I have read the reviews and watched the videos of the Treehopper being used as a climbing belt/ linemans belt. I will be purchasing one to use while hanging stands next year and taking stands down this year. I have a vest harness that i wear but its uncomfortable and kind of sucks when im in colder weather and got some clothes on. The Treehopper states it can be used as a safety harness but i cant find much information about it being used in that sense. Would it be effective as a safety harness? How would it hook up once in the tree? the buckle just wraps around and hook to a single D ring, or just wrapped around the tree and hooked onto the rope? Thanks for the help and clarification. Really hoping this product will work well as a safety harness.
Treehopper is on this site. Look in the member section and pm him. I bet he could answer all your questions.
I hate using the vests... I set an extra step to regain my footing just in case but I am getting older and a little concerned about my physical abilities to climb back in. However I find that the vests (attaching at the shoulders) don't allow me to bend at the waste for a proper shot. I am still trying to figure it out but I would love an extra wide belt that I know will hold me if I fall but wide enough to buy me some time to reload myself.
The Treehopper was not meant to replace a harness, a harness is a better option. However, many people find harnesses bulky, cumbersome or just to difficult to use. I believe the Treehooper is better than not wearing anything. The key to it is to adjust the rope so that it is short 12 - 14 inches. This wont allow you to fall far, if at all from your stand, yet you can still stand up and move very comfortably in the stand. I have fallen with mine on and was able to get my feet on the pegs/bolts and then take the tension out of the rope and unclip it. I will gladly demonstrate it at the summer get together. Again not as good as a harness but in my opinion better than not wearing anything. Dean
