Bino harness vs chest rig??

Hi all

I’ve been using a bino harness for a few years now but now thinking about a chest rig ( also a harness with a larger chest bag instead of the smaller bino bag). My current bino harness has my bipod, range finder , plb and sometimes a small radio attached. It’s becoming a bit busy. Anyone using the chest rig instead of the bino harness?

My current setup looks kinda like this https://twinneedle.co.nz/products/bi...45448507556115

Where if you had something like this fhf product it might all fit into one area. This might be lighter ??


https://www.fhfgear.com/collections/...gs/?lang=en_US

have you looked at the sabre tactical Pathfinder

https://sabretactical.co.nz/collecti...nder-chest-rig

i fit plb,rf, bino,kestral then a whole heap of smaller items. it's pretty unobtrusive and easy wearing. i think its really personal preference asthey both do the same thing

I run a chest rig and I like it

I'm leaning the opposite way - find my Twinneedle bino harness overly large all by itself and looking at smaller options.

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Originally Posted by gimp

I'm leaning the opposite way - find my Twinneedle bino harness overly large all by itself and looking at smaller options.

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Thats what i like about the kuiu unit is its very small. Intrested too see if you find something slimmer that still has the support.

Sent from my SM-G998B using Tapatalk

I use a twin needle and like it.
I also have a Sabre tactical which has just turned up. Haven't had a chance to use it yet. It's a lot roomier, but looks like it has the potential to get in the way. And it's a zip up not magnetic. I quite lazy and don't tend to zip them up. OK when it's dry but I hate having to dry lenses
The magnetic tops a least snapp shut and keep everything mostly dry.
An American client had one of these and it was awesome. Very simple.
https://nimrodoutdoor.com/collection...-binocular-top

This is a subject I've been playing around with for a while.
I'm not a fan of the bino harness I prefer the smaller chest rigs. I would rather carry gear to the side than have too much stuff at the front.

The Sabre Tactical Pathfinder, above, looks pretty good. I have no experience with them but they have an excellent reputation. If I didn't sell gear it would probably be my first choice.

Another option I like the look of is the Low Vis Gear Mountain harness. They can carry a decent sized set of binos and have PALS webbing so you can add extra kit as you need.
https://www.lowvisgear.com/en-nz/col...lar-harness-v2

I used to use the Numbat. I like how versatile it is but may be too small for some bino's. Its great for general use though.
https://bushlifenz.com/products/chest-pack-numbat%C2%AE

I have been using a TMR for a while now. I modified it to take a GP pouch. Its designed for range use in more permissive environments but is actually quite versatile.
I remove the mag insert and dangler pouch. It will depend on the size of your binos, mine fit nicely but if you're using larger ones its probably useless to you. Likewise if your not carrying a spare mag or two.
https://bushlifenz.com/products/training-mini-rig

The other option is a PALS rig. That way you can set it up as you need it. There are a million PALS pouches to choose from. Its not hard to find some that will work for you.
https://bushlifenz.com/search?q=MFF

There are larger chest rigs out there but I'm a firm believer less is more ;)

Cheers guys , plenty there that I haven’t seen before, so some good food for thought.

Attachment 244700
This is what I run, fit my knife, spare blades, lens pen, sun glasses, phone, range finder, windicator, ear plugs and a tripod adapter for the Spartan mount on my rifle in there

Recently purchased a Manitoba Expedition Binocular Caddy based on recent review in hunting mag.
Haven’t had it out yet but binos, range finder, thermal, phone all seem to fit. Don’t have a bipod so not sure if they attach but guessing it could.

I use a Twinn Needle bino chest rig, has a range finder on the side and inside it I put my cell phone so I can easy access it for Top maps. May also have an ammo card in it, mostly the ammo card is in a butt stock pack. May also have a PLB attached.
Convientent to have that stuff handy but I have to take it off if I need to do a prone shot. It works but not all the time.
Z

Just a question for the people running a chest rig.
Do you still have your neck strap attached to your binos when using a chest rig. The reason I ask is I have only just started using the twin needle one and I find the neck strap a pain in the arse now. At the moment I have kept it on as my eye piece covers are attached to the neck strap.
Cheers

Binos stay in pack for me, if I’m glassing it’s not a 2 minute job so will sit down and get comfortable

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kimber08

Just a question for the people running a chest rig.
Do you still have your neck strap attached to your binos when using a chest rig. The reason I ask is I have only just started using the twin needle one and I find the neck strap a pain in the arse now. At the moment I have kept it on as my eye piece covers are attached to the neck strap.
Cheers

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At present I don't have my glasses attached. Just sitting in the pouch. Quite handy if I want to pass my glasses to someone else for a quick look.
And easy to get them out and put them back with no straps or elastic to get tangled up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kimber08

Just a question for the people running a chest rig.
Do you still have your neck strap attached to your binos when using a chest rig. The reason I ask is I have only just started using the twin needle one and I find the neck strap a pain in the arse now. At the moment I have kept it on as my eye piece covers are attached to the neck strap.
Cheers

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The short answer is no.
I don't see the need for any covers or caps when I'm carrying bino's in a pouch.
You can dummy cord kit to the rig if you are worried about losing it.

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Originally Posted by 7mmwsm

And easy to get them out and put them back with no straps or elastic to get tangled up.

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this.

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Originally Posted by gimp

I'm leaning the opposite way - find my Twinneedle bino harness overly large all by itself and looking at smaller options.

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@gimp
Did you make a change?

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Originally Posted by Maxx

@gimp
Did you make a change?

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Nope. Not yet. Low priority.

Have a look at the Sabre Tactical binocular harness. I've tried so many now but extremely pleased with this one.

Made in NZ, minimal, durable, functional. I pair it was Swaro EL Range 10x42

Before I went to Bino harness I had a Hill People chest rig. Another one to research as their gear is good quality.

https://hillpeoplegear.com/Products/CategoryID/1

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jus

Attachment 244700
This is what I run, fit my knife, spare blades, lens pen, sun glasses, phone, range finder, windicator, ear plugs and a tripod adapter for the Spartan mount on my rifle in there

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What's the attachment for the spartan to the bag please

Sabre tactical fits my swaro 10x42 a cell phone super compact and comfortable. Amazing build quality

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kiwijames

What's the attachment for the spartan to the bag please

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Interested too please

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kiwijames

What's the attachment for the spartan to the bag please

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Looks like it involves a couple of small holes...

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/top...ink_source=app

Im interested in what you are changing to @Jus

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

After the initial responses to this thread I picked up a sabre chest rig. What I like is my RF, binos , blp and phone fit in without having to have additional pouches. Maybe it lighter I dunno? I’ve sewed on a cheap Ali express mag holder to the bottom to hold my Spartan bipod. It even has hearts on it. My only complaint is the bino sleeve inside is a bit floppy and can take a little jiggling to get the binos in unfolded. I might modify this myself but it would be great if sabre could design something a little more rigid. I might email them and see. It’s removable with Velcro fixing. Construction is on par with twinneedle stuff.

Attachment 264698Attachment 264699Attachment 264700

I've been pondering these rigs for years, have experimented with a couple but have never been able to settle and keep coming back to having my Geovids slung round my neck in this arrangement.
Attachment 264742

It's comfortable to carry and quick and quiet to use. But doesn't give the binos much protection (mine have never crapped out, maybe Ive been lucky?) and is solely for binos. I've looked carefully at cobbers Twin Needle bino harness several times but never liked the balance enough to buy one.

From the excellent discussion on this thread I've had a really good look at @Shooter MFF rig and am close to pushing go on one of these.

BUT . . . is it advocated to carry your EPIRB on your bino harness/chest rig these days, how likely is it for a chest harness to get stripped off in a fall (versus say a day pack ) ?

Thanks

i run the new eberlestock recon with a few additional pouches. its an epic peice of kit.

I've gone to a handbag. I tried a couple of chest rigs but didn't like having to take them off for a prone shot.

https://bushlifenz.com/collections/b...41228087394370

This holds my thermal, Swaro 8x30 rangefinder, cellphone, spare ammo, bipod and plb (yes, I know it should be on my belt or something).

Much more comfortable in use than a chest rig, and no disadvantage that I have found so far. Also means there is nothing collecting leaf litter and rubbish down my front, and my I don't get as hot as my top isn't held against my chest.

Best of all, with Bushlifes regular sales you can often see them for $50 or so. No biggie if it doesn't work for you.

Bought the new kuiu bino harness, love it. I just made a clip for a spartan bipod out of kydex, heat it up and fold it around the bipod and clamp it tight with stiff foam until it cools down and it sets..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sh00ter

This is a subject I've been playing around with for a while.
I'm not a fan of the bino harness I prefer the smaller chest rigs. I would rather carry gear to the side than have too much stuff at the front.

The Sabre Tactical Pathfinder, above, looks pretty good. I have no experience with them but they have an excellent reputation. If I didn't sell gear it would probably be my first choice.

Another option I like the look of is the Low Vis Gear Mountain harness. They can carry a decent sized set of binos and have PALS webbing so you can add extra kit as you need.
https://www.lowvisgear.com/en-nz/col...lar-harness-v2

I used to use the Numbat. I like how versatile it is but may be too small for some bino's. Its great for general use though.
https://bushlifenz.com/products/chest-pack-numbat%C2%AE

I have been using a TMR for a while now. I modified it to take a GP pouch. Its designed for range use in more permissive environments but is actually quite versatile.
I remove the mag insert and dangler pouch. It will depend on the size of your binos, mine fit nicely but if you're using larger ones its probably useless to you. Likewise if your not carrying a spare mag or two.
https://bushlifenz.com/products/training-mini-rig

The other option is a PALS rig. That way you can set it up as you need it. There are a million PALS pouches to choose from. Its not hard to find some that will work for you.
https://bushlifenz.com/search?q=MFF

There are larger chest rigs out there but I'm a firm believer less is more ;)

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This Bushlife stuff is good value and great Kiwi service.
I find any of this stuff hanging on my chest a nuisance, especially when laying down for a shot. The more shit you carry the worse it gets. But I haven't found an alternative.
I think though if using a small thermal spotter (time to get real-everyone will eventually) a smaller pair of binos like 8x20 will become more popular. Just used for positive ID and checking heads etc. That will make things more compact.
And cripes Twin Needle stuff is expensive. Yeah, well made, but most stuff is now a days. I dont see the value in it.

I almost was looking at some sort chest rig for binos and other equipment. Thought this https://www.armyandoutdoors.co.nz/pr...up-utility-rig might be good, cheaper than most dedicated hunting rigs and customizable.