Bino Harness Suggestion
Equipment
Contributors to this thread:
I currently have an AGC bino harness for my Maven B.1. I'm considering changing, largely for two reasons. 1. AGC harness is a bit bulky. 2. The rangefinder pouch zipper is geared towards a right handed shooter and makes it slightly difficult for me, a lefty, to utilize in the heat of the moment. I'm considering the following - Kuiu Pro, FHF Gear or Sitka Mountain harness. Any thoughts on those three or any others i should consider?
I really like my marsipial
I've had several and my current favorite is Badlands
I have the new Sitka gear bino harness.... removable pockets on both sides of the bino compartment. Nice harness. I always said I would never pay $150 for a bino harness, and I didn't.... I was able to sniff out a helluva deal.
It has stash pockets for tags, or whatever. Magnetic closure on the bino compartment, has a lens cloth included.
I’ve got an AGC, and agree it’s kinda bulky. I’ve also got the original Kuiu harness. I really liked it, with a couple of flaws. It had a tendency to collect leaves/debris when going through brush, like alders, etc. Also, my Leica Geovid 10x42s were a bit snug. A friend got the new Kuiu Pros, and hated it. He sent it to me to try out and I hated it as well. They put a flat piece of material that sets vertically in the back part of the box (where it sets against your chest. It sticks up higher, then you can flip the lense covering over that, as well as the eyepieces. It was supposed to eliminate the debris issues, but it makes it a major PITA to fish your binos out of the pouch easily, IMO. It makes it difficult to get your thumb between binos and that flap. It’s almost a two handed operation.
I agree with Millhouse. I really like the new Sitka bino harness. Secure bino holder, two good compartments for your rangefinder and phone, good side pockets on the bino compartment for windcheckers and hidden pockets for license and other stuff. The only downside I have found is it is a tad bulky on my chest when belly crawling but not bad.
I like the new Sitka bino harness. It’s awesome
Stone Glacier is going to release one in the next month or so, maybe wait if you can. I have the ordinal Sitka and really like it.
I use the original Kuiu and like it. The debris issue T-roy mentioned is really my only complaint. I tried the new Kuiu and didn't like it at all. It was too big for my Swaros and I had the same issues as T-roy.
I haven't tried any of the newer ones, as I've been happy with the original Kuiu. I use a FHF Gear rangefinder pouch on mine. Best way I've found to keep it handy
Outdoor vision. Nice and compact. American made.
I have the AGC KISS bino harness and think it's great. Not sure what would make one better to be honest, but it has been flawless for me over the years.
IMO, you're not gaining a ton in "less bulk" by going to your new options. If "bulk" is your main concern go with the original KUIU Harness, the Marsupial or Outdoor VIsion Gear. The only way to remove bulk is to remove fabric. The three above are not fully enclosed, but that is really the only way you are going to remove bulk. Though your three options are all great harnesses. I have used every harness mentioned in this thread and while I like all three harnesses you mentioned, when I want less bulk, I go with one of the three I mentioned.
I prefer the original Kuiu although, as stated, it is not without its issues. I tried and quickly sold the AGC (too bulky), Kuiu pro (PITA to get the bins in and out), and Outdoor vision (material was too noisy).
What I don't understand is all the enclosed packs are seemingly designed to carry a 100 lb set of binos. The straps are robust, the buckles are robust, the systems just seem to be way overkill.
The new Sitka harness is amazingly well made, but it's like strapping a whole daypack to your chest. Even if you remove one or both of the side pouches the "frame" is a huge panel that remains in place. Here in NM (as many other early season hunts) it's blistering hot. A huge pack panel on one's chest traps heat and seems to be way overkill for a set of binos weighing a couple of pounds...
Thinking I need to do something different myself.
Been using the Crooked Horn bag that goes over my Binos with the crossed straps for years. Don’t like that it soaks up water like a sponge and is open in the back, letting garbage in.
Had the original Kuiu. Didn’t like it because it was too difficult to get my binoculars out quietly. Still seemed to gather trash but not as bad. Was able to sell it.
Have been hesitant to try anything additional.
I like the FHF. I picked up the AGC Kiss this summer to play around with but after 6 days in NM I went back to the FHF. The AGC just seemed to ride lower and pulled more on my lower neck no matter how I adjusted it. The pack itself was good it was the harness I didn't care for. I like just having straps on the FHF. I will say I want to take a look at the Stone Glacier when it comes out.
Let me add, in my experience with bino harnesses, if you like slim/thin the Marsupial is hard to beat. Or if you're really a minimalist, the Rick Young. I usually use a Rick Young harness in a tree stand situation.
I really like my Adak. Keeps the rain off, is still one-handable, and keeps your binos close to your body while crawling. Also has a compartment for the range finder.
Have used KUIU and several of the strap only types.
I really like my marsupial as well. And you can put your range finder pouch on either side.
KSflatlander's Link
I’ve not tried the others but I have a mystery ranch bino harness and like it. Another option to look at.
I just purchased Adak off Camofire for $80 a short time ago and love it.
Take care. Mike
I have both the original Kuiu and the PRO. The original was fast and easy to use with one hand, but had issues collecting debris and wasn’t really all that waterproof (came with a mini rainfly). The PRO addressed the full containment and water resistance issues, but isn’t as easy to use with one hand.
I have both the original Kuiu and the PRO. The original was fast and easy to use with one hand, but had issues collecting debris and wasn’t really all that waterproof (came with a mini rainfly). The PRO addressed the full containment and water resistance issues, but isn’t as easy to use with one hand.
Idyll x1. I’ve had my ADAK for two years and have been very pleased with it.
I'll second the Rick Young cover and harness. The whole thing can't weigh more than about 2 or 3 oz. Also it's super quiet, lowest possible profile, and the access is quick once you're accustomed to it.
I do love the “Rick Young” Harness for whitetail hunting. A pair of 8x32 Mavens and you don’t even know they are there. They’re a little “bouncy“ for me for spot and stalk or horseback riding, but perfect for tree-stand/groundblind situatuons.
Cory, for crawling or stalking, running. Try tightening the back. Then loop the bottom over the objective lens. It’s rock solid. I show these mongo 10s to demonstrate
Like this
Like this
Just did it while sitting in the blind. That does make them tight! Thanks for the tip. I still prefer a full harness for mountain hunting but this certainly works!
Aubs8's Link
Adak on Camofire now...$80
I have badlands, kuiu, FHF, Rick young, and marsupial. The only one that is a one handed operation is the marsupial. Their new version is also total enclosure.
I have tried several and found the Outdoor Vision to be best for my needs.
"I have badlands, kuiu, FHF, Rick young, and marsupial. The only one that is a one handed operation is the marsupial. Their new version is also total enclosure."
Not contesting it, but what I have learned is the ease of one hand operation will vary from person to person. My eyes are relatively close together so I need a harness that has more depth/don't need as much width as my binocs are "taller" from bottom to top due to the hinge angle. The original Kuiu works best for me but other guys have reported very different results.
I have two identical fully adjustable Cabelas bino harness made from strong essentially elastic webbing that have served me fantastically for best guess 12-14 years that are as far as I can tell from the pictures (although very different design) functionally the same as ones made by "Rick Young. The elastic also helps considerably in steading my binos when looking at things far away especially when seated. They are very lightweight very well made and durable having lasted as I said over 10 years now and showing no signs to indicate they will brake or fail any time soon. Their attachment clips pivot freely 360* so hook up and unhooking is fool proof. I tried other bino harnesses that encapsulated my binos but they were all either to bulky or made using my binos difficult or delayed in deploying my binos when I needed to look at an animal ASAP before it disappeared into the woods, and often got in the way of shooting my bow. I always ended up returning them and going back to my much more affordable more simplistic go-to Cabela's Bino harnesses.
Just received a new harness that has fantastic potential IMO. In fact, it appears to be my favorite one yet. And I think I've tried them ALL. Stone Glacier takes the best attributes of the original KUIU harness and improves on them. It slips over the binos in similar fashion to the original KUIU using a waterproof, thin stretch fabric. The backing and sides provide better "coverage" than the open back KUIU harness. And it is fully adjustable for just about any length binos. The best part: It stays connected while the binos are out so it doesn't slide down if the binos are out or if the harness isn't clipped all the way around. A lot of guys, including me, loved the original KUIU harness but it had it's downfalls. This one addressed all of my complaints with that harness and improved on them immensely without feeling like you're wearing a backpack on your chest. No field test yet, so I will reserve full judgement until that happens, but this thing appears to be a huge win in the bino harness market.
The bear spray holster is a pretty good idea, too.
Ordered my SG harness this morning. I have and like the original Kuiu. Also got the SG rangefinder holder. Same front fold, thin fabric as the bino harness. Was waiting for Kuiu to design it like that, but they never did.
I don't like having a backpack on my chest and actually like to use my binoculars. Rick Young... Ed F
Another vote for Rick Young!
Adak works, streamline design, and the material is quieter than most.
Interesting. I had the AGC KISS and went to a Kuiu Pro and love it. Have no issues with one handed operation. Maybe others didn’t “break it in?” I have no faults with it at all to be honest
ADAK is the best for me, I've tried AGC and a few others.
Really want to pull the trigger on the SG. Wish they would have put some small pockets on the side like the original Sitka. I love that thing for the size and no frills aspect. But dang those two little side pockets are useful.
String...there are side pockets on the SG.
I pulled the trigger on the SG. I was going to buy new FHF but wanted to try out the SG because they usually have top notch gear. Love their packs.
Another Rick Young fan here.
Kota- I didn’t notice them in the videos. Will have to look again. Thanks for the heads up!