Would You Put This On Your Binos?
There's a big push for birders to purchase duck stamps since many of the birds we enjoy benefit from the habitat preservtion. I am 100% for it. There's a group trying to find creative ways to get birders to purchase duck stamps. One idea being a tag that you can attach to your binoculars that will hold the stamp and show everyone that you purchased a stamp.
I'm not opposed to a tag to show off a duck stamp, but would anyone really attach this to their binoculars? I could see putting in on a jacket or my rearview mirror, but to have a tag clanking around while I walk and dangle while I have my binos up to my eyes would drive me insane. I already can't take the attached covers on the objective lenses on binos--I generally take those off first thing when I get a new pair.
What do you guys think--would you attach this to your binoculars?
Who are these crazy people who don't use harnesses and still use neck straps on their binoculars? The birds never seemed more beautiful than when I learned to enjoy them without neck pain.
posted by birdchick at 1:23 PM
16 Comments:
I agree the click and swinging would be a distraction.
Harness is the only way to go. Works well for large cameras too.
I used a harness for a bit, but switched back to a neck strap because the harness left me with the same amount of back pain and was harder to get on and off. Plus with a neck strap, I can sling the binoculars over my shoulder if I need to.
Nobody would attach the stamp to their bins. I think there should be some other method of showing that we support conservation efforts. My car pretty much shows it with stickers (and my plate BIRDFRK). Those wristband things were popular for awhile, maybe something like that. I personally don't have a harness but maybe it could be attached to that somewhere?
I would not hang the stamp on my bins, maybe on the case, but the case usually stays home or in the car.
Hey John, were you using a harness made out of strings or ones with the elastic straps? I have heard the strings cause back pain, I use the straps. Of course, all bodies are different and you may not be meant for harnessing.
Also, I feel have to do this PSA based on something I saw a few weeks ago.
ATTENTION LADIES:
Binocular Harness + No Bra x large chest = BAD idea.
It may sound good on paper, but in practice...oh dear.
Good idea but all I could think of is when trying on new sunglasses and there is that stupid tag in the middle. How can one tell if the new shades are deeply cool or a cry for help if there is that big white tag on your nose?
I'd put it on my jacket zipper like a ski lift ticket.
Assuming they can make a holder out of softer plastic (no clicking) - smething like the ipod rubber case I use, I would definitely attach this to my bin strap. Why? Because it would show I put my money where my mouth is and am serious about conservation.
And, just my opinion, I think the harnesses are kind of dorky. I suffer from back pain, but I think I look cool.
Just lick and stick it, right over your CMBO decals, World Series stickers, RSPB reserve passes, and so on. Who needs a plastic holder?
No I would not put it on my binos. It looks silly. I like the zipper pull idea on a jacket.
I would not put that on. Even if I didn't have my fabulous harness. It'd just get in the way.
My duck stamps are on the underside of my the front barrels of my Swarovskis. The old one looks a bit worn, the one I put on in July is still fresh. No, nobody can see it there, but I KNOW when I visit a refuge I will have my duck stamp. It does rather individualize them.
I use a shoulder bag that goes across to my opposite shoulder. I can't imagine how it would work with a shoulder harness. With a neck strap I can put the bag on and off without taking off the binos, just moving them in and out from under the bag strap.
I'd like to thank you for the "heads-up" on the duck stamps earlier this year. Now, I'm a proud first year owner of one and I would love to attatch it to my harness. I must admit that I'd like to buy one, where can I get one?
Susy from UT
My harness has straps that are about an inch wide. I found that it just moved the center of pain from the neck to the middle back. But now I use a nice spongy neck strap, so it is not so bad.
On the stamp issue, I would not attach a keychain-like object to the binoculars or strap. It seems very clumsy.
My harness has straps that are about an inch wide. I found that it just moved the center of pain from the neck to the middle back. But now I use a nice spongy neck strap, so it is not so bad.
On the stamp issue, I would not attach a keychain-like object to the binoculars or strap. It seems very clumsy.
I would like to buy a Duck Stamp, and I like the idea of a clear plastic holder for it, but not on my bins. I would attach it to the bag I always carry that holds my field guide, sunblock, bug juice, trail maps, etc.
I'm still getting used to my harness. It is comfortable while on, especially for a long day in the field. Putting it on & off while also trying to wear my "bag o' stuff" over my shoulder is cumbersome, especially if I am wearing multiple layers for the cold. Also, what do you do in the rain? With my neck strap, I could easily tuck my camera under my coat and pull it out when it was needed. With the harness, I have to zip and unzip my coat to access the bins.
When I just want to grab my bins for a quick glance out the window, I miss not having a strap to hold onto for safety. I think I am going to buy a new neck strap (my old, soft, cushy one died) and alternate using the strap in bad weather and the harness when I'm not so bundled up.
~Kathi
Maybe I'm just a masochist, but I must admit that I still use the little thin leathery/plasticky one that came on my old flea-market Leupold binocs (my preferred abbreviation--hope I'm not too uncool). But then, I don't get to spend more than an hour or so birding (as opposed to hard-core birding like you do, Birdchick), and I like being able to sling them over my shoulder/arm when I'm hiking, like John mentioned.
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