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Kestrel is here! My thoughts.....

flinginairos

Well-Known Member
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Joined
Sep 19, 2014
Messages
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Finally got my new Kestrel yesterday and didn't have much time to look at it. This morning I got up early and messed with it and I am extremely impressed!! Coming from a Guidos web, to an Evo, to using the top belt of the Evo and then on to a modded Sit, this thing is dang near perfect. My initial impression out of the box was that it's a tad heavy, but with the materials and buckles for added safety it's extra weight that is worth it. Another plus is I don't see myself needing any kind of pad with this like I used with the sit drag. Another thing I really like is how nice it fits when not hanging from it. It's literally like an extension of your pants and it will get even better when it's broke in.

My only gripe, and it's a small one, is the loops on the side are a little wide for my current biners. I'm sure I could find some that fit a little better but it's really not worth worrying about!
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Weight fully rigged out with tether/lineman rope/spliced bridge and dump pouch
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Sitting in the Kestrel I found that I don't use the side adjustment straps at all. All the way lose feels perfect to me. I also found that pushing the seat up from the bottom toward the waist belt (making the seat size narrower) is money. It feels like a more rigid sit drag or just using the top belt of the Evo but a whole lot safer than both

Seat in standard position
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Seat bunched up to make it narrower. Perfect for a leaner like me!
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I will get more time in it today but my initial impression is very very good!! Can't wait to use this thing this year!!



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Extension of your pants...LOL! I was looking at the pic and my initial thought was...."Where is it? All I see is flingin's pants!" LOL!
 
I hear a lot of guys talk about weight being an issue. Speaking on my own behalf I have carried a 30+ pound climbing stand on my back for the past 20+ years. I will be thrilled to only carry 5 pounds that was one of the many reasons I have decided to go to the saddle. With that said I love this group so much information and really super members keep the reviews coming! Can't wait to receive mine


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Sitting in the Kestrel I found that I don't use the side adjustment straps at all. All the way lose feels perfect to me. I also found that pushing the seat up from the bottom toward the waist belt (making the seat size narrower) is money.
As I read this, I thought that will be typical of a leaner!

I am completely the opposite!

Also, why don't you flip your biner the other way, it should fit the strap better?
 
As I read this, I thought that will be typical of a leaner!

I am completely the opposite!

Also, why don't you flip your biner the other way, it should fit the strap better?

Duh why didn't I think of that! Hey it was early and my coffee hadn't kicked in but I use my biners that direction so I can clip my linemans belt in from the outside and take it off without getting in the way of my bridge hooked to the same biners. That should work tho haha


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I hear a lot of guys talk about weight being an issue. Speaking on my own behalf I have carried a 30+ pound climbing stand on my back for the past 20+ years. I will be thrilled to only carry 5 pounds that was one of the many reasons I have decided to go to the saddle. With that said I love this group so much information and really super members keep the reviews coming! Can't wait to receive mine


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You have to keep in mind I'm coming from an "ultra light" setup last year but the Kestrel is the lightest "safe" saddle there is I believe. Compared to any stand its no contest. My gear this year is 34lbs and that includes my bow, pack with camera gear, climbing system and saddle set up. You can't touch that number using a tradition stand!!


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Yeah i got up early as well today to get out and play with the Kestrel. My thoughts were very similar to @flinginairos. Extremely impressed!!! I did make a adjustable bridge but may just go back to my removable fixed instead. Im just not sure with all that what i want. Back to business this thing is a winner. I thought it was really comfortable leaning and i did notice that if you lengthened the bridge sitting was good to. I think one thing I would like to do is just figure a non bulky simple method to cover them leg buckles. I have seen options in the other thread but am still debating.

As a experienced saddler this is a great build. I will do some shooting later today from height and platform. For any beginners or people on the fence regarding this saddle I would say this is a very comfortable safe option. Is it worth the wait times honestly I would say "YES". In fact I will probably get another in a few months when orders get caught up because I feel it was a such a winner!!
 
Yeah i got up early as well today to get out and play with the Kestrel. My thoughts were very similar to @flinginairos. Extremely impressed!!! I did make a adjustable bridge but may just go back to my removable fixed instead. Im just not sure with all that what i want. Back to business this thing is a winner. I thought it was really comfortable leaning and i did notice that if you lengthened the bridge sitting was good to. I think one thing I would like to do is just figure a non bulky simple method to cover them leg buckles. I have seen options in the other thread but am still debating.

As a experienced saddler this is a great build. I will do some shooting later today from height and platform. For any beginners or people on the fence regarding this saddle I would say this is a very comfortable safe option. Is it worth the wait times honestly I would say "YES". In fact I will probably get another in a few months when orders get caught up because I feel it was a such a winner!!

I think some stealth strip on the buckles should suffice. That is my plan for now. But I agree. For new saddle hunters that don't want to mod anything this is the one to have!


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I think some stealth strip on the buckles should suffice. That is my plan for now. But I agree. For new saddle hunters that don't want to mod anything this is the one to have!


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Yeah i think for now that may be my go to option.
 
Regarding the buckles, I found that I have to do something, especially about the one on the left. I rest my bow on my leg when I have deer around me and I'm waiting to get a shot and that buckle is right where I will hit it.
 
Regarding the buckles, I found that I have to do something, especially about the one on the left. I rest my bow on my leg when I have deer around me and I'm waiting to get a shot and that buckle is right where I will hit it.

Good to know as my season starts friday and i do the same thing.
 
just sew up a loose fitting fleece sleeve. you don't want it so tight that it could click the buckles. The pressure from your thigh on the bottom side will keep it in place once you slide it over buckle. it would take about 20 seconds to sew up.

Going make some now with coffee!
 
just sew up a loose fitting fleece sleeve. you don't want it so tight that it could click the buckles. The pressure from your thigh on the bottom side will keep it in place once you slide it over buckle. it would take about 20 seconds to sew up.

Going make some now with coffee!

Ok, I've figured out two things here.

The 'noisemaker' on the buckle is the slider on the adjustment on male end of the buckle. A tight, elastic loop around that of some sort will eliminate noise created by the buckle itself. I will figure this out. Probably a tight piece of neoprene around just that will do the trick.

The fleece over the buckle will eliminate the metal to metal contact of setting a bow or something else on it, but it still feels "hard" to the touch with one layer of fleece. I'll sew a patch on there that will sit above the buckle.

IMG_9232.JPG
 
Ok, I've figured out two things here.

The 'noisemaker' on the buckle is the slider on the adjustment on male end of the buckle. A tight, elastic loop around that of some sort will eliminate noise created by the buckle itself. I will figure this out. Probably a tight piece of neoprene around just that will do the trick.

The fleece over the buckle will eliminate the metal to metal contact of setting a bow or something else on it, but it still feels "hard" to the touch with one layer of fleece. I'll sew a patch on there that will sit above the buckle.

View attachment 2589

Good stuff!


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The kestrel isn't heavy unless you have gotten used to picking up a sit drag. I think the added weight of the kestrel is going to be worth it.
 
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