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Aero Hunter Kestrel First Impressions
- Thread starter redsquirrel
- Start date
I shoot for somewhere in the neighborhood of 24 inches plus or minus an inch or 2.
Just spent a little time "customizing" my kestrel. There is really not much to do. This is the most minimalist saddle that has ever been on the market and its got all the necessary safety features.
I don't think my bridge needs to be removable so I tied it on fixed to the other side, this gets rid of one carabiner on the system. I used a buntline hitch for now. @1saddleguy, is this ok and is there a better way that you would recommend doing this?
I tried to put the yakgrips onto the two leg buckles to quiet them down but they are a little too tight (@justsomedude). I'll probably end up stealth stripping them, but I'll leave them for now.
I don't think my bridge needs to be removable so I tied it on fixed to the other side, this gets rid of one carabiner on the system. I used a buntline hitch for now. @1saddleguy, is this ok and is there a better way that you would recommend doing this?
I tried to put the yakgrips onto the two leg buckles to quiet them down but they are a little too tight (@justsomedude). I'll probably end up stealth stripping them, but I'll leave them for now.
Why are you stealth shipping the buckles? Are you worried they'll clang when putting on or walking around?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
They won't hit each other but I try to minimize the amount of open metal on anything I take into the woods.
I have done it but I don't find it easy. A hitch is much easier. Thoughts on why I shouldn't use one?
I use the overhand because it is a standard anchor knot and it is easy to see that it is right.
The retrace tie in comes in handy
The retrace tie in comes in handy
Bare saddle comes in at 2.73 pounds after I removed that carabiner.
I sure appreciate this thread Redsquirrel!!!! Ive never even seen a saddle in person but am order338 on the kestrel!! I cant wait to get that thing !...and all the info all you guys provide is just awesome!!!
Wore the kestrel on a 5 mile hike to grab a camera today. Barely noticed it was there. In the pic above I realized I could use the back rest attachments to hold my bridge up. It worked great!
Wow! I think New Tribe really hit a home run on this saddle. The profile is so much smaller than the evolution that I'm going to have to get used to it. I unpacked it when I got home from work and took 5 minutes getting comfortable with it inside. I went out threw my pouch with lineman's belt and tether on it and took off down the street to some woods to try it out. I only played with it for 10 minutes just off the ground so these are really just my initial impressions.
The saddle is so much smaller and lighter than the evolution.
The new style lineman's loops work well.
I love how solid the new buckles are. They clip in and there was no jiggle.
The side adjustment straps work just like intended. When I first started hanging I started sliding out (it reminded me off my only problem that I sometimes had with my mesh tree saddle). I stood a little and pulled up to tighten the adjustment straps and it was much better.
Lots more to come. I'm going to spend time off and on all weekend getting it ready for next weekend's opener. I have never used the back band so I started out without it but I will throw it on to try out.
These are my initial thoughts for getting it hunt ready:
I bought a set of yak grips when @Dewey mentioned them in another thread. I think these will be perfect to put over the leg buckles to keep them quiet.
I don't think I need a removable bridge. I already shortened it up to my length tonight but I am going to look at attaching it fixed to both sides. The bridge is plenty big enough to easily step into the saddle this way without worrying about doing the dance. I bought one of those DMM shackles that @1saddleguy mentioned to try out for this so I'll experiment. The only downside to this is the bridge is going to dangle down at my knees when walking with it. I'll fool around and figure something out.
Other than that I have their molle attachment kit and a grimlock that I already had so I'll experiment with those and the new features of the saddle.
I also got some cool stickers with it and I really like the bag that it came in. I won't use that for hunting but I'll store some hunting stuff in it and show my aero hunter pride
Red I have to agree I think they somehow made less more and incorporated many of the guys requests with going lighter, smaller, and fewer adjustments but somehow keeping the quality and safety off the charts! I think the Kestrel is going to please a lot of saddle hunters out there with the changes they have made to the Kestrel. I can't wait to get mine!
Glad you like it. Casey, Bobby, and I learned so much in the process. I'm still amazed how much R&D went into making the Kestrel, and how many prototypes were made to get to this point--We were patient and meticulous. There's nothing left to do to it--it is the apotheosis, the pinnacle, the best hunting saddle there is, bar none.