Best Binocular Case/Harness?

[MikeDeltaFoxtrot]

In preparation for my first African hunting trip this summer, I just purchased a new pair of binoculars. I went with Leica Trinovids in 8x42. Given the other equipment I needed to buy as well airfare and trophy fees, this seemed like a reasonable balance of cost and performance.

I now need a case for them. I was thinking a hard case would be good to store and transport them in, but it may make more sense to go with a nice combination harness and soft case. For use on my domestic hunts, that is not ideal for me, as I usually carry a handgun in a chest rig, but I am not planning to take a handgun on my Africa trip.

What have others used? What works well for transport and protection, both while in transit and in the field?

Thanks.

 

[mdwest]

For a harness, I dont think you can beat the "Ultralight" made by Rick Young Outdoors: http://rickyoungoutdoors.com/

@Philip Glass turned me on to them last year after mentioning them in a couple of different threads here on AH.. I met Rick at one of the trade shows, had him demonstrate the harness.. and then bought 3 of them on the spot..

They work perfectly with both a small set of leupold 8x32's I typically carry.. and with both mine, and my wife's 10x42 HDs..

I tried 3 different harnesses before finding the Rick Young ultralight.. all were "ok".. but none were really "great"..

The RY harness is inexpensive, lightweight, and far and away the most versatile option on the market.. I am completely sold on them, and seriously doubt I will use anything else ever again..

 

[Therack]

Put your binoculars in a soft case and travel with them in your carry on bag.

 

[Royal27]

For a harness, I dont think you can beat the "Ultralight" made by Rick Young Outdoors: http://rickyoungoutdoors.com/

@Philip Glass turned me on to them last year after mentioning them in a couple of different threads here on AH.. I met Rick at one of the trade shows, had him demonstrate the harness.. and then bought 3 of them on the spot..

They work perfectly with both a small set of leupold 8x32's I typically carry.. and with both mine, and my wife's 10x42 HDs..

I tried 3 different harnesses before finding the Rick Young ultralight.. all were "ok".. but none were really "great"..

The RY harness is inexpensive, lightweight, and far and away the most versatile option on the market.. I am completely sold on them, and seriously doubt I will use anything else ever again..

This, they are awesome.

I gave @Beans a harness almost two years ago, and as a PH he's still using them. That should tell you something about how they last.

 

[Red Leg]

I was long a fan of over the shoulder carry - particularly in Africa. Bino would hang a bit below belt height on the left hip. However, on my last trip to Mozambique, I used the Rick Young harness and am sold. Simple - light weight - and won't stretch to hang to your crotch like flat elastic material tends to do eventually. They are perfect for light hunting binoculars though the narrow cords would be uncomfortable if carrying the huge Teutonic tree stand variety. That will not be an issue with your Leica. For mountain hunting, I much prefer one of the new chest pouches. I personally think Kuiu makes the best of the type http://www.kuiu.com/gear/bino-harness/ . In mountainous terrain it is very easy to bang an expensive optical investment on a very unforgiving bolder. This harness weighs nothing and allows instant access to the binos.

But for Africa - go with Rick's design.

 

[neckdeep]

I used the Kuiu , they worked pretty well on my first trip with 10x42 HD-B's. My brother took the same Trinovid 8x42's and used a different harness. The Kuiu harnesss does protect your investment a bit more than a traditional harness. Will have to look into the Rick Young variety.

 

[Hunting Sailor]

I’ve used the Rick Young harness the last year and I prefer it over other harnesses I’ve used in the past.
Lightweight, inexpensive, so far durable and makes the binoculars sit snug against the chest with a quick flip of the hand.

//Gus

 

[cpr0312]

I bought some of the Rick Young ones at DSC this year after numerous glowing reports and speaking with @Royal27 and @Beans about them!

 

[cagkt3]

I have a harness from FHF Gear and I really like it.
https://fhfgear.com/collections/hunting/products/bino-harness

 

[MikeDeltaFoxtrot]

I ordered the fhf gear rig, as it looks like it will protect the binos well. I also ordered the rangefinder case and lanyard to go with it. I will report back once they arrive.

 

[elmerfudd555]

I'm a big fan of the Badlands binocular harness. The magnetic closure works great and the straps, etc have held up well under hard use.

 

[JimP]

I'm a big fan of the Badlands binocular harness. The magnetic closure works great and the straps, etc have held up well under hard use.

I got one of these for my coues deer hunt in southern Arizona this last December and with all the crawling, thorns, and everything else that I could throw at it they held up quite well and gave my Swaro 10x42 exultant protection from everything that I could throw at them.

 

[frankdes]

Gents,

We have the straps from Swarovski and ELS

FRANK

 

[YancyW]

I have several chest packs and harnesses, but after I got the Rick Young ultralight, I am sold.

 

[PARA45]

I've been using the Badlands Bino X for about 3 years now, and like it a lot. My binos are protected from the element, while being readily accessible.

http://www.badlandspacks.com/gear/optics/bino-x-camo-binocular-case

 

[cagkt3]

I ordered the fhf gear rig, as it looks like it will protect the binos well. I also ordered the rangefinder case and lanyard to go with it. I will report back once they arrive.

I think you like it - I also have the rangefinder case. It keeps everything really tight to your chest - no flopping binos around when you bend over or crouch down.

 

[MikeDeltaFoxtrot]

The fhf gear rig arrived last week. It looks like a solid piece of kit--very solid in terms of build quality. It is made in the USA in Montana. I ordered the bino harness, the rangefinder holder, and the lanyard for the range finder. It was a nice touch that they assembled it for me, so it was all ready to go out of the box. It fit my Leica 8x42 binos and Leupold RX-600 rangefinder extremely well. I wore it out to the rifle range today for about a three hour session and kept it on the whole time while shooting, posting targets, and such. It was very comfortable, and I forgot it was there. I won't have a chance to actually hunt with it for a while as the deer season is out here, but I may wear it on a hike soon to further test it under field conditions.

 

[Therack]

Post some pictures. Thanks

 

[MikeDeltaFoxtrot]

Here you go. I am not sure why they come out sideways. They look fine on my computer.

 

[cagkt3]

You won't be disappointed. I put mine through my first deer season this fall without a hitch. My big concerns when I purchased was binos flopping around and the harness being in the way/uncomfortable when shooting. Neither is the case - the harness keeps them exceptionally tight to my body, and through several animals I never had a hiccup shouldering my rifle.

PS - I went ahead and ordered the slip on pad for the shoulder straps, as I was worried about the harness digging in over the course of a long day. Be interested to see what you think of comfort without the padding.