Binocular harness

[Beth05]

I am thinking about getting a harness. Mostly I want it to reduce neck strain and to keep the binoculars from bouncing around. How do I know which one to get? Are they all pretty much the same? I would greatly appreciate any advice.
Thanks
Beth

[BMR]

I am thinking about getting a harness. Mostly I want it to reduce neck strain and to keep the binoculars from bouncing around. How do I know which one to get? Are they all pretty much the same? I would greatly appreciate any advice.
Thanks
Beth

Get the ones made by Crooked Horn and sold under various names. I have used mine on three elk hunts in Montana with my Leica 10X50 BN, which weighs about 41 ounces. I was up and down some very big hills each time and never noticed they were there.

[BarbaraM]

The major difference is elastic or non-elastic. I have the non elastic - has two leather guides in back with an adjustable strap between - this allows adjustment of the torso length in the center. I can also adjust the shoulder strap length to fit over more or less clothing. I like the harness except that when clothes are bulky (over a jacket, for example) it can be difficult to get out of it without unhooking one of the clips to the binoculars. For quick sharing of the binocs with others I have to completely unhook them and pass the unstrapped binocs - I'm always a little worried they will get dropped... I love the harness in comparison to a neckstrap - no pressure on neck, no bounce of binocs as I walk. Very comfortable.

My husband has the elastic version with only one central guide in back - he seems to get into/out of his harness with more ease but then has some bounce while walking.

I was surprised when I visited Amsterdam and London that almost no one uses a binocular harness. They are so much more comfortable. Barbara

[Jaeger01]

I am thinking about getting a harness. Mostly I want it to reduce neck strain and to keep the binoculars from bouncing around. How do I know which one to get? Are they all pretty much the same? I would greatly appreciate any advice.
Thanks
Beth

Beth, I use the elastic type as does my wife. We got ours from ABA's online store (www.americanbirding.org/absales), Item 971 for $19.95. You can also call them at 800/634-7736. They're open 8-5 MDT as they are in Colorado and you don't have to be a member to buy from them. We really like ours, my wife never uses anything else but I use a strap at times when it seems for convienent.

Jerry & Yolie
also near Chicago in Hoffman Estates :bounce:

[Jonathan B.]

I am thinking about getting a harness. Mostly I want it to reduce neck strain and to keep the binoculars from bouncing around. How do I know which one to get? Are they all pretty much the same? I would greatly appreciate any advice.
Thanks
Beth

I use an elastic harness, and they are all about the same and about the same price. The ABA price is within a dollar of the Eagle Optics price, but you will be supporting a non-profit by buying from ABA.

My caution to everybody about harnesses: I do not trust the flimsy plastic strips that are supplied with harnesses to attach them to the strap lugs of the binocular. For my binoculars I have cannibalized camera or binocular straps to create permanent attachments. For each strap lug on the binocular I use about five inches of strap, one of the buckles that comes on a strap, and a circular steel ring--the type used on camera bodies. If you don't have any of the rings around the house, you can get them at any shop that sells used photo equipment.

I lace a piece of strap material through a ring and a binocular lug and secure the ends of the strap with a buckle. I attach each of the two clips on the harness to one of the steel rings.

[ranburr]

Crooked Horn Outfitters puts out a great product. You can now pick these up at Walmart for around $15.00.

ranburr

[hollis_f]

I use the Optech harness - because it uses the same fittings as their (very comfortable) neck-straps. I can keep the same, short, strap on the bins and very easily swap them between the strap and the harness, depending on which I want to use.

[Jaeger01]

When I got the ABA harness, I put the Tamrac quick connects (from several old Tamrac camera straps, available from any photo equipment store) on both the harness and the main neck straps I use, they are simple nylon strap on types. I can switch from the harness to the straps in seconds and use which ever is handiest at the time.

[jackied]

Beth
I use the elastic type harness. If you are female, and lets just say larger than average up top, the elastic type can bounce around quite a bit. I have to hold mine when I walk. These things are always designed with men in mind.

Jackie

[Jaeger01]

Beth
I use the elastic type harness. If you are female, and lets just say larger than average up top, the elastic type can bounce around quite a bit. I have to hold mine when I walk. These things are always designed with men in mind.

Jackie

My wife uses the elastic and she is fairly well endowed and she prefers the elastic orver the non-elastic.

[Nova88]

the harness i use i found out about from reading a review on a birding blog i follow

http://10000birds.com/review-binocular-harness.htm

i have been really happy with it. it really reduces the neck and back pain after a long day of birding.

i bought it at http://www.mybinocularharness.com/

i added a picture of it to my avatar so you could see what it looks like (and no that's not me in the picture i just pulled it from their website)

[Dave B Smith]

I use a harness and like Jaeger01 mentioned above, added a set of quick release fasteners which make them must easier to get into or out of.

[A-bar]

Nova88 did you get extra attachments with your harness I ordered the new and old and nether came with the extra attachments stated in the add. It seems a pain to get a reply from them by phone so now trying e-mail.
Thanks. PS. I like the classic style best.

[kristoffer]

Hollis,
I got optech harness and strap. But I can´t just swap between the two, the strap connectors are too long for the harness, it hangs too far down. How do you do this?


I use the Optech harness - because it uses the same fittings as their (very comfortable) neck-straps. I can keep the same, short, strap on the bins and very easily swap them between the strap and the harness, depending on which I want to use.