Harnesses are indeed more comfortable if one is carrying only one binocular, but they don't play nice with backpacks or other optics gear. I gave up on them because of that, bandoleer style straps are almost as good and easier to deal with.
-
Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.
Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
To strap, or not to strap....... (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Mike F
- Start date
Harnesses are indeed more comfortable if one is carrying only one binocular, but they don't play nice with backpacks or other optics gear. I gave up on them because of that, bandoleer style straps are almost as good and easier to deal with.
I tend to only carry a light (<5 lb loaded) day/hydration pack which I wear "over" the harness and that seems to work fine. I thread the strenum strap under the forward harness straps when I bother with the sternum strap, but the pack comes on and off pretty quickly.
I do agree that if you start adding additional straps the harness becomes difficult to use as I discovered trying to carry one binocular on a harness and another on a bandolier strap.
Alan
Egrets Ivadafew
Well-known member
OK, this is going to sound like overkill. I use 3 Zecti wrist straps (one attached under the head of my tripod, one to a bandolier beneath my coat, one round my wrist). I then clip and unclip the bins to them depending on requirements.
Pro's -I have the bins to hand without them see-sawing across my chest all day
Con's -when I swap the bins from strap to strap (which isn't very often) I need to take care.
Not everyone's cup of tea this, but it works for me.
Pro's -I have the bins to hand without them see-sawing across my chest all day
Con's -when I swap the bins from strap to strap (which isn't very often) I need to take care.
Not everyone's cup of tea this, but it works for me.
I rely on the neck strap a lot - I log basic field observations on my phone and consequently can't keep my binoculars in hand all the time. Even if I could, though, I'd want to have my binoculars attached to my neck for insurance. I once had an EOS-1DiiN come off my shoulder, not an experience I ever want to repeat. i've come to really appreciate well fitting/comfortable neck straps - the one provided with the SLC mark ii is excellent.
Rotherbirder
Well-known member
A no brainer, surely!? Especially when handling using such high value gear. With my Swaro 8x32, either the strap which came with it or - more often these days - a DIY bungee harness (a la Rick Young).
To strap or not to strap.
Yes with my 8x30,s I put my right arm through the strap but also around my neck it holds them firm against me no swinging around and easy to take from your arm to watch something obviously people will do this but it was my own Idea not from seeing others and have walked with them for miles on end over the years like that.
Mike F
Well-known member
Thanks for the many responses everyone. I've always been inclined to use a neck strap with bins just as a safety measure even though I'm not generally walking around with them. I tend to use bins from a fixed location and so could, in fact, use them quite safely without a strap, but just in case I always put the strap around my neck. Somewhat ironically though when I used to do some photography I would routinely walk around without a strap with a camera and lens combo that would often exceed the value of even the most expensive alphas and not give it a second thought. Never did drop a camera. Maybe I've become more sensible in my old age! Ha! ��
Oh Julie, Julie..... how lucky you were!!
Always..... ALWAYS have the bin strap round your neck. Never EVER put them down for a second!!! And NEVER put them on the roof of the car while you're loading it up before driving off!!:eek!:
Always..... ALWAYS have the bin strap round your neck. Never EVER put them down for a second!!! And NEVER put them on the roof of the car while you're loading it up before driving off!!:eek!:
edwincjones
Well-known member
I always have the strap around my neck-never thought that there was another way;
but now that I know ............?
edj
but now that I know ............?
edj
