Poncho vs. Rain Jacket and Pants (1 Viewer)

[BruceBerman]

For birding in hot, humid and wet countries, would you suggest wearing a poncho, perhaps with gaiters, or rain jacket and pants. I carry binocs and a bridge camera around my neck.

 

[THE_FERN]

Poncho + umbrella

 

[BruceBerman]

Poncho + umbrella

So this comes to Question #2. I don't want to hold an umbrella and I can't find a hands-free umbrella that is not silver, which would alarm birds. Any suggestions there?

 

[THE_FERN]

So this comes to Question #2. I don't want to hold an umbrella and I can't find a hands-free umbrella that is not silver, which would alarm birds. Any suggestions there?

Umbrella is invaluable. Bigger the better. Difficult to bird in "proper" rain forest without one.

 

[MiddleRiver]

https://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?cat_id=14073&p_id=1128559

But it still doesn't answer question of how to hold umbrella while holding phone/Merlin, camera, and binos?

 

[BruceBerman]

https://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?cat_id=14073&p_id=1128559

But it still doesn't answer question of how to hold umbrella while holding phone/Merlin, camera, and binos?

In India, recently, I met some Europeans who had black, hands-free umbrellas that were held in place by straps on their vest. I thought it would be easy to find these on line, but no luck so far. Heading to Indonesia for 2 months so I figure I should figure out the best way to handle birding in the rain.

 

[THE_FERN]

https://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?cat_id=14073&p_id=1128559

But it still doesn't answer question of how to hold umbrella while holding phone/Merlin, camera, and binos?

Not necessary for something so expensive, and this looks a bit small. Basically, get the largest possible which still folds relatively compactly. Around £10

 

[THE_FERN]

Various kits for hands free seem available. For example:

Hands-Free Wearable Umbrella Holder

Smart Huriia® hands-free wearable umbrella holder - Unique invention - Secures over your shoulder - Freedom to use both your hands - Multitask with style.

huriia.com

(Fairly expensive)

 

[pppppvvvv]

I'm missing something here lol
Large Umbrella?!

It's going to get caught in branches, reduces your vision, especially upwards.

Sounds cumbersome.

How about a wide rimmed hat, waterproof coat and trousers, gaitors, and a binocular rain guard

 

[THE_FERN]

I'm missing something here lol
Large Umbrella?!

It's going to get caught in branches, reduces your vision, especially upwards.

Sounds cumbersome.

How about a wide rimmed hat, waterproof coat and trousers, gaitors, and a binocular rain guard

Yes obviously if you go much off piste. But usually you're on a path... The problem with the other solutions is they really don't allow you to continue birding in a downpour. They also don't protect as well in really heavy rain. In those circs you won't be walking around much anyway

 

[pppppvvvv]

Yes obviously if you go much off piste. But usually you're on a path... The problem with the other solutions is they really don't allow you to continue birding in a downpour. They also don't protect as well in really heavy rain. In those circs you won't be walking around much anyway

Yes, I'm sure it works fine when there is little wind, no narrow paths, no birds overhead etc.

I have tried a fishing umbrella pegged down for seawatching, never again. I actually missed birds, going over / behind me. I subsequently settled on getting slightly wet, and seeing the birds.

My bigger problem, that an umbrella would solve, is how to keep the eyepieces dry, once your cleaning cloth is soaked, in extreme cases

 

[THE_FERN]

Yes, I'm sure it works fine when there is little wind, no narrow paths, no birds overhead etc.

I have tried a fishing umbrella pegged down for seawatching, never again. I actually missed birds, going over / behind me. I subsequently settled on getting slightly wet, and seeing the birds.

My bigger problem, that an umbrella would solve, is how to keep the eyepieces dry, once your cleaning cloth is soaked, in extreme cases

Like I said, an umbrella is pretty much essential in tropical conditions

 

[pppppvvvv]

Like I said, an umbrella is pretty much essential in tropical conditions

In that case, you are absolutely right. Everyone should get an umbrella for birding in the tropics.

 

[MiddleRiver]

Not necessary for something so expensive, and this looks a bit small. Basically, get the largest possible which still folds relatively compactly. Around £10

Yes the Montbell umbrella is (relatively) pricey. I own one and it's for trekkers/backpackers who want absolute smallest size and weight. It's top-drawer product and I'm sure you could do better if those parameters are not important. That said, I'd buy another w/out hesitation ;-)

 

[BruceBerman]

Various kits for hands free seem available. For example:

Hands-Free Wearable Umbrella Holder

Smart Huriia® hands-free wearable umbrella holder - Unique invention - Secures over your shoulder - Freedom to use both your hands - Multitask with style.

huriia.com

(Fairly expensive)

Various kits for hands free seem available. For example:

Hands-Free Wearable Umbrella Holder

Smart Huriia® hands-free wearable umbrella holder - Unique invention - Secures over your shoulder - Freedom to use both your hands - Multitask with style.

huriia.com

(Fairly expensive)

Great, thanks! This is what I couldn't find.

 

[BruceBerman]

I'm missing something here lol
Large Umbrella?!

It's going to get caught in branches, reduces your vision, especially upwards.

Sounds cumbersome.

How about a wide rimmed hat, waterproof coat and trousers, gaitors, and a binocular rain guard

It would be another arrow in my quiver. In India we were walking along trails where there was plenty of room for an umbrella. I believe, but am not certain, that when affixed to a vest the umbrella moves backwards when a birder bends a bit at the waist to look up. Definitely would also have the other items you mentioned...or a poncho.

 

[pppppvvvv]

It would be another arrow in my quiver. In India we were walking along trails where there was plenty of room for an umbrella. I believe, but am not certain, that when affixed to a vest the umbrella moves backwards when a birder bends a bit at the waist to look up. Definitely would also have the other items you mentioned...or a poncho.

maybe a longer spike, so it could be just stuck into the ground, if you are stationary.
Would at least be easier to move away from it / detach yourself if you needed to look up, or dive into dense bushes the things we often do!

 

[BruceBerman]

Yes, I'm sure it works fine when there is little wind, no narrow paths, no birds overhead etc.

I have tried a fishing umbrella pegged down for seawatching, never again. I actually missed birds, going over / behind me. I subsequently settled on getting slightly wet, and seeing the birds.

My bigger problem, that an umbrella would solve, is how to keep the eyepieces dry, once your cleaning cloth is soaked, in extreme cases

An item in my birding equipment repertoire is a Rocket Air Blaster, which a guide I'd hired in Costa Rica used. This will get most of the water droplets off of your glass and then you can use your cleaning cloth to absorb what is left.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000L9OIQC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[pppppvvvv]

An item in my birding equipment repertoire is a Rocket Air Blaster, which a guide I'd hired in Costa Rica used. This will get most of the water droplets off of your glass and then you can use your cleaning cloth to absorb what is left.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000L9OIQC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

thanks, yes I was just thinking along the lines of a USB fan, or heater(!) but that looks much simpler

 

[Farnboro John]

Yes, I'm sure it works fine when there is little wind, no narrow paths, no birds overhead etc.

I have tried a fishing umbrella pegged down for seawatching, never again. I actually missed birds, going over / behind me. I subsequently settled on getting slightly wet, and seeing the birds.

My bigger problem, that an umbrella would solve, is how to keep the eyepieces dry, once your cleaning cloth is soaked, in extreme cases

👍

John