Chistavocat
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2015
- Messages
- 545
My predator experience so far.....
Noise
I did a few things, all suggestions from others, to quiet the pings and creaks. First and foremost I glued a square of tubular webbing to the post where it contacts the leveling screw. Major improvement but I still had some noise when shifting just right. Bow string wax on the pivot bolt on the inside of the post (it’s a tight fit) and nylon washers on the bolt and nut sides cured that noise. I also added wax to both sides of the tapered washers, although I don’t believe any noise was coming from them. So far I can’t get it to make a peep.
Performance
I love the size and the weight. I’m not a big guy so I’m not overly concerned with the bit of flex it has. I’m working on the best method to get it into the tree but it looks like I will be climbing with my pack on and be able to pull it out of the “wings” with one hand and without having to remove the pack. One less thing to pull up the tree and this will allow me to store my tether, accessory strap/hooks, and pull rope in my packs waist belt pouches and not on the saddle. The weight adds up fast hanging from your rear.
Aside from a little practice, my one and only hunt was from a perfect basketball sized tree. I want to believe you can shoot 360 from just the platform but I’m having a hard time with the 11-1 0clock shot, particularly from the right-weak side- right handed shooter. Without your tether/bridge set up for a upright leaner, I tend to swing. Im not sure the tether/bridge length is something I want to mess with before setting up for a shot. I’m not trusting the “toe hook” to stop me with rubber boots on when my attention is focused on an approaching deer, trying to limit movement and noise. Even with a tight tether I’m not 100% sold on being controlled with my movements. With that said, I’m more of a sitter and really missed the ability to 1) move to the side opposite an approaching deer with any stability or move to the side just for a change with a simple rotation of the tether 2) stretch my legs or leg to the side of the tree and rest it there 3) stratal the tree without my feet directly under me and 4) I found it hard to keep my knees on the tree with my feet so close together-often with a ring of steps I would place one knee on the tree and extend one leg to the side of the tree and periodically switch, without moving or fighting the tether. Like I said, I haven’t used it much (my first platform) but overall I felt a little cramped and uncontrolled. I can see the benefits of the shots behind you with less movement but previously would twist and lean into the saddle.
Maybe I’m just a ring of steps guy but here is what I’m going to try next. If this doesn’t work out and it comes down to one or the other I’m choosing the one I’m most comfortable and confident with.
Anyone doing this????!
The only problem I haven’t solved with this is how to pack and unpack them quietly. They make a bunch of noise if they hit the platform-way more than them hitting on each other-and with less control. If I end up liking this I will have to cover the steps with something-stealth strips or camo form - or find a way to restrict their movement on the strap.
Any thoughts, positive and negative?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Noise
I did a few things, all suggestions from others, to quiet the pings and creaks. First and foremost I glued a square of tubular webbing to the post where it contacts the leveling screw. Major improvement but I still had some noise when shifting just right. Bow string wax on the pivot bolt on the inside of the post (it’s a tight fit) and nylon washers on the bolt and nut sides cured that noise. I also added wax to both sides of the tapered washers, although I don’t believe any noise was coming from them. So far I can’t get it to make a peep.
Performance
I love the size and the weight. I’m not a big guy so I’m not overly concerned with the bit of flex it has. I’m working on the best method to get it into the tree but it looks like I will be climbing with my pack on and be able to pull it out of the “wings” with one hand and without having to remove the pack. One less thing to pull up the tree and this will allow me to store my tether, accessory strap/hooks, and pull rope in my packs waist belt pouches and not on the saddle. The weight adds up fast hanging from your rear.
Aside from a little practice, my one and only hunt was from a perfect basketball sized tree. I want to believe you can shoot 360 from just the platform but I’m having a hard time with the 11-1 0clock shot, particularly from the right-weak side- right handed shooter. Without your tether/bridge set up for a upright leaner, I tend to swing. Im not sure the tether/bridge length is something I want to mess with before setting up for a shot. I’m not trusting the “toe hook” to stop me with rubber boots on when my attention is focused on an approaching deer, trying to limit movement and noise. Even with a tight tether I’m not 100% sold on being controlled with my movements. With that said, I’m more of a sitter and really missed the ability to 1) move to the side opposite an approaching deer with any stability or move to the side just for a change with a simple rotation of the tether 2) stretch my legs or leg to the side of the tree and rest it there 3) stratal the tree without my feet directly under me and 4) I found it hard to keep my knees on the tree with my feet so close together-often with a ring of steps I would place one knee on the tree and extend one leg to the side of the tree and periodically switch, without moving or fighting the tether. Like I said, I haven’t used it much (my first platform) but overall I felt a little cramped and uncontrolled. I can see the benefits of the shots behind you with less movement but previously would twist and lean into the saddle.
Maybe I’m just a ring of steps guy but here is what I’m going to try next. If this doesn’t work out and it comes down to one or the other I’m choosing the one I’m most comfortable and confident with.
Anyone doing this????!
The only problem I haven’t solved with this is how to pack and unpack them quietly. They make a bunch of noise if they hit the platform-way more than them hitting on each other-and with less control. If I end up liking this I will have to cover the steps with something-stealth strips or camo form - or find a way to restrict their movement on the strap.
Any thoughts, positive and negative?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk