Bino harness in the saddle?

[cooperwafzig]

Last year I tried to use my eberlestock recon bino harness while saddle hunting, while it worked( I suppose) it seemed to get in the way alot, make a bunch of noise, scraping bridge, etc. Now I do have a bit of a beer gut so that definitely doesn't help. I bought the eberlestock for my 10x binos and gun hunting really so no big deal. I've got a small pair of 6x binos that I mainly use while bow hunting, threw on a vortex bino harness, the kind that doesn't have any protection, just holds the binos and let's them slide and they worked good and stayed out of the way. The con is there's no protection, no storage option for a rangefinder, phone, etc.
I'm looking for a low profile, slightly protective, quieter, possibly customizable harness for the smaller 6x Kowa's and hoping I could find some guidance here.

Maybe even a setup that sets more on the stomach then the chest would work. Surely some of you have weeded out a good option for us in the saddle.

 

[Kayl]

I use my DIY Rock Young style harness. No protection, but works great:

DIY Rick Young Style Bino Harness

I posted this in the bino harness thread, but thought it deserved to post of its own. I made several of these for my wife and kids for a trip out west; they worked great. I used the same cord lock as the commercial one does, but it doesn't make sense unless you're making multiple harnesses...

saddlehunter.com

 

[cooperwafzig]

Yea. really wanting something to protect them this year. They got beat around last year.

 

[Hlzr]

I've been using an FHF chest rig that I carried my small, 8x32, binos along with my rangefinder inside for the past 2 seasons, I don't have any pics as I gave that set up to my daughter and I'll be replacing with FHF's soon to be released waterproof gen 2 harness. After trying a traditional harness with 8x42's and pouches for my other accessories, the chest rig proved to be the way to go, I can easily carry my knife, license, wind indicator, headlamp, rangefinder, phone, and compass in the chest rig as its the basis for my setup and the first piece I can grab and go.

 

[NeatureBoyRick]

I’ve used the Marsupial Gear harness for a few years. I think it’s absolutely awesome. Super low profile, even with the flap open. I also attached a range finder pouch and it works great. Highly recommend!


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[bigcat93]

I've been using an FHF chest rig that I carried my small, 8x32, binos along with my rangefinder inside for the past 2 seasons, I don't have any pics as I gave that set up to my daughter and I'll be replacing with FHF's soon to be released waterproof gen 2 harness. After trying a traditional harness with 8x42's and pouches for my other accessories, the chest rig proved to be the way to go, I can easily carry my knife, license, wind indicator, headlamp, rangefinder, phone, and compass in the chest rig as its the basis for my setup and the first piece I can grab and go.

Would love to see some pics when you get it squared away. I have a gen 1 with Bino bucket but haven’t committed to it yet because I’m clumsy and will probably drop Bino/RF without it being tethered

I ran the ACG hybrid max last season and did love it FWIW

 

[Hlzr]

Would love to see some pics when you get it squared away. I have a gen 1 with Bino bucket but haven’t committed to it yet because I’m clumsy and will probably drop Bino/RF without it being tethered

I'll defy get some pics once I get it together, the bino bucket from FHF comes with a tether that velcro inside the pouch to secure, I used that on one side and my range finder on the other side of the interior in a HPG pouch.

Bino Bucket | FHF Gear

You asked for it... we delivered! The Bino Bucket is one of the most requested add-on products for the chest rig! Backed with hook velcro, the bino bucket is designed to attach to the internal velcro panels of the chest rig and provide a padded and secure storage place for smaller binos (up to...

www.fhfgear.com

Hill People Gear | Real use gear for backcountry travelers

Real use gear for backcountry travelers

www.hillpeoplegear.com

I ran the ACG hybrid max last season and did love it FWIW

Them and FHF were the last 2 I had narrowed to down 2.

 

[bigmike23]

I hated wearing one in the saddle. I don't glass enough to justify having that crap on my chest. There's a flat spot on the top of my backpack kinda like a shelf that I leave my swaros on if I see something. If you go the harness route, avoid anything with magnets. They will destroy the compass feature of a cell phone if you navigate that way

 

[Stump06]

Most of the time I use a Rick Young harness. If you need protection, I like the marsupial. I don't climb with it on as it gets in the way a lot for me but put it on once I get in the tree. I like their RF pouch but it gets tight in the tree at times so I put this together and it’s a lot more compact. You really don’t need the magnetic as the clip holds it well and the tape is just hockey tape from Walmart

Magnet wrapped in tape. Not necessarily needed

 

[Cajunyankee]

Most of the time I use a Rick Young harness. If you need protection, I like the marsupial. I don't climb with it on as it gets in the way a lot for me but put it on once I get in the tree. I like their RF pouch but it gets tight in the tree at times so I put this together and it’s a lot more compact. You really don’t need the magnetic as the clip holds it well and the tape is just hockey tape from Walmart

Magnet wrapped in tape. Not necessarily needed

I like that. I have been using a magnet and had trouble with the range finder coming off while walking through brush. Is that made out of kydex?

 

[huntin_addict]

I hated wearing one in the saddle. I don't glass enough to justify having that crap on my chest. There's a flat spot on the top of my backpack kinda like a shelf that I leave my swaros on if I see something. If you go the harness route, avoid anything with magnets. They will destroy the compass feature of a cell phone if you navigate that way

Not just on the cell phone. Will really interfere will an actual compass.

 

[Dietter700]

I use my DIY Rock Young style harness. No protection, but works great:

DIY Rick Young Style Bino Harness

I posted this in the bino harness thread, but thought it deserved to post of its own. I made several of these for my wife and kids for a trip out west; they worked great. I used the same cord lock as the commercial one does, but it doesn't make sense unless you're making multiple harnesses...

saddlehunter.com

I use the Rick young system for the same reason. I’m a smaller guy and my regular harness interferes with my shot and my bridge . But I often see people using bino harness but must not work for my build. 5’6” 140#


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[kyler1945]

I clip my chest rig to the shoulder harness of hybrid while scouting and climbing(sometimes, sometimes I attach to my weapon and pull up). Then I hang in tree in front of me. Zero reason to have it on me rather than the tree when facing the tree in a saddle.

 

[woodsdog2]

I have and use both the RYO and the Marsupial Gear Harness. The RYO keeps the glass out of the way and they have a clip attachment for your RF but again no protection. Gray Wolf Woolens makes a cover for your binos that would work with the RYO and other similar systems but haven’t tried it. I find more value overall with the MG rig but I put it in my pack while climbing up and down. While hunting, I loop it in my gear holder just over my pack and I unclip the safety tethers so I can just grab the binos when in the tree. I like it to keep snow and rain off my binos throughout the day. My dad used to just tuck his inside his shirt or jacket but he wasn’t a bowhunter.

 

[Stump06]

I like that. I have been using a magnet and had trouble with the range finder coming off while walking through brush. Is that made out of kydex?

Yea, I just cut it and taped it to the rangefinder then carefully heated it up to bend it. It doesn't take a lot of heat to fold it over

 

[Jammintree]

I periodically use the bulky chest rig that came with my vortex binos. I only use it if the weather is nasty. It’s big and bulky and I don’t care for how it gets in the way of my bridge and tether in the saddle or shouldering my gun tracking. At some point I may pick up a more streamlined harness. But for the most part I also use the Rick Young harness and bino cover - it’s great. I also often use the generic shoulder strap that came stock with the binos. Some days I keep the binos under my armpit or zipped up inside my jacket. Every weather day and hunting style calls for something different. I really struggle with the full chest harness though - it’s so bulky and also makes it hard to vent body heat with chest zippers.

 

[Iron_llama]

I take mine off to climb but otherwise wear it in the saddle. Binos, rangefinder, hand muff, and holster all on one pack.

 

[bowhunthard88]

I hated wearing one in the saddle. I don't glass enough to justify having that crap on my chest. There's a flat spot on the top of my backpack kinda like a shelf that I leave my swaros on if I see something. If you go the harness route, avoid anything with magnets. They will destroy the compass feature of a cell phone if you navigate that way

Or even navigate by actual compass *gasp* lol...

 

[bowhunthard88]

I prefer to utilize my chest rig as a work station when tethered at height, but I do make sure that I have emergency items on my person then.

 

[Kevin2]

Rick Young is the best I think. I go back and forth about bringing Binos. Most times I end up in situations where I can only see about 30-40 yards max, so why bring them. I do like them more while scouting in to a new/unknown location. Either way, Rick's are the ticket.