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How many people actually use a bino chest rig?

Zero One Actual said:
I’m trying to figure out which one guys wear while in the saddle.
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I plan on using the Rick Young Outdoors one I
Just got. I like carrying my binos at all times, but my chest pack just got in the way of my bridge, especially with one-sticking. This one from RYO is lightweight and can tuck tight up against your chest enough to use with a saddle.


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Don't know if there is a difference between a harness and chest rig but Ive been using a binoculars harness long since before I got married so that's at least 25-30 years.
I use two Cabelas branded binoculars harnesses that are stamped "MADE IN USA" to give you some idea just how old both harnesses are. Both are essentially the same designs work extremely well and obviously are very durable. Neither IIRC cost over $30.
I have looked at and considered every last binocular harness or rig I've ever come across most struck me as either to complicated to bulky or were outrageously expensive and I even bought a few but always returned every last one and went back to the ones that have served me so well for so long.
 
I always bring my binos in a chest rig no matter what stand or weapon type. Whitetail or elk doesn’t matter. I know sometimes I could probably save some weight but I’ve never been bothered by them. I shoot a lot of does every year and it puts me at ease to make sure before I put one down by being able to really check out their heads and sometimes rear end lol. I hunt in NW Florida for white tails and towards the end of the season the young button bucks have grown to the size of the does but still don’t have anything on the head but a tiny bump. So it’s peace of mind for me and during long rut sits it helps to glass the edges.
We have strict buck criteria in our club as well. So it helps on judging.
I run the marsupial enclosed harness.
 
early season, RYO with a connector for rangefinder if I take my rangefinder. It is a very minimalist system. You can also purchase from RYO a rubber connector for your eye piece cover which is silent and works great for more inclement weather. I went to a Packrabbit chest rig for turkey hunting this year instead of my regular turkey vest as I am mostly archery hunting now and have incorporated a waldrop pack seat into my system. I also carry a blind in or will use a ghillie. I really like being able to just grab the binocs out of the chest rig with no tension from a harness so I may be switching to that while saddle hunting this year but I do really like the RYO system too. I don't believe the chest harness will get in the way if you rig it right but not sure yet. It didn't get in the way of my mini in the turkey blind.
 
Zero One Actual said:
I guess I should have clarified wearing them while in the saddle while hunting. Or do you find them getting in the way while drawing your bow or whatever else you may or may not be doing in your saddle?
I’m just looking for a low profile harness and the FHF gear one looks like a good fit.
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My Badlands harness doesn't interfere with my shooting or drawing, but there is the occasional rubbing on the bridge with my setup. I just find it easier to access in front of my face when hunting.
 
I almost bought one. I don’t use binos but though it would be handy. I ended up with a chest rig. It carries lots of stuff for easy access and doesn’t get in the way.
I have a monocular. It fits in a pocket if I even take it out.


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Zero One Actual said:
I am an east coast hunter, so I am not in the Midwest or mountains unless I’m on a annual trip. I’m debating getting a bino harness to wear while hanging. I have not found myself carrying binos usually but if there is a slim case that can do it and carry some accessories I’m open to try it.

Thank you for your suggestions or examples of when you have needed them on the east coast in the woods.
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I have some good Binos and a good harness. They’ve sat in a storage tote for 5-6 years and never been to the woods lol. Save your money
 
Zero One Actual said:
I am an east coast hunter, so I am not in the Midwest or mountains unless I’m on a annual trip. I’m debating getting a bino harness to wear while hanging. I have not found myself carrying binos usually but if there is a slim case that can do it and carry some accessories I’m open to try it.

Thank you for your suggestions or examples of when you have needed them on the east coast in the woods.
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I’m an east coast guy too (western mass) I use a chest rig for all my constantly used **** and then a lumbar pack with my stick and platform and I pack the few “just incase” things and then when I hoist everything up the tree I just hang the lumbar pack around back of use it for a knee pad. But the whole point of this is I thought the same way as you in terms of do I really need them and to be honest probably not but when the deer travels quiet and you’re getting bored it’s nice to bird watch and look around lol
 
Zero One Actual said:
You just described my wife.
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You have your wife in a storage tote and haven’t taken her out in 5-6 years??? I mean I guess you know where she is if you ever need her.

seriously though, I thought I would at least use the binos for bird watching when I got bored but in the end it was just an extra thing I didn’t need to pack. I’ve never had an experience that made me wish I had binos in the woods. Especially not strapped to my chest for quick access. I also have no use for gaiters but some guys claim they’re a necessity also so to each their own. I can see how the harness would work well for small gear to keep handy and I have toyed with the idea of using one for turkeys
 
I can't hunt without binocs. There are just too many things I like to look at or confirm when I'm hunting. I like to look through my binocs whenever I see movement, hear something in the thick stuff etc. You be surprised what goes by you that you never realize. I also like my binocs for after a shot. After the excitement dies down you can tell quite a bit about things by looking at your arrow, blood on the ground etc. I also like to follow the deer after a shot with the binocs. A lot of times you get a bearing on where you saw the deer last and then you start looking all around that area with your binocs, it really helps in newer areas too. I really like it so far for turkey hunting.
 
I used an FHF chest harness last year but didn't care for it. Felt like it got in my way a lot. I used it all spring for scouting which was nice when going through thick stuff but will be switching back to my rick young outdoors harness this year.
 
Crooked Horn straps in warm/nice weather. Alaska Guide Creation harness when the snow starts to fly.
 
I really like the RYO systems but I also invested in a Marsupial Gear chest rig for this year so I can go with a smaller overall back-pack and have most of my "always take" gear kit with me on the chest rig. So the MG Chest Rig has the bino case, the rangefinder case and a small pouch that I carry my phone battery pack in. The chest rig also has a slot for my cell phone. I should also be able to carry my license and tags in the Chest rig. My 3V gear outlaw sling pack will have my kill kit (knife, gloves, zip ties, pens) sharpener or extra blades) an EDP platform if not using my EWO UOS, Leatherman, headlamp, small handheld flashlight, small USGI First Aid pouch that has BH wrench, string wax, allen- wrench set), deer drag (loop of paracord in a 6" piece of pvc pipe, extra batteries for lights and rangefinder (I seldom use the rangefinder though), Extra pullover. The RYO system is great too because you can buy an attachment shock cord and clip your RF on that too keeping everything really close.
 
Zero One Actual said:
I am an east coast hunter, so I am not in the Midwest or mountains unless I’m on a annual trip. I’m debating getting a bino harness to wear while hanging. I have not found myself carrying binos usually but if there is a slim case that can do it and carry some accessories I’m open to try it.

Thank you for your suggestions or examples of when you have needed them on the east coast in the woods.
Click to expand...
I hunt swamps in Maine and started using one. It's annoying to have to pick the gun up every time a deer steps out. Vortex 10x50 with the chest rig.
 
New England woods here - I have an FHF harness and it goes with me everywhere, all year. Holds binos (10x50), milkweed, grunt tube, range finder, tags and my havalon knife. It will occasionally bump my bridge in the tree, but doesn't make any noise. It's never once been an issue shooting my bow, and I always practice with it on.

There's not much thicker cover than what we have around me here, but particularly late season, it's useful to be able to look at the opposite ridge, or into the cattail marsh, or even through the cover at something 20 yards away. I've picked up rubs 100 yards away, scrapes that I never would have seen, trails... and of course deer.

I've heard something move and spent 10 minutes methodically looking to eventually see a deer 30 yards away. Would never have seen it without binos. Picking out a rack in a tangle of saplings and brush is really hard without them. Not to mention that at first and last light you can see through good glass when your eyes simply don't have enough light, especially to determine buck vs doe.

I can understand people not carrying them, but to say there's no use for them hunting whitetails is just not remotely true.
 
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