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Predator First Impression

I would like to see a trend of loads and breaks/failures. Along with cold weather testing. I spoke with @Erniepower and he said this testing would be coming.

I personally disagree with the statement that the predator is not a tree stand. It is attached to a tree and you stand on it. Too me a positioning tool is a play on words. Yes most of your weight is not on the stand at all times, but neither is it on a lock on.
 
ricky racer said:
The Predator will see a users full weight on every hunt. When entering the platform, when exiting the platform and when pivoting on the platform. The platform needs to be built heavy enough to safety support a hunters weght within its rated limits. To do this it needs to be over built to allow a safety factor allowing for a worst case scenario. I don't know how many Predators were tested nor how many different scenarios were tested but we do know the Predator failed between 500 & 600 pounds.
If that's good enough, we should be fine using rope from the hardware store with a burst rating of 500 or 600 lbs. for out linemen's belt or tether. Somehow I don't see anyone on this forum saying that should be safe enough.
If there was a slag inclusion or a void it would be obvious and I'm sure fathead88 would have indicated the defect.
The fact that the cast platform was never deburred is another issue. The sharp edges and corners are all stress risers. Getting a crack in any of those sharp edges is like pulling a loose thread on a sweater. All of the edges and corners need to be radiused and that should be done by the manufacturer, not the end user. I would urge anyone using the Predator to do that before putting it in use.
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Before people start trying to de-burr their platforms could you provide us some literature that we can read on how the burrs can affect the structural integrity? It’s the only responsible thing to do since you are recommending it. I’m sure if people start doing machine work to the platform it’s going to void the warranty.
 
g2outdoors said:
Do Not toe hook the Predator. It's unnecessary. It's NOT DESIGNED to toe hook. Just cam it with your hands. It will be plenty solid.

Sent from my Galaxy S8.
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I just used my hands to push down on mine and it locked in just fine. I’d repost the pic I took on this thread but it would probably start the shoe bs up again. Just don’t force it.


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flinginairos said:
Yes. Listen to G2 and not what I said about toe hooking earlier. I was doing that with the prototype model but the teeth setup was different on that version. The new one with the closer spaced teeth does not need it.


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That’s great. I wasn’t crazy about the toe hook while standing on top of the post.

If that’s how the first one broke I it wouldn’t take a casting flaw to brake it. The pivot bolt acts as a fulcrum and you can put a tremendous amount of torque on that section between the tree and post. With the design of the predator even if it broke between the post and tree it isn’t going to straighten out just maybe slide down the tree a couple inches. I am no less exited about it now that someone broke one.
@kelly.jayp I wouldn’t worry too much about the slight curl on the platform. As long as it is curled up toward the corners it should be stronger than if flat.
 
Just watched the G2 video of shooting out of the Predator. Not sure what part I'm missing but when he shoots to the weak side it sure looks like it's being used as "treestand" and not a "positioning aid" to me.
 
fathead88 said:
Just watched the G2 video of shooting out of the Predator. Not sure what part I'm missing but when he shoots to the weak side it sure looks like it's being used as "treestand" and not a "positioning aid" to me.
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Correct. Its designed for your weight plus some.

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Never really understood the need for the "toe hook" move, even in treestands, other than it looks cool. The aggressive teeth and body weight alone are enough in 95% of trees, and for the other 5% carry an extra cambuckle strap to lock it down. I'm no engineer but there's no doubt the leverage created and cast aluminum are a bad combo, I could tell that the first time I tried it. Sounds like the Predator instructions need explicit instructions not to do it since it is a common practice.
 
Really using the platform properly includes tethering up before you set the platform. If you do that you will never get hurt badly. I know I broke the tabs on my Xop platform that Ernie made but there was no serious risk since I was tethered to the tree. I will learn to use the predator properly and will always be tethered up before I do it . Therefore there is nearly zero risk of injury.
 
I agree with Ontario. You should always be tied in especially when transferring to any platform and when traversing limbs.


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mental note made..

The fans will soon become wolves after the first defect. Look at the history of this place. Everything that has been made up until this point has had a decent list of critiques for it. Not that I don't mind suggesting improvements, but, be mindful of how you critique something someone else invest a lot of time, effort and resources in. Don't put too bad of a taste is others mouths before you bad mouth them. I do believe it COULD have been some slag in the platform. Let's give them the benefit of the doubt up until this point.

If more failures come forward, which is inevitable, i'm sure they'll either adapt or die. That's how business works.
 
DanielB89 said:
mental note made..

The fans will soon become wolves after the first defect. Look at the history of this place. Everything that has been made up until this point has had a decent list of critiques for it. Not that I don't mind suggesting improvements, but, be mindful of how you critique something someone else invest a lot of time, effort and resources in. Don't put too bad of a taste is others mouths before you bad mouth them. I do believe it COULD have been some slag in the platform. Let's give them the benefit of the doubt up until this point.

If more failures come forward, which is inevitable, i'm sure they'll either adapt or die. That's how business works.
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Saying you think a product is not good, with no good reason to do so, is pointless - I agree.

Voicing specific concerns with a product that could potentially protect a user from getting hurt or worse, and in turn, protecting the manufacturer as well, serves a unique purpose in a community like this. Hell, if nothing else - voicing these concerns led to a very specific instruction on how NOT to use the product, that is a pretty widely accepted way to use very similar products. It would not be a stretch to think that 10 or 20 or 100 people might try that, and injure themselves or damage the reputation of the company.

I don't think anyone here is judging the company or the folks involved. But I've learned a lot in life from the fellow that swims upstream. He may not be right, but often times the perspective is pretty helpful. Especially when it comes to safety. I've personally witnessed people injured in accidents that could have been easily avoided if someone just spoke up and stopped work, or asked a question. It's not a great feeling knowing you could have prevented something like that.
 
kyler1945 said:
Saying you think a product is not good, with no good reason to do so, is pointless - I agree.

Voicing specific concerns with a product that could potentially protect a user from getting hurt or worse, and in turn, protecting the manufacturer as well, serves a unique purpose in a community like this. Hell, if nothing else - voicing these concerns led to a very specific instruction on how NOT to use the product, that is a pretty widely accepted way to use very similar products. It would not be a stretch to think that 10 or 20 or 100 people might try that, and injure themselves or damage the reputation of the company.

I don't think anyone here is judging the company or the folks involved. But I've learned a lot in life from the fellow that swims upstream. He may not be right, but often times the perspective is pretty helpful. Especially when it comes to safety. I've personally witnessed people injured in accidents that could have been easily avoided if someone just spoke up and stopped work, or asked a question. It's not a great feeling knowing you could have prevented something like that.
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I will agree to that. I just didn’t want to rob a little joy from them, but then again, it would be robbed with a lawsuit even worse. Lol


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Today I tested the predator again. Given the size of the platform it’s almost impossible to make a shot not putting weight into your saddle. Making a shot 180° behind you still need to lean in to your saddle. With side pressure the shots are still easy. The predator did not move. The Predator works as advertised.


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Finally got my Predator in a tree today...I love it. It's so light but feels much stronger than the XOP platform I had before. If you had an XOP, you know the "spongy" feeling as it flexed underfoot, especially on the corners. XOP also had a slight "knock" when you rocked back and forth. The Predator had none of that, very little flex in comparison. The grip around the edges makes it so easy to use it in whatever fashion you choose. Flatfooted or leaning off the edges it was rock solid. I used the method described by g2 and just pressed down by hand then cammed it over. Really was worried based off this thread that I would have issues, but i see none. I'm really excited about my whole system this year, I think it's going to make at least a difference in how far I can comfortably go up the mountain.

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ecfire1967 said:
Today I tested the predator again. Given the size of the platform it’s almost impossible to make a shot not putting weight into your saddle. Making a shot 180° behind you still need to lean in to your saddle. With side pressure the shots are still easy. The predator did not move. The Predator works as advertised.


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You sound like Ron Swanson... haha

“I bought the predator, the predator didn’t move, the predator works.... end of discussion” lmao.


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I have tried the predator a couple times over the last 3 days. Very light weight, locks down solid (it was a little flimsy\spongy feeling at first but I tightened the bolt and it really made it solid feeling), I never did the stand on post trick, honestly I can't imagine why anyone would.
I do have a couple negatives though. It pops and creaks with any shift of weight. Loud pops not faint, if I put my hands on it I can feel the popping. I think it is coming from the bolt. After I tightened it down it helped but not completely. This is while sitting in a saddle not just standing in it. Any weight shift and pop. I even took it apart and sanded\cleaned everything but it's still there.?? I'm afraid to tighten the bolt down more because I don't want to compromise the ears holding the bolt. The other thing is every time I tighten it it frays the strap.
Just my review so far and if the popping would stop I could live with the fraying but it's still annoying.
I have a video but to big to attach here.

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Some of the crap on a couple of these threads is sickening. I never once bashed the platform, the company or anyone involved. Just pointed out the issue I had. Here's a newsflash for everyone: the stand broke because I toe cammed it. Just like some of the Staffers say they do or did, just like I do on my Lone Wolfs. Whether you call it the perfect storm, just the right or wrong scenario whatever. What happened is I believe the strap was very tight, the tree and bark on the tree was very hard and when I toe cammed it the teeth on the post and the stand grab so good that with the strap being so tight there was no or very little slip on the tree when I put my weight on it and it just rolled the corner under. Regardless how many times people have toe cammed it in the past and gotten away with it I truly believe and proved that under a certain set of circumstances it can happen and could again. So now we know we're better off not doing that, no biggee, we learned something. I contacted Ernie, who is nothing but a gentleman every time I've contacted him, who said he'd send another platform right out and would like the old one back to inspect it. I wish nothing but success for their company, I love having new gear and options, just wish everyone would stop getting their panties in a bunch acting like I crushed their dreams or something, try being helpful instead.
 
Hammer79 said:
I have tried the predator a couple times over the last 3 days. Very light weight, locks down solid (it was a little flimsy\spongy feeling at first but I tightened the bolt and it really made it solid feeling), I never did the stand on post trick, honestly I can't imagine why anyone would.
I do have a couple negatives though. It pops and creaks with any shift of weight. Loud pops not faint, if I put my hands on it I can feel the popping. I think it is coming from the bolt. After I tightened it down it helped but not completely. This is while sitting in a saddle not just standing in it. Any weight shift and pop. I even took it apart and sanded\cleaned everything but it's still there.?? I'm afraid to tighten the bolt down more because I don't want to compromise the ears holding the bolt. The other thing is every time I tighten it it frays the strap.
Just my review so far and if the popping would stop I could live with the fraying but it's still annoying.
I have a video but to big to attach here.

Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Try some sort of lubrication in there. I think I used bow wax on my klemz.
 
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