I posted this on Rokslide last night, and figured I would share here as well with additional notes--someone else might find this useful for saddle hunting.
Axiom 1: I need binoculars for hunting
Axiom 2: I need a rangefinder for hunting
Problems:
Pocket binoculars and a rangefinder in a single, enclosed bino pack. The narrower pack should work better in a saddle--I always found a full size bino pack interfered with my bridge.
Construction Notes:
Materials:
Axiom 1: I need binoculars for hunting
Axiom 2: I need a rangefinder for hunting
Problems:
- I don't really like juggling separate devices with separate attachments and pouches
- A rangefinding binocular is heavy
- Rangefinding with a monocular is pretty ideal for bowhunting but glassing with a monocular is out of the question
- Most rangefinder pouches suck when compared to binocular packs from the same manufacturer (the last couple years they have improved some)
Pocket binoculars and a rangefinder in a single, enclosed bino pack. The narrower pack should work better in a saddle--I always found a full size bino pack interfered with my bridge.
Construction Notes:
- I sewed the back, side, and bottom panels together and added the foam after those 4 panels were together
- Pockets used shockcord inside a rolled hem for tension
- The neoprene lid should be two pieces of neoprene to sandwich the Tweave cover and keep everything tight (that's how Marsupial does it). I used one layer and stuffed it into two layers of Tweave for a less than stellar outcome
- The neoprene lid should have been larger with improved attachment for the Tweave sides that provide full enclosure on the sides. They work ok as is, but could fit and function a little better. Marsupial tacks the Tweave sides to the side pocket elastic to improve the enclosure.
- Sewing stretchy materials to other squishy and stretchy materials is not fun
Materials:
- 6lb XLPE Foam - https://www.thefoamfactory.com/closedcellfoam/cross-linked-polyethylene-foam.html#6-0-density
- Home-dyed Tweave - no longer available on eBay
- 4.5mm neoprene (I should have use two layers of half thickness) - https://www.ebay.com/itm/325478800112
- Coyote brown foam spacer mesh - https://www.owfinc.com/Spacer-3mm-Mesh-Coyote-Tan/productinfo/SPACER3MMCOY/
- Polartec Velour fabric - https://www.ebay.com/itm/353256804878
- Magnets off eBay - https://www.ebay.com/itm/312888809651?var=611610442431
- 1" 17337 webbing - JonTay or similar for the rest
- 1" elastic
- 1/8" shock cord
- 3/8" 5038 grosgrain