Looking for a new binocular Chest pack. Have Cabelas 10x42 and Leupold 8x42. Currently have a Badlands where the entire front flaps down. Works well when I'm up and moving, but the flap gets in the way in a stand. Have looked online at Alaska Guide and Marsupial Gear, just looking for real world experience, suggestions.
Several of us in my group use the Alaska Guide Creations and really like them. I put my rangefinder in the little front pouch which keeps things tidy and handy. Wind-checker in one side pouch, and two extra rounds and an elk reed in the other. Small zippered pouch holds water purification tablets.
Several of us in my group use the Alaska Guide Creations and really like them. I put my rangefinder in the little front pouch which keeps things tidy and handy. Wind-checker in one side pouch, and two extra rounds and a deer in the other. Small zippered pouch holds water purification tablets.
I’ve tried several including the nice compact fhf gear and it depends on what you like minimalist & small or maximum protection & storage.
I have used the AGC with the most pockets for about 6 years to hold & protect my SLC’s, front pouch holds Leica CRF rangefinder on a tether, side pouches a wind checker & another 6 extra rounds. Bottom zippered pocket holds tags & a compact razor blade type knife. This makes me self sufficient & I can drop the backpack & run to the top of the ridge if necessary.
There are so many choices now you might want to try a few I haven’t tried the Kuiu, Sitka badlands etc but the AGC models are excellent if a little bulky. Gal on YouTube does a nice rundown of the different model AGCs.
I've used the FHF. I like that it keeps the binos covered and that the rangefinder is right next to them. I also like that their Glock 19 holster rides right below it.
It's OK for sitting, still hunting, or hunting from a stand but I don't like having that weight right on my chest when I need to move a long distance.
I’ve tried several including AGC but ended up going back to the Kuiu pro (stone glacier is very similar) harness. Relatively sleek design providing excellent protection. There’s plenty of options of adding accessories to it. I also prefer the lid flipping forward, away from my body.
AGC Kodiak Cub Max. Rangefinder goes in front pocket with a Spudz lens cloth holding a spare battery for the RF. Side pockets hold milkweed seeds in a tiny ziplock, Bic lighter, lens brush, another Spudz, chapstick, flossing frames and a small roll of velcro. Basement pocket has a lightweight nylon sling, jerky and some candy. Elastic pockets on top carry my ballistic dope sheets.
It sounds like a lot of hindering bulky crap, but believe it or not, it's really not obtrusive at all.
I’ve tried them all and for my use settled on the Kuiu Pro. I like that it has full containment and when in a stand it is easy to have the lid pulled forward for easy access. The AGC was bombproof but I just didn’t like the way the lid functions.
I have an AGC and a marsupial. I prefer the marsupial after wearing both. One reason is the way it opens forward. The AGC is bullet proof and the marsupial is very well built and more comfortable for me. I carry my iphone, binos, wind checker, a small cleaning rag and a couple rounds in the bino pack. My rangefinder is in a separate pouch attached to the harness. My AGC houses all that in the bino pouch. I thought initially I wanted everything in one pouch but turns out I prefer a smaller bino,pouch and the separate rf pouch.
i really like my AGC. i keep a wind checker in the side pocket some lens solution and a cloth in the bottom a few extra rounds of ammunition in the front and my tags, pen, zipties in the mesh pocket in back
I have used several. Older Sitka, Mystery Ranch and FHF. Whichever route you go make sure that it total cover your binocs on all sides. Other wise in snowy windy conditions the lenses fill with snow. My current FHF rig does this and it's super annoying.
Looking for a new binocular Chest pack. Have Cabelas 10x42 and Leupold 8x42. Currently have a Badlands where the entire front flaps down. Works well when I'm up and moving, but the flap gets in the way in a stand. Have looked online at Alaska Guide and Marsupial Gear, just looking for real world experience, suggestions.
The big thing with my next Chest pack will be the ability to crawl with out the usual hang and swing. Marsupial I'm told by a friend fills the bill.
Several of us in my group use the Alaska Guide Creations and really like them. I put my rangefinder in the little front pouch which keeps things tidy and handy. Wind-checker in one side pouch, and two extra rounds and a deer in the other. Small zippered pouch holds water purification tablets.
Nothing about the pack I don’t enjoy.
Dave
Yep
Me too except I put my GPS in one side pocket and extra batteries/shells in the other. I've been using it since 2010 and would replace it immediately if I lost it.
I went with the big AGC in which I have everything I’d need if I got separated from my pack including fire-making supplies, LRF, knife, headlamp, & space blanket.
I have KUIU Pro with swaro el 10x50s. Second season now, great for rifle type hunts but with a bow it makes some freaky noises as I pull Binos out against the fleece liner. Might just need more use. They live in it and I have only pulled them out a dozen times.
I hate the harness on the AGC. I like my pouch high and tight. The AGC hangs down around yer belly button, while the Marsupial is like Goldilocks bear, 'juust riiight'..... That said, I like the AGC pouch when I hook it direct to the backpack shoulder straps and get it up where I like it, I just pitch the [bleep] harness in the pack.....
While I have a couple Original KBs and like them a lot, they really aren't a binocular pouch. You'd have to go with a Recon KB and one of their separate binocular pouches to get there.
I recently purchased a Browning chest pack harness that works very well for me at less than$60. My first chest pack style so I can't speak of other brands just that this one has plenty of room and stays tight to the chest plus is very quiet which is a must for a stillhunter. I am not a brand connisuer I select gear purely on whether it fits me and my methods of hunting g. Good luck in your search and good gunting.
I have FHFs for my binos. 5 of them---and like them due to them being solidly built, fairly sleek and their harness allows it to ride up high on my boobies, not down on my gut. That said, they don't cover the binos up 100%, and if there is snow or dust blowing in sideways, it can build up on the ocular lenses when in the harness as a result. I have only had the issue 3 times that I can think of, but it has happened. Some brands totally enclose the binos, which would be nice.
I am not a fan of zippered opening systems for harnesses, and never could get used to the lid system or bulkiness of Alaska Guide Creations. The Marsupial looks intriguing with the magnetic closure but I haven't played with them and if I switch from FHF, it'll be to a fully enclosed system anyhow.
I am, yes. There are also conversion kits to integrate all the straps and hook the harness directly to a pack's straps, but I am unsure how universal they are.
I wear my bino harness and a day pack pretty regularly.
I am mostly a tree stand (climber) and shooting house hunter in the southeast. In either situation, the bino harness gives me a handy place to keep my binos in easy reach. No need to hang them from a hook in the tree. This helps me keep the movement down when I reach for my binos.
I am currently using the AGC KISS with the MAX pocket (pocket on the bottom). This version doesn't have the extra zippered pockets on the side and front which keeps the bulk down. It does have little mesh net "pockets" on the sides. These work perfect for holding a bottle of wind indicator on one side and a few ammo cartridges on the other side. I keep a lens cloth and my rangefinder in the floorboard pocket.
After researching the various offerings,, this was the first harness I've tried and it met my needs well so I haven't picked up any other versions.
While I have a couple Original KBs and like them a lot, they really aren't a binocular pouch. You'd have to go with a Recon KB and one of their separate binocular pouches to get there.
Certainly agree. For my needs it was a good compromise at the time. I was unaware of the better binocular carriers when I made the kit bag purchase.
