Heading off on my first safari shortly and have one more question. How do you prefer to carry binoculars when hunting in Africa? (Or do you even routinely carry binoculars?) Neck strap? One of those elastic chest rigs? I can envision potential advantages and problems with either.

Thanks!

I used an 8x32 Zeiss with a wide neck strap, side-slung over the left hip. That was the best option for me as I just don't get along with the shoulder harness setup.

I'll second rnovi.
I usually carry a pair of Zeiss 8x30s on a neck strap slung under my left arm. Just run my left arm thru the strap and go over the neck to the right shoulder. I hate chest rigs... a lot.

Yes, a strap and the binocs ride on the left hip or just behind. They are out of the way and quick to get at.
Cal
PS. The bino bras are for sissys.

My preference is the double shoulder strap wearing the tight across my chest...some (here) say "let the PH do all the looking." I personally do not agree with that and like to be very involved and very much enjoy spotting and viewing game. To me it's a huge part of the process.
I find this both comfortable, functional, and ergonomic.

quote:

Originally posted by rnovi:
I used an 8x32 Zeiss with a wide neck strap, side-slung over the left hip. That was the best option for me as I just don't get along with the shoulder harness setup.

+1.

This

quote:

Originally posted by Poyntman:
My preference is the double shoulder strap wearing the tight across my chest...some (here) say "let the PH do all the looking." I personally do not agree with that and like to be very involved and very much enjoy spotting and viewing game. To me it's a huge part of the process.
I find this both comfortable, functional, and ergonomic.

quote:

Originally posted by raven2six:
This

quote:

Originally posted by Poyntman:
My preference is the double shoulder strap wearing the tight across my chest...some (here) say "let the PH do all the looking." I personally do not agree with that and like to be very involved and very much enjoy spotting and viewing game. To me it's a huge part of the process.
I find this both comfortable, functional, and ergonomic.

This too.

I like a chest rig. Keeps them from flopping around an catching on vegetation when stalking. Also keeps hands free.

I've progressed from my Zeiss 8 -30's and now use the big Leica 10-40's.
i now use the chest strap and wouldn't ever go back.
Binos are almost as important as my rifle in hunting AFRICA in my opinion

I use the straps by rick young ,they don't fold under and are cooler.

It depended on the binoculars I was using. When I use my bigger Leica 10x40, I like the chest harness. When I was hunting elephant and didn't need the big set, I used a compact 8x Zeiss set that would fit in my left shirt pocket with the strap over my neck. No weight felt at all.

Good luck! Have fun

I'm taking my pet Swarovski 8x32 binocs that I've had for years but never hunted. Figured they had to go to Africa. I'll bring a Bushnell chest rig and try it both ways.

I'll be on Emirates 230 from Seattle to Dubai on Friday, and Emirates 713 from Dubai to Harare on Sunday, heading to Humani with Guy Whittall.

Waidmanns heil!

quote:

Yes, a strap and the binocs ride on the left hip or just behind. They are out of the way and quick to get at.
Cal
PS. The bino bras are for sissys.

One of the reasons a pair of binos are factory supplied with a shoulder strap and not a bra.

As many have said, slung either left or right just below the armpit, depending on and opposite to the shooting shoulder is likely the more protected, comfortable and accessible position to carry.

P.S. The golden rule of English: Drop the "y" and add "ies"

Sissy = Sissies

I carry slung on the left shoulder. I have experimented with a longer strap over my head, but whichever way you carry it's a good idea to spend some time on the range with all your kit, not just the rifle. Shoot, move, shoot again and get used to the feel of all the gear.

I normally keep my pair - 10x42 Leica - in the truck.

I do not carry one while out hunting.

My 8x rifle scope works just fine for me.

I really do not like to carry anything that is not absolutely necessary while walking.

This system has worked for me for all my African hunting.

Strap around right shoulder, binos under left armpit. Harnesses are too hot, don’t allow shirt vents to work well.

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
Yes, a strap and the binocs ride on the left hip or just behind. They are out of the way and quick to get at.
Cal
PS. The bino bras are for sissys.

THIS...

Since beginning to use full size binos versus the pocket style, I’ve used a harness, and a pouch (FHF), but have settled on a very short strap I made myself that keeps the binos just at chest level. They barely go over my head. I made the strap (scrap Filson tin-cloth) 1” so it fits under the fold of the collar on my shirt. So far , so good.

Guess I'm a sissy.

Dave

I carry Swarovski 8x20 binoculars with the cord around my neck and the binoculars in my shirt pocket. I keep a larger set of binoculars in my backpack in the cruiser for use while riding around looking for spoor, but I rarely require anything bigger than the 8x20s while actually hunting.

Tight to chest with a Rick Young harness. Can't be beat.

quote:

Originally posted by nopride2:
Guess I'm a sissy.

Dave

Me too. I love my chest rig, aka Snuggle Buddy (women...). I didn't have it when I went to Africa, but now I use it for every hunt here in the west, even short day hunts for predators. It keeps a lot of gear very handy - binocular, rangefinder, GPS, camera, wind check powder, a couple spare rounds of ammo, a hand call ('cuz I'm always on the lookout for a good coyote stand), and other odds and ends. It's comfortable and distributes the weight well, and works with the pack that I wear on most hunts. The only negative is having to shuck it each time you shed or add a layer. Small price to pay for the convenience and protection it provides all that expensive gear.

quote:

Originally posted by JGRaider:
Tight to chest with a Rick Young harness. Can't be beat.

Can't believe I've never heard of this product before. Seems like it will work with a few different carrying styles.

For $25 it's I guess it's worth a shot. Just ordered one on Amazon.

quote:

Originally posted by Poyntman:
My preference is the double shoulder strap wearing the tight across my chest...some (here) say "let the PH do all the looking." I personally do not agree with that and like to be very involved and very much enjoy spotting and viewing game. To me it's a huge part of the process.
I find this both comfortable, functional, and ergonomic.

That’s exactly what I do. I use 10x32 Swarovski for all my hunting.

I've tried several different methods of carrying binos. Under the armpit as others have described works for me. The harness gizmo gave me a huge heat rash were it contacted my shirt. I don't recommend it on a hot late season hunt.

Mark

If I’m going to carry them, I put them on a strap so they hang under the off side arm.

I tried the bino bra type thing but they just were not comfortable there and kept bumping in to things and making noise. I learned to leave them on the truck unless we were glassing or hunting in the mountains.

I’ve pooched a few opportunities by being busy with the binoculars when I should have been on the rifle. By and large, African game is big. If you are tracking and stalking, they are not needed for the modest ranges you should be operating at. While I would not go over there without mine, I try and leave them with the truck. If I am evaluating an animal, my rifle scope both is capable of higher magnification and is generally better resolution than the binocs I have anyhow. I wouldn’t use the scope to spot game, but on a guided hunt that isn’t where I’m at anyhow... the trackers are much better than I am at it...

quote:

Originally posted by rnovi:
I used an 8x32 Zeiss with a wide neck strap, side-slung over the left hip. That was the best option for me as I just don't get along with the shoulder harness setup.

IMO the best carry of a binocular is as described in the post above! That method of carry is one of the only two things I ever agreed with Mark Sullivan on! One is this method of Binoc carry, and the other is his love of hunting with a double rifle!


……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Best I have found is strap over right shoulder with bingos resting behind left hip. I made an adjustable strap 1 1/4 inch wide and it is useful no matter what hunting clothes I wear, winter or summer and in between. I never hunt without my 8x32 Leicas.

I have used both and prefer the simple harness. Not the great big ones.

The Rick Young harness looks good with lots of flexibility.

Discussed and beat to death.

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:






Discussed and beat to death.

Is there anything you talk about has not been discussed before?

Mine stay in the truck. Carried them with harness on first two safaris. One less thing to lug around or worry about. Works for me

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:






Discussed and beat to death.

Is there anything you talk about has not been discussed before?

Using the "Find" function on this particular issue generates at least 20 threads hashing this silly topic to death. Let's see if we can summarize all those threads.

1) Harness - Not approved for Manly Men!

2) Over the offside shoulder, at the waist - Official method used and endorsed by Mark Sullivan, in other words, approved for Manly Men!

3) Mini Binos in the shirt pocket - Used by those who have been there, done that, and have the T Shirt to prove it, in other words, Manly Men who no longer need to prove they are Manly Men

4) Leave them in the cruiser - Used by those who rely on the PH for everything, including sorting things out when the situation goes "pear shaped", you know, the type who would say, "your best bet is a scoped 375". In other words, those who feel safe in the company of Manly Men!

Did I leave anything out?

Funny right there..

Very happy with this solution:

https://fhfgear.com/collection...s/bino-harness-pro-m

I've carried my rangefinding binos in the field with this method for at least 100 days of hunting over the past 4 years. Having them protected, being able to belly crawl or stalk with them at the ready, all weighed into my decision. (I use a full size 10x bino so the side carry option isn't a comfortable one, only the little binoculars stay put on that technique ala Mark Sullivan)

quote:

Originally posted by subsailor74:
I carry Swarovski 8x20 binoculars with the cord around my neck and the binoculars in my shirt pocket. I keep a larger set of binoculars in my backpack in the cruiser for use while riding around looking for spoor, but I rarely require anything bigger than the 8x20s while actually hunting.

My system also except Mrs Blacktailer carries the larger binos and the light rifle.

Damn, Todd, that's FUNNY! You even managed to "one up" Saeed!!

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:
Strap around right shoulder, binos under left armpit. Harnesses are too hot, don’t allow shirt vents to work well.

Yup!! We want those Tsetse getting in any way possible.

I use the Cal approved "sissy bra" but get a pass for cooking at the double shoot.

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:

Did I leave anything out?

The current mileage on your Cummins diesel.