Gonna put dad up a tree for the first time in a LONG time this year..........even though he will only be in a ladder stand and it will have a shooting rail I don't want to take ANY chances he may fall. What do you guys consider the best and EASIEST one to use? I don't want him struggling or straining trying to put it on or tie in. He will be using this with a heavy jacket on as he only shotgun hunts so it is cold up here..........he can wear it inside or outside the coat, whichever works better. Cost is not a concern. I have only used Summit's SOP and love it but know he would think it was a pain.
HSS, easy to use, heat not really gonna be a factor for you, and easy to tie off. Its super easy and a real good quality system.
HSS Is very easy, and it can be worn inside the heavy jacket easily. The only thing I dont like about mine is the teather that goes around the tree is kinda short. I use a summit type with mine with the prussic knot.
I got a HSS yesterday and will go hang a stand with it in the next couple days to test it out. I have an extra rope with a prusic knot if need be (thanks crick). I put it on at Gander and it seems to be as easy as possible and surely as safe as anything out there..........I like the fall relief aspect but wonder how practical it is in the event of a real life chaotic fall. Better to have it then not. I really am being rediculously over cautious.........we took one section out of a ladder stand so he's probably 12 feet up max and he will be surrounded by a shooting rail. In all likelihood I will end up getting an ear full over how he got tangled up in it or it made noise and spooked a deer etc etc.... Dad's not much for change If he misses a big buck this year because of that ladder or this vest I will be the only idiot in the world who paid $300 to GET a never ending headache.
I use the HSS exclusively. That doesn't mean any other system is any better, or worse, I just feel very secure with it. I do extend the tether provided with a longer strap for added mobility. Former rock climbers have lots of straps we can trust with our lives. I got a couple of tree stands that came with harnesses, I threw them away.
Keep a sharp knife in the top chest pocket, not hitting the ground is great, but hanging for hours (if you can't unlatch yourself) is no good either. Keep a knife handy for cutting yourself free.
Atlas, I use the metal "D" ring that comes with the HSS and attach it to the tree with the nylon strap also provided. I then wrap the "D" ring with black electrical tape so there is no metal to metal noise. I adjust the strap on the tree so that my HSS tether is almost slack free when I'm sitting. This is so I won't have far to fall should I do so. It will also ease up on the shock when the slack runs out of the tether in the event of a fall. I then get a good climbing carabiner (you know with the spring loaded latch) and put that on the end of my HSS tether. It makes for a solid and secure one handed latch process. When your in the stand you reach up with one hand and click your carabiner in place...done. If the nylon strap is attached tightly the "D" ring will be sticking straight out and it will be very easy to hook to it. It's also easy to release especially if it's dark, you can do it with one hand as well. If need be you can even attach it to the climbing stick posts or ladder rungs as you climb for even more safety. It makes the world of difference, no fiddling with the screw latch and trying to slip it around the nylon strap, that takes two hands. With the carabiner you will always have a hand free to keep a hold of something. Just reach up and snap it into place....simple.
I just ordered a HSS Pro series vest and linesmans belt on Monday. I was debating between HSS and Muddy. I went with HSS because they offer a great discount to hunters ed instructors. Pro series vest and linemans belt set me back $125. I'll keep my 2 strap type harnesses that came with stands for guests to use.
