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Platform for larger fella

jimbo

Active Member
Oct 23, 2020
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In the market for a platform money isn't really an issue so what do you guys recommend this would be my first platform I've exclusively been using ring of steps and my only experience is the ewo up so what do you guys recommend for a guy 265 6' size 12 boot I was looking in to the lwcg ambush there's one in thee classifieds that looks appealing and a mission but I don't know yet
 

Ted Otten

Member
Oct 15, 2017
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We’re about the same size, I used the predator this season. Previous seasons were diy platforms and a ROS. I had no problem with it at all. Late season in MI I had some bigger boots on and was a little more mindful of turning around on the platform but I didn’t need more.


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boyne bowhunter

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Aug 17, 2016
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NW Michigan
I'm 6', 230s with a size 13 boot. I used the Trophyline EDP all year and loved it. I thought it gave me a good compromise between packability and foot room. It locks to the tree as well as any platform I've used.
 
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jimbo

Active Member
Oct 23, 2020
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That's awesome thanks for the input guys I wish there was a store you could go to that had multiple platforms mocked up and you could try before you buy lol
 
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Exhumis

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SH Member
Mar 12, 2019
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6’1”, 225ish over here with size 12 boot and I use a Ridge Runner. They make an XL as well but I’ve found the regular RR to have more than enough room. I can stand in place and rotate 360 degrees no problem. If you’re wanting to try one sticking I’d recommend the EWO/OOAL Monarch. If you stick it on an EWO stick the stand offs push it away from the tree enough that you have plenty of room for activities.
 
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Exhumis

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Mar 12, 2019
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Northern Virginia
That's awesome thanks for the input guys I wish there was a store you could go to that had multiple platforms mocked up and you could try before you buy lol
Try to find some saddlers near you and see what they use. Or find a meet up.
 

jimbo

Active Member
Oct 23, 2020
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6’1”, 225ish over here with size 12 boot and I use a Ridge Runner. They make an XL as well but I’ve found the regular RR to have more than enough room. I can stand in place and rotate 360 degrees no problem. If you’re wanting to try one sticking I’d recommend the EWO/OOAL Monarch. If you stick it on an EWO stick the stand offs push it away from the tree enough that you have plenty of room for activities.
Yea I'm coming from one sticking to sticks and a platform I liked one sticking but just not ideal for me I had the ewo with up
 

VASteve

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Feb 10, 2020
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Southwest Virginia
I am 6' 230 with size 12's (13 in the alpha burlys). My first year I used the standard predator and thought it was good enough. Then I bought a predator XL, and it is so much better (used it all season and never touched the original). I am now, also, looking at that Ambush that is in the classifieds, and wish I could see a picture of the pred XL on top of the Ambush to see how they measure up to each other. Not quite sure if it is worth the extra $ and .75 lbs.
 
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bowhuntr09

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SH Member
Jul 28, 2018
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Midlothian, VA
I’m 6’1” @ 260 and I have used them all. I currently own a Predator, Mission, and EDP. If I had to just pick one it would be the EDP.
 
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Bigterp

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Sep 11, 2017
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I’m 6’1” @ 260 and I have used them all. I currently own a Predator, Mission, and EDP. If I had to just pick one it would be the EDP.
Agree owned all of the above plus a few more. I now only have EDP & a spare as its backup. 6’6” 275 plenty of usable space. That ambush is the only other close runner up. But size/space of edp won me over. LWCG is supposed to release a platform smaller than the ambush, we’ll see if that happens around ATA
 

Oklahoma33

Member
Oct 23, 2019
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6’8 270, I run the ambush from LWCG. I really like it after they fixed the issues AFTER I bought it lol


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John 35

Well-Known Member
May 19, 2021
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I tried the tree hopper platform first and it could be difficult to turn around on due to its size. I got a edp which I believe is about 13 x13 which made turning around a lot easier. It also has the batwing stand off which I’ve always liked.
 

1simplemann

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SH Member
Sep 6, 2014
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I'm 5'11" 230 lbs. size 11 boot. I have two Ambush's. I hate sharp edges om anything I work with so I spent a lot of time filing them all down. They are good to go now but IMO a company should never send out a product that could cut you so easily. The platform size is almost ideal for standing and turning around to shoot the weak side shot. Sometimes I even stand and lean against the tree. I will say this though. The Predator is easier to cam over into the tree. When I used it, I almost always got it right the 1st time. I'm assuming the XL would be the same. The Ambush is kinda tricky to get it just right. I do hunt very large trees (20-24" in diameter) and the Ambush cams much better on normal size trees.
 
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jimbo

Active Member
Oct 23, 2020
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Thanks for all the input I think I'm going with the mission I wanna try a little larger platform and think that it would be a good one to try so thank you guys and this thread can be closed now thank you all
 

TCaltagirone

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Jan 27, 2019
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Its my ambush in the classifieds haha if yall have any questions feel free to reach out! Its the newest one with the edges smoothed out and angled teeth WAY better than the original ones they released. The originals were a nightmare…popping, creaking, squeaking, posts breaking etc.


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tcmetrohunter

Well-Known Member
Oct 12, 2019
447
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I was/am still hunting for that perfect platform. I don't have big feet but I want something that I can legit stand on facing the tree or facing away with my back to the tree. I recently bought a used Ridger Runner XL from a guy and I'm excited to give it go based on the size and weight. I too would love to buy an Ambush or .5 and have a some LWCG options on hand but at this point it's not in the cards. I currently have a Predator, Solo Scout, and ROS so I have a wide array of options but I want to try one big platform before biting the bullet on LWCG stuff and selling everything else I have.

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Plebe

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Sep 14, 2020
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Agree owned all of the above plus a few more. I now only have EDP & a spare as its backup. 6’6” 275 plenty of usable space. That ambush is the only other close runner up. But size/space of edp won me over. LWCG is supposed to release a platform smaller than the ambush, we’ll see if that happens around ATA

I think the EDP strikes a nice balance in platforms, but never got one.

I have the Ambush-es (Ambush and diy Ambush .5) as well as a RRxl. There's a lot I like about the RRxl.

I've no experience with the Predator XL, but think it looks good too. However, it's a cast platform and lacks the beef of the Trophyline platforms.

If you don't mind, I think it'd be helpful to know whats led you to edp#1, Ambush #2. You've a lot more experience than me, and many others. (Probably why I favor extra space).

Btw, I'm 6'3, 215 (lost a couple lbs recently). Even at 230-240, no problems with what I've used. (Including a .5 treestand)
 

Bigterp

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Sep 11, 2017
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Baltimore, Maryland
I think the EDP strikes a nice balance in platforms, but never got one.

I have the Ambush-es (Ambush and diy Ambush .5) as well as a RRxl. There's a lot I like about the RRxl.

I've no experience with the Predator XL, but think it looks good too. However, it's a cast platform and lacks the beef of the Trophyline platforms.

If you don't mind, I think it'd be helpful to know whats led you to edp#1, Ambush #2. You've a lot more experience than me, and many others. (Probably why I favor extra space).

Btw, I'm 6'3, 215 (lost a couple lbs recently). Even at 230-240, no problems with what I've used. (Including a .5 treestand)
I’ll start with I’ve been a ROS in conjunction with top of my stick for 4 years until this season.. still used it but used my EDP more. I always wanted to love platforms but never found one that was solid enough w/o being a treestand.

Started with a diy lone wolf seat platform plus Ernie kit. Too small & didn’t like side pressure.

Got ahold of a Klemz & liked it but it was small & I was nervous that I was gonna break it camming over.

Was one of the first batch of predator gen one owners. Same concerns as the klemz. Lack of material sketched me out.

Next up was the gen 1 ambush, no Bueno!! Squeaked & flexed a lot.

Finally got my hands on a unicorn, like new LW Asassin. No complaints other than weight, absolutely rock solid & plenty of room.

Once I got a mission the assassin was overpriced version of the same. Didn’t need the extra bulk of material once I had the 2 side by side. Both were sold due to size.

Tried both scouts & RR, scouts were too small & don’t like RR shape.

Also tested every version of onestick /platform……

Too good of a deal to pass up on a gen 2 ambush which was a noticeable improvement over gen 1

Would still have it but traded for an EDP…… kept it & picked up a spare.

So when I give a complete account it’s rather embarrassing but I did find what I like the best!