Reviews

Cotton Carrier For Binoculars

July 14, 2012 by Renato 8 Comments

Cotton Carrier  is a company that manufactures camera support systems.  In particular I like a holster that can carry up to two cameras and leave your hands free.

I purchased the two-camera holster  and modified it so I can carry my binoculars and my camera in the holster.  This setup leaves my hands free and distributes the weight of my equipment.  Also I have found this setup very useful when I carry a scope in addition to my camera and binoculars; in this situation my equipment is safely attached to me, and not dangling, while I work with the scope.

Camera and binoculars are safely secured.

The required modification is very simple and its purpose is to attach the camera insert to the binoculars. The company does not provide any adaptors to do this so I used the extra plate (universal tripod adaptor) and the camera insert (angled hub), both come with the kit. I found in my shop the correct 1.5 inch diameter pipe clamp to complete the setup.

How to secure Angled hub to binoculars

The key to securely attach this setup is the screw from the camera insert that makes contact with the binocular and prevents the extra plate from moving once it is clamped by the pipe clamp.

This screw prevents the plate from moving.

I have used this setup for at least a month and it has never failed. I usually carry the binoculars on the side holster and the camera in the front, but sometimes I switch around to change the weight distribution.

Another very helpful modification was to attach a quick release carabiner hooks. These hooks secure the holster to my pants so the holster stays in place when I pull my camera off the holster. If you don’t do this the holster lifts up and sometimes this makes it difficult to remove the camera from the holster.

It is important that you properly align the angled hub so that the binoculars easily and naturally slide in-and-out of the holster and that they remained in the locked position while not in use, this will happen by their own weight if you put the adaptor on the left barrel of the binoculars.

Binoculars should slide out easily

If the setup is proper the binoculars will twist to lock position by their own weight.


Binoculars in Locked Position


BONUS: In response to Clare’s  comment, I have added this photo to show how your fingers wrap around the adaptor.

Happy birding.

UPDATE:  Don’t forget to use the safety straps provided.  I attach one to my camera and one to the binoculars which has saved my bins from hitting ground a couple of times.  The safety strap is a must for the side holster (binoculars) if you are squatting or sitting since they can be lifted off the holster.

Written by Renato
Renato was born in Quito, Ecuador and quickly flew to the USA to learn all about engineering and climbing company ladders. After getting his engineering degree from the University of Minnesota he worked in the Standard-American-Rat-Race-Company for fifteen years. After climbing the ladder to where he could no longer see the ground, he decided to jump off the ladder and migrate south like all normal birds do. To his surprise home did not look like it did when he left as a young fledgling; the towns were bigger, most of his friends had nests of their own, and the countryside was changed. Shocked by all the change he searched for a new life and a new wife. He stumbled across a vivacious young chick who would accompany him inside a volcanic crater to set up a love nest. So, after eight years of nesting inside the crater a new love for nature and birds has sprung a career in environmental conservation and birding tours. Finally this bird has come home to roost!