By far the best product I purchased this last season. Here are the pros and cons: Pros: Comfort (I fell asleep a few times) 360 degree shooting capability (including straight down) Concealment (Simply walk around the tree and hide behind it until the shot presents itself, no more hanging out in the open, squinting!) Theft - Eliminates theft because you wear it in and out everytime. (Ever had a climber stolen off the bottom of your tree?) Cons: Price (About $215 up to about $240 for the leather model-forgot exact price) Set Up - This is the mistake that I made...I thought this could act as my new climber, wrong! I bought climbing spikes for my feet and i felt like predator, but it was very dangerous, uncomfortable, grueling, and simply unpractical. So, you still need to install foot pegs or sticks to "Prep" your new spot(Important, this includes a platform of about 2-4 pegs to stand on, I like to use tree limbs + pegs). (I went crazy and bought a cordless impact gun to install 10" lags!!!) Strapping In - Takes some getting used to (just like anything new) Overall: It is awsome!! It goes where climbers and lock-on can't go. For those who still don't understand what it is, it's essentially a "reverse" safety harness. You are always facing the tree(unless you walk up for a shot behind you, rare), and the strap connecting the harness to the tree is highly adjustable. This is the most important mechanism of the device. Let slack out to "sit" or be able to walk around to the other side. When in shooting position, simply tighten up the slack (Which makes you "stand up")to where you are comfortable and solid and shoot! Sorry if i made this sound complicated because it really isn't. Enjoy and Good Luck!!!
I have one but I am not sure I'll use it again. I can do everything I did with it but I do it with climbing sticks and a LW Alpha. One thing I don't need to do is make a "platform" to stand on so I actually get set up faster. When I leave the tree everything goes with me. One thing I did find is that I am a LOT more still on the stand than I was in the saddle. In the saddle I had a tendency to swing/move around to look in every direction. On the stand I generally swivel my head or, when moving my body, move more slowly. The saddle would work well on private land or land where you can put in screw in steps and leave the tree prepped as you do. If you can't do that then it is not a good option, IMO.
Yes and no. It depends on when you spot the animals and if you are hunting a trail. Anticipation is key, but so is the same for setting up and type of tree stand. Set up to shoot your highest percentage shot (like every other stand). Furthermore, this sling allows an opportunity if bucky come unexpectedly on the other side of the tree. This has happened to me, and I would have had a chance if i was saddled.
Absolutely agree Bruce. I have the Lone Wolf Hand climber as well. I use this for popping into spots that dont allow other types. However, this season I expect to "Manicure" 10-15 spots. And the best part is the saddle weighs 4 lbs which allows me to hike where i need to be without getting all tired and sticky. They are all tools, the saddle just happens to be my preference.
Like I said, on my stand, if I have a shooting lane on the other side of the tree I can shoot an arrow on the other side of the tree, same with any other direction. I have used both and I'll take the LW Alpha and climbing sticks every time. EDIT: thought your first reply was to me, that's why I answered about shooting direction.
Nice bowhunter.. I've been meaning for years to get one. I think this year it's about time I do. I'll likely get the one you rated so highly.
Bought one and used it alot last season, killed two out of it. For hunting new areas (especially public) it's hard to beat. You can hunt trees that stands wouldn't work in. I used a LW from time to time, but the Saddle was my primary "stand". It does take some getting used to, but if you look around other sites, there's alot of good hints to shorten the learning curve. Like alot of things, it's just another tool in the arsenal
I bought a "tree suit" years ago and I liked the idea but the engineering sucked. I rebuilt it and also made a platform for my top l/w climbing stick. Now I love it. I like the fact that it has a hard plastic seat that bumps up against the tree when I sit. I wouldn't want to spend more then 3-4 hours in it. If I'm going all day I will use a lock on or my climber.
I have been intrigued by the tree saddles for a couple years and have considered trying them. Heard a lot of great things about them.
Magicman, the plastic model you mention is quite outdated. New models are leather and weigh only 4 lbs. I sat over 7 hrs one day and experienced very little discomfort.
The "sling stands" That don't have the plastic seat require you to prop your knees against the tree to sit. I see that guys are using knee pads for comfort. The seat is actually one of the things I like about mine. The rope system on mine was noisy and hard to adjust. I replaced the nylon ropes with climbing ropes and also changed the way it was rigged to allow for easy adjustment. I don't think mine weighs more than 4 lbs.
My buddy loves the one he has. talks it up all the time. I still can't picture how the heck this thing works. By the way, what is the weight limit, and how are you tied into the tree where you get that much freedom to move about. Can u post a pic of your self in it?
It has a 500 lb weight limit!! I think that exceeds every stand on the market. Google trophyline or trophy line - they have pics. youtube also has vids.
