Review: Sun-Sniper Back-Pack Strap
Specifications:
- Material: Nylon
- Reinforcement: Steel Cable
- Attachment Method: Gun Metal Gray Carabiners
- Price: $64.74
My Thoughts:
I love throwing a backpack over my shoulder and spending a day exploring a new city or hiking the back country. I also love carrying my camera on a sling-style strap for easy access while walking. The problem is sling-style straps aren't always compatible with the shoulder straps of backpacks. I was constantly readjusting the sling, either wearing it over or under the backpack's shoulder straps. No matter the configuration, I was never comfortable and found myself tossing my camera back in the backpack.
I finally said, 'Enough' after becoming frustrated with the setup while photographing wild horses and began searching for an alternative. It was at that time I discovered the Sun-Sniper Back-Pack Strap. The design, which utilizes two carabiners attached their patented steel cable reinforced strap to virtually any backpack, was so simple I had to give it a shot.
Upon opening the packing, I was immediately impressed with the strap's quality of construction and components. In no time I had the strap attached to my backpack and I was out the door for a hike. I chose to attached the top carabiner to the D-ring on my right shoulder strap and the lower D-ring to same shoulder strap's nylon webbing as this would allow me to easily take the backpack on and off without having to disconnect the strap. The Back-Pack Strap was easy to adjust for my torso length, allowing the camera to sit at my hip, and I spent the afternoon hiking and photographing along the North Platte River.
I only have one complaint with the design. While the ball-bearing connector design is rock-solid, I wish there was a way to utilize the quick-disconnect to detach the strap from the camera. While it is easy to screw the connector onto a camera/lens, you must do this every time you use the strap, or want to connect the camera to a tripod. I tend to hike with a tripod, and it would be nice to disconnect the strap from the connector and have a connector that could integrate with a ball head plate.
Conclusion:
Despite my complaint about the ball-bearing connector's functionality I really enjoy hiking with my camera attached to this strap. Since initially testing it back in December, 2012, I have used the strap on several hikes and a weekend photography trip to Yellowstone this past February. The strap handles the weight of my Nikon D300s, even when attached to my old Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8 lens. I am no longer plagued by the discomfort of my previous setup, and no longer have to toss the camera in the backpack to give my shoulders a rest. I would recommend the Sun-Sniper Back-Pack Strap to anybody who finds themselves wanting to wear a backpack and still have their camera readily accessible while out and about.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the Back-Pack Strap for free from Sun-Sniper
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| Image courtesy of Sun Sniper |
Upon opening the packing, I was immediately impressed with the strap's quality of construction and components. In no time I had the strap attached to my backpack and I was out the door for a hike. I chose to attached the top carabiner to the D-ring on my right shoulder strap and the lower D-ring to same shoulder strap's nylon webbing as this would allow me to easily take the backpack on and off without having to disconnect the strap. The Back-Pack Strap was easy to adjust for my torso length, allowing the camera to sit at my hip, and I spent the afternoon hiking and photographing along the North Platte River.
I only have one complaint with the design. While the ball-bearing connector design is rock-solid, I wish there was a way to utilize the quick-disconnect to detach the strap from the camera. While it is easy to screw the connector onto a camera/lens, you must do this every time you use the strap, or want to connect the camera to a tripod. I tend to hike with a tripod, and it would be nice to disconnect the strap from the connector and have a connector that could integrate with a ball head plate.
Conclusion:
Despite my complaint about the ball-bearing connector's functionality I really enjoy hiking with my camera attached to this strap. Since initially testing it back in December, 2012, I have used the strap on several hikes and a weekend photography trip to Yellowstone this past February. The strap handles the weight of my Nikon D300s, even when attached to my old Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8 lens. I am no longer plagued by the discomfort of my previous setup, and no longer have to toss the camera in the backpack to give my shoulders a rest. I would recommend the Sun-Sniper Back-Pack Strap to anybody who finds themselves wanting to wear a backpack and still have their camera readily accessible while out and about.
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