Touring - ortlieb pannier harness, any opinions?

Has anyone had any experience with the Ortlieb pannier harness. It looks like a great idea. I can use the harness to turn one of my panniers into a backpack. Im thinking of touring through New Zealand next year, and I could imagine myself taking some hiking trips along the way. With the harness i could eliminate the need to carry a backpack on my bike. What do people think?

To be honest, we tried it and thought it was rubbish. We love Ortlieb panniers but the backpack attachment was uncomfortable and didn't seem to secure onto the panniers well, always a bit too loose or something. We tried it out a couple times, got fed up and now it's packed away in a box somewhere. If we weren't on a long trip, and the box very far away, I would send it to you for free!

I've been using one of my Ortlieb front packer panniers as a daypack. Rather than purchase the clip-on backpack attachment I use the strap that came with the big Ortlieb rackpack drybag (really you could use any nylon webbing) and simply roll it inside the pack when not in use. It straps across my chest and hangs down the back like a messenger bag. While it is not perfect (the nub pokes into my lower back a bit) it is good enought.

You can see a photo of me using it in this collage.... Amanda is standing in front of the pack but you can see the strap across my chest... scroll down.
http://www.vwvagabonds.com/Bike/BikePostcardCambodiaAngkor.html

We thought about the same thing for our tour but ultimately decided to go with an ultra lightweight backpack that we could fold and stuff in our panniers.

Patagonia makes a nice lightweight pack: http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/product/product_focus.jsp?OPTION=PRODUCT_FOCUS_DISPLAY_HANDLER&style_color=48815-488&patcatcode=MAIN_SP07_US.CLOTHING_GEAR.PACKS/TRAVEL_GEAR.TRAVEL_GEAR

I put a daypack on top of the rear rack. My tent and sleeping pad fit in with room to spare, although I usually put something else in. It's much easier to secure a single pack than a bunch of things in their stuff sack with bungees. You can put the tent or sleeping bag in without the stuff sack.

It's not too good. It fits loosely on the back of the pannier, and is difficult for my wife to install as it takes a lot of force. It was designed more as an after thought than a well thought out accessory.

Thanks for everyones input.
I guess ill give the harness a miss.
I have a backpack that comes with its own rain cover, so i think ill bring that along. I can use it to store my tent, sleeping bag and mattress on the back rack.

The Arkel Bug might be what you are looking for, it's a pannier which converts to a backpack. It's very well made and designed.

http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/backpack/images/bug_C.gif
http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/backpack/images/Bug_3S.jpg
http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/backpack/overview.asp?fl=1&site=

There's probably 100 day packs that offer better comfort, less weight, same volume as your ortlieb pannier, all at less cost.