Friday, August 31, 2012

Harnessing Our Birding Energy

Kenn and I are constantly getting asked about birding gear.  Most questions are about what binocular or scope to buy, but more and more we're getting asked about binocular harnesses versus neck straps.  If you've spent a long day (or a series of long days) birding, then you know that a neck strap can get to be a real, well, pain in the neck.  (I had to say it!)  Several years ago a new harness style binocular strap hit the market and lots of birders were eager to try it out.
A conventional binocular harness.
I tried the harness and it just did not work for me.  It was way too bulky and hard to get on and off.  In the heat, it pressed my clothes against me, making me feel even more sweaty and icky.  Another problem for me was that I sometimes like to wear my bins sort of slung across one shoulder, especially if I'm also carrying my camera.  Trying to wad up all of those wide straps to wear my bins that way just didn't work. And then.... well, then there's the whole boobies thing.  (Hmmm, I wonder if I can say "boobies" on this blog??  I should be able to. After all, it IS an ornithological term!) For the ladies, this original style harness begs the question, "In or out?"  And, even if you start out with them in, by the end of the day the straps have a tendency to "migrate," often resulting in one of each, which is not cool. 

After a few weeks of struggling with it, I finally gave up on the harness and went back to the neck strap.  Then, about eight years ago, someone gave me the Link.    
For me, the Link harness system is much better.  It's made of lightweight, narrow, nylon cord, so it reduces all that bulk of the old style harness...  
...which makes your bins much more portable when you've got the strap all coiled up to put your bins in the case or carry-on for travel.  It's a breeze to get on and off, and I really like that the Link allows me to wear my bins slung across one shoulder, like this...
The Link harness has proven to be comfortable in any birding situation. Even when you're dressed in your most formal attire the Link performs like a champ! 
Yes indeed, that's me on our wedding day.  We got married in McAllen, Texas, and no matter what else is happening, when you're in the Rio Grande Valley you need to be ready to get your bird on at any moment! But seriously, see how narrow the straps are?  This really is a fabulous piece of gear!  
If the situation calls for it, you can also shorten the straps and wear it as a conventional neck strap, as I am in this picture.  This is helpful if you're wearing bulky outerwear and carrying lots of other gear; however, the Link is also easy to get on over even a bulky parka. I love that it's so versatile. I also love that the nylon cord is round, so you never have to worry about the straps being flipped upside down and going all wonky when you put it on.  If you ever struggled into the old style harness, you'll know what I mean. 



I've had the same Link harness for more than eight years and it's still in great condition with no fraying or worn out parts.  And here's the best part: it cost less than $10.00!  I loved the product so much that we started selling it in the gift shop at Black Swamp Bird Observatory.   We sold hundreds of them -- but then the company went out of business, egads!   We were really disappointed to lose this great product because nearly everyone we suggested it to loved it.  Fortunately, the Link was recently purchased by a new company and is available again! 



If you'd like to try it out for yourself, you can get one from the BSBO online Swamp Shop, HERE.  (You'll need to scroll down a bit to get to it.) They're just $9.95 + tax and $4.50 for shipping and handling.  And all of the proceeds benefit BSBO's research and education programs.  



Thanks for reading, and Happy Birding!

~kimmer

BIRDS RULE!

18 comments:

  1. well that sure looks promising!! Great post

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    1. Thanks, Carole. We don't endorse too many products, but this one is so great and so inexpensive that we felt great about promoting it!

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  2. Shoot...I just purchased a new comfy for the moment new strap for my camera and so far, it is working so much better than the strap that came with it. This strap that you have shared looks really very nice and so I am going to try and remember this. Love the wedding gown image!!! Have a great long weekend~

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    1. Thanks so much, Mary! I hope your new strap works well for you. But if it doesn't, this might be a good alternative.

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  3. very neat, i find the neck strap kills my neck but the harness gets annoying as well - although not for the reason above :)
    nice post

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  4. Since we're on the topic - one of my favorites by the way - about binocular neck straps and harnesses, we can't fail to discuss the critical issue of binocular harness induced man-boobs, or moobs. Ya see, a guy like me that sports a little extra body insulation and a self-efficient reserve of energy for migration, the binocular harness presents a real problem in...well enhancing my moobs. Let's continue to be honest here. For ladies, a binocular harness can be a real plus or a real minus depending on their endowment and shapeliness. For trim athletic guys, I suppose a harness looks fine too. I think I'm gonna have to order myself The Link to reduce further harness-caused moob embarrassment.

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    1. Robert Mortensen: You just made me snort Coke Zero up my nose! Love the ouright honesty and killer sense of humor about the whole "moobs" issue! LMHO! The things we put ourselves through in the interest of birding, eh?!

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  5. A few years ago I too bought the conventional harness pictured above, wore it one season and it has been in my side pack collecting dust since. I appreciate this great recommendation, and am thrilled about the affordability. Thanks Kim!

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  6. Thanks, Debbie. If you decide to try it, I think you'll like it.

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  7. all I have to say is...why did I not think to have my binoculars around for my wedding pictures!!

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    1. I wondered if we'd see that, Auriel! But you were absolutely perfect just the way you were!

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  8. A friend gave me one of these harnesses at a birdathon event (seems like over 10 years ago) I LOVED it and have always thought it was a superior product to the bulkier harnesse but have never been able to find another one. I even set out to try to make my own at one point. Once again BSBO comes through with a win.

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    1. Matt: I'll send you one as a gift for all the great work you're doing for kids! It's the least we can do!

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  9. Dearest Kimberly,

    From Julie G's blog I landed here and found this an extremely helpful tip! That will make a great gift too. Thanks for describing it in a very humorous and articulate way! By the way, your husband was an excellent spotter too for having found him such a beautiful bride! Great photos.
    Enjoy nature and wishing you many more fun photos and adventures.
    Hugs to you,
    Mariette

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  10. Thank you so much for the kind words, Mariette! I'm so glad you found my post and that perhaps the suggestion will be helpful to you.

    Hugs in return,

    kimberly

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  11. Wonderful recommendation, Kimberly! I have only used the neck strap that comes with the binoculars, but by the end of a long birding excursion, I need a good neck massage. I have also had problems with the crisscrossing of camera and binocular straps. This sounds like a great solution! Thank you for sharing. Now, if only the company that manufactures the link would create a sparkly white strap for bird loving brides :)

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  12. Exactly, Julie! I thought about bedazzling my straps, but ultimately decided to just rock the black! tee-hee!

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