Modular bino chest rig

[HookMeUpII]

First off, this is not particularly Africa-focused but I know there is a lot of knowledge on this forum. I already have a single, lightweight, bino chest rig I am going to keep for Africa. It's a Mystery Ranch.

I am getting more into domestic hunting here in the USA and I need something modular with one caveat: No magnets. My Mystery Ranch has a magnetic clasp system and I've been told that it will throw off the rangefinder even stored in a side pocket.

Ideally I'd like something with a main, tethered bino pouch. Then, the ability to add side pouches as need for a rangefinder, small IFAK, and possibly a bear defense side arm underneath.

I've been looking at FHF gear, Eberlestock, and Cabelas makes one, to name a few.

Any particular one liked by folks on here?

 

[Josh P]

Don’t forget the Hill People Gear harness bags that have the molle on the front. You can mount pouches on the outside and have plenty of room for various items, including side arm, in the pack itself.

 

[Legion]

If I were building a modular, no-magnets chest rig for domestic hunting with the possibility of a handgun underneath, I'd go with FHF Gear.

 

[chase0109]

I’m biased, as it’s what I use. But I’d take a hard look at marsupial gear.

Enclosed Binocular Chest Pack

Marsupial Binocular Pouch allows quick one handed access to your optics. The front lid stays opens and closes by utilizing strong magnets.

www.marsupialgear.com

It checks all your boxes modular so you can add rangefinder or cell phone pouches to the side. Flip forward opening. You can get it magnetic or non-magnetic.

As I referenced in the other thread. I use mine for hunting everything. I have a tethered rangefinder and cell phone case on mine. Well designed and the openings are great for being able to pull Bino’s or rangefinder one handed and drop right back into the pouch without having to pay attention.

I find the fit really good. You can snug it down and hardly know it’s there.

Lots of great options out there. You just have to find the one that checks the boxes for you.
Chase

 

[HookMeUpII]

I’m biased, as it’s what I use. But I’d take a hard look at marsupial gear.

Enclosed Binocular Chest Pack

Marsupial Binocular Pouch allows quick one handed access to your optics. The front lid stays opens and closes by utilizing strong magnets.

www.marsupialgear.com

It checks all your boxes modular so you can add rangefinder or cell phone pouches to the side. Flip forward opening. You can get it magnetic or non-magnetic.

As I referenced in the other thread. I use mine for hunting everything. I have a tethered rangefinder and cell phone case on mine. Well designed and the openings are great for being able to pull Bino’s or rangefinder one handed and drop right back into the pouch without having to pay attention.

I find the fit really good. You can snug it down and hardly know it’s there.

Lots of great options out there. You just have to find the one that checks the boxes for you.
Chase

That's a contender for sure. I like how at the core, it's a singular bino pouch. Took me a second to figure out how the side pouches would connect though.

 

[farmer_john]

Ive used ferro concepts alot of deployments
Id prolly run a rig like this if your wanting something modular but also very low key add pouches where and as wanted/needed

Chesty Rig Wide V2

The Chesty Rig Wide V2 is an update to our Chesty Rig Wide Harness. Yeah we get it, it’s been a while. We’ve improved the side MOLLE panels by increasing their rigidity and adding a third column of MOLLE, making them ideal for our 6x5 or 12x5 General Purpose Pockets. The front of the chest rig...

ferroconcepts.com

 

[Sabre]

I need something modular with one caveat: No magnets. My Mystery Ranch has a magnetic clasp system and I've been told that it will throw off the rangefinder even stored in a side pocket.

Is this really a thing? I haven't heard that before. When googling it I see limited info about it. Some places say it does nothing and some say it won't hurt range finding but can throw off angle compensation. Which, I would still consider that a problem on modern rangefinders.

Seems hard to find solid info out there and would be nice to know.

 

[Rhoyland4]

I have the Eberlestock and love it. The bino pouch closure is magnetic though. I haven’t had an issue with my range finder binos that I haven’t noticed. The only thing I didn’t like was they didn’t offer all the pieces in all the colors. Hence the mix match. Pouch on the left carries my electronic ear buds. Tan pouch holds a whole box of ammo. That one is not Enerlestock. Pouch under the binos is my hunting license and knife. I haven’t a molle panel with a pistol holster I can add under the hand warmers if needed. I haven’t a pouch I can carry a water bottle in too, but it is a little awkward.

 

[HookMeUpII]

Is this really a thing? I haven't heard that before. When googling it I see limited info about it. Some places say it does nothing and some say it won't hurt range finding but can throw off angle compensation. Which, I would still consider that a problem on modern rangefinders.

Seems hard to find solid info out there and would be nice to know.

I learned about it from this video:

I listen to his podcast a lot. Big into Africa hunting but also domestic as well. It stands to reason it could. Especially if there are components like compasses or level indicators in the unit. I have the RX-5000 TBR from Leupold and it has a bow mode with angle indication.

It's one of those things I wouldn't want to find out the hard way. I'd hate to get a bad reading and blow a shot on an animal I've been looking for the whole season.

On that note, the Marsupial gear one, which I did like a lot, has a magnetic clasp.

Folks with rangefinding binos might want to look into this as well. That's right there, behind the clasp.

EDIT: I have a good relationship with Leupold. I'll call them and report back on what they tell me.

 

[HookMeUpII]

I have the Eberlestock and love it. The bino pouch closure is magnetic though. I haven’t had an issue with my range finder binos that I haven’t noticed. The only thing I didn’t like was they didn’t offer all the pieces in all the colors. Hence the mix match. Pouch on the left carries my electronic ear buds. Tan pouch holds a whole box of ammo. That one is not Enerlestock. Pouch under the binos is my hunting license and knife. I haven’t a molle panel with a pistol holster I can add under the hand warmers if needed. I haven’t a pouch I can carry a water bottle in too, but it is a little awkward.

That is disappointing about the magnetic closure. That was my top contender. I really like their stuff a lot. I have their Bando bag for CCW.

 

[samson7x]

Marsupial has a non magnetic version which is what I use and it's a great system.

 

[HookMeUpII]

I just spoke to Leupold. Yes, magnetic closures or any magnet near the rangefinger can throw off readings. This is not just Leupold either.

 

[PARA45]

Marsupial has a non magnetic version which is what I use and it's a great system.

My PH in the Eastern Cape used one of their harnesses. He could carry his bino in the open position and reach in to grab them without having to open or close the top. Oh, and he had range finder binos, and I don't remember him saying that the magnets affected the range. I like his set up better than the KUIU harness I use.

 

[Miletic]

First off, this is not particularly Africa-focused but I know there is a lot of knowledge on this forum. I already have a single, lightweight, bino chest rig I am going to keep for Africa. It's a Mystery Ranch.

I am getting more into domestic hunting here in the USA and I need something modular with one caveat: No magnets. My Mystery Ranch has a magnetic clasp system and I've been told that it will throw off the rangefinder even stored in a side pocket.

Ideally I'd like something with a main, tethered bino pouch. Then, the ability to add side pouches as need for a rangefinder, small IFAK, and possibly a bear defense side arm underneath.

I've been looking at FHF gear, Eberlestock, and Cabelas makes one, to name a few.

Any particular one liked by folks on here?

Hello Hook. A few days ago we were talking about harnesses here on the forum. I posted and hardly anyone liked this piece of equipment. I love it and highly appreciate it, I think it's great.

 

[chase0109]

You beat me to it lol. I use the magnetic version. But they offer the non-magnetic version as well.

New No-Mag Enclosed Binocular Pack

The New No-Mag Bino Pack is thoughtfully designed as an alternative to our best-selling Enclosed Bino Pack. This specialized pack is carefully crafted to meet the unique preferences and needs of hunters who prefer gear without magnets. The No Mag is self-contained, eliminating any external...

www.marsupialgear.com

 

[HookMeUpII]

Hello Hook. A few days ago we were talking about harnesses here on the forum. I posted and hardly anyone liked this piece of equipment. I love it and highly appreciate it, I think it's great. View attachment 750362

That actually prompted me to make this thread. What brand is that? I feel stupid for asking.

 

[HookMeUpII]

You beat me to it lol. I use the magnetic version. But they offer the non-magnetic version as well.

New No-Mag Enclosed Binocular Pack

The New No-Mag Bino Pack is thoughtfully designed as an alternative to our best-selling Enclosed Bino Pack. This specialized pack is carefully crafted to meet the unique preferences and needs of hunters who prefer gear without magnets. The No Mag is self-contained, eliminating any external...

www.marsupialgear.com

They are onto something with the no magnet. I guess they figured it out to with the rangefinder issues. Back to being a strong contender.

 

[samson7x]

Hello Hook. A few days ago we were talking about harnesses here on the forum. I posted and hardly anyone liked this piece of equipment. I love it and highly appreciate it, I think it's great. View attachment 750362

I responded to your thread and I believe the main opposition was specifically using one in Africa. OP's use will be hunting in the US. I absolutely use them in the US but not Africa. They are a necessity for hunting out west IMO.

 

[PARA45]

That actually prompted me to make this thread. What brand is that? I feel stupid for asking.

By the look of the logo, seems like it could be made by Blaser.

 

[PARA45]

Yup, it's made by Blaser.

Flexible and efficient, the modular carrying system I BLASER

Harness carrying system for individual storage solutions on the hunt. Discover more now!

store.blaser.de