1.) Swamp Fox - 08/08/2014

I'm thinking about a bino harness for a compact pair. Leaning toward FHF but haven't had one in my hands. Has anyone tried one or inspected?

[url]http://fhfgear.com/hunting/bino-harness/[/url]






Not giving up my Badlands for the big binocs, but am looking for something for a small pair that will fill that general niche (full or almost full protection) but which might be better for spot-and-stalk (instead of having to open the big case every time you want to pause and glass.

I'm not that hot on the S4 (but am willing to listen) and almost went with an Alaska Guide but that fell through...Just to give y'all an idea of what I'm familiar with.

2.) DParker - 08/08/2014

I have the simple Mossy Oak harness that attaches directly to the binos with no cover. I like them, but that's not what you're looking for. How about something like this? It looks like it's quick and easy enough to get the binos out when you need them, and put them back when you're done:

[video=youtube_share;xu7Kb3yh6BU]http://youtu.be/xu7Kb3yh6BU[/video]

3.) Swamp Fox - 08/08/2014

Yeah, actually I breezed past those on the internet at one point. Not sure why I didn't linger. Let me look again.

I know that in general people like their stuff.

4.) Swamp Fox - 08/08/2014

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;23147]Yeah, actually I breezed past those on the internet at one point. Not sure why I didn't linger. Let me look again.

I know that in general people like their stuff.[/QUOTE]


Okay, after refreshing my memory: The most likely reason I didn't have them in the running is that they don't have a small size, as far as I can tell. Also, that camo clashes with my boots. :wink

If I were looking for something for big binocs, it might be the ticket. I do like the way it opens, the availability of a rain cover for hard downpours (not that I'm gonna stay out in that crap anymore, and I don't have any extreme hunts planned, LOL) and lastly I really like how you can lose the case and just attach the binos to the harness itself if the mood strikes.

5.) DParker - 08/08/2014

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;23155]Also, that camo clashes with my boots. :wink[/QUOTE]

Oh, well I agree then. We don't want you to be making a fashion [I]faux pas[/I].

6.) Swamp Fox - 08/08/2014

The most important thing about hunting today is to look good doing it...:-)

7.) Swamp Fox - 08/10/2014

I think I'm going with the FHF. It looks like the only system that has an option for smaller binocs. Plus I like the fact that you can tuck the top flap out of the way if you don't want to go through the open/close/open/close hassle in a particular situation.

I'm hoping it's not noisy, but I can't tell from what I've been reading.

All the people looking for hunting content, please feel free to chime in. :wink

8.) Dan-o - 08/10/2014

I use the S4. It's not perfect, but it works for me. I don't screw with compact bino's, so I'm afraid I'm not much help.

9.) crookedeye - 08/10/2014

I got the s4 too. I like the bino holder but the s4 rangefinder holder you almost have to be like the incrediable hulk just to get it out of its holster..then when you get it out the wire is like 20 lbs of force when you bring it to youre eye.. I actually think I broke out in a sweat the first time I used it...

I bought the range snap I need to see if I can attach it to the s4 bino holder..

10.) Dan-o - 08/10/2014

There you go! That's the ticket. I use the S4 bino holder with the Range snap system on the S4. Works like a charm.

11.) Swamp Fox - 08/10/2014

The Snap seem like a good idea to me but I have always used a Badlands magnetic pouch worn diagonally over my chest on a long strap like a bandoleer. It's not perfect, but it's better than anything else I've come up with to work in multiple hunt situations..Better than a belt pouch or pocket carry, to me. It's more accessible and more comfortable than a pouch on your bino harness when you'll need to crawl. Otherwise I kinda like the idea of harness pouches.


Have you tried crawling with the rangefinder on a Snap? I like how you can minimize flopping around, but can you keep it out of the dirt?

12.) crookedeye - 08/10/2014

crawling?? are you serious...

13.) crookedeye - 08/10/2014

crawling isn't that an olimpic sport??

14.) Swamp Fox - 08/10/2014

You're thinking of curling...:-)


But yeah, crawling. Hopefully not on rocks or pebbles or cactus spines, or through mud, but crawling.

To get to that turkey of a lifetime, say.

15.) Dan-o - 08/10/2014

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;23202]The Snap seem like a good idea to me but I have always used a Badlands magnetic pouch worn diagonally over my chest on a long strap like a bandoleer. It's not perfect, but it's better than anything else I've come up with to work in multiple hunt situations..Better than a belt pouch or pocket carry, to me. It's more accessible and more comfortable than a pouch on your bino harness when you'll need to crawl. Otherwise I kinda like the idea of harness pouches.


Have you tried crawling with the rangefinder on a Snap? I like how you can minimize flopping around, but can you keep it out of the dirt?[/QUOTE]

Yeah, it's up above my titty on my chest. I haven't had any issues with it flopping around at all. I don't even use the retention strap. It just hangs there, but it only hangs down about 2 inches at most (the rangefinder that is). It's always there when I need it, and to grab it, range, and let it drop, it only moves about 6 inches total. It's way better than that S4 retractor or the Nikon retractor.

16.) Swamp Fox - 08/10/2014

Thanks.

I tried a retractor before retractors were cool. Can't think of the name of the company but I'm almost positive it's the people who make the ones you see branded for Nikon or whomever these days. Same shape and design. Never could quiet them while dangling or pulling/retracting. They're handy for other stuff, but I can't see them for hunting. I also lost one off a backpack after several years. Something on the retractor must have broken because the pack was perfect. The retractor just turned up missing one day. I'm glad I didn't have several hundred dollars worth of rangefinder or GPS attached to it whenever it crapped out.

Does anyone make a quiet one that I don't know about?

There's a beefy stretch tether with a clip on the FHF site that I will find a use for. Have been looking for something like that for a while.

17.) crookedeye - 08/10/2014

dano does youre nipples rub up against the ground and get sore....the last 5 minutes I actualy was looking and finally found my range snap I need to rig this thing up..

18.) Dan-o - 08/10/2014

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;23211]Thanks.

I tried a retractor before retractors were cool. Can't think of the name of the company but I'm almost positive it's the people who make the ones you see branded for Nikon or whomever these days. Same shape and design. Never could quiet them while dangling or pulling/retracting. They're handy for other stuff, but I can't see them for hunting. I also lost one off a backpack after several years. Something on the retractor must have broken because the pack was perfect. The retractor just turned up missing one day. I'm glad I didn't have several hundred dollars worth of rangefinder or GPS attached to it whenever it crapped out.

Does anyone make a quiet one that I don't know about?

There's a beefy stretch tether with a clip on the FHF site that I will find a use for. Have been looking for something like that for a while.[/QUOTE]

That FHF stuff looked nice. Pricey, but nice! I like the idea of protecting the bono investment, that's why I went with the S4 system. At least it protects things better than the bass pro harness that leaves them too exposed.

19.) Dan-o - 08/10/2014

[QUOTE=crookedeye;23212]dano does youre nipples rub up against the ground and get sore....the last 5 minutes I actualy was looking and finally found my range snap I need to rig this thing up..[/QUOTE]

Yes, on a good belly crawl through the cactus, my nipples do get a little raw. For that, I carry a little pocket vaseline in case that happens.

20.) Swamp Fox - 08/10/2014

I agree. If you're going to put good money into glass the way most people should/would benefit from, it gives me the heebie-jeebies to see it get banged around.

I like my simple little Crooked Horn straps, especially for compact binocs or when it's hot, but I feel a lot better when good binocs have some protection.

21.) crookedeye - 08/10/2014

lol..

22.) Swamp Fox - 08/10/2014

[QUOTE=Dan-o;23214]Yes, on a good belly crawl through the cactus, my nipples do get a little raw. For that, I carry a little pocket vaseline in case that happens.[/QUOTE]

You'd better watch it, Dan-o...He might get a little turned on.

23.) crookedeye - 08/10/2014

who's he??

24.) Dan-o - 08/10/2014

I have a feeling we are going to be laughing a lot this week. CE, be sure to have at least 2 cases of beer in the truck when you get there on Thursday....

25.) crookedeye - 08/10/2014

I wasn't going to bring any...but if you say so...

26.) Dan-o - 08/10/2014

[QUOTE=crookedeye;23220]I wasn't going to bring any...but if you say so...[/QUOTE]

It's not a hike up the mountain until you puke at 10,000 feet kinda hunt, so having a few beers each night won't kill us!

27.) crookedeye - 08/10/2014

lol it was the eggs..

28.) Dan-o - 08/10/2014

[QUOTE=crookedeye;23223]lol it was the eggs..[/QUOTE]

Exactly. I can't wait to get out there and do it again. We need to pick the spot and start planning! I'm going to shoot a big elk in the dick!

29.) crookedeye - 08/10/2014

will start planning in a few days.. you are due on a big elk..

30.) Swamp Fox - 10/06/2014

Well, I just accidentally zapped my most excellent review of my new FHF bino harness and don't feel like retyping it...

Bottom line: light, quiet, comfortable, well-built, cool accessories or stand-alone design...Plus some models on sale right now...Swampy-approved.

[url]http://fhfgear.com/hunting/bino-harness/[/url]

31.) bluecat - 10/07/2014

Looks nice but it would sit right where my bow holder would need to be.

32.) Swamp Fox - 10/07/2014

Do binos worn on your front interfere? The approximate point where the harness rides fully loaded is probably a little higher than that. The Badlands with its bowstring hook on the bottom seems to ride even a bit higher up on your chest, but maybe that is just the size of the binocs I carry in it.)

Or do you do the old sling-the-binocs-over-your-neck-and-under-your-arm-until-you-need-them trick?

There's a small loop under the fastener eye of the FHF that you can slide a piece of paracord into. Add a hook or other attachment point as your d-loop fastener and you might be back in business. The hook might sit about six or eight inches below your sternum, depending on where you think your sternum is, LOL (less if you snugged the harness up high).

I might try a little experiment later to see if the Bluecat BowHolder rig would work with this or the Badlands harness. Whether it works or not, I will be sure to include it as a stroke of genius in my Pro Tips whenever I'm asked to provide some...:wink

33.) bluecat - 10/07/2014

Well for now, I have a small pair of Steiners that fit into my front left breastpocket. They are around my neck but sit in my pocket. I always know where they are and they don't swing forward when I do...cause their in my pocket. Please try this out Swampy. I wouldn't mind a bigger system. The whole thing needs to be very flat as it feels funny to have something big like that on my chest when I'm trying to draw. Feels like I'm going to catch my string.

34.) Swamp Fox - 10/07/2014

I had the same suspicion about bino harnesses but found that even with the big Badlands harness case (they may or may not call it the Vault any more) it's not an issue for shooting. Counterintuitive, but for me the harness is never in the way.

It is sometimes an issue for climbing trees with a certain lean or a goofy step arrangement, or when mounting sticks/ladder sections. If I have to hug the tree, I prefer not to have anything on my chest, though on the other hand the bino cases protect your binocs whenever you do have to hug the tree. In those cases, I just haul them up rather than wear them up.

I found I liked even the simple harnesses better than slinging binocs under my arm, and a harness with a case virtually guarantees your gear stays cherry.

35.) bluecat - 10/07/2014

I may give these a try. I like cherries.

36.) Old Crow - 10/08/2014

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;26319]Well, I just accidentally zapped my most excellent review of my new FHF bino harness and don't feel like retyping it...

Bottom line: light, quiet, comfortable, well-built, cool accessories or stand-alone design...Plus some models on sale right now...Swampy-approved.

[url]http://fhfgear.com/hunting/bino-harness/[/url][/QUOTE]

That is the brand my buddy in Sd used and loved it...... I have a Badlands Bino case ant it works well ...

37.) Swamp Fox - 10/08/2014

My Badlands case is one of my favorite pieces of gear, but when I bought some 8x32's I wanted something different. So far, so good!