I took my new Scopac out today for a test run. I had asked whether it was suitable for shorter people, being not much over five feet myself and was told I could send it back if it wasn't for me. I can't recommend it enough, so much more comfortable than carrying my scope on my shoulder with a strap. I now have to downsize though, as anyone who knows me knows I usually carry everything including the kitchen sink in a large rucksack!

After speaking to several people and viewing the article on the WEBSITE, I decided to take the plunge and purchase a Scopac lite.(After all, if it's good enough for a pie eater in a shirt, it's good enough for anybody)
Money well spent and highly recommended.

If you want comfort when carrying a scope! get a Scopac, my old wheelbarrow is in the skip, i have a bad back and i found it not tiring at all,,,For me it gets 10 out of 10,,, Fifty quid well spent,,,Thanks for all advice given,,,Ray,,,

Well my "Scopac Lite" has arrived,,,it looks a bit funny! all sraps and buckles, i have attached it to my tripod but will not be able to try it out in the field until weekend, Then i will report my opinion early next week, But i will be sorry to see my wheelbarrow retire,,,

Ray - you wont regret it> I have one of the old original ones and its been a godsend for carrying an old style manfrotto aluminium tripod and leica apo 77. Doesnt quite feel light as a feather but it aint half bad.

Ray, You can hang me out to dry too, im with the rest, superb, very usefull, good value for money and most importantly it keeps your hands free when out walking to grab your bins and get on something quickly without having to put down your scope first, usually missing something good like that Pesky little Dusky thrush

Just hope you are all right,,,I have just orderd one on all your recommendations £55 is a lot for a back carrying wheelbarrow!!!

Due to the old creaky knees and dodgy back thought i'd consider one of these. Mulepack or Scopac? After reading Ian's review i went for the scopac lite with digipac.
Glad i did. Just don't forget you've got a scope on your back when you go to the loo, because you will

I know another person who has also ordered one, and he lives close to me

Excellent review and I have ordered one. Hope that my creaking knee's and back pain ease up a little now.

Perhaps a wheelbarrow might be best then Paul

As the scopac fits on the tripod Paul I can't see why it won't work perfectly. Your set up will still only be as heavy as say, a Leica APO 77mm scope, which works great on the scopac.

Mike, it's a shame you can't dip into the website from time to time, the forum is only a very small part of the Manchester Birding 'empire' . The 'whats's new' allows you to very quickly see what's been added recently. Just imagine what you've missed!

I don't have a scope but struggle with tripod and camera / lens combo. I wonder if this would be suitable, or whether the camera and lens wound be too heavy.

A great review, thanks Ian.
Odd that my dodgy shoulders and knees from many years of playing rugby lead me to buy a Scopac original when they were first introduced to the market (a moment of impulse on Scilly, which I've never regretted). Must admit that I've never had the overbalancing backwards problem, maybe the "counterbalance" I have is bigger than yours, but no doubt still from over consumption of pies !!

I like the look of the Scopac lite and might just have to "invest".

Scopac original - going cheap - anyone ???

Oh yes, as I usually only bob into this part of the site, thanks to Rob for drawing my attention to the review.

Can I just echo Ian's comments in his comprehensive review of this product. I have almost eliminated back pain that I attributed to sport but was actually caused by carrying my scope on one shoulder by buying one of these. For short treks you can still use it over one shoulder but having your hands free to use your bins is a real bonus. Add to that the ability to carry digi-scoping kit as well I think it's a no-brainer. (PS - it took me a while to get over the "that looks odd" feeling when I saw other people using these a few years ago - but now I think they are probably starting to out-number the "over the shoulder" brigade)