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For those 2 panel-ers

So I got my floating d in the other day and gave it a test drive about 80ft up with the rope wrench a few times and I think I prefer the double d. Key word is think. I'm going to need a second run just to make sure before I say that outright but I can say it's a very close call. Anyone else try both models with that conclusion?

Seems like the bridge connection sat lower with the double. It's been a few weeks since I sat in it so when it stops raining here I'm going to do a side by side with em.

Also, regardless of which one I decide to keep, I'm planning on adding either a shorter fixed bridge or maybe something adjustable, not sure on that yet either. I was having some trouble getting my rope wrench to tend efficiently (stitch hitch and ascender had the same issue) because the bridge was too high.

It's the rut here and I'm hunting out of my recon so I havent had time to play with em much but some mod'ing is in the future.



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ImThere said:
@Tony
Sounds like you need a JX3. Quite certain you will find it most comfortable


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You never know. I have a jx3 and have owned several other saddles none of which came close to the comfort of my recon and i put this saddle right there with my recon when talking strictly comfort. I only use my jx3 now if I want to ground hunt. If I can find a ground chair of some sort thatll work as easily as a backpack, I'll sell my jx3. No need for a $300+ chair and I dont use it in the tree anymore, thats a pita...

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JFin15 said:
So I got my floating d in the other day and gave it a test drive about 80ft up with the rope wrench a few times and I think I prefer the double d. Key word is think. I'm going to need a second run just to make sure before I say that outright but I can say it's a very close call. Anyone else try both models with that conclusion?

Seems like the bridge connection sat lower with the double. It's been a few weeks since I sat in it so when it stops raining here I'm going to do a side by side with em.

Also, regardless of which one I decide to keep, I'm planning on adding either a shorter fixed bridge or maybe something adjustable, not sure on that yet either. I was having some trouble getting my rope wrench to tend efficiently (stitch hitch and ascender had the same issue) because the bridge was too high.

It's the rut here and I'm hunting out of my recon so I havent had time to play with em much but some mod'ing is in the future.



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I've tried both, but maybe I didn't give the 4D model a fair chance. It is slightly heavier and much louder. The loudness is easily remedied and the weight isn't really significant. I do think the floating D allows for better rotation left and right. I'll have to give my 4D saddle another try sometime. But I'm seriously thinking about selling my Kestrel and my big rock climbing harness.
 
PastorKen said:
I've tried both, but maybe I didn't give the 4D model a fair chance. It is slightly heavier and much louder. The loudness is easily remedied and the weight isn't really significant. I do think the floating D allows for better rotation left and right. I'll have to give my 4D saddle another try sometime. But I'm seriously thinking about selling my Kestrel and my big rock climbing harness.
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So I gave the bridges a closer look; all things equal, the 4d has about 3.5" less 'height' than the floating d which equates to a shorter bridge. I measured with the same carabiner attached, front my abdomen to the end of the carabiner. This difference is because A) the bridge ring is larger on the floating d and B) when clipped in, the front rings on the 4d anglea the bridge webbing closer to the waistbelt

Imo, this also equates to a different 'feel' when sitting or leaning. The 4d, having more compact bridge angles, seems to provide more support to the lower panel, which I find more comfortable.

The 4d is definitely louder however I put hockey tape on all 4 rings when I first got it so that's a nonissue.

The weight difference is negligible imo. These saddles carry the weight very well for me, (5'9 150#).

The floating d does win measurably in the hip rotation department. The 4d doesnt allow nearly as much rotation. This will be an issue for some but there are solutions to this problem. I am going to cut the bridge ring off the floating model and try a few different things. I suspect something as simple as an petzl 'open' ring will work. Or a mighty mouse/other flat shaped hms biner. Or use a higher tether tip.

If I had to pick one and use it stock, I would pick the 4d. With my climbing style, it seems more comfortable/functional. Thankfully, we dont have too (or cant) leave anything stock!

I'm going to order a petzl ring to try on the 4d. Assuming itll fit in the holes, I'm going to cut the front rings off and connect the bridge that way. If that isnt up to snuff, I may have the webbing sewn back over on itself with a small rigging ring or plate on each side and use a rope bridge kinda like the treemotion

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JFin15 said:
I'm going to order a petzl ring to try on the 4d. Assuming itll fit in the holes, I'm going to cut the front rings off and connect the bridge that way. If that isnt up to snuff, I may have the webbing sewn back over on itself with a small rigging ring or plate on each side and use a rope bridge kinda like the treemotion
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I'm not sure what you mean. I have a couple petzl rings. How do you mean to use it?
 
Just cut a big dead limb out of my pine tree that was hanging over the future home of my screened in porch. I was probably 30 feet up in the sliding d ring version and felt very secure. I would say this thing has already paid for itself. I was only up there for about 20 minutes so I can't yet speak to its all day comfort, but it wasn't bothering me while I was working up there.

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Tried the Notch Floating D out today just in my back yard for about 45 minutes to an hour. I leaned and sat in it (just one sticked) with it up to about 12 feet with no platform on my Muddy Pro stick. My observations so far are favorable. I had a pair of lined jeans on to mimic heavier hunting pants with base layers and/or mid season type hunting clothing. I like the simplicity of getting it on and set up. Its very straightforward and as I mentioned in a previous post about this saddle, It is rigid but I think that lends itself to comfort and support in the tree, especially when sitting. It also lends itself to setting up quicker as you aren't fumbling with floppy waistbelts and panels and stuff.

I like that it is somewhat always in position so to speak. In addition and with my limited use of it so far notwithstanding, to me, this is the most comfortable sitting saddle I've used. There is some tightness while sitting in the upper thighs but that happens to me with all my saddles. Due to the rigidity of the lower panel or "seat" it seems way more comfortable for sitting than any saddle I've used before besides the original Treesuits. It had no noticeable hip or upper thigh pinch whatsoever. I'm not really a sitter but maybe because I was never really comfortable sitting in the modern era saddles. This may change that for me.

As far as gear hauler hookups, I tried the Amazon pouches and they work ok but the spacing on the web loops is wider on the Notch than the spacing on these pouches and if you "push" down on the pouch trying to stuff your rappel rope back in or whatever, it tended to want to unsnap on me because they are a bit under tension because of the wider spacing. I took the pouches off my TL Ambush Lite and the orientation of the straps and snap buttons on them seem to work better for me with the spacing of the Notch Floating D. I still may forego the web spacing on the saddle and just rig them to the gear loops with a silenced carabiner or caritool.
 

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Last edited:
Just placed an order for one of each.
Why? I have no clue.
With a Phantom already and a Kestrel on the way, I really needed it....

Still very excited to get it and start tinkering.


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I have mine but yet to give it a try...………… anyone plan on doing a video on their set-ups with these???
 
Any recommendations on what else to order to get over $100 for the free shipping? I'm planning on getting the floating D. I'm new to saddle hunting and don't meaningfully have any climbing gear, so any of the essentials that are a good value at sherrilltree work for me.

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Get
savorCreation said:
Any recommendations on what else to order to get over $100 for the free shipping? I'm planning on getting the floating D. I'm new to saddle hunting and don't meaningfully have any climbing gear, so any of the essentials that are a good value at sherrilltree work for me.

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Get a kong tender, um maybe two felt bags, minimum 3 good carabiners, paracord.

Newb also...
 
Clifton said:
Came across the Notch floating D in my searches. For the price looks like it’s a winner
Click to expand...

Got mine in yesterday.
I ordered the Floating D and the 4D.
I didn’t really like the 4D, but after I cut the D Ring off of the Floating D it worked great.
I spent 20-30 minutes messing around in it yesterday.


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Thank you both for the reply. Is there a reason you do not cut them. I have never hunted from a saddle. I did purchase a guidos web years ago when it was the hot thing on AT. S
 
Will1029 said:
Thank you both for the reply. Is there a reason you do not cut them. I have never hunted from a saddle. I did purchase a guidos web years ago when it was the hot thing on AT. S
Click to expand...

IMO, there is a reason that they are almost always included on rock climbing harnesses. There are lots of things that can happen in the event of a fall and it doesn't take much of a fall to generate some pretty severe, bone breaking forces.

Will a saddle 'catch' you without leg straps? Probably, but, in the event of a fall the leg straps might be the thing that keeps you from hanging there with a saddle around your armpits and multiple broken ribs. I have also never found them to be a nuisance or get in my way at all.
 
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