Huge 3 way toss up. Currently I’m using a Cruzr and hawk sticks with the cruzr platform. My buddy upgraded and loaned it to me last season. It’s a little big so I’m sure that attributes to some of my discomfort. Fast forward 1 year; I’m in the market for my own set up tailored for me. Plan to go 1 stick but I’m torn between the workhorse saddle, the latitude method 3 (dang things out of stock), and the tethrd line. Understanding comfort is based on individual people, I’m looking for anyone who has experience with these saddles. Most of my walks are up a mountain and through rugged terrain so light and feature full is important. Pouches and ability to add pouches makes a difference. And furthermore; if you’re self filming what are your likes and dislikes of doing it from a saddle? What’s your preference in saddles and why? Or should I just run my lone wolf hand climber and call it a day? Haha!
Have you looked into the Panther quick climb platform? It is a climbing platform for saddle hunting. It only weighs about 5.5lbs and totally eliminates the need for climbing sticks. You can go around limbs with it and is very easy to climb with. I think their website is pantherquickclimb.com. There are two versions. The first one, which is the one I own, is around $400. The newer version, which only weighs 3.5lbs is around $600. Sent from my SM-S916U1 using Tapatalk
Pretty pricey just for a platform, going to have to check out some videos on it Sent from my SM-A037U using Tapatalk
Considering it's a climbing platform and you save the cost of purchasing sticks separately, the cost is a little more justified. As for the original question, I've admittedly never hunted out of anything other than a Tethrd saddle and have zero complaints. I'm currently using an Ultralock with the full yoke and pouches, and I love it. I have one of the new 2 panel Carnivore saddles and plan on trying it out, but its going to take a lot to get me out of my Ultralock. That plus 4 ONE sticks with two one-step aiders is all I need. For some added comfort I do run the Genesis 3D hip pinch eliminator, which is a great addition. Highly recommended. When it comes to self-filming, it's not terrible to do from a saddle, just make sure you have a triple arm of some sort. You need something with more short sections that bends in a smaller radius to get around the tree and to pass between you and your bridge. Once you get the hang of it, it's no worse than self-filming from a treestand.
Thanks for the advice! Panther platform is 4-6 week build time I don’t have that kind of time it does peak my interest.
With the large pouches, are they in the way? That's the only thing that's holding me back from getting another saddle. I run the phantom original one still and still occasionally get hip pinches. I might as well break down get that bar from G3D. Sent from my SM-A037U using Tapatalk
Well after sitting on it and video after video; I ordered the original panther. Couldn’t spend $600 on the newer model. They have a code for veterans so that definitely helped in my decision making. Will definitely post up my thoughts on it (in 4-6 weeks). May still be in my Cruzr on opening day but maybe it’ll make me appreciate leaving the sticks at home when it does come!
No, I've never had the pouches feel like they're in the way. I store all my ropes, hip pinch eliminator, hand saw, HYS strap, hero clip, and occassionally gloves and facemasks in them. I'm loaded down pretty good when I hit the woods and they work awesome.
