Hunting & Fishing Pls suggest Chest rig / bino harness

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Rifletuner

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Jul 9, 2007
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Australia
#1
Guys, looking for suggestions to manage gear I am using a lot on hunting trips. I am currently running a marsupial gear bino harness with my RF binoculars and also some pockets to carry a garmin rino and a garmin astro. I also carry a pack, but like having these items on my chest handy as they get a lot of use each time I go out.

I spent a bit of time looking around to see if there is a better chest harness to carry this stuff, but havent really found anything so far. The Sitka harness probably comes closest, but still not ideal. I did see a few predator hunters who have modified AR15 chest rigs to carry an assortment of gear, so considering trying that. Before I start frankenmodding chest rigs, can anyone point me to anything that already exists?

Some videos I found for reference:



 
#3
I've had a bunch of on brand and off-brand ones, and I think Badlands are the best, period. They're really quiet and easy to deploy/stow with their magnetic closures. There is nothing to mess with. Flip it open, grab binos, glass, replace binos, and flip it closed. I've beat the hell out of mine and it's still like new (well, kinda).
www.badlandsgear.com

Binocular Harnesses for Hunting | Badlands Gear

Badlands binocular harnesses aren't just tough and functional. They're versatile enough to adapt to any species or style of hunt. Whatever you glass with, we'll make sure it's covered.
www.badlandsgear.com www.badlandsgear.com

I currently have the X and have a MOLLE pouch on either side for rangefinder and calls. If I didn't already have that I'd definitely go with their new XR that already has the pockets for your other necessaries.

They're quite spendy $$$$, but I think they are the best.

p.s.- They also have a camelback net that stows away in the back of the harness if you don't need it, but it's nice when striking off as light as possible from spike camp to be able to put a liter of water on your bino harness.

There's a bunch of youtube reviews you can look up.
 
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#4

FHF Gear | Fish - Hunt - Fight

Modular outdoor gear systems that you can customize by activity and season. Designed for sportsmen by sportsmen. Shop now. Made in the USA. Modular & Customizable. Designed by Field Experts. Shop by System. Backed by Warranty.
www.fhfgear.com www.fhfgear.com

These guys used to be good, not sure after they got bought out by the MeatEater crowd. Only thing I wish they did different was to make their strap more padded. I still have the original one I bought years ago back when the dude actually sewed them in his garage.
 
#6
Similar/adjacent question to the OP, so I hope he doesn't mind if I add to this thread with a question.

Is there a place to just buy a harness which a molle pouch will attach to? I have a Mystery Ranch pouch for my Terrapin-X, but would like to wear it on my chest like these bino pouches.
 
#7
kthomas said:
Similar/adjacent question to the OP, so I hope he doesn't mind if I add to this thread with a question.

Is there a place to just buy a harness which a molle pouch will attach to? I have a Mystery Ranch pouch for my Terrapin-X, but would like to wear it on my chest like these bino pouches.
Click to expand...
Just get a minimalist molle chest rig like a BFG Molleminus. That will have more coverage than a bino harness though. Or you could get a HPG Recon kit bag since it has molle on the front, that would cover you less. I don't know of any pouchless molle harness with the same footprint as a bino harness.
 
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#8
dgheriani said:
Just get a minimalist molle chest rig like a BFG Molleminus. That will have ore coverage than a bino harness though. Or you could get a HPG Recon kit bag since it has molle on the front, that would cover you less. I don't know of anything pouchless molle harness with the same footprint as a bino harness.
Click to expand...
The HPG recon kit seems like the way to go.
 
#10
In the event you can’t find anything you love, LBT (LBX is their non-Berry compliant line, still the same great quality in my experience) has their ranger green Assault Chest Rig on sale right now for <$50. It runs placards, so you can change your setup as you wish.

lbxtactical.com

RG Assault Chest Rig

Assault Chest Rig, 0063a, 0063, 0063b
lbxtactical.com lbxtactical.com
 
#11
In a stroke of fate, I just got a text message from Eberlestock today. They just dropped a modular bino harness system. The “Recon”. Check it out and see if it’s what you’re looking for.

eberlestock.myshopify.com

Recon

Recon Modular Harness System™ is streamlined, adaptable, and built on a foundation of mission-proven design. Take on any environment with this purpose-built, backcountry tested harness and accessories.
eberlestock.myshopify.com eberlestock.myshopify.com
 
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#13
Alaska guide creations are what you seek.

alaskaguidecreations.com

Bino Packs

Rugged Dependable Optics Protection Get Your PackAccessories We have packs for every size binocular Denali Built specifically for large objective binoculars, such as the 15×56, and extra-large rangefinders. The Denali Pack holds more than any of our other packs. Alaska Classic Designed to fit...
alaskaguidecreations.com alaskaguidecreations.com
 
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#15
I have had the sitka rig for 3 full seasons. Its had bunch of use, probably 50 plus days spot and stalk in CO, 50 plus days in and out of the woods in Bama plus a bunch of taking it to the BLM to shoot. I have the geovids or (small leopolds/ rangefinder for archery) in the main pouch. Rino 650 in the left pocket and elk reeds and or wind checker in the right. It has been a good pack. The elastic on the left pocket is getting saggy because I jam that Rino in there. It is showing some wear and for the price I'd hoped it would last a bit longer but I should at least get one more season out of it. Over all it has functioned well for how much I have asked of it but my hope is there is something better when it is time to replace next year. I haven't been looking around so there may well be something better these days.

edit. Mine is not the "mountain optics harness". Mine is the oiler single pouch with the two slide in elastic pockets on the sides.
 
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#16
Tried a few.
Love my Alaska Guide Creations.


Does work over a chest rig for a pistol if you want.
Have done it with both G20 and 44 mag Mtn Gun.
Prefer the belt carry on my pack then swap holster to a paddle when no pack for long days, and easily doable if you want/need.
 
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#17
zeroz said:
I have had the sitka rig for 3 full seasons. Its had bunch of use, probably 50 plus days spot and stalk in CO, 50 plus days in and out of the woods in Bama plus a bunch of taking it to the BLM to shoot. I have the geovids or (small leopolds/ rangefinder for archery) in the main pouch. Rino 650 in the left pocket and elk reeds and or wind checker in the right. It has been a good pack. The elastic on the left pocket is getting saggy because I jam that Rino in there. It is showing some wear and for the price I'd hoped it would last a bit longer but I should at least get one more season out of it. Over all it has functioned well for how much I have asked of it but my hope is there is something better when it is time to replace next year. I haven't been looking around so there may well be something better these days.

edit. Mine is not the "mountain optics harness". Mine is the oiler single pouch with the two slide in elastic pockets on the sides.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the insight. Its good to hear because I dont actually know anyone that has this harness. (y)(y)(y)
 
#18
powdahound76 said:
Tried a few.
Love my Alaska Guide Creations.


Does work over a chest rig for a pistol if you want.
Have done it with both G20 and 44 mag Mtn Gun.
Prefer the belt carry on my pack then swap holster to a paddle when no pack for long days, and easily doable if you want/need.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I am in Australia, so no handgun carry possible. But based on a few of the comments added to this thread, I will take a good look at Alaska Guide Creations.
 
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#19
Rifletuner said:
Thanks. I am in Australia, so no handgun carry possible. But based on a few of the comments added to this thread, I will take a good look at Alaska Guide Creations.
Click to expand...
Do you know my homey down under?
@barneybdb
He is of my people, just with a speech impediment...... :LOL:

Also, if you can get a Vortex dealer down there, they do a AGC carrier with a Vortex patch sewn on in coyote.
 
#20
Well, I went with the majority of the suggestions got a HPG Recon Kit Bag to try out. I found a barely used second had, so easily available to me at a reasonable price.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a MOLLE attachment for bino carry and / or pouches for Garmin Rino GPS, Apha 100 tracker, etc? Just trying to work our the best way to use the real estate on the harness.
 
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#23
Rifletuner said:
Well, I went with the majority of the suggestions got a HPG Recon Kit Bag to try out. I found a barely used second had, so easily available to me at a reasonable price.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a MOLLE attachment for bino carry and / or pouches for Garmin Rino GPS, Apha 100 tracker, etc? Just trying to work our the best way to use the real estate on the harness.
Click to expand...
The HPG bino pouch is great. As for the Rino and Alpha 100, I'm not to sure what size pouch is needed. I run HSGI rifle/pistol tacos on each side of the bino case and that lets me carry pretty much anything from spare mags (bolt or AR) to a kestrel, phone, folding knife depending on needs.
 
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#25
Rifletuner said:
Well, I went with the majority of the suggestions got a HPG Recon Kit Bag to try out. I found a barely used second had, so easily available to me at a reasonable price.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a MOLLE attachment for bino carry and / or pouches for Garmin Rino GPS, Apha 100 tracker, etc? Just trying to work our the best way to use the real estate on the harness.
Click to expand...
Bumping an old thread.

Did you find the HPG Recon was suitable for your usage?
I’m considering a chest rig set up for shooting matches to help with gear management. Most of the chest rigs are either was too tacticool for my liking/requirements or not tacticool enough.

I like the look of the HPG kits but have zero use for the pistol pocket, and it doesn’t look like there is another way to utilise it.
 
#26
Hi mate. The HPG has been okay, but it requires any of the MOLLE addons to sit off the main pocket which I dont like as much. I recently bought a locally made bino harness with MOLLE flaps on each side. I am hoping that is the answer, but wont know for a couple of months when I start hunting with it.
 
#27
Highly recommend
www.lowvisgear.com

LVG - Mountain Binocular Harness V2

Updated design of the most rugged, adaptable & practical harness on the market. CHECK THE INTERNAL POUCH DIMENSIONS BELOW & COMPARE WITH THE EXTERNAL MEASUREMENTS OF YOUR BINOCULARS. Having used and owned numerous binocular harnesses in the past, they were all pretty good in their own way but...
www.lowvisgear.com www.lowvisgear.com
 
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#28
Rifletuner said:
Hi mate. The HPG has been okay, but it requires any of the MOLLE addons to sit off the main pocket which I dont like as much. I recently bought a locally made bino harness with MOLLE flaps on each side. I am hoping that is the answer, but wont know for a couple of months when I start hunting with it.
Click to expand...
Do you have any pictures of your setup?

Sounds like you are trying to do what I want. Rather than buying a bino harness and strapping 15 molle pouches to it, start of with a bigger base setup that hopefully have the pouches you need.
My issues is I don't want the mag holders (like the Haley D3CR) but would like the option to add some mag holders for ACIS magazines.
 
#29
beetroot said:
Do you have any pictures of your setup?

Sounds like you are trying to do what I want. Rather than buying a bino harness and strapping 15 molle pouches to it, start of with a bigger base setup that hopefully have the pouches you need.
My issues is I don't want the mag holders (like the Haley D3CR) but would like the option to add some mag holders for ACIS magazines.
Click to expand...
Stone Glacier has a new bino harness coming out soon that I think will include a dedicated pouch that will hold AICS mags.
 
#30
Dobermann said:
Stone Glacier has a new bino harness coming out soon that I think will include a dedicated pouch that will hold AICS mags.
Click to expand...
I'll have to read through your thread on Rokslide.

Not convinced I want a bino harness though, I already have one that works fine for binos (obviously) but doesn't have the flexibility I'm hoping to get.

The HPG recon looks quite close to what I want, could probably modify it to do what I need. But i'm wondering if a modular system is more what I need, a chest rig with plain molle and attach pouches as needed.
 
#31
beetroot said:
I'll have to read through your thread on Rokslide.

Not convinced I want a bino harness though, I already have one that works fine for binos (obviously) but doesn't have the flexibility I'm hoping to get.

The HPG recon looks quite close to what I want, could probably modify it to do what I need. But i'm wondering if a modular system is more what I need, a chest rig with plain molle and attach pouches as needed.
Click to expand...
There's not much info on that thread, but the revised version should be here in the next month or two.
 
#37
R_A_W said:
www.cryeprecision.com

AirLite® Convertible Chest Rig

www.cryeprecision.com www.cryeprecision.com
www.velsyst.com

Buy The UW Ultra-Lite Chest Rig Online

The UW Ultra-Lite Chest Rig is made in the USA and available at Velocity Systems now.
www.velsyst.com www.velsyst.com
Click to expand...
I was probably going to buy this, should be enough Molle to mount a reasonable number of pouches and is low profile enough it won‘t look like seal team 6 cosplay if I were to wear it hiking or for other non-shooting sports.

www.sordaustralia.com

MFF Rig - Mesh

MFF Rig - Mesh - SORD
www.sordaustralia.com www.sordaustralia.com
 
#40
at this point for me a Hill People gear recon with bino pouch has fit my needs the best. I am going to try a Fulltang Tactical kit bag this year also with the HPG bino harness just due to the modularity of the bag itself. I actually find myself putting my binos in a pocket on the pack or jacket alot especially in technical terrain for better vision, maybe I shouldn't be looking down so much but it has been an issue. I still prefer the chest pack carry though for convenience. I have tried the badlands also and it worked great just not as much room for other accoutrements.
 
#42
Modoc said:
Rather than starting new, are there any updates to these choices? I’ m looking at the AGC Ravus, Kuiu Pro G3, Eberletock Recon, or???

I am not sure that I would need the HPG combination.
Click to expand...

I guess it depends on what you want to do.

I use a Marsupial Gear bino harness. I couple it up with a Ferox Gear Beast Adapter when I want to carry, it keeps my VP9 on my chest between the binos.

I like this combo a lot, but if you want a lot of gear storage there's better options.
 
#43
kthomas said:
I guess it depends on what you want to do.

I use a Marsupial Gear bino harness. I couple it up with a Ferox Gear Beast Adapter when I want to carry, it keeps my VP9 on my chest between the binos.

I like this combo a lot, but if you want a lot of gear storage there's better options.
Click to expand...
I’m not really sure what I want besides not having the binos just hanging from a strap. That’s why I’m looking at those systems that are modular. The majority of the systems all have a similar base price and the accessories are similar in options and price. This is why I’m looking for other’s experiences.
 
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#44
After sleeping on it, the harness should be able to carry :
  1. Binoculars
  2. LRF
  3. Garmin inreach mini and possibly Oregon
  4. Misc. small items
  5. Go over some flavor of chest holster (Kenai from GFI or similar)
I do a lot of Still/spot and stalk hunting and driving for my mobility impaired father. My old glass usually rode on the dash, seat, or neck strap. I may also utilize it at work as a Civil Engineer.
 
#46
I’ve tried quite a few, right now I’m really liking this Low Viz Gear one.

It has a good padded bino pouch with a small and simple front pocket, and a couple rows of molle on each side. I can add a mag pouch, radio, pocket for a kestrel or nothing and keep it super slick like other bino harnesses for archery.

I really like the small Velcro enclosure on the back side. It allows me to hang a handmuff in the winter, or one of the drop hangers I already have, or again just keep it slick.

Im not affiliated with anybody, just passing on my experiences. I’ve tried the fhf, marsupial, hill people gear, stone glacier, maybe some others.
IMG_5470.jpeg
IMG_5471.jpeg
IMG_5472.jpeg
 
#47
Kline said:
I’ve tried quite a few, right now I’m really liking this Low Viz Gear one.

It has a good padded bino pouch with a small and simple front pocket, and a couple rows of molle on each side. I can add a mag pouch, radio, pocket for a kestrel or nothing and keep it super slick like other bino harnesses for archery.

I really like the small Velcro enclosure on the back side. It allows me to hang a handmuff in the winter, or one of the drop hangers I already have, or again just keep it slick.

Im not affiliated with anybody, just passing on my experiences. I’ve tried the fhf, marsupial, hill people gear, stone glacier, maybe some others.
View attachment 8779544View attachment 8779545View attachment 8779546
Click to expand...
Interesting. Im in the market again after wearing out the sitka one I had for years and not loving the kuiu one the old lady got me for Christmas, mostly because it's a noisy bastard. I just got the Code of Silence one but I need to send it back since it's too small for the geovids. They fit but max it out and you can't use any pockets or it's all just too tight. I was thinking Marsupial but now Im second guessing it.

Is it quiet? Something with the rigid nature of the kuiu one makes a pop noise all the time.

How does it stay open? Magnet at the middle or at the bottom? Is it in the way/ sticking out when open and get in the way of your draw at all?

Would you feel the same if you were going to run it barebones 95% of the time? Seems like all that mesh/molle is a lot for the harness if its going to mostly be empty.

Edit: Looks like they'll be maxing that thing out too, at least height wise. Do you think eyecups that stick up to 7 1/8 will work or make it a no go?
 
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#48
zeroz said:
Interesting. Im in the market again after wearing out the sitka one I had for years and not loving the kuiu one the old lady got me for Christmas, mostly because it's a noisy bastard. I just got the Code of Silence one but I need to send it back since it's too small for the geovids. They fit but max it out and you can't use any pockets or it's all just too tight. I was thinking Marsupial but now Im second guessing it.

Is it quiet? Something with the rigid nature of the kuiu one makes a pop noise all the time.

How does it stay open? Magnet at the middle or at the bottom? Is it in the way/ sticking out when open and get in the way of your draw at all?

Would you feel the same if you were going to run it barebones 95% of the time? Seems like all that mesh/molle is a lot for the harness if its going to mostly be empty.

Edit: Looks like they'll be maxing that thing out too, at least height wise. Do you think eyecups that stick up to 7 1/8 will work or make it a no go?
Click to expand...
There’s no magnet to keep it open, it just sits there but you can invert the cover a bit to make it lay more flat when open. I usually wear it a little lower than chest height and it doesn’t interfere with my draw at all with my bow. Noise wise it’s quiet enough unless you let the magnets close without controlling it.

The main reason I like it is the ability to add pouches and scale it with stuff that I already have like danglers and mag pouches etc for whatever I’m doing. If i just want binos only, then I’m usually using my Rick young bungee harness.

That thing is awesome as well, and is actually my preferred “harness” if you call it that when I don’t need the extra real estate. It sucks the binos right up against you, and allows you to one hand pull them up and use them (while also stabilizing them a bit with the bungee tension) which is really handy while holding a bow.

I can take some measurements later if you want. Feel free to pm me too if you need any other pics or anything.
 
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#49
Kline said:
There’s no magnet to keep it open, it just sits there but you can invert the cover a bit to make it lay more flat when open. I usually wear it a little lower than chest height and it doesn’t interfere with my draw at all with my bow. Noise wise it’s quiet enough unless you let the magnets close without controlling it.

The main reason I like it is the ability to add pouches and scale it with stuff that I already have like danglers and mag pouches etc for whatever I’m doing. If i just want binos only, then I’m usually using my Rick young bungee harness.

That thing is awesome as well, and is actually my preferred “harness” if you call it that when I don’t need the extra real estate. It sucks the binos right up against you, and allows you to one hand pull them up and use them (while also stabilizing them a bit with the bungee tension) which is really handy while holding a bow.

I can take some measurements later if you want. Feel free to pm me too if you need any other pics or anything.
Click to expand...
Thanks. Id love to know if the 7 1/8" height is going to be a deal breaker by stressing out the top and undoing the magnets all the time when I lean over. Thx
 
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