This is a perfect opportunity for me to throw out my newbie question on safety. Looking to get into saddle hunting and I am going between the modified sitdrag and just blowing my wod on a complete kit, probably the kestrel. My thought is that the modified sitdrag would be cheaper, but by modifying it myself, according to all the videos and information available on modifications, not ad libbing my own equipment (I know what I dont know), I would become more familiar with the construction, function, etc. of the equipment. Would I be better off to start with a kit and just spend the time familiarizing myself with that and just doing any non-safety related modifications (molle loops, equipment connections, etc.)? The one thing that does concerns me about the modified sitdrag is it doesnt seem as safe as far as inversion. Ive seen both videos of the kestrel and mod'd sitdrag with people inverted, but seemed like the sit drag he had to try and keep himself in where the kestrel he actually tried to shake himself out. I guess the legs being locked in, where on the mod'd sit drag, your climbing harness is disconnected (by choice) when you attach your bridge and sit.
Saddle hunting honestly caught my attention on how safe it is, when done properly. The fact that where im sitting is the safety harness puts my mind at ease, and less of a jerk if you do "fall" as with a typical safety harness with a ladder/climber. Actually caught grief from my father-in-law climbing into a stand on his property this year where he has screw in steps that looked older than me, wrapped around a tree and branches, poorly planned out, and while climbing in the dark I was taking time to move my climber harness (all I have at the moment, but glad I took it) around branches as best as I could (having to disconnect several times, which I didn't like). I told him its quicker than a trip to the hospital. Another tid bit, not to toot my own horn, but I climb oil & gas storage tanks for a living and I dont know how many times Ive been the only one clipped in wherever possible on top of 65' tanks, catwalks, stairways etc. People roll their eyes and give me grief about that as well, but I know I feel safe when Im clipped in and its their decision what they want to do about their safety. You'd be surprised how often its not require at those heights.