Yes, it's the new one. I like it don't get me wrong. It's more of an inconvenience than anything. I love the binocular hook up but to use it you have to wear the harness on the outside. I like wearing binoculars and I like the vest/harness underneath my other layer. I can't do both with the Muddy, it's either or. The reason I like a harness underneath the other layer is ease of pocket use. If I have to add a layer while in the tree I either have to take the binocs off or take the harness off, put the jacket or whatever on and then put the harness back on. I also like the pockets on a vest and the Muddy straps strap over your pants and jacket pockets making entry a hard chore. All the above is just personal preference.
This will be my first season with my Muddy, previously I had used the Ameristep vest or the general harnesses that came with my hang ons. The 'hang on included" harness of choice was the light brown ones that came with the Gorilla stands, they were bigger than the others. I see Gorilla has a nice looking harness out right now that seems like something that would be worth looking into if I hadn't gotten a Muddy. That's not to say that I wouldn't end up right back at Muddy, but it looks like something that was designed right. Previous to that I spent two years without using harnesses and I was very lucky. The only change that I make to my harnesses is a small extension to the connecting strap that allows for more movement.
I started a new job last summer and got talking to a guy at work around september. He was talking about his tree stands and how he never wore a safety belt or harness. I told him that if he didn't wear one for himself atleast be smart enough to wear one for his family. I gave him a new one that I had from a treestand purchase. He said he'd use it. Well winter rolled around and I hadn't seen him at work and asked one of his coworkers (in his area of the shop) where he was. Turns out he fell out of his tree while hunting and was hurt pretty badly. He's not paralyzed, but he still hasn't made it back. It's almost a year. In my opinion if you don't use a harness your just STUPID
Although i really agree with all of the points made about how much MORE safe the vests and harnesses are, i do still wear a belt. I dunno why, just cant kick the habbit I guess. Another thing ive always wondered is how much more stress are we really putting on our saftey system when we 'fall' out of our stands. I mean, its not like anyone is doing a cannon ball out of the tree. Most of all falls occur when people are entering or exiting stands, and most people are not hooked up at that point. Besides that, the only reason i can see for going down would be nodding off and sliding off the side, in which case your system would basically stop you from doing that. Not that im defending any of the morons like myself that dont take saftey as seriously as I should, just something thats always been on my mind...
Full body harness for me. I used the belts before the harness. After training at work with a full body harness (and required to wear it when elevated) I switched. Plain and simple, why risk it?
I just wear a full body harness that came with one of my stands, but before november im thinking of getting the HHS harness.
Plain Jane; strap around the tree, strap around my waist. Just want something to keep me from that sudden stop at the base of the tree. 15 yrs using it no problems yet. I think a lot of what's on the market today is just a bit over kill, sure they work but 100.00 for a safety system, come on.
As has been already described, would you pay $100 for 15 more minutes of oxygen to your brain? 15 more minutes to try and recover back into your stand or onto a climbing step?
I've got no reservations about my ability to recover, I'm quit confident about my setup. Atleast I do use some sort of safety system, I would be curious for someone to post a poll on who uses and who does not use a safety system. I believe we would be suprised on how many use nothing of the sort.
Hey, no jab at you Melton. I just can not for the life of me understand why "anyone" would not use a full harness. My brother worked off-shore and some of the things they teach you in their safety classes will make a believer out of you. I use the ones that came with my Summit stands and they take the whole amount of about 1 minute to put on/take off. Different strokes.
Rick - if you don't like the bino harness feature on the Muddy harness then cut it off. That's what I did. I can wear my harness under my jacket without a problem. Just because it's there you don't have to use it. IMO if that's why you don't like the harness I think it's something that can be easily fixed. As for the rest of you who are confident in your single belt setups that's great, but I'd rather know I have that extra security than hope I do. There's a big difference between testing something 3-4 feet off the ground than putting it to the test when it's cold, you have a lot more clothing on, and its a matter of life or death.
I put my Muddy on under my outer layer as well and then use my Crooked Horn Bino Harness on the outside. Works for me. :D
I just cut the two elastic pieces off completely. Their only purpose is for the bino harness and if you're not using it, why have them?
Gottcha....I love their binocs holder idea but can see where that could pose a problem. Still thinking I might just stick with what I know, for this season anyway.
Those Muddys do look pretty awesome, we'll have to see what the future holds... Ive got an older HSS coming by mail for me to try from a friend. We'll see how that goes and go from there, if nothing else I have two other full bodies that came with stands, I'll try to deviate from my belt this year... thanks guys.
I've been hunting for 20 years. In which time I have probably climbed, hunted out of,moved, put up, etc...... 9,874,306 tree stands. Not once have I come remotely close to having an accident. Based on those stats I don't see where I NEED a harness of any kind. For what? I hunt out of hang ons and ladders mostly. Personally I don't find it very difficult to climb 20 feet without falling. I make sure everything is in perfect shape before the season. I don't know I guess I'm different but I don't wear one and don't really ever think twice about it.
Well after that post I'd start wearing one! Your a married man with kids aren't you, imagine the burden you would be on them if you fell and were in their constant need for everyday living. If you don't care about yourself, at least do it for them!
