Official Predator Platform review thread!!

[Bowhunter83]

Can platforms be adjusted for angled trees or do you just deal with it? Thx Pete

There is a leveling bolt that adjusts the angle of the platform

 

[Drslyr]

Peterk1234 you chomping at the bit to hunt?

 

[EricS]

Oh btw I went to the doctor. Have to go on a diet. That’s my 295 lbs plus bow and pack with minimal supplies water and camera arm. So it held fine with about 315lbs standing on the edge. There’s a lot of adjustment for lean. If the predator “cammed” over it would actually get looser on anything past a 90 degree angle. Because of the way the teeth grip the tree it’s still pulling down after you hit 90 and getting tighter.

 

[Bowhunter83]

Oh btw I went to the doctor. Have to go on a diet. That’s my 295 lbs plus bow and pack with minimal supplies water and camera arm. So it held fine with about 315lbs standing on the edge. There’s a lot of adjustment for lean. If the predator “cammed” over it would actually get looser on anything past a 90 degree angle. Because of the way the teeth grip the tree it’s still pulling down after you hit 90 and getting tighter.

I like mine a good ways past 90. More comfortable to me.

 

[Peterk1234]

Peterk1234 you chomping at the bit to hunt?

Can you tell? I was watching the Sept 15th hunting thread on Bowsite/MA with great interest yesterday. Maybe next year I will have it all together and will get a CT license. I am spending most of my time trying to perfect the setup and scouting new areas. BTW, I see another Massachusetts mini saddlepallooza happening, given all the interest in saddles. Pete

 

[Drslyr]

When and where Pete. I didn't see it? Dam I can bring all my new gear to showoff.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

Can platforms be adjusted for angled trees or do you just deal with it? Thx Pete

Predator platforms are easily adjustable on leaners.
And I have at least a dozen traditional style hang-on stands that I plan to saddle hunt from. I have converted all my traditional stands from cable to chain so the platform can be leveled. Works really well. My old Screaming Eagle stands came with turn buckles incorporated in the cables and they were very adjustable. But after many years of hanging in trees, their cables started to rust so I converted them to chain.

 

[Peterk1234]

When and where Pete. I didn't see it? Dam I can bring all my new gear to showoff.

Well I just read my ambiguous comment. Meant that we need to set one up.

 

[Tapeworm]

Predator platforms are easily adjustable on leaners.
And I have at least a dozen traditional style hang-on stands that I plan to saddle hunt from. I have converted all my traditional stands from cable to chain so the platform can be leveled. Works really well. My old Screaming Eagle stands came with turn buckles incorporated in the cables and they were very adjustable. But after many years of hanging in trees, their cables started to rust so I converted them to chain.

For traditional stands u can use Amsteel adjustable loops in place of fixed cables. Would be quieter & lighter than chains.

I’m gonna do it on a Millennium & an 8.3lb Assault

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[Allegheny Tom]

For traditional stands u can use Amsteel adjustable loops in place of fixed cables. Would be quieter & lighter than chains.

I’m gonna do it on a Millennium & an 8.3lb Assault

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I like my rubber coated chains but I REALLY like the Amsteel idea.
Is there any downside to using it?

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[BayouBeauxhunter]

Anybody having problems with the sole of their boot catching the runs of the platform while sliding feet and making noise? Wasn’t having problems with tennis shoes but when I practiced with boots I kept catching the runs. Anything y’all did to solve it? I was think industrial strength Velcro

 

[swampsnyper]

I had suggested a dab silicone caulk but I like the J-B Weld idea better

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Me too

 

[swampsnyper]

Anybody having problems with the sole of their boot catching the runs of the platform while sliding feet and making noise? Wasn’t having problems with tennis shoes but when I practiced with boots I kept catching the runs. Anything y’all did to solve it? I was think industrial strength Velcro

I plan to camo form the post and platform like I did with my xop platform.

 

[Tapeworm]

I like my rubber coated chains but I REALLY like the Amsteel idea.
Is there any downside to using it?

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I haven’t done it yet but read some threads on different forums

1/8” amsteel blue was used in several examples & had demonstrated well with its size/strength

Seemed like all positive improvements:
-easily adjustable
-verrrrrrrry light
-silent
-won’t rust
-can extend an i-bolt out from platform as attachment pt in order to gain an extra inch or so on each side for foot clearance
-as difficult as amsteel is to cut, I don’t see how it could accidentally be cut while in stand (much less both sides at one time)




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[Allegheny Tom]

I haven’t done it yet but read some threads on different forums

1/8” amsteel blue was used in several examples & had demonstrated well with its size/strength

Seemed like all positive improvements:
-easily adjustable
-verrrrrrrry light
-silent
-won’t rust
-can extend an i-bolt out from platform as attachment pt in order to gain an extra inch or so on each side for foot clearance
-as difficult as amsteel is to cut, I don’t see how it could accidentally be cut while in stand (much less both sides at one time)




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I'm sure this has been discussed in one thread or another, but what is the UV/weather resistance of Amsteel? 95% of my traditional platforms are pre-sets that stay up for several months at a time. How does Amsteel hold up under those conditions.

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[enkriss]

I haven’t done it yet but read some threads on different forums

1/8” amsteel blue was used in several examples & had demonstrated well with its size/strength

Seemed like all positive improvements:
-easily adjustable
-verrrrrrrry light
-silent
-won’t rust
-can extend an i-bolt out from platform as attachment pt in order to gain an extra inch or so on each side for foot clearance
-as difficult as amsteel is to cut, I don’t see how it could accidentally be cut while in stand (much less both sides at one time)




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Its interesting for sure. It would allow me to put a longer seatpost on my assault while still having platform leveling...hmmm

Amsteel is winch line so not concerned about its strength. Only concern I have is what happens when you dont have both sides adjusted the same? wouldnt that twist the stand putting a ton of pressure on the bolt/attachment point for the platform to seatpost?

 

[Tapeworm]

Its interesting for sure. It would allow me to put a longer seatpost on my assault while still having platform leveling...hmmm

Amsteel is winch line so not concerned about its strength. Only concern I have is what happens when you dont have both sides adjusted the same? wouldnt that twist the stand putting a ton of pressure on the bolt/attachment point for the platform to seatpost?

I’m sure it would but I guess I would just sit down, lift up my feet & adjust one of the loops

Could mark the ropes and make sure each one is at the same mark when set


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[Allegheny Tom]

Only concern I have is what happens when you dont have both sides adjusted the same? wouldnt that twist the stand putting a ton of pressure on the bolt/attachment point for the platform to seatpost?

The same concept applies to adjustable cables (with turn buckles) or chains. Just lowering the platform to the user position usually shows if one side is loose, but even if it doesn't, the minute any weight is put on the stand, any imbalance is very evident and I quickly adjust it.

Like I said earlier, I've converted all my stands from cable to rubber coated chain and it's reasonably easy to adjust the chain length and level the platform while in the tree. No need for tools...just pick the appropriate chain link to run the carabiner thru. But a turn buckle incorporated in a cable is even easier to fine tune adjust than the chain...I just got leery of rusty cables so I switched to chain. BTW, anyone who is thinking of adding turnbuckles, make sure you buy the open body style of turnbuckle so you can see how much male thread you have remaining in the body. With closed body turnbuckles you can't see and could possibly unscrew too far. Screaming Eagle used to put a dab of weld on the very end of the male threads so they couldn't be unscrewed past a point of safe holding.
But the Amsteel mod looks like it has the best of all worlds. I just wonder how well Amsteel holds up to the elements when left out for months on end.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

I’m sure it would but I guess I would just sit down, lift up my feet & adjust one of the loops

Could mark the ropes and make sure each one is at the same mark when set


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No 2 trees are alike. They all have their quirks which can make getting a solid hang a real challenge.
Some tree leans require a very slight difference in adjustment from one side to the other side. Not a major difference in adj. But often, one side is not identical to the other side.
Hang the stand, fold it down and pull down with a little hand pressure along the front. It should be very evident if a side needs fine tuned.

I'm very close to tossing away my old conventional harness and use only a saddle no matter what type of foot support I am using.
I've come to realize that a saddle is light years ahead for ease of hanging traditional hang on stands. Use the saddle lineman belt to climb, but when you get to the height where the stand is to be hung, switch to tether attachment. That alone makes the operation much easier because there is no lineman belt in the way. It will be easier to quickly adjust your position, up, down, or side to side in order to set and adjust the stand. And it 100 times more comfortable with the tether because your weight is devided between your butt and your feet. With a lineman belt you are forced to stand on 2 steps throughout the entire hanging operation. And anyone who has hung a few stands already knows...it doesn't always go fast and easy. MUCH LESS effort required when attached via the tether.
Plus, wearing a saddle when hunting out of a traditional stand takes advantage of 360 degree shooting. We've recently started clearing shooting lanes on the back side of trees that we've hunted for years. We never even considered the possibility of shooting in some directions in the past. Really, regardless of what type of foot system you use, with a saddle, there is no such thing as the unshootable back side of the tree.

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[Tapeworm]

The same concept applies to adjustable cables (with turn buckles) or chains. Just lowering the platform to the user position usually shows if one side is loose, but even if it doesn't, the minute any weight is put on the stand, any imbalance is very evident and I quickly adjust it.

Like I said earlier, I've converted all my stands from cable to rubber coated chain and it's reasonably easy to adjust the chain length and level the platform while in the tree. No need for tools...just pick the appropriate chain link to run the carabiner thru. But a turn buckle incorporated in a cable is even easier to fine tune adjust than the chain...I just got leery of rusty cables so I switched to chain. BTW, anyone who is thinking of adding turnbuckles, make sure you buy the open body style of turnbuckle so you can see how much male thread you have remaining in the body. With closed body turnbuckles you can't see and could possibly unscrew too far. Screaming Eagle used to put a dab of weld on the very end of the male threads so they couldn't be unscrewed past a point of safe holding.
But the Amsteel mod looks like it has the best of all worlds. I just wonder how well Amsteel holds up to the elements when left out for months on end.

I’ll try to find an old reference to see if any time period of being left in the woods is given




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