like it. The elastic slip pouch on the side holds a knife, back pocket for tags, and a magnetic hookup on the side and/or bottom for the rangefinder. I can drop my pack, stalk, range, kill (ideally) and dress out a critter on the spot. Then go get my gear. It works well for me. I rigged a magnetic rangefinder holder to my S4 harness and it worked well, I like this one better though.

This is what I currently use. For the most part I really like it but it has some short comings. Because of the nylon shoulder straps and the elastic sternum strap, its seems to tend to "fall over," as in create a large space between the top of the case and my chest, but only when I am wearing a pack. (not sure if this happens to everyone or if I have it setup wrong?) I never could get the magnets to hold my rangefinder with the wrap on well enough to secure it but thats not a huge deal. Other than those little things I have enjoyed it. Its going on its 3rd year now.

I have been looking pretty hard at the FHF gear though. I like the shock cord closure way better than magnets.

 

[justinspicher]

I have recently started to use my HPG Recon Kitbag for this purpose. I have a small set of Vortes binos that I put in the front pouch and put my map in the back pouch. So far it has worked out for me. I have a BFG three mag pouch up front for my phone, compass and pad of paper and pencil.

 

[Matt W.]

I have recently started to use my HPG Recon Kitbag for this purpose. I have a small set of Vortes binos that I put in the front pouch and put my map in the back pouch. So far it has worked out for me. I have a BFG three mag pouch up front for my phone, compass and pad of paper and pencil.

I also run a HPG Bag, but the original Kit Bag. Its a bit large in some areas and smaller in other areas. I want a chest pouch that can run both a G20 and my binos vs. a straight up simple bino pouch.

 

[rodney482]

And what about when you shed your pack? Seems like a hassle.

IMO the perfect harness is Kuiu IF they would add a second set of shoulder straps for the pouch itself to keep it from slouching when binos are pulled out. Two more feet of webbing and it's a design that can't really be improved on much IMO.

Quick detach buckles.

Im either glassing with pack on
or
glassing off tripod