I am thinking about getting a harness. Mostly I want it to reduce neck strain and to keep the binoculars from bouncing around. How do I know which one to get? Are they all pretty much the same? I would greatly appreciate any advice.
Thanks
Beth
[QUOTE=Beth05]I am thinking about getting a harness. Mostly I want it to reduce neck strain and to keep the binoculars from bouncing around. How do I know which one to get? Are they all pretty much the same? I would greatly appreciate any advice.
Thanks
Beth[/QUOTE]
Get the ones made by Crooked Horn and sold under various names. I have used mine on three elk hunts in Montana with my Leica 10X50 BN, which weighs about 41 ounces. I was up and down some very big hills each time and never noticed they were there.
The major difference is elastic or non-elastic. I have the non elastic - has two leather guides in back with an adjustable strap between - this allows adjustment of the torso length in the center. I can also adjust the shoulder strap length to fit over more or less clothing. I like the harness except that when clothes are bulky (over a jacket, for example) it can be difficult to get out of it without unhooking one of the clips to the binoculars. For quick sharing of the binocs with others I have to completely unhook them and pass the unstrapped binocs - I'm always a little worried they will get dropped... I love the harness in comparison to a neckstrap - no pressure on neck, no bounce of binocs as I walk. Very comfortable.
My husband has the elastic version with only one central guide in back - he seems to get into/out of his harness with more ease but then has some bounce while walking.
I was surprised when I visited Amsterdam and London that almost no one uses a binocular harness. They are so much more comfortable. Barbara