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Introducing the 2017 Aero Hunter Kestrel

I'm gonna have to request that this thread be put on hold till 3pm Central time (Not Mtn) I am a HS teacher and I've got to teach these kids something at some point today. I can't seem to do that with my phone blowing up with notifications on the Kestrel. And being as I'm somewhat addicted to reading each post that is made, this may be a problem for me. My mind is already consumed with hunting thoughts 24/7 so please be kind for the kids learning sake. Otherwise I'll end up throwing Boswells YouTube vids up on the projector screen and that may be frowned upon here at work. LOL!
 
Steve said:
I'm a little concerned that the leg straps with no padding will kind of dig into the back of your legs even though that is adjustable I've had tree stands in the past that had seats similar to that and that was always an issue
Click to expand...

You can loosen the leg straps when you're in the tree and settled. The leg straps don't really do much to keep you in the saddle anyway. If you don't believe me, get in a SitDrag at ground level, or just high enough to get your feet off the ground. Now try to slide out of it. You'll find that you can't. You can flip around and upside down and it won't slide off. And that's with a SitDrag. Thy Kestrel is much more robust. It will be virtually impossible in any realistic hunting scenario, or even an extreme scenario, to slide out of it.

Regarding comfort, you don't need any padding to be comfortable for long periods of time. After awhile (3-5 hunts), your body will get used to the Kestrel and you will be VERY comfortable. I usually shift my weight slightly every 30 minutes or so, and can be comfortable all day long.
 
So I've seen Boswell hanging upside down in the aero hunter. Hopefully he can include that with the Kestral on his next video..
 
Steve said:
Why can't I have both comfort and lightweight for running and gunning
Click to expand...
I didn't say you can't have comfort and it may or may not be comfortable enough for long sits. It will most likely be more comfortable than any system you are going to carry into the woods that will be close to ten pounds. I think the guidos web is about five pounds heavier. It is more rigid that will cut down on hip pinch. It has a full backrest and the whale tail that keeps you away from the tree. It's as close as you will get to a lazy boy recliner without having something like a gunslinger climbing stand that weighs over 25 lbs and is a bear to carry through the woods. It's all a trade off. My millennium hang on is about 13 lbs without sticks. I can sit all day with a reasonable level of comfort. The lone wolf assault is a couple pounds lighter but I am uncomfortable after an hour. In that type of stand I always stand for the first hour of daylight then sit for the next hour. Most everything is a trade off and all have there place.
Also comfort is an individual thing. There will be people that will sit in this new saddle and be comfortable all day. There will be others that will never get comfortable for more than an hour.
 
g2outdoors said:
You can loosen the leg straps when you're in the tree and settled. The leg straps don't really do much to keep you in the saddle anyway. If you don't believe me, get in a SitDrag at ground level, or just high enough to get your feet off the ground. Now try to slide out of it. You'll find that you can't. You can flip around and upside down and it won't slide off. And that's with a SitDrag. Thy Kestrel is much more robust. It will be virtually impossible in any realistic hunting scenario, or even an extreme scenario, to slide out of it.

Regarding comfort, you don't need any padding to be comfortable for long periods of time. After awhile (3-5 hunts), your body will get used to the Kestrel and you will be VERY comfortable. I usually shift my weight slightly every 30 minutes or so, and can be comfortable all day long.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info, I have not received my Evo yet, how difficult is it to get the Evo dial in, I may be exchanging to the Kestrel I'm really liking the simplicity.
 
I second the safety of the sitdrag mentioned above, and assume from the look of the design of the Kestrel that it will be even more safe. I have had an arrested fall in my sitdrag (climbing stick spun on me) without a backup RC harness. I ended up upside down in the tree. I do have an added waist band, but no leg straps. So, the Kestrel is much better designed for the situation my sitdrag handled easily.
Overall, the Kestrel looks like a better made version of the custom saddle I was considering sewing up at some point from climbing webbing. And, it is at a price that makes going through 2-3 versions of homemades impractical.

I WILL be buying one before the 2018 season. It's just too close to my intended perfect saddle not to.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I don't own and Evo. It was too complicated for me. If I were you, and New Tribe would allow it, I'd swap the Evo for the Kestral...no question about it.
 
So for you experienced rappelling spur crazy folks. I have been just clipping into my RC harness to rappell while using the sitdrag. With the kestrel it won't be the same and using the bridge is the only clip in point. With the bridge say extended and all tension being placed on this point would it be safe????

Overalls I think this thing is gonna be bomb proof
 
IkemanTX said:
I have had an arrested fall in my sitdrag (climbing stick spun on me) without a backup RC harness. I ended up upside down in the tree. I do have an added waist band, but no leg straps. So, the Kestrel is much better designed for the situation my sitdrag handled easily.
Click to expand...

Wow - I didn't remember this. Good to know it performs like I thought it would.
 
MCDM said:
So for you experienced rappelling spur crazy folks. I have been just clipping into my RC harness to rappell while using the sitdrag. With the kestrel it won't be the same and using the bridge is the only clip in point. With the bridge say extended and all tension being placed on this point would it be safe????

Overalls I think this thing is gonna be bomb proof
Click to expand...

I've rappelled with my SitDrag using the bridge a dozen times. I take my time and go slow (just kidding. I'm down in 15 seconds). There's no more pressure on it than when I'm hanging from my tether.

And I was a complete noob with rappelling. I learned everything from YouTube.

Good Lord I hope my life insurance company never finds this forum...
 
g2outdoors said:
I've rappelled with my SitDrag using the bridge a dozen times. I take my time and go slow (just kidding. I'm down in 15 seconds). There's no more pressure on it than when I'm hanging from my tether.
Click to expand...

That was my thinking as well but I like to bounce my ideas or questions off of you guys lol
 
g2outdoors said:
I don't own and Evo. It was too complicated for me. If I were you, and New Tribe would allow it, I'd swap the Evo for the Kestral...no question about it.
Click to expand...
I would contact them before it ships to see if they would let you swap them. With all the hype on here if you got the preorder discount I don't think you would lose much if anything if you hated it and sold it around Christmas.
 
Well, this saddle is just way too cool.
Thanks to molle additions I can now carry my pistol at he 4 o'oclock postion instead of appendix.
Great Job Boswell and New Tribe. Looks like i will be getting one of these in the near future.
 
Finally got through the 77 messages on the original thread and the 114 on this one! Y'all have been busy since I put my phone down over the weekend! Now to watch the 2 videos! (A watched pot never boils... But once you turn your back, it boils over!)
 
MCDM said:
So for you experienced rappelling spur crazy folks. I have been just clipping into my RC harness to rappell while using the sitdrag. With the kestrel it won't be the same and using the bridge is the only clip in point. With the bridge say extended and all tension being placed on this point would it be safe????

Overalls I think this thing is gonna be bomb proof
Click to expand...

I would rappel in the Kestrel without a single worry. I would most likely use a shorter "bridge" just like I do with my Sitdrag that I leave clipped to one side until it's time to go down.
 
IkemanTX said:
I second the safety of the sitdrag mentioned above, and assume from the look of the design of the Kestrel that it will be even more safe. I have had an arrested fall in my sitdrag (climbing stick spun on me) without a backup RC harness. I ended up upside down in the tree. I do have an added waist band, but no leg straps. So, the Kestrel is much better designed for the situation my sitdrag handled easily.
Overall, the Kestrel looks like a better made version of the custom saddle I was considering sewing up at some point from climbing webbing. And, it is at a price that makes going through 2-3 versions of homemades impractical.

I WILL be buying one before the 2018 season. It's just too close to my intended perfect saddle not to.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Exactly. That's about a hundred dollars for the three quick release buckles and well over 125 worth of sewing if your still using a speedy stitcher like me. I don't need the kestrel but I know what I am doing first thing Wednesday morning.
 
flinginairos said:
I would rappel in the Kestrel without a single worry. I would most likely use a shorter "bridge" just like I do with my Sitdrag that I leave clipped to one side until it's time to go down.
Click to expand...
You don't even rappel now. Who are you kidding?
 
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