Does anyone NOT like the Predator?

[dalton916]

I was using the stock strap.

I really don’t see where a LW strap would make much difference. I used a LW strap with a versa button and a daisy chain with a versa button on my SloMo scooter platform and had the same issues I had with the Predator. I removed the versa button and added 2 amsteel continuous loops to the platform so I could cam it over. It was perfect after that.

A few days ago I ordered a strap from @DanO that will allow me to take the continuous loops off and also lose the weight of 2 carabiners on that set up with the scooter platform.

The size of my XOP platform is a great feature, but it comes in number two behind the scooter because the seat is mounted in the middle of the post and that causes it to be much taller when folded up for packing. The scooter platform is lighter and much more compact.

 

[Nelson87]

There’s a lot of movement for something really locked in there.

I don't have the predator and I've never hunted out of a saddle, so I may be totally wrong here, but when I set my treestand I always kneel on the seat and lift the platform with my toe to really tighten it down. It looks like the predator fastens to the tree basically the same way as a stand. Is there any way a person could do the same thing with a platform like this? Like I said, I've not tried the predator, but it seems like if you could stand on the post and lift the platform it would tighten it but I don't know how safe that would be?

 

[patriotoutlaw]

I don't have the predator and I've never hunted out of a saddle, so I may be totally wrong here, but when I set my treestand I always kneel on the seat and lift the platform with my toe to really tighten it down. It looks like the predator fastens to the tree basically the same way as a stand. Is there any way a person could do the same thing with a platform like this? Like I said, I've not tried the predator, but it seems like if you could stand on the post and lift the platform it would tighten it but I don't know how safe that would be?

Thats the way it is I've always done it with the Assassin.

 

[dalton916]

Yes sir. There’s another video where I saw someone do that very thing.

 

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

There’s a lot of movement for something really locked in there.

Seeing as I posted this thread because I have not used the Predator myself, I will say this based on my research, others’ comments, and the video you posted: I don’t think that’s the best put-it-on-the-tree video available. That is not how I cam a treestand over, or how I remember the Assassin working when I tried it. The way I have seen it in nearly every other video is that you take the slack out with the platform flush to trunk, then cinch down the way he did when he thought he was finished, but then lift it to flush again and lift it above center, then take out remaining slack, then cinch it back down by pulling down on the platform before opening to bite in.

 

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

Okay, legit question for anyone who can attest:
Peeing?
I’m the kind of guy who doesn’t like to get down unless the action is somewhere else, nor do I prefer to deny the deer my Tink’s-wannabe. I need to know if it’s possible to pee off the Predator, and/or ROS, and which is most comfortable if so. This may be the make/break for me.
Sound off!

 

[rambotogo]

S

Okay, legit question for anyone who can attest:
Peeing?
I’m the kind of guy who doesn’t like to get down unless the action is somewhere else, nor do I prefer to deny the deer my Tink’s-wannabe. I need to know if it’s possible to pee off the Predator, and/or ROS, and which is most comfortable if so. This may be the make/break for me.
Sound off!

Should not be a problem unless you have a weak stream. lol

 

[Tapeworm]

Okay, legit question for anyone who can attest:
Peeing?
I’m the kind of guy who doesn’t like to get down unless the action is somewhere else, nor do I prefer to deny the deer my Tink’s-wannabe. I need to know if it’s possible to pee off the Predator, and/or ROS, and which is most comfortable if so. This may be the make/break for me.
Sound off!

I’ve only used the Predator and peed from it successfully

I stood on it so that mantis wasn’t holding my weight anymore & I also tightened tether

Turned sideways and peed


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Arrowsquirrel]

Seeing as I posted this thread because I have not used the Predator myself, I will say this based on my research, others’ comments, and the video you posted: I don’t think that’s the best put-it-on-the-tree video available. That is not how I cam a treestand over, or how I remember the Assassin working when I tried it. The way I have seen it in nearly every other video is that you take the slack out with the platform flush to trunk, then cinch down the way he did when he thought he was finished, but then lift it to flush again and lift it above center, then take out remaining slack, then cinch it back down by pulling down on the platform before opening to bite in.

This is the video your looking for

 

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

I’ve only used the Predator and peed from it successfully

I stood on it so that mantis wasn’t holding my weight anymore & I also tightened tether

Turned sideways and peed


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Pretty much how I envisioned it.

 

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

This is the video your looking for

Yes sir, it is. “Don’t be afraid to use your gear.” Love that. Thanks for the video!

 

[Allegheny Tom]

Do you use a step on either side of the platform? I used a ring of steps all last year, got my predator in February. Thinking of adding to each side, I think I’m gonna miss straddling the tree. Maybe I’m just used to the steps. The steps always bothered my feet after a while. Then I read a post about doubling them up. The predator seems small , not wide enough. Any thoughts?

One step on the strap, situated on the strong side. The weak side can be your top step of your climbing method.
It is nice to have a step on each side for comfort but its really nice for 360 shooting and ultra slow movement under complete control. Sometimes you need to move as slow as molasses when deer are in your lap and a step on each side assists in moving slow. Sometimes you might have to stay in an awkward, partially off-the-platform position while using the trunk to hide from deer. If you've ever had deer bed down 15 yards away, facing you, for a long period of time then you understand the importance of comfort and ultra slow, super-duper slow movement.
And I love my 3 Predators. Bow, saddle, and Predator...best pieces of gear I own.

 

[kyler1945]

This is the video your looking for

Was half hoping you posted a video of someone peeing out of a saddle for him...

 

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

Was half hoping you posted a video of someone peeing out of a saddle for him...

I would have watched every second. #KnowYourTech

 

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

One step on the strap, situated on the strong side. The weak side can be your top step of your climbing method.
It is nice to have a step on each side for comfort but its really nice for 360 shooting and ultra slow movement under complete control. Sometimes you need to move as slow as molasses when deer are in your lap and a step on each side assists in moving slow. Sometimes you might have to stay in an awkward, partially off-the-platform position while using the trunk to hide from deer. If you've ever had deer bed down 15 yards away, facing you, for a long period of time then you understand the importance of comfort and ultra slow, super-duper slow movement.
And I love my 3 Predators. Bow, saddle, and Predator...best pieces of gear I own.

This put me from 75% gunna pick up a couple of Bullmans/Squirrels to 100%. Sounds like the money setup when paired with platform, according to you and a bunch of other replies.

 

[DB4x4]

The deer where I hunt are easily spooked and have been conditioned to look up into trees. Because of this, I prefer a platform for bowhunting since it lends itself to less movement, at least for me. Last year, I used a pseudo-ROS and found myself hunting larger trees out of habit from my tree stand days. I kept moving too much to peek around the tree and spooked several deer that approached from behind. Now I use a platform and hunt from skinny/limby trees...

Here is what I determined from my experience last year, personally speaking...

Platform:
- Better for bowhunting
- Can lean or sit
- Leaning lets you view your 6:00 easier
- Less movement needed to shoot, typically
- Good for skinny trees
- Not great on giant trees

ROS:
- Better for gun or xbow
- Can move around tree, using it as shooting rest
- More movement needed to shoot from 3:00-7:00
- Leaning is not comfortable
- Sitting is the only option, hard to see 6:00
- Can move 360 on big trees, if you can do so without spooking deer

 

[DB4x4]

Oh, and peeing from a platform is much easier, if that's an issue/deciding factor. Hard to face away from the tree on a ROS...

...and as always, make sure you play the wind.

 

[kyler1945]

I’ve killed deer at 4 o’clock without moving on a ring of steps with a bow. Just pivot hips and rotate feet on steps. Dead deer. I noticed no difference in shooting capability on weak side with ring of steps versus platform.

 

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

The deer where I hunt are easily spooked and have been conditioned to look up into trees. Because of this, I prefer a platform for bowhunting since it lends itself to less movement, at least for me. Last year, I used a pseudo-ROS and found myself hunting larger trees out of habit from my tree stand days. I kept moving too much to peek around the tree and spooked several deer that approached from behind. Now I use a platform and hunt from skinny/limby trees...

Here is what I determined from my experience last year, personally speaking...

Platform:
- Better for bowhunting
- Can lean or sit
- Leaning lets you view your 6:00 easier
- Less movement needed to shoot, typically
- Good for skinny trees
- Not great on giant trees

ROS:
- Better for gun or xbow
- Can move around tree, using it as shooting rest
- More movement needed to shoot from 3:00-7:00
- Leaning is not comfortable
- Sitting is the only option, hard to see 6:00
- Can move 360 on big trees, if you can do so without spooking deer

I like this breakdown. It’s a fair set of pros and cons.

 

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

I’ve killed deer at 4 o’clock without moving on a ring of steps with a bow. Just pivot hips and rotate feet on steps. Dead deer. I noticed no difference in shooting capability on weak side with ring of steps versus platform.

I think this is why the 2-steps/1-platform setup is attractive to me. Allows for a little extra mobility, and I can always add/subtract steps or platform if the need arises. Also, being used to a small-frame LW stand, the prior experience factor is also attractive. BUT I do like trying new things and playing monkey, so 2-5 steps are still on my wishlist.