Let's get some opinions on what are the best binocular straps. Aftermarket or otherwise.
Dennis
Dennis
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Binocular Straps. What's the best? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Dennis Mau
- Start date
The Ultravid strap.
Bill Atwood said:
Are these better than aftermarket straps such as Optech. Is this strap flexible at all. Thanks!
Dennis
Otto McDiesel
Well-known member
Bill Atwood said:
Bill is right,
Also, the older style Swarovski strap is similar and just as good. I think that B&H photo video sell them for $21.
Otto McDiesel
Well-known member
Not flexible, but soft and well made, anatomically and quality wise.
Flexible straps will make your binos bounce.
Flexible straps will make your binos bounce.
Alexis Powell
Natural history enthusiast
I've never had a problem with my binos bouncing despite having Op-Tech straps (or their equivalent) on all of them other than my compacts and pocket roofs. Don't get the ones made for cameras with the quick-release connectors--they're too long, or if you do shorten them enough you end up with a ridiculous series of plastic rings and snaps crammed against one another. I like the ones that have thin nylon webbing at the ends rather than the flexible plastic connectors. As for the neoprene part of the strap, I like the old style that shows the neoprene foam at the edges, rather than the fancier ones that have lycra/spandex sewn over to cover the edge. I use thread to sew the ends of the webbing connector straps so that they can't slip through the buckle once I get things adjusted.
The beauty of neoprene as a strap material is two-fold. First, it is a very flexible material, so it takes the shape of your neck (unlike nylon webbing which can stand on edge like the blade of a guillotine). Second, it has a bit of give to it (shock absorbing ability), making binos seem a bit lighter. A NYLON STRAP WITH NEOPRENE PADDING ENJOYS NEITHER OF THESE PROPERTIES. I point this out because many people and manufacturers don't seem to appreciate the difference--there are quite a few neoprene padded nylon straps out there.
--AP
The beauty of neoprene as a strap material is two-fold. First, it is a very flexible material, so it takes the shape of your neck (unlike nylon webbing which can stand on edge like the blade of a guillotine). Second, it has a bit of give to it (shock absorbing ability), making binos seem a bit lighter. A NYLON STRAP WITH NEOPRENE PADDING ENJOYS NEITHER OF THESE PROPERTIES. I point this out because many people and manufacturers don't seem to appreciate the difference--there are quite a few neoprene padded nylon straps out there.
--AP
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What Luca said.
Also, the underside is quite grippy, so it tends to stay in place better. Downside is price, I think they're currently $50.
Also, the underside is quite grippy, so it tends to stay in place better. Downside is price, I think they're currently $50.
$50.00 for Binocular Straps. Wow!
$50.00 for straps! Man Leica doesn't give those away do they.
Dennis
Bill Atwood said:
$50.00 for straps! Man Leica doesn't give those away do they.
Dennis
Chris Oates
Why does a Black-headed Gull have a brown head...
Alexis Powell said:
Yep - me too - Neoprene is very comfortable.
Use them with bins and a Nikon plus 500mm lens.
I am particularly fond of a carrying system called the Bino-Manager. It is an variation on (and sigificant improvement to) the Crooked Horn Bino-System. It is significantly more comfortable and provides superior protection to the binocular. They sell for around $25 and can be had at Sportsman's Warehouse and other similar sporting goods stores.
This is taken from their advertising text:
This is taken from their advertising text:
The pouch, or elasticized cover, is made from... water -resistant micro fleece material that will protect your binoculars from dust and water, but will still give you quick access to your binoculars.
The shoulder straps are made from wide... neoprene material. A comfortable back support which connects the chest strap and Bino-Pouch to the shoulder straps and keeps the pouch in place when your binoculars are in use insuring equal weight distribution while eliminating sagging and sliding [and] optimizing comfort.
To use your binoculars, simply pull them from the pouch. The pouch stays in place giving you the freedom to use your binocular with out neck strain or having to force them away from your body like some other binocular carrying systems [ie Crooked Horn's harness.] When your through with your binoculars simply slip them under the pouch [where they are] protected and held snug to your body.
The shoulder straps are made from wide... neoprene material. A comfortable back support which connects the chest strap and Bino-Pouch to the shoulder straps and keeps the pouch in place when your binoculars are in use insuring equal weight distribution while eliminating sagging and sliding [and] optimizing comfort.
To use your binoculars, simply pull them from the pouch. The pouch stays in place giving you the freedom to use your binocular with out neck strain or having to force them away from your body like some other binocular carrying systems [ie Crooked Horn's harness.] When your through with your binoculars simply slip them under the pouch [where they are] protected and held snug to your body.
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Lucznik,
I checked out the link for the bino manager and I have a question. Does this product completely incase the binoculars, or is it just a shield type affair which holds them close to the user's chest? If it is infact a pouch, does the top have a flap which closes with velcro? Would appreciate any info you could pass on. Thanks.
I checked out the link for the bino manager and I have a question. Does this product completely incase the binoculars, or is it just a shield type affair which holds them close to the user's chest? If it is infact a pouch, does the top have a flap which closes with velcro? Would appreciate any info you could pass on. Thanks.
foxbo said:
No, this is not really a pouch. It does wrap around the binocular and is VERY effective at keeping dust, rain, etc. off of the lenses which is why I think they refer to it as a pouch in the advertisements. It is in fact, so effective that I don't ever use the factory supplied raingaurds and/or objective lens caps on my binoculars anymore, except when they are in storage. However, it has no "backside" to it and therefore is not suitable as a case for storing the binocular.
It is (as you described) more like a shield that holds the binocular to the chest. It does this very well by the way and I have been able to crawl toward animals on my hands and knees, go horseback riding - (including running at full gallop,) rock climbing, etc. with absolutely no bouncing of the optics. Because it is not an enclosed bag, it is very easy and very quiet to access the binocular. This means no scaring of animals due to snaps, velcro ripping, or other unhappy and unnatural sounds.
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http://www.hangtightharness.com/
Anyone ever use one of the Hang Tight harnesses?
Does anyone craft a harness out of leather, with padded shoulder pads and of top quality?
Anyone ever use one of the Hang Tight harnesses?
Does anyone craft a harness out of leather, with padded shoulder pads and of top quality?
binocular straps
Concur with lucznik-best I have ever used!Have many neoprene straps and a couple other harnesses.No comparison.I use quick couplers so I can change back to a neoprene strap(Vero Vellini)when I use the binocs around home.Any harness(including the Bino Manager)is rather cumbersome to have hanging from your binocular in the house.You absolutely forget that you are wearing your binoc-no weight!Better than a suspender type harness in that respect-some of the weight is carried by the pouch.lucznik said:
