OP/TECH 5301422 Bino-Cam Harness - Elastic, Black & 1301062 Uni Loop Connectors for Camera, Black

REASON FOR PURCHASE: I wanted to try a binocular harness as an alternative to the neck strap that came with the binos. I only have a small pair of binos (Nikon 8x25) so for me it’s not about getting the weight off my neck so much as finding a less irritating way of carrying them hands-free rather than having them swinging round my neck. At present they tend to travel in their pouch attached to a belt. As a result they tend to stay in their pouch and not get much use! I ordered the OP/TECH 5301412 Bino-Cam Harness in the webbing along with both styles A and B of the USCAMEL Harness Strap to see which I preferred.STYLE:I found the USCAMEL style A the most comfortable of the three harnesses, hence why I only gave the Op/Tech 4 stars for ‘comfort’. The weight felt better distributed on my back with the USCAMEL style A and the straps didn’t get twisted. The fabric piece did ride up a little over the course of my test walk but it was much easier to pull back into position than the Op/Tech or USCAMEL style B because it had more structure to it.WEBBING STRAPS OR ELASTIC STRAPS:• I much preferred the webbing straps of the Op/Tech over the elasticated straps of both of the USCAMEL styles.• I felt equally comfortable and confident in carrying my heavier Nikon P900 camera with the Op/Tech as I did my little binos and my camera didn’t end up sitting round my stomach.• In comparison with the USCAMEL style B, the Op/Tech’s webbing straps didn’t seem to get as twisted when putting the harness on and it was far far easier to adjust.• Before I ordered I read that some people had gone for elasticated straps over webbing straps as the elastic has the potential to hold the binos tighter against the chest. I can see this point of view. However, I personally don’t want to feel any resistance when bringing the binos up to my eyes so was very happy to trade in the potential benefit of the stretchy straps for the much greater feeling of security when carrying heavier equipment.• The Op/Tech webbing straps felt shorter than the elastic USCAMEL style B straps and I needed them set at their longest setting to be able to bring the binos up to my eyes without feeling any resistance. The USCAMEL style B straps were actually only marginally longer than the Op/Tech but the ‘give’ in the elastic gave the impression that there was more of a difference than there was. I’ll be ordering some additional Op/Tech uni loop connectors (the x-long size) to give me a little more freedom to hold the camera further from my body.CONNECTORS:• The USCAMEL styles A and B have the same clips. These are pretty chunky and wouldn’t clip directly on to my binos or camera. Both styles come with some loop connectors, similar to the end of my bino/camera neck strap, to which the clips then attach. I couldn’t test these as at 9 mm wide, the connectors were too wide to go through the eyes on either my binos or my camera, which have 5 mm and 7 mm width straps respectively. I decided that this was not enough of an issue to put me off style A so I purchased some 15 mm diameter split rings. The rings go through the binos and then the harness just clips on to the rings. This is actually much easier than taking the connectors off and on.• In comparison, the Op/Tech harness has a quick release mechanism and I preferred this to the clips (and rings) of the USCAMELs. The webbing of the Op/Tech clips needed a bit of encouragement to go through the eyes on my binos and camera but they did go, unlike those provided with the USCAMELs.• The Op/Tech clips supplied with the harness were the ‘short’ versions and I found it hard to get the clips back through the loops once they were threaded through the eyes in my binos/camera. I managed it but was left with sore fingers and thumbs so only gave it 3 stars for ‘easy to use’. I certainly wouldn’t want to be taking the connectors off and on very regularly so will leave the connectors on. Time will tell whether the lose clips dangling at the side of my camera will irritate me when it’s on my monopod rather than connected to the harness. I’m hoping that the x-long connectors will be long enough to clip together (as shown in the advertising photo) to minimise the amount of flapping.OVERALL CONCLUSION:• I’m keeping the Op/Tech harness in the webbing. I much prefer the non stretchy webbing over the elastic to carry anything heavier than my little binos and the superior feeling of security was what earned the Op/Tech a 5 star overall rating. I’ll be ordering some additional Op/Tech uni loop connectors (the x-long size) to make it easier to thread them through my equipment and to give me a little more freedom to hold the camera further from my body.• I’m also keeping the USCAMEL style A which will do the job nicely for my little binos (with the help of a couple of split rings). Both harnesses are priced such that I can keep both, and order the additional connectors, for less than the price of one of the more expensive brands.• I'm returning the USCAMEL style B. It’s not easy to adjust, the connectors provided don’t fit my equipment (without the use of additional rings) and I wouldn't use it to carry my camera. I think the elastic will quickly stretch when used with anything heavier than my little binos. I would definitely recommend the Op/Tech webbing over the USCAMEL style B.

I opted for the elastic harness instead of the webbing one because it’s advertised as being tighter and holding your binoculars closer to your chest. I have a set of Canon 18 x 50 IS binoculars and they weigh in at just under 1.2 Kg so some substantial support was needed. I’ve been an Op/Tech fan for years and I have a selection of straps and connectors for cameras, tripods etc. and I quite fancied buying something that would also connect with, and complement, my existing equipment.However, I did look at other harnesses and read the reviews just to see if any caught my eye. The ones that did cost far too much so they were discarded. The great thing about Amazon is that it’s easy to return items if they don’t meet your expectations so I was quite happy to try these.I have to say that I’m more than happy with the harness and I attach some photos. Because it’s elastic it stretches with you and I think it’s more comfortable than webbing. It can also be adjusted if you’re wearing winter or summer clothes. It certainly holds my binoculars well and takes the weight off my neck. I still have to work out how to carry my other gear – I have a Tamrac small messenger bag for my camera and an Opticron small scope (or I could use a backpack) but I’ll need to see if it inhibits the harness at all.What’s not clear on the write-up by Amazon is that two Uni-Loop connectors are supplied with the harness. I’d already bought some but they’ll come in useful elsewhere. Overall I think it’s a great harness and I recommend it.

If, like me you suffer from neck aches, head aches or back aches after a day birding it might be the neck strap of your binoculars. These harness systems really do help and distribute the weight of your binoculars (or camera) evenly over your shoulders. I have previously used the opticron system (which is perfectly fine) but this op/tech system is just that bit more versatile, with attachments to cover just about every situation you might come across. One "pro-tip" though; do make sure you adjust the harness so whatever you are carrying with it doesn't hang below your belt. If you get my meaning

This is great at taking the weight of binoculars off one's neck. I had tried one briefly and realised the difference it made. I might now go for heavier binoculars because of the difference it makes.To start with I tightened it too much which put the weight back on my neck as I like to carry the bins high on my chest rather than on my stomach where they bounce around uncomfortably. However the harness prevents their bumping around too much.It took a time to work out how to put them on and off easily. They can be unclipped and clipped on again, but that aeemed slower and more complicated than over my head - this is easy for putting on, but requires flexible shoulders to take off (by putting them backwards over my head and wriggling out of them). More experimenting needed.

If you're reading this it's probably because like me you don't like binoculars swinging about around your neck - this harness fixes that .. it's a relief to distribute weight across your shoulders and works perfectly.The best part of buying this for me was that I realised quickly that I could buy a spare set of the loop/clips and attach these to a D ring on an existing across body camera strap I use.. this means I've got both my camera and the binoculars on the same strap which is great. Similarly you can attach additional Op/Tech loops to backpack D rings .. and buy a set quite cheaply for a second camera etc.. the whole lot becomes interchangeable which is great because each set comes with one male and one female connector everything clips together no problem. Recommend these !

No idea how to wear it as it’s not the same as the product photo. I was hoping to use it on a bird watching trip but as it arrived just before I left I can’t return it.