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Official Predator Platform review thread!!

I figure I have few more weeks so all the gear can ship together.


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After countless dry runs up and down a practice tree. Digging the Predator and my new spliced eye lineman and tree tether, I couldn't help myself! I did some silencing modifications to the Predator. Using McNett Tactical Camo Form Protective Camouflage Wrap, I wrapped the shaft and the outside edge of the Predator. I tripled up with Camo Form where the shaft meets the stopper bolt. Further, I added the go to rubber tube to silence the buckle. After more tree climbing and setting up, it's ninja quiet!! I also sewed a silencing sleeve of camo fleece over the nylon material in the backpack I intend to use. The Predator slips in out without a sound....that's what she said!!
 
I like it. Gotta play with it a bit to figure out how tight I need to get it so my weight doesn’t pull the bracket away from the tree, and without breaking it. Surprising foot room for size 14’s, and nowhere near as much flex as I was expecting.

4bb7a1914e7e357f0f0098f6f627fd0b.jpg



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Jonny said:
I like it. Gotta play with it a bit to figure out how tight I need to get it so my weight doesn’t pull the bracket away from the tree, and without breaking it. Surprising foot room for size 14’s, and nowhere near as much flex as I was expecting.

4bb7a1914e7e357f0f0098f6f627fd0b.jpg



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Click to expand...
I thought I liked you before. Now that I see your crocs I know you'll fit in here. :grinning:
 
flinginairos said:
I’m actually just using the old prototype right now with a LW strap. I don’t have the new strap. Wish I did so I could help you out. Reach out to Ernie I’m sure he will take care of you. He’s super busy I know but I’m sure he will help


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Click to expand...
I’ve been playing with my predator have managed to intentionally get the spring to catch a couple times but never when actually hanging it. It is definitely the strap not the buckle causing it. I tried sanding the thing smooth with an orbital sander. It got smooth but would still catch. It wasn’t so much the sharp edge(though I’m sure it didn’t help) but the fact that the loop of thread in the strap can go over the spring. I could not get it to bend far enough that I couldn’t make it catch. Then I figured If I could fill in the little gap Between the buckle and the strap a loop of thread couldn’t get caught. I used jb weld. Super glue would probably work as well. As long as the jb weld holds I absolutely can not make it catch at all. Here’s a picture of what I did. A8851661-B193-450C-A5B8-3646A77E78FF.jpeg
And here is another of the strap. It’s not a great picture but you can see how loose the weave is. It looks tight when flat but when you bend it like it does in the cam buckle it opens up.
2388A4A5-77B5-4CDF-99F6-4C9B7FA14273.jpeg
Ok so that’s a bad picture but you get the point.

By the way I set it on a tree yesterday evening and I think it’s going to be awesome.
 
Here is a VERY short video (6 sec.) demonstrating how the spring snags the strap. You can see it bury into the fibers as I tighten. If I had continued, it would have pulled the fibers out.
 
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I've found that it doesn't happen when I put the buckle on the left side of the platform. That orientation has the spring on the bottom, and the strap naturally rides to the top as you cinch it tight. You can also just make sure there's clearance between the spring and strap, and that the strap is level (horizontal) before cinching. It won't snag much in the camming action, mostly the cinching.
 
What type of adhesive are people using to glue a strip of rubber bicycle tire to the Predator where the adjustable bolt touches?



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EricS said:
I’ve been playing with my predator have managed to intentionally get the spring to catch a couple times but never when actually hanging it. It is definitely the strap not the buckle causing it. I tried sanding the thing smooth with an orbital sander. It got smooth but would still catch. It wasn’t so much the sharp edge(though I’m sure it didn’t help) but the fact that the loop of thread in the strap can go over the spring. I could not get it to bend far enough that I couldn’t make it catch. Then I figured If I could fill in the little gap Between the buckle and the strap a loop of thread couldn’t get caught. I used jb weld. Super glue would probably work as well. As long as the jb weld holds I absolutely can not make it catch at all. Here’s a picture of what I did. View attachment 6318
And here is another of the strap. It’s not a great picture but you can see how loose the weave is. It looks tight when flat but when you bend it like it does in the cam buckle it opens up.
View attachment 6319
Ok so that’s a bad picture but you get the point.

By the way I set it on a tree yesterday evening and I think it’s going to be awesome.
Click to expand...
I had suggested a dab silicone caulk but I like the J-B Weld idea better

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Tek said:
What type of adhesive are people using to glue a strip of rubber bicycle tire to the Predator where the adjustable bolt touches?



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I used the gel super glue, but put stealth strips on first. I put a penny where the bolt hits so it doesn’t dent the post. I’m a big guy so I had a full ring on the post after standing on it for a minute.

I also used webbing instead of bike tubing. Didn’t have any tubing but had webbing. See how it holds up.

Stole the idea from nut buster @Nutterbuster
 
EricS said:
I’ve been playing with my predator have managed to intentionally get the spring to catch a couple times but never when actually hanging it. It is definitely the strap not the buckle causing it. I tried sanding the thing smooth with an orbital sander. It got smooth but would still catch. It wasn’t so much the sharp edge(though I’m sure it didn’t help) but the fact that the loop of thread in the strap can go over the spring. I could not get it to bend far enough that I couldn’t make it catch. Then I figured If I could fill in the little gap Between the buckle and the strap a loop of thread couldn’t get caught. I used jb weld. Super glue would probably work as well. As long as the jb weld holds I absolutely can not make it catch at all. Here’s a picture of what I did. View attachment 6318
And here is another of the strap. It’s not a great picture but you can see how loose the weave is. It looks tight when flat but when you bend it like it does in the cam buckle it opens up.
View attachment 6319
Ok so that’s a bad picture but you get the point.

By the way I set it on a tree yesterday evening and I think it’s going to be awesome.
Click to expand...

I reported the issue a while back to tethrd and Ernie emailed and told me to call him. He thought it was the webbing as well and wanted to send me a replacement to test and beat on. After a week or two I emailed again and asked about it cause I want to use it and was thinking of trying to bed the spring end. He replied he had found the issue and was working on correcting it. No clue what that means. Do I get a replacement? Not sure. In a holding pattern I guess, I will see what comes of it if anything.


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Bigshootnsuly said:
I reported the issue a while back to tethrd and Ernie emailed and told me to call him. He thought it was the webbing as well and wanted to send me a replacement to test and beat on. After a week or two I emailed again and asked about it cause I want to use it and was thinking of trying to bed the spring end. He replied he had found the issue and was working on correcting it. No clue what that means. Do I get a replacement? Not sure. In a holding pattern I guess, I will see what comes of it if anything.


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Click to expand...
Man get out there and use it. If the strap doesn’t work for you use a lone wolf. If you don’t have one use a ratchet strap and just run the webbing below the versa button so it can’t slide past it. Don’t get me wrong your issue needs resolving but I would use it now and wait on Ernie
 
Got mine today and it is as advertised. Can't believe how light it is. Got a tether as well. Very nice!!. First thought was ..ok how am I getting this to the tree? Fits like a glove in my Badlands Recon. Second thought..how am I getting it up the tree? I'm using a ropeman so I took the prussic off of the tether and ran it thru the center molle loop on my Kite. Doesn't bang into my sticks so this will work for now.
4845483c0d8cc35529b7c07e3e14e373.jpg


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Used the predator for about 3.5 hours yesterday. It’s hard tell from the picture but this is a heavy leaner. It held well and didn’t make a sound. I pulled my the card on my camera before climbing up the tree. No deer before 6pm and it was a morning sit. Did have a coyote come in at about my 2:00 position. I was able to make the move without being seen. He did wind me about the time I was hooking my release up. I disassembled when I got it and put bow was on all the moving parts. I also wrapped the post in camo form to quite nit when folded. 9050C0F4-C4A1-4902-B787-2D058F2D02BA.jpeg
 
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