Best way to carry binoculars

29 August 2013, 04:10

Todd Williams

quote:
Originally posted by DCS Member:
I am still surprised Buzz has not lost his binos the way he carries them. Doesn't he just tuck them in the front of his cartridge belt? This is just from the videos, not personal experience. Is that correct, Todd?

I haven't hunted with Buzz as the PH but yes, that's what he does from the DVDs. His PH's Rich Tabor and Blake Whilhelmi do the same. Seems like I saw Alan Shearing doing the same last year. Don't know about Myles. Seems to work well for them.

29 August 2013, 06:02

twobobbwana

I used to carry compact binoculars in my LHS shirt pocket but ditched them due to too limited field of view.

I now carry Leupold Gold Ring 10 x 42s (?) with strap over right shoulder and binos just over left hip or even behind my hip. That way they're out of the way and accessable. I'm right handed.

Anything that obstructs the mounting/dismounting of your gun will cause you grief when things get "hurried".

Binoculars tied to the middle of my chest are o.k. if you don't intend to have to mount a gun.

I cut the right hand pocket off my shooting shirts so they cannot obstruct gun mount/dissmount.

Here's a challenge. Dress in your hunting clothes, complete with binoculars, and then go and shoot a round of skeet, mounting the gun after calling for the target..........see if you wear a binocular bra after the first two hangups.

Anything that obstructs your gunmount/dissmount and reloading in a hurry is bad.

Being delayed in operating your gun in a hurry while shooting pigs (feral hogs) will cost you pigs.....but get hungup shooting/reloading while shooting something dangerous may cost you a whole lot more.

29 August 2013, 06:40

Todd Williams

quote:
Originally posted by twobobbwana:
I used to carry compact binoculars in my LHS shirt pocket but ditched them due to too limited field of view.

I now carry Leupold Gold Ring 10 x 42s (?) with strap over right shoulder and binos just over left hip or even behind my hip. That way they're out of the way and accessable. I'm right handed.

Anything that obstructs the mounting/dismounting of your gun will cause you grief when things get "hurried".

Binoculars tied to the middle of my chest are o.k. if you don't intend to have to mount a gun.

I cut the right hand pocket off my shooting shirts so they cannot obstruct gun mount/dissmount.

Here's a challenge. Dress in your hunting clothes, complete with binoculars, and then go and shoot a round of skeet, mounting the gun after calling for the target..........see if you wear a binocular bra after the first two hangups.

Anything that obstructs your gunmount/dissmount and reloading in a hurry is bad.

Being delayed in operating your gun in a hurry while shooting pigs (feral hogs) will cost you pigs.....but get hungup shooting/reloading while shooting something dangerous may cost you a whole lot more.

I'm thinking you must have the harness adjusted incorrectly to experience hang ups with mounting a gun with the bino harness. I've NEVER had the binos get in the way while mounting or dismounting a rifle. On the other hand, I have had to repeatedly pull binos back out of the way, up onto my back, while using the slung over the shoulder method. I find this method to be extremely frustrating to deal with, especially in thick brush where they continue to snag on every limb or bush if not pulled up onto the back. With the harness, they stay tight against my chest as I really snug them down. They are completely out of the way of mounting the rifle and as an added bonus, I keep them so snug that while actually glassing with them, I can use the snugness of the harness to help steady the binos in my hands, somewhat in the same manner a sling can be used to steady a rifle.

But to each his own. Just another issue to have a pissing contest over with no right or wrong answer. What ever works for you, works for you. What doesn't, doesn't!

29 August 2013, 06:58

lavaca

Previously Posted by Ray Atkinson:
All thoes harnesses are crap, just for suckers to get their money, one born every day... Why be trussed up like a hog to butcher with staps all over you body..they look good in therory, but in reality are a joke..Now thats just my opine as to myself using them, I don't care if someone else uses them....Kinda like camo, wide thick slings,scope caps and all that stuff...

Ray, the only problem I have with you is I can never tell where you come down on a topic. You need to be clear! :-).

30 August 2013, 02:15

Use Enough Gun

I have had no problem wearing the LockDown system and shooting either a double rifle, bolt action rifle or a shotgun while wearing it. Have done so on the last two safaris, and killed everything wearing it. No headache, neck ache back ache or ass ache.

Damn Ray, some of us like to wear our bras! I've carried your way too for a lot of years-the African carry as we have fondly referred to it before here on AR.

31 August 2013, 05:27

PD999

quote:
Originally posted by lavaca:
Ray...You need to be clear! :-).

31 August 2013, 11:49

Scriptus

It probably is correct to state that the size of "moobs" could be a big influence in the choice of harness.

01 September 2013, 17:41

farbedo

I like the Lockdown system the UseEnoughGun mentioned. In a lot of the hunting situations the I encounter (non-Africa, first trip next July

), I end up crawling that last bit of distance. With this system, I don't have to mess with my binos, they are protected and held tight.

I have tried all of the others and this is the best of the bunch IMHO.

If you never crawl, the Crooked Horn style would be my choice.

Jeremy

02 September 2013, 02:52

bwanajay

Which ever way you choose to carry your binnos make sure and carry them that way all you can before your safari.

02 September 2013, 07:54

jdollar

i like to wear shirts with a vented back- and the harness systems defeats the whole purpose of a ventilated shirt back. the straps hold the vent closed and just makes it hotter( i tend to go to Africa in mid-late Oct- when It is 100 F PLUS). for that reason, the binos go on my left side with strap over the right shoulder. if i have to crawl, i just push them around on my back.

02 September 2013, 16:02

fujotupu

quote:
Originally posted by jdollar:
i like to wear shirts with a vented back- and the harness systems defeats the whole purpose of a ventilated shirt back. the straps hold the vent closed and just makes it hotter( i tend to go to Africa in mid-late Oct- when It is 100 F PLUS). for that reason, the binos go on my left side with strap over the right shoulder. if i have to crawl, i just push them around on my back.

03 September 2013, 04:32

retreever

Out of the way of ammo.

Mike

03 September 2013, 04:38

cal pappas

Retreever has it correct. Out of the way, easy to get into use, won't bounce all over one's chest when running. The binoc bras are a fad which, like the single barrel rifle, will soon fade into history.
Cheers, all, from Alaska.
Cal

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03 September 2013, 11:30

Dog Man

quote:
Originally posted by jdollar:
i like to wear shirts with a vented back- and the harness systems defeats the whole purpose of a ventilated shirt back. the straps hold the vent closed and just makes it hotter( i tend to go to Africa in mid-late Oct- when It is 100 F PLUS). for that reason, the binos go on my left side with strap over the right shoulder. if i have to crawl, i just push them around on my back.