GPO Harness PRO Review – Hands-On – In-The-Field with Video

Introduction

My first chance to look at a GPO Bino Harness was at the German Precision Optics (GPO) stand at the SHOT Show 2025 in Las Vegas. I immediately liked the look of the one they had on display, both in terms of the aesthetics (rugged, but at the same time smart) and how thoughtfully and well-made it looked after only a very brief inspection.

Impressed by the potential, I arranged to have the latest GPO Harness PRO sent to me for in-depth testing.

I’ve now had the opportunity to use it a number of times and have taken this Binocular Harness out into the field on multiple occasions, using different binoculars and conditions with the aim of putting it through enough scenarios in order for me to be able to give you a more informed opinion based on real-world usage.

Genuine BBR Review
So, what follows is my genuine hands-on review of the GPO Harness PRO with my honest and unbiased impressions, from the perspective of someone who regularly works with and reviews binoculars and outdoor gear, based on first-hand use, not just a press release regurgitation that you see so much of. I’ve done my best to assess everything from comfort and build quality to performance and practicality:

Field Test Review: GPO Harness PRO – Comfort, Access & Modularity in Real World Conditions

When it comes to binocular harnesses and indeed binoculars, it’s easy to get bogged down in technical specs and marketing jargon. But when you’re actually using it out in the field, what really matters is how it feels, how it functions, and how it fits into your personal routine.

So, in this part of the review, I want to share my real-world thoughts and experiences whilst using the new GPO Harness PRO from German Precision Optics during a hands-on field test.

Initial Setup & Getting It On/Off

Getting the harness set up the first time was relatively straightforward. It features a range of quick-release clips that, once you’ve wrapped your head around where each of them fits, putting it all together and adjusting it to fit me was fairly average in terms of ease: it was neither overly simple nor frustratingly complex compared to any other harness of this type.

Once it’s adjusted to fit your body shape and size, putting it on and taking it off also becomes second nature quite quickly. Personally, I’ve found the quick-release clip on the right side the easiest point for disengagement. As you can see in the video, even with a cap, glasses, and a microphone on, I could slip it over my head without much of a problem 🙂

Shoulder Straps & Harness System

Whilst lightly padded, the thickness of the shoulder straps, which better distributes the weight, meant that in terms of comfort, I never felt that there was a need for more padding on the shoulder sections.

This included a long walk I went on, testing the harness with the reasonably heavy GPO Passion 15x50 HD Binoculars (970g / 34.2oz) as well as my phone and/compact binoculars in the rangefinder pouch.

The anti-sweat mesh backing that covers the whole strap section of the harness is good, but as this is covered in a solid canvas material, it does not allow for as much air flow as it would without this canvas. Although this would make the strap far less durable.

Access to Your Binoculars

Along with the Harness comfort, the ease of access to your binoculars (and any other equipment attached to it) is, for me, probably the most critical feature of any bino harness, and the GPO Harness PRO performs extremely well in this regard.

Lip Opening & Closure System
I have seen many fully-covered, case-type bino harness systems that I feel open the wrong way! So, towards the user, causing the lid to flop shut when trying to retrieve binoculars, which can make it more difficult to access or replace your optics, especially if you are having to do it one handed (so for example if you are holding a weapon, range finder, bird book or phone in your other hand!).

Thankfully, this is not the case with this GPO binoharness as the lid opens away from your chest, and thus it almost flops open by itself and then stays open once you have unhitched the elasticated closure hook.

Speaking of which, I am a big fan of this type of elasticated loop closure system used on the case and which I think is excellent. It is silent, quick, and easy to operate, even one-handed.

If you’re stalking birds or skittish wildlife, having no Velcro or zippers to startle them is a massive plus.

Hand Strap

A thoughtful addition is the hand strap situated at the rear, top area of the case, which allows you to easily carry the whole setup when it’s not on your body – a small but appreciated detail, that I definitely found myself using even without thinking about it

Rangefinder Pouch & Extra Storage

The included rangefinder pouch attaches onto the left side of the bag section of the bino harness using the MOD-U-LOX attachment system, which works really well in that the pouch is secure when attached, yet at the same time is really easy to remove and then return onto the bag when you want or need to.

Regarding how widespread the MOD-U-LOX attachment system is, designed in Italy, I have seen it used before, so you should be able to source other bags with a little research, but at the moment, GPO does not offer any other pouches or bags other than this particular one, which is a shame.

The pouch itself is just as rugged as the main case, has elasticated sides, and I found was just about large enough to carry a compact set of binoculars or my cell phone.

For my test, I did not have a rangefinder on hand, so I added a pair of compact binoculars into the pouch to help me test both the carrying capacity and how it affects the balance of the system by having some weight on one side.

Whilst not fully enclosed, the pouch has elasticated sides, which enable it to accommodate various items while ensuring a snug, secure fit. However, note that items that oppose the pouch’s V-shape can be more difficult to insert.

The closure system is the same as the main case: a silent elastic loop over a small hook. It’s easy to open and close one-handed, which is great for when you’re already holding your binoculars or other gear.

One limitation to highlight: this pouch can only be mounted on the left-hand side. The right side features a MOLLE-style strap and elasticated pocket, but no attachment point for an additional pouch. So, if you’re left-handed or prefer your accessories on the right, this could be restrictive.

Inside the Case

Inside the case, you’ll find two mesh pockets, and inside the smaller one is a tethered lens cloth, which is a nice touch as it ensures you always have a cloth handy without any chance of leaving it behind or losing it.

The quality of the cleaning cloth is very good, indeed, it is as good as any cloth that you will find included with a pair of binoculars.

As good as it is, for more complete and safe cleaning of the lenses, I always suggest you get and use a dedicated lens cleaning kit, which are relatively inexpensive and help you better clean your lenses without risk of damaging them or the coatings.

Case Capacity & Protection

I measured the case section of the GPO Harness Pro to have internal dimensions of:

• Width: 15cm
• Depth: 17cm (corresponds to the length of your binoculars, but you can use longer binoculars than this, see below)
• Height: 7cm (corresponds to the height of your binoculars)

42mm Binoculars
The “standard-sized 10x42 GPO Passion SD binoculars that I initially tested the harness with fitted very easily into the case with room to spare, but at the same time, I was not at all worried about them falling out:

The way I often naturally use my binoculars means that I will often just pop them untethered in the case part of the harness with the lid open when on the move. I tested this and even when bending far forward, they really don’t easily fall out.

That said, if you’re using longer, more top-heavy binoculars, or if you lie forward often (like in a hide), you would be wise to keep the binoculars tethered.

For my use – mostly birding, wildlife observation, and field testing, I found this level of security and padding of the case to be more than adequate.

50mm Binoculars
I also tested the harness with a set of larger (longer) 50mm Binoculars, specifically the GPO Passion HD 15x50 Binoculars that I also had in for testing:

These binoculars have a length of 19cm (with eyecups extended) or 18cm (with eyecups retracted).

As you can see in the short clip above, they technically do fit, and you can still just close the lid, even with the eye-cups extended, but it does leave a large gap at the rear of the case.

Any binoculars much taller than this and you will not be able to close the lid without lengthening the elasticated loop.

Wide Binoculars – Porro Prism Binoculars
If you have wider Porro Prism Binoculars, the height will probably not be the problem, just the width, so just make sure that they are not much wider than 15cm.

Binocular-to-Harness Tethering

The binoculars can be tethered to the harness via a couple of cords that are designed to attach to the eylets of the binoculars.

Adjusting the strap length is straightforward using the sliders – here it is, and essential to get the length right: at first, I had mine too short, pulling the bag upward when I raised the binos to my eyes. A quick adjustment fixed this.

To untether the binoculars, it’s easily done as the cords have quick-release clips, but this does leave you with two loose straps dangling from your binoculars. This is where I think GPO and most other makers of BinoHarneess could improve the system. I have seen Vanguard and a few other brands use alternating male/female clips on some of their binocular neck straps. This allows you to easily remove the padded section of the neck strap and then clip the two cords together into a makeshift hand strap.

Technical Features and Their Effect on Real-World Performance

Rugged Construction

The GPO Harness PRO is apparently made from ultra-tough 500D Nylon. I have used several entry-level bag-type bino harnesses in the past, and from those, I can instantly notice the difference in the main material used and the difference it makes to the overall look and feel. So, for me, this is a clear indicator of quality, and that this harness was built with a more serious user in mind.

As well as keeping its shape better, this material is more resistant to abrasion, moisture, and dirt, and easily wipes clean.

Modular MOLLE Design

With MOLLE webbing on the front, right side, and bottom of the binoharness, you can attach many MOLLE-compatible pouches or accessories to better suit your specific needs.

The webbing is made from tough-looking material, nice and tight and well stitched, so it will, in my opinion, be able to securely support a decent amount of weight.

Unfortunately, at the time of testing, I could not find my MOLLE camera case, as I would have liked to have tried that.

I did, however, try it out with my small multitool pouch, and I have a larger bag that technically could attach to the MOLLE system and be used for many things. For example, it could have a flashlight holder and even a small med kit, making the harness very versatile and ideal for building a full carry system suited to your specific outdoor activities.

Integrated, Tethered Rain Cover

The rain cover is stored in a rear pocket and tethered to the harness, so you won’t misplace or forget to take it with you. Note that the tether is just an elasticated cord, so you could just cut it if you would like the option of leaving the rain cover behind to free up more space in the rear pocket.

The cover itself pulls over the case quickly and easily, but is tight enough to provide ample protection in just about any downpour that I can think of.

Pricing and Availability

The GPO Pro Bino Harness Pack is priced at approximately $80 / £79 / 79 euros, which competitive when compared to other high-end bino harnesses:

• USA: Check her for current prices and availability
• UK and Europe: Check her for current prices and availability

Conclusion

Overall, I feel that as a fully covered case-type of BinoHarness, the GPO Harness PRO is a very well-designed, practical bino harness that does a good job of balancing size, level of binocular protection, accessibility, comfort, and modularity: it’s easy to wear, silent to use, adaptable to your preferences, and is both well made and thoughtfully designed.

There are a few areas where it could be improved, such as expanding the range of available pouch options, allowing dual-side pouch attachment, but overall, this is a top-tier bino harness that I’d confidently recommend to serious users looking for a fully-covered, case-type of binocular harness.

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Important Considerations

• Binocular Compatibility: The case is obviously designed with standard-sized 42mm binoculars in mind, but it will also accept some 50mm binoculars. It will not accept much larger (longer instruments than this (56mm for example). Also, if you have wider Porro Prism Binoculars, just make sure that they are not much wider than 15cm before purchasing.
• Bulk & Profile: Fully covered case type bino harnesses like this are not the lightest or most compact out there. For some users and uses, this type of harness may feel bulky or overkill – if so, there are many other options – check out my Binocular Harness Guide for more.

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Summary: Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Looks and feels extremely well-made and durable
• Offers plenty of protection to the binoculars
• Very easy to access your binoculars, even with only one hand
• Modular MOLLE webbing on front, right side, and underside for customization
• The included rangefinder pouch only attaches to the left side of the case using the MOD-U-LOX attachment system
• Lightly padded, but wide shoulder straps offer a good level of comfort without being too bulky
• Anti-sweat mesh backing is good, but canvas is solid, so not as breathable as some
• Integrated tethered rain cover – is very easy to deploy
• Internal lens cloth and multiple storage pockets
• Binocular tethering for added security, and easy to untether if needed

Cons:

• Does not fit larger 56mm objective binoculars
• Bulkier than a strap-only bino harness

Final Verdict

The GPO Harness PRO is a serious tool for serious users. It’s not designed to be pretty or ultralight; it’s built to protect your optics and adapt to your needs in tough conditions. If you work, hunt, or explore in environments where reliability, customization, and protection matter most, this harness is an excellent investment.

Highly recommended for hunters, tactical users, wildlife watchers, and anyone who demands more from their gear.

Alternatives

In terms of high-end, good quality bag/case types of bino harnesses, there are a number of options on the market.

Some of the best that I would also recommend are on this page: BBR’s Best Binocular and Rangefinder Case Harness Systems.

If you are interested in a different system to a case type of bino harness, be sure to also take a look at these sections: Binocular Harness Strap Guide and the Best Binocular Harness for Hunting.

Also, it is interesting to note that whilst conducting my research on the GPO Harness PRO, I came across a couple of other bino harnesses from other brands, that apart from the branding, look exactly the same as this one, and so it you are not particular about which brand you support, these may also be worth checking for price comparisons:

• Hawke Harness Pro Pack
• Atibal Recon Binocular Pack