Official Predator Platform review thread!!

[Lastcast#2]

For whats its worth I have been hunting out of a saddle for 5 years. I began bowhunting 5 years ago as well. Quick review.

Predator has performed as advertised for me. Took it apart, waxed it up, quick paint job, and about 36 hours hunting out of it so far.

Strap sucks and should be recalled!

For those who have never saddle hunted before and just getting started, man have you got it good!

For me the platform offers a level of comfort off the charts, and most importantly, less movement and less noise.

Rock solid and easy to deploy. I treat it with care however, with the same caution as putting on a stick, or strap on step, screw in.

Awesome job Tethrd.
My lg Mantis is on the way. Cant wait to check it out.

Good luck this season

Chad

 

[Bigshootnsuly]

For whats its worth I have been hunting out of a saddle for 5 years. I began bowhunting 5 years ago as well. Quick review.

Predator has performed as advertised for me. Took it apart, waxed it up, quick paint job, and about 36 hours hunting out of it so far.

Strap sucks and should be recalled!

For those who have never saddle hunted before and just getting started, man have you got it good!

For me the platform offers a level of comfort off the charts, and most importantly, less movement and less noise.

Rock solid and easy to deploy. I treat it with care however, with the same caution as putting on a stick, or strap on step, screw in.

Awesome job Tethrd.
My lg Mantis is on the way. Cant wait to check it out.

Good luck this season

Chad

I agree about the strap. Been waiting to hear what happens cause I heard Ernie had a fix for it, I assume new strap or buckle or both. I see in G2’s new video his strap buckle isn’t black like the one they shipped with mine so maybe they made a change.

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[swampsnyper]

Welcome to my world. I'm an elected City Councilman that has council and special meetings all the time. I thought I would do my civil duties for a short period of time and have now been on the Council since 2011.

Jury Duty isn't that bad and it's typically only once every few years.

I just had Greg and Ernie up for the weekend showing me the final production Mantis and Predator platform and I'm very impressed as they did a phenomenal job getting Tethrd up and rolling and without question the Mantis is the lightest and most minimalist saddle ever made commercially.

The Predator blew me away at how compact and light it was. It will actually fit in a medium sized backpack with all your other undergarments and gear. We also did a Facebook live show yesterday afternoon in the cab of their rental truck and it's on the Tethrd Facebook page and will be on mine as well once they send the link.

Great job Ernie and Greg

So are you swapping over to a Mantis?

 

[TonyGreenway]

Alright, I've spent enough time on my Predator to feel confident in my review. Remember, I'm a newbie, so take what I say with a grain of salt. This is purely my opinion, and may or may not be helpful, or similar to the experiences of others.

I spent about 1.5 hours on my Mantis a few days after I got it, and noticed a slight pop or creak when I would side load it. I glued a small, square piece of tubular webbing onto the post at the point of contact for the adjustment bolt. I also waxed one side of each tapered washer and the hinge bolt. (I only waxed the side that is supposed to slide on each washer, leaving the other side dry so it could grip and move the washer properly.)

Since then, I have hunted numerous times, with a couple 5+ hour sits. I have yet to hear a single noise from my Predator. I had deer all over me on Monday, and had to turn, pivot, and even completely stand up on my Predator while does and fawns were all around and under me, and they never knew I was there.

The Predator is crazy light, and so easy to install, it's ridiculous. I was up the tree with my spurs, and standing on a rock solid platform in less than two minutes. That's climbing AND setting the platform. This thing is amazing!

I am 6'2" and 240 pounds with a size 14 boot. I had plenty of room for comfortable maneuvering and sitting still. I never felt I needed a larger platform surface area for my feet. The Predator is also PLENTY strong enough. I never felt even remotely that it was at risk of breaking. I even stood with my feet on the very edge to see how much flex was in it. SOLID!

The Mantis and Predator combo are unbeatable, and I haven't even received my sewn accessories yet. (They shipped yesterday.) I absolutely LOVE the entire package. Thanks again, Tethrd! You guys knocked this one right out of the park!!!

 

[bigjoe]

 

[bigjoe]

This is a size 14 against on the Predator. I know boat shoes, clown shoes etc. lol

 

[vabwhntr]

This is a size 14 against on the Predator. I know boat shoes, clown shoes etc. lol

You might want to get some longer pants

 

[bigjoe]

Pants are fine in length. I pull them up due to the knee pads when climbing.


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[Allegheny Tom]

Wasn't sure which thread to post this...
One thing about the Predator that could be an issue from time to time is the length of the strap. Its probably long enough for 95% of the trees we hunt but if you need to be in one of those 5% trees, then what do you do when you run and gun and climb up to 20 feet and realize you are a few inches short (yeah, I know...sounds like a personal problem lol).
Since more and more of us are trying bolts, we can climb the largest of trees but our Predator strap is too short to hunt larger trees.
I realized I wanted a strap extension that was light and quiet (no buckles).
My solution...carry a short piece of 1/4" Amsteel that has a permanent loop on one end and prepare a whoopie bury if and when you need it. A whoopie is so fricken easy and fast to make...even when hanging on the side of a tree. The issue I find with a whoopie is sometimes the location of the bury needs changed. A little fid made from a 2117 arrow shaft is the ticket. It easily fits INSIDE of 1/4" Amsteel so the rope makes a nice little storage keeper until needed.
I think that carrying a spare piece of Amsteel is probably a good idea anyway. Issues pop up from time to time when we need some rope. Storing a little fid inside the rope allows us to make a quick bury on the fly.

To make a strap extension, just cinch the Amsteel loop through the Predator loop and hook the whoopie loop over the button. Adjust the set with the Predator buckle just as you normally would without the extension.

2117 arrow piece is the perfect fid for 1/4"

You can easily stuff the entire fid into the rope so it doesn't get lost and is easily accessibleI put the entire for into the rope. This pic with the end sticking out is just for the photo. It's easy to pull the fid out when I need it.

I wrap up the rope around the fid bury and stuff it in the bottom of my pack. I'll probably seldom need it, but for those few times when I do need it, I have it. Lots of on-the-fly uses for strong rope...may as well carry a piece.

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[Jason Cuckler]

Mine has worked amazingly well. I love the extra points on the ends for angled off side shots. Hit a doe but couldn’t recover her. Still waiting on a full kill from the Predator. Performance is as advertised super light in my pack and easy setup.

 

[onestringer]

I bought a predator off the classified section. Without a doubt this is the second most essential piece of equipment if a newbie wants to saddle hunt. The first being ropeman’s. First time in a tree with it was a morning hunt setting up before light. Easy as pie. Rock solid and for a newbie like me way easier to maneuver around than a ring is steps. If you are new to saddle hunting. You need to order a predator today.


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[Allegheny Tom]

I bought a predator off the classified section. Without a doubt this is the second most essential piece of equipment if a newbie wants to saddle hunt. The first being ropeman’s. First time in a tree with it was a morning hunt setting up before light. Easy as pie. Rock solid and for a newbie like me way easier to maneuver around than a ring is steps. If you are new to saddle hunting. You need to order a predator today.


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This^^^^

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[pilgrimhunter]

Wasn't sure which thread to post this...
One thing about the Predator that could be an issue from time to time is the length of the strap. Its probably long enough for 95% of the trees we hunt but if you need to be in one of those 5% trees, then what do you do when you run and gun and climb up to 20 feet and realize you are a few inches short (yeah, I know...sounds like a personal problem lol).
Since more and more of us are trying bolts, we can climb the largest of trees but our Predator strap is too short to hunt larger trees.
I realized I wanted a strap extension that was light and quiet (no buckles).
My solution...carry a short piece of 1/4" Amsteel that has a permanent loop on one end and prepare a whoopie bury if and when you need it. A whoopie is so fricken easy and fast to make...even when hanging on the side of a tree. The issue I find with a whoopie is sometimes the location of the bury needs changed. A little fid made from a 2117 arrow shaft is the ticket. It easily fits INSIDE of 1/4" Amsteel so the rope makes a nice little storage keeper until needed.
I think that carrying a spare piece of Amsteel is probably a good idea anyway. Issues pop up from time to time when we need some rope. Storing a little fid inside the rope allows us to make a quick bury on the fly.

To make a strap extension, just cinch the Amsteel loop through the Predator loop and hook the whoopie loop over the button. Adjust the set with the Predator buckle just as you normally would without the extension.

2117 arrow piece is the perfect fid for 1/4"

You can easily stuff the entire fid into the rope so it doesn't get lost and is easily accessibleI put the entire for into the rope. This pic with the end sticking out is just for the photo. It's easy to pull the fid out when I need it.

I wrap up the rope around the fid bury and stuff it in the bottom of my pack. I'll probably seldom need it, but for those few times when I do need it, I have it. Lots of on-the-fly uses for strong rope...may as well carry a piece.

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Why not make a 12" length (length could vary) with a fixed loop on both ends. Girth hitch one end to your strap and the other goes over the versa button. You would still use your strap to adjust tention. Or maybe I miss understood what you were trying to accomplish......

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[Allegheny Tom]

Why not make a 12" length (length could vary) with a fixed loop on both ends. Girth hitch one end to your strap and the other goes over the versa button. You would still use your strap to adjust tention. Or maybe I miss understood what you were trying to accomplish......

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Because a ~4 foot whoopie is not necessarily dedicated to being a strap extension. I can use that piece of rope for other purposes if the unlikely need arises. Any length with fixed loops on each end pretty much means that is what you have.
A whoopie can made, un-made, and changed on the fly in about 1 minute (probably 30 seconds). I'm just trying to be versatile. I like things that can serve multiple purposes.

Regardless of what type of loops or bury, carrying a small, compact extension for the Predator is a good idea.

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[denots]

Why not make a 12" length (length could vary) with a fixed loop on both ends. Girth hitch one end to your strap and the other goes over the versa button. You would still use your strap to adjust tention. Or maybe I miss understood what you were trying to accomplish......

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This is exactly what I do. It's a very simple solution to a very simple problem. The whoopie sling affords adjustability on your strap and on the amsteel, but I thought that was just more than necessary. I did make mine about 18 inches it might even be a solid two feet. I'm not sure but it's more than enough. It can also be added to a stick on the bottom rope if you have a really wide base on your tree.

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[pilgrimhunter]

Because a ~4 foot whoopie is not necessarily dedicated to being a strap extension. I can use that piece of rope for other purposes if the unlikely need arises. Any length with fixed loops on each end pretty much means that is what you have.
A whoopie can made, un-made, and changed on the fly in about 1 minute (probably 30 seconds). I'm just trying to be versatile. I like things that can serve multiple purposes.

Regardless of what type of loops or bury, carrying a small, compact extension for the Predator is a good idea.

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Makes good sense.

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[Allegheny Tom]

This is exactly what I do. It's a very simple solution to a very simple problem. The whoopie sling affords adjustability on your strap and on the amsteel, but I thought that was just more than necessary. I did make mine about 18 inches it might even be a solid two feet. I'm not sure but it's more than enough. It can also be added to a stick on the bottom rope if you have a really wide base on your tree.

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What other tasks can you use a double fixed loop for that a whoopie can't be used for? You are stuck with the length you made your fixed rope.
A whoopie is versatile... a fixed loop...not as much.
Must be the old boy scout in me...Be Prepared.

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[Squirrels]

I ordered some dynemma from ebay (50 foot generic, x-bull). I made ropes for my four sticks, and had some left over. So I made a woopie sling for same reasons as Tom. Can be used as a strap extensioin. Second linemans belt to get around limbs or just as a backup. Lots of uses.

 

[Sean.Moni]

Wasn't sure which thread to post this...
One thing about the Predator that could be an issue from time to time is the length of the strap. Its probably long enough for 95% of the trees we hunt but if you need to be in one of those 5% trees, then what do you do when you run and gun and climb up to 20 feet and realize you are a few inches short (yeah, I know...sounds like a personal problem lol).
Since more and more of us are trying bolts, we can climb the largest of trees but our Predator strap is too short to hunt larger trees.
I realized I wanted a strap extension that was light and quiet (no buckles).
My solution...carry a short piece of 1/4" Amsteel that has a permanent loop on one end and prepare a whoopie bury if and when you need it. A whoopie is so fricken easy and fast to make...even when hanging on the side of a tree. The issue I find with a whoopie is sometimes the location of the bury needs changed. A little fid made from a 2117 arrow shaft is the ticket. It easily fits INSIDE of 1/4" Amsteel so the rope makes a nice little storage keeper until needed.
I think that carrying a spare piece of Amsteel is probably a good idea anyway. Issues pop up from time to time when we need some rope. Storing a little fid inside the rope allows us to make a quick bury on the fly.

To make a strap extension, just cinch the Amsteel loop through the Predator loop and hook the whoopie loop over the button. Adjust the set with the Predator buckle just as you normally would without the extension.

2117 arrow piece is the perfect fid for 1/4"

You can easily stuff the entire fid into the rope so it doesn't get lost and is easily accessibleI put the entire for into the rope. This pic with the end sticking out is just for the photo. It's easy to pull the fid out when I need it.

I wrap up the rope around the fid bury and stuff it in the bottom of my pack. I'll probably seldom need it, but for those few times when I do need it, I have it. Lots of on-the-fly uses for strong rope...may as well carry a piece.

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Oooooor you could just buy a LW extension strap for $10.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

Oooooor you could just buy a LW extension strap for $10.

And do exactly what else with it besides its intended purpose as strictly an extension??
Hey, do what you want. I know that an Amsteel whoopie is the best, all-around, multi tasking solution for a strap extender. That's what I'm carrying into the woods.
I can do other stuff with a ~4 foot piece of Amsteel...certainly more than I can do with a short piece of webbing.

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