Recommendations for a binocular harness (2 Viewers)

[hopster]

I am now going to be going out with a fairly weighty glass and I think a harness might be a good idea for longer sessions. I have not used one before and am not likely to be able to try out several locally to compare. However, I suspect they will be broadly similar in design with differing choices about detail and quality that make some better than others. Does the forum have any recommendations?

 

[GrampaTom]

Rick Young

 

[Mike Crawley]

Viking (~£13); Optech (~£16) and Opticron (~£23) do them, as do many more.

There's this unknown brand on Amazon for £11

I have no experience with harness use, but at £11 I would consider it acceptable to buy one and not use it if it didn’t suit.
I know my local optics shop stocks them but, unless you live in or near Cheshire, that won’t help.

Adjustability would be absolutely key in my humble opinion, it’s almost certainly going to fit over a t-short and or jumper but will it still fit over your big winter coat.

good luck with your search

 

[Hermann]

Zeiss.

Hermann

 

[hopster]

Thanks to all so far.

I have been recommended the Viking before as 'similar to the Swarovski but less than half the price'.

 

[hopster]

It looks like there are two Viking harnesses with one twice the price of the other e.g.

https://www.dartmoorphotographic.co.uk/product/viking-optical-binocular-harness

Viking Universal Support Harness Strap with Quick Release System for Binocular and Camera

Not sure what the difference is apart from the shape of the yoke at the back. I think the second one was the recommended model.

 

[Scott98]

I was hoping to find a shoulder harness I liked, but after trying the Zeiss premium harness and the Swaro one, it was a total fail, I pretty much hate them. They look better than they work. The weight of the binos goes from your neck to two straps pushing and pulling on the skin on your chest. Really don't like that feeling.

The other big problem is the binos don't move freely when you pull them to your eyes. You're pulling against tension on the strap while holding them to your face. I've settled on using padded neck straps. For longer outings, I bring the soft case with me and it hangs over my shoulder. If I need a break from holding the binos or having them on the neck strap I put them in the case for a while.

I'm trying to give away the Zeiss and Swaro harnesses, it's too bad you're not closer!

 

[hopster]

I was hoping to find a shoulder harness I liked, but after trying the Zeiss premium harness and the Swaro one, it was a total fail, I pretty much hate them. They look better than they work. The weight of the binos goes from your neck to two straps pushing and pulling on the skin on your chest. Really don't like that feeling.

The other big problem is the binos don't move freely when you pull them to your eyes. You're pulling against tension on the strap while holding them to your face. I've settled on using padded neck straps. For longer outings, I bring the soft case with me and it hangs over my shoulder. If I need a break from holding the binos or having them on the neck strap I put them in the case for a while.

I'm trying to give away the Zeiss and Swaro harnesses, it's too bad you're not closer!

Interesting perspective Scott, thanks!

Happy to pay postage on one of them to the UK if it's not crazy?

 

[mwhogue]

I am now going to be going out with a fairly weighty glass and I think a harness might be a good idea for longer sessions. I have not used one before and am not likely to be able to try out several locally to compare. However, I suspect they will be broadly similar in design with differing choices about detail and quality that make some better than others. Does the forum have any recommendations?

hopster,

My experience with the standard / typical X design harness with 1 inch wide elastic webbing is the same as Scott98:

The other big problem is the binos don't move freely when you pull them to your eyes. You're pulling against tension on the strap while holding them to your face.

I have standard 1 inch Zeiss and Vortex versions. IMO neither is acceptable for that reason. If adjusted tight enough to function properly as a harness, either is too tight to comfortably bring up and hold the bin steady.

But, if you can get one in the UK for a reasonable price, there are a couple of makes which have wider and slightly thicker webbing. The Crooked Horn Magnum (1 & 1/4 inch webbing ) and the Nyak (1 & 1/2 inch) harnesses work very well for me. Especially the Nyak for heavier glass. Makes all the difference in extended carry. YMMV of course depending on your anatomy and clothing but I often think the poor functioning of the more common 1 inch elastic harness is a big reason harnesses are not more popular.

Mike

 

[hopster]

hopster,

My experience with the standard / typical X design harness with 1 inch wide elastic webbing is the same as Scott98:



I have standard 1 inch Zeiss and Vortex versions. IMO neither is acceptable for that reason. If adjusted tight enough to function properly as a harness, either is too tight to comfortably bring up and hold the bin steady.

But, if you can get one in the UK for a reasonable price, there are a couple of makes which have wider and slightly thicker webbing. The Crooked Horn Magnum (1 & 1/4 inch webbing ) and the Nyak (1 & 1/2 inch) harnesses work very well for me. Especially the Nyak for heavier glass. Makes all the difference in extended carry. YMMV of course depending on your anatomy and clothing but I often think the poor functioning of the more common 1 inch elastic harness is a big reason harnesses are not more popular.

Mike

Thanks Mike, so another binocular user who is not at all convinced of the benefits, at least from the standard 1" straps.

I'll have a look for the ones you recommend.

Perhaps some of these are promising?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SOLOMARK-Binocular-Adjustable-Monocular-Smartphone/dp/B0B6VFHZH1/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=binocular+harness&qid=1691571079&sr=8-3

Vanguard VEO Optic Guard H DLX Harness - Black

Vanguard VEO Optic Guard H DLX Harness. The VEO Optic Guard Collection is made up of a range of wrist straps, neck straps and harnesses for your optics (such as binoculars) or camera that are designed to allow you to choose and set up the best option for your trip in seconds.

www.uttings.co.uk

Vortex GlassPak Binocular Harness

Vortex GlassPak Binocular Harness. Housing your binoculars and protecting them from the elements while keeping them close at hand is imperative when in the field. The Vortex GlassPak™ binocular harness will do just that. It accommodates a range of full size binoculars, yet keeps them snug and...

www.uttings.co.uk

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Harness-Southwest-Neoprene-Accessory-USA/dp/B079J86TP4/ref=psdc_1330695031_t1_B092386WX9?th=1

M

 

[ReinierB]

Rick Young

I have this one as well and like it!
Google rick young harness and you will find it.

 

[Foss]

I've been using Vortex and Zeiss harnesses on my quiver of carry binoculars for years and find them super comfortable. My personal perspective is anything beats a strap tugging on my neck as I hike. If you buy from Amazon or other retailer with a good return policy, it's not much of a gamble to try one out. Good luck, Foss

 

[Hermann]

I was hoping to find a shoulder harness I liked, but after trying the Zeiss premium harness and the Swaro one, it was a total fail, I pretty much hate them. They look better than they work. The weight of the binos goes from your neck to two straps pushing and pulling on the skin on your chest. Really don't like that feeling.

Interesting. I find the Zeiss harness very comfortable with the big and heavy Canon 10x42 IS. Works like a charm for me once I had sorted out how to adjust it properly. The Rick Young harness many folks here like OTOH doesn't work for me at all.

Just shows how different we all are.

Hermann

 

[Scott98]

Interesting. I find the Zeiss harness very comfortable with the big and heavy Canon 10x42 IS. Works like a charm for me once I had sorted out how to adjust it properly. The Rick Young harness many folks here like OTOH doesn't work for me at all.

Just shows how different we all are.

Hermann

Some days on my club outings I'm the only one without a shoulder harness. Other days, no one has them. I've noticed a lot of the members like to do some variety of side-carry - with the binos hanging down below your armpit on one side or the other. Other people rig the harness to side-carry a bino one side and a camera on the other. Not even sure how this is done!

I'm with you guys on the neck strap while hiking, I don't like it either. Even with 7x35's. I will check into the wider-strap versions, sounds like a good idea.

 

[Maljunulo]

Buy lighter binoculars?

 

[hopster]

Having read the varying opinions here about binocular harnesses I did a bit of lateral thinking.

When I'm out with binoculars I am almost always wearing a backpack of some kind. Either a small daypack with some water, a couple of bigger rucksacks or a large bergen if I'm taking camping and cooking gear. All of these have loops on the front of the shoulder straps, in most cases several of them in different positions. I realised that if you push a loop of your binocular strap through one of these loops and then put something like a 2" stick through the binocular strap loop and pull, will you get a secure friction lock which can easily be adjusted to taste. The padded binocular neck strap now hangs a few inches behind your neck and the full weight of the bins is taken on the shoulder straps.

Some advantages of this approach:

• you don't need to buy anything that can be lost, broken or forgotten
• shoulder straps on backpacks are better than on any of the harnesses I have seen
• you don't need to use clips or change your binocular strap
• pull out the sticks and remove the loops and you have a quick release system
• in the (very) unlikely event that the friction lock is lost then it is fail-safe i.e. the binocular will just hang from your neck as usual

I tried this tonight and it works very well! I think it is an elegant solution. 👍

 

[mwhogue]

Hermann,

Just shows how different we all are.

Interesting. I find the Zeiss harness very comfortable with the big and heavy Canon 10x42 IS. Works like a charm for me once I had sorted out how to adjust it properly.

Agree. Whether a strap or harness, individual anatomy is a big factor as well as careful experimentation and adjustment to obtain the best fit for intended use.

The Rick Young harness many folks here like OTOH doesn't work for me at all.

I'm a big fan of the RY harness but for me it works a lot better with 25mm up to compact/smaller 32mm bins and begins to lose some functionality with 42mm+ unless used over heavier winter clothing.

Mike

 

[chill6x6]

If y'all were close to me I'd give you several I no longer use or never used.

 

[ReinierB]

I'm a big fan of the RY harness but for me it works a lot better with 25mm up to compact/smaller 32mm bins and begins to lose some functionality with 42mm+ unless used over heavier winter clothing.

Why is that exactly? Not comfortable when bins are too heavy?
I haven't tried the RY harness for my EL 10x50 yet, but for my NL 10x32 I like it.
I was also wondering if the swarovski bino harness would be a better fit for the EL 10x50, but I do not read a lot of happy owners of them.

Maybe a bit stupid, but I do not like having a swarovski bin with a harness that shows "Zeiss" or another logo on it. The same with a field bag.
Like drinking beer out of a glass of a different brand. I like Belgian beers.

 

[mwhogue]

Why is that exactly? Not comfortable when bins are too heavy?
I haven't tried the RY harness for my EL 10x50 yet, but for my NL 10x32 I like it.
I was also wondering if the swarovski bino harness would be a better fit for the EL 10x50, but I do not read a lot of happy owners of them.

Maybe a bit stupid, but I do not like having a swarovski bin with a harness that shows "Zeiss" or another logo on it. The same with a field bag.
Like drinking beer out of a glass of a different brand. I like Belgian beers.

Right. I've tried many harnesses because of the anatomy of my neck and shoulders, almost no strap works well for me other than for quick casual trips out into the yard. So to be honest, I'm spoiled by having found several types of harness which do work very well for me. The RY harness works like a dream with up to smaller, short barrel 32's like the Zeiss Terra or Kowa BD II. But when I use it to carry the longer, heavier EL 32 for example with a summer weight shirt, I "notice" the weight -- not really uncomfortable, but noticeable -- and there is a bit more more swing and sway. But with chest pack neoprene shoulder strap style harnesses, the UV 10x50 for example, becomes weightless even on moderately challenging hikes. Again, given my anatomy, all this is much more relevant to me than to most people.

Mike