How do you carry your binoculars? (1 Viewer)

[Richard D]

The only time I carry binoculars in a case is when I'm not actively birding - e.g. a trip somewhere for work I'll keep 8x25s in a case in my briefcase in case I have time for a quick wander about.

 

[Redneckbmxer24]

But do you need full protection from the elements? Surely not, unless in exceptional circumstances. Most binoculars are waterproof nowadays, they're armoured and can stand the elements quite easily. Often better - much better - than the people using them. Modern binoculars don't need to be pampered.

Of course, keeping water off the eyepieces makes sense, otherwise you can't see a lot through the binoculars, so you need a rainguard. But that's about it.

Hermann

If you’re out on a nice paved trail in perfect weather maybe not, but otherwise protection is good. I’m hiking on slick trails often that can also be goat paths, up and down large rocks, all while having a dog pulling me a lot of the time. There’s a lot of opportunities to have a mishap with binos.

Even then, having to stop and clean them sucks and every time you clean them you risk scratching a lens.

So yes, I protect my $3000 investment while I’m out using them.

 

[Hermann]

If you’re out on a nice paved trail in perfect weather maybe not, but otherwise protection is good. I’m hiking on slick trails often that can also be goat paths, up and down large rocks, all while having a dog pulling me a lot of the time.

That actually describes what I do nicely. Minus the dog.

Even then, having to stop and clean them sucks and every time you clean them you risk scratching a lens.

The importance of small scratches is overrated. And with good field technique you won't get a lot of dirt on the lenses anyway.

So yes, I protect my $3000 investment while I’m out using them.

To each his/her own. I see my binoculars (and my scope, for that matter) as tools. And I want to be able to deploy them at an instant.

Hermann

 

[Redneckbmxer24]

That actually describes what I do nicely. Minus the dog.

The importance of small scratches is overrated. And with good field technique you won't get a lot of dirt on the lenses anyway.

To each his/her own. I see my binoculars (and my scope, for that matter) as tools. And I want to be able to deploy them at an instant.

Hermann

When you scratch the lens or just the coating you lose optical performance…

You can deploy them in an instant from a good chest pouch too.

You seem very set in your ways though so I’m not going to try to convince you.

 

[AlphaFan]

A lot of this is personal preference and not really about right or wrong. As several have already intimated, with just a bit of experience and practice just about anyone can become rather proficient at quickly and accurately drawing their bino from a chest harness. I’ve just gotten very comfortable with it over time and prefer using it to other methods. In addition to protection the binocular is much more controlled and not free-swinging when not in use. A few months back I was on a rather choppy pelagic trip and many on the boat seeing my rig mentioned they would have better served with a chest harness.

 

[Zedster]

Bill Oddie (Bill Odddie's Little black Bird Book, London 1980) summed up my feelings how binoculars should be carried (or, indeed, not be carried) more than 40 years ago:

"Even more significant is where you wear your binoculars. It's likely around your neck, I know that [...] but how long is the strap? Binoculars should be on a short strap, nestling high on your chest - a minimum distance from your eyes. Make the strap too short, and you'll not be able to get them over your chin, and you'll probably knock your teeth out. The straps that come with the binoculars are always too long, and you can't usually shorten them without tying knots in them. Dudes never get round to this, perhaps because it spoils the smoothness of the leather. So dudes wear their binoculars down by their waist or even lower, like a sporran. That's not practical because it's a long way up to the eyes. It can also be very painful.
Dudes invariably carry their binocular case slung around their shoulders. Even worse, they sometimes carry their binoculars in the case. Definitely soppy. The case should have been lost long ago; if indeed you ever had one. Or alternatively, it might be used for carrying your packed lunch, tobacco for rollups, or one of those tide-line corpses. If you're really worried about your image - it's safest to throw the case away." (p. 61)

In case you don't know who Bill Oddie is, check the Wikipedia: Bill Oddie - Wikipedia. And get his "Little black Bird Book". It's still an excellent read.

Hermann

The implication is mildly insulting. Of COURSE I have changed the length of my straps on my SLCs before finally replacing them with a harness much like the Rick Young type. I do a lot of off trail birding for both work and pleasure and it only takes one time getting hit in the face with your bins to realize that a neck strap is a poor method of carrying your bins. In a bandolier carry the straps need to be a bit longer but still not too long.

I agree that the best place for the case is nowhere near you. I keep bins in a case when they are in my backpack or storage for some reason. Otherwise the case is nowhere near them. I lost the SLC case decades ago though.

 

[Maljunulo]

When you scratch the lens or just the coating you lose optical performance…

Probably not even people here will challenge that statement, but I do wonder how bad the scratch has to be in order for the image degredation to be visible.

The scratch scatters light, and I believe there has to be quite a bit of scattered light before anyone sees it, especially with their non-dominant eye.

 

[Redneckbmxer24]

Probably not even people here will challenge that statement, but I do wonder how bad the scratch has to be in order for the image degredation to be visible.

The scratch scatters light, and I believe there has to be quite a bit of scattered light before anyone sees it, especially with their non-dominant eye.

Even if all you do is scuff the coating you lose performance. If you scratch through the coating you lose the coating performance on the scratch and if you scratch the glass you have distortion.

You buy alpha glass for very small gains over over glass, if it’s jacked up then what’s the point? No reason not to make a reasonable attempted to protect your lenses.

 

[Maljunulo]

I didn’t say not to “protect your lenses” you said I said that. (sort of)

I am questioning whether or not anyone would be able to actually see the image degradation unless the scrach was very severe, and into the glass. (Not just the coatings)

 

[Trinovid]

I have a mystery ranch bag too but it's more tailored to smaller binos like 8x32's and the like.

What is the name or model of the Mystery Ranch option?

 

[crinklystarfish]

I imagine Messrs Heath Robinson and Rube Goldberg would take great delight in reading this thread.

Under almost all nature-watching circumstances, I'm an original strap, worn conventionally, with bins high-on-chest type.

I'm genuinely surprised that so many find this elegantly simple arrangement unsatisfactory.

 

[MiddleRiver]

What is the name or model of the Mystery Ranch option?

If anyone wants a chest harness (I have been known to use one on occasion, but not much while birding), I recommend looking at BinoBro. It's a minimalist, lightweight and unobtrusive option to take weight off neck and protect optics. The beauty is that it's somewhere between a front cover and a case. The back is mostly mesh and there is no real 'lid'. The top curve can simply be folded back to form a quick in/out pocket. His website doesn't do it justice and I recommend watching video reviews?

 

[Will K]

I imagine Messrs Heath Robinson and Rube Goldberg would take great delight in reading this thread.

 

[Redneckbmxer24]

What is the name or model of the Mystery Ranch option?

Quick Draw Bino Harness Pack | MYSTERY RANCH Backpacks

Our QUICK DRAW BINO HARNESS keeps one of your most critical hunting tools protected and at the ready. The integrated harness works in supportive harmony with your pack.

www.mysteryranch.com

It’s that one.

The Marsupial is a way nicer harness for not a whole lot more money. Everything about it is better from the harnesses, the way it closes, the extra pockets.

 

[Troubador]

I imagine Messrs Heath Robinson and Rube Goldberg would take great delight in reading this thread.

Under almost all nature-watching circumstances, I'm an original strap, worn conventionally, with bins high-on-chest type.

I'm genuinely surprised that so many find this elegantly simple arrangement unsatisfactory.

Quite. I usually have a backpack with a chest strap connecting the two shoulder straps and a waist strap on which I have a camera holster housing a small-bodied DSLR with lens attached. With 2 shoulder straps and 1 chest strap and a waist strap I am not attracted by any kind of bino harness being quite content with a conventional neck strap.

Lee

 

[Maljunulo]

Many seem to reject the simple in favor of the complex.

I have never understood this.

 

[Redneckbmxer24]

Many seem to reject the simple in favor of the complex.

I have never understood this.

What’s so complex about a bag that takes no longer to lift a flap up and access than removing a rain guard from a pair dangling on a neck strap while offering full protection? Or a bag that is just as fast to bring the binos up from with the flap clipped open as a neck strap with no rain guard that keeps your binos from bouncing around on your chest.

There’s literally nothing complex about that. If you like a neck strap fine, but to label something that you haven’t even used and don’t want to use is just silly.

 

[Maljunulo]

It was a general statement, and an observation.

It was not directed at you beyond the fact that you are a member of the general audience.

 

[Zedster]

I imagine Messrs Heath Robinson and Rube Goldberg would take great delight in reading this thread.

Under almost all nature-watching circumstances, I'm an original strap, worn conventionally, with bins high-on-chest type.

I'm genuinely surprised that so many find this elegantly simple arrangement unsatisfactory.

Well it's unsatisfactory because it puts all the weight on your neck, makes your neck hot in warm weather, allows the binoculars to bounce into your face if you trip, and it interferes with some articles of clothing. I mean to each their own and if it works for you that is great. But you shouldn't be surprised that it isn't the best solution for lots of birders.

 

[Trinovid]

I'm genuinely surprised that so many find this elegantly simple arrangement unsatisfactory.

I'm no less than equally surprised that people can be so incapable of understanding that there are many ways of doing things which bring satisfaction to others, not to mention totally closed-minded to the possibility of doing anything in a manner differing from their own.

Would be nice to have people simply state what they like without feeling the need to belittle those who don't use their preferred methods. It's nice that the old-school neck strap is perfect for you though.