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Solo scout
- Thread starter Tree hunter
- Start date
Small, light, works well for 1 sticking with an aider. Cons, not big enough for me to use it as a stand alone platform. The angle is good and bad. Good if your stationary waiting, but not good when climbing or trying to reposition for a shot. Some of that is probably because its so small.
This is a great video
Redbeard climbing
This is a great video
Redbeard climbing
Having a 1 pound platform is awesome in the right situation. You can keep it in your pack with plenty of space still. It was the only platform I used this year. That said, next year I’m going to look for a larger platform I can stand up on to relieve pressure off my hips/legs/back. I don’t have the most comfortable saddle so I don’t think that helped either. I’ll probably sell my solo scout if you decide to go this route and are interested lmk.
I use the scout on a mini shikar. I might have a ridge runner for sale. I’ve become almost as much of a leaner as a sitter. For whatever reason the angle just works for me. Most I’ve done is a 5hr sit with it but I wasn’t fatigued or sore knees or anything. I have a cheap pad against the tree for my knees for sitting and now lean a lot as well.
Attachments
I used one most of this year. It's light, small, and easy to set. It feels solid under foot, and I haven't been able to fumble setup in a way to make it feel unsteady, which honestly is saying something. I dig the angle. It doesn't cost a lot. A downside for me is difficulty getting in position for a weak side shot (i.e., you can't stand up and turn your feet around). If you go with it, prepare to practice that set of ninja moves.
The ninja moves are definitely needed for the weak side!
If you are specifically asking about the Solo Scout, the one that straps to the tree, I cannot comment. But if you are asking about the Scout attached to a climbing stick, I use one often. I have a slanted Scout mounted to a Hawk Mini and a straight Scout on a Beast stick. Both are excellent and Matt builds a great product. I also have a Ridge Runner Platform. Since acquiring the Scouts, I use the Ridge Runner less.
The Scouts are excellent for shorter hunts, and I can see using one for a long hunt if trying to stay minimalist. I like the Ridge Runner too, but only use it for specific hunts. I have grown to like just packing the single stick with the mini platform. I find both Scouts are comfortable. The angled Scout is probably the most comfortable if you mostly lean, which I do. You can still sit, but the straight version may be a little better for sitting. I actually find both to work well. When using the straight one, I reposition my feet a little more often to change pressure. On shorter hunts 2-4 hours I have had no issues or foot pain. But some people may be more sensitive. For perspective, I am 6’2” ~240lbs and wear a size 13 shoe. I have put a lot of sits (or leans) on the Scouts. Obviously the Ridge Runner is a lot roomier. I agree the weak side shot may be a little more challenging to get on, but it’s doable. If you are looking for one of the most compact options, it is hard to beat the Scout.
The Scouts are excellent for shorter hunts, and I can see using one for a long hunt if trying to stay minimalist. I like the Ridge Runner too, but only use it for specific hunts. I have grown to like just packing the single stick with the mini platform. I find both Scouts are comfortable. The angled Scout is probably the most comfortable if you mostly lean, which I do. You can still sit, but the straight version may be a little better for sitting. I actually find both to work well. When using the straight one, I reposition my feet a little more often to change pressure. On shorter hunts 2-4 hours I have had no issues or foot pain. But some people may be more sensitive. For perspective, I am 6’2” ~240lbs and wear a size 13 shoe. I have put a lot of sits (or leans) on the Scouts. Obviously the Ridge Runner is a lot roomier. I agree the weak side shot may be a little more challenging to get on, but it’s doable. If you are looking for one of the most compact options, it is hard to beat the Scout.
I am a ROS user and really like my solo scout as part of my ROS with a slotted squirrel step (S3) on each side of the scout. With this setup I can get in position for the weak side shot in my usual way.
Pros: light and packable. I use it to 1-stick with a webbing aider and the whole package including the squirrel steps weighs 2.8 lbs and fits in my backpack. As a ROS guy who is used to small steps, I find the platform to be very comfortable on my feet. It is super stable. It is a well-made piece of gear.
Cons: there are times when I wish it was flat but there are times when i really like the angle. I alternate between sitting and leaning so I’m probably not the best judge. Adjustable angle would be great but would mean more moving parts and more expensive. Have to be careful and cognizant of getting the strap all the way onto the button so it doesn’t slip off when camming. I put an extra line of stitching in the loop to keep it closed better so it slides onto the button more easily and completely.
Misc: The camming action is definitely easier to get “just right” than WE stepps but it’s not as quick and easy as the cam cleat on my mini-stick when 1-sticking.
Pros: light and packable. I use it to 1-stick with a webbing aider and the whole package including the squirrel steps weighs 2.8 lbs and fits in my backpack. As a ROS guy who is used to small steps, I find the platform to be very comfortable on my feet. It is super stable. It is a well-made piece of gear.
Cons: there are times when I wish it was flat but there are times when i really like the angle. I alternate between sitting and leaning so I’m probably not the best judge. Adjustable angle would be great but would mean more moving parts and more expensive. Have to be careful and cognizant of getting the strap all the way onto the button so it doesn’t slip off when camming. I put an extra line of stitching in the loop to keep it closed better so it slides onto the button more easily and completely.
Misc: The camming action is definitely easier to get “just right” than WE stepps but it’s not as quick and easy as the cam cleat on my mini-stick when 1-sticking.
I was a little worried when I got mine because it seemed small. But I have really enjoyed using it. Very light. I do put a WE step to one side. Sometimes one on each side and there is plenty of room. The angle also freaked me out the first time using but I see it as necessary now. Good luck
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I love mine for all day sits or SRT setups. I use my angled Solo Scout in conjunction with two Ameristeps on an OCB. If the platform is at 12 o'clock and the backside of the tree is at 6 o'clock, I run my steps at 10:30 and 1:30 roughly.
Has anyone had issues with noise? Or has anyone silenced their solo scout? If so how did you silence it??
It can be loud, especially with the buckles on the strap. I haven’t taped them but that would probably be advisable.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
This was my first year hunting out of a saddle, but used it every archery hunt with the angled scout. Like that it's small, light, compact and solid. Don't like not being able to stand on it and turn around. I tend to like my legs wider so I ordered two slotted squirrel steps to put at 3 and 9 o'clock on the strap but haven't used them yet. I did position the scout to one side of the top of my stick and used the scout with one foot and stick with the other foot a good bit. I'm contemplating a predator platform for next year, but will probably keep the scout either way.
I have practiced with min and I will tape it but I think there is a better solution.
once it cams over its great.
Any other solutions to fasten to tree.
once it cams over its great.
Any other solutions to fasten to tree.
Here's how I'm attaching mine. No buckle.
Alternative Method for Platform Attachment
As I've previously stated, I'm not a big fan of the cam buckle straps supplied with most of the current saddle platforms for attachment to the tree. The buckle feels big and bulky to me and, worse yet I always seem to clank it off the metal platform at the most inopportune times. For the last...
saddlehunter.com
I have the scout and one on my one stick and I used them up to 6 hours. But I added a ROS to them. I feel it works better this way. They are light easy to set up and pack down while they aren’t the biggest platform that’s why I added the ROS to be able and move around when needed I like it I can put a a lot of side pressure to make the shot and not worry about it kicking out. I find I’m a leaner so that helps but when I want to sit I have no problem in doing so I just adjust my tether slightly. I like it you can pack it in better than any other platform. Throw it in a Fanny pack and your good to go or clip it to your saddle which I have done plenty of times as I wear suspenders with my saddle so I don’t have any problems with sag