Questions for you 2 panel guys…..

[Fl Canopy Stalker]

Ok guys, I’m not interested in brand loyalties here… I just want to know for the guys that use two panel saddles. What’s your go to 2 panel and what are your likes/dislikes about it verses single panels AND other 2 panels you’ve tried…… I’m especially interested in hearing from old school Evo users, Anderson users, archon users, and Latitude users. I value the opinions on buzzard roost and Overwatch transformer as well but I have a bit of time spent in each of them. 2 panel saddle, your likes and dislikes vs other saddles and…… GO!

 

[NMSbowhunter]

Ok, my only experience with a commercial 2 panel is the Treehopper Recon. I love it and have used it two season now. I would also like to get a ESS and would have one but when they first came out and I got ready to buy one they were backordered. I got the Recon and have been happy. I routinely do 5 to 6 hour sits and have done quite a few all day sits. I am a 95%+ sitter and use a ring of steps.

I also have built several Anderson/ESS/Recon style sling saddles. I got on the "Wraptor" thread and went from there. Below is my third iteration, and I really like it.

 

[boyne bowhunter]

My first saddle was the "old school" Evo. My issue with it at the time was that it had too many adjustments and as a newbie I had no idea how to make it comfortable for me. Adjusting one thing changed the way the other parts sat on me. I almost gave up on saddle hunting but then I bought a Kestrel and moved on from it.

That said, I broke it out a few years ago after a few years of saddle experience and, now knowing what I needed to do, I had it sitting comfortably within minutes. It may still be the most comfortable saddle I own but its just too heavy and bulky for me now. I can be "comfortable enough" in my minimalist single panel without all that extra weight to wear in.

 

[Birddoggin19]

Spent the last 2 seasons in a method 2 and for the most part liked it very much. Went that route for the features it offered, ie.. magnets for the transport mode, rope belt, and vertical support webbing. Very comfortable, definitely was a learning curve on how to adjust everything properly to get it right. That’s probably the greatest part and the worst part at the same time. While you can make it comfortable, it might take a minute or longer to get it all figured out. That being said I did just order a cgm cobra to try the pleated style and if that gives the comfort without the fiddle factor.

 

[phatkaw]

I had a Transformer and it was pretty sweet.
It was very comfortable and built like a brick 'house. I liked pretty much everything about it.
It had a ton of nice features. For my taste buds it was a touch heavy and the bottom panel could have been a tiny bit bigger or maybe had 'vertical stiffeners' to keep its shape?

I still have my original Method and I probably will keep it forever?
It fairly comfortable and built like a grass hut! I absolutely love how lightweight it is and you can NOT tell you are even wearing it when sneaking along in the woods.
The Method is pretty much the only saddle I wear in unless I'm only going a short distance.

 

[Fl Canopy Stalker]

My first saddle was the "old school" Evo. My issue with it at the time was that it had too many adjustments and as a newbie I had no idea how to make it comfortable for me. Adjusting one thing changed the way the other parts sat on me. I almost gave up on saddle hunting but then I bought a Kestrel and moved on from it.

That said, I broke it out a few years ago after a few years of saddle experience and, now knowing what I needed to do, I had it sitting comfortably within minutes. It may still be the most comfortable saddle I own but its just too heavy and bulky for me now. I can be "comfortable enough" in my minimalist single panel without all that extra weight to wear in.

I almost mirror your thoughts on the Evo. It had infinite adjustability and once you figure out how to adjust it, it is insanely comfortable but definitely too bulky and heavy. Thanks for the feedback

 

[Wirrex]

Treehopper Recon. Minimalist but maximalist in comfort.

 

[Fl Canopy Stalker]

Ok, my only experience with a commercial 2 panel is the Treehopper Recon. I love it and have used it two season now. I would also like to get a ESS and would have one but when they first came out and I got ready to buy one they were backordered. I got the Recon and have been happy. I routinely do 5 to 6 hour sits and have done quite a few all day sits. I am a 95%+ sitter and use a ring of steps.

I also have built several Anderson/ESS/Recon style sling saddles. I got on the "Wraptor" thread and went from there. Below is my third iteration, and I really like it.

I have an old Anderson and a transformer which runs through the d rings (similar to the ESS). Just curious since you’re a sitter how do you run the panels? How far apart ect….

 

[Fl Canopy Stalker]

Spent the last 2 seasons in a method 2 and for the most part liked it very much. Went that route for the features it offered, ie.. magnets for the transport mode, rope belt, and vertical support webbing. Very comfortable, definitely was a learning curve on how to adjust everything properly to get it right. That’s probably the greatest part and the worst part at the same time. While you can make it comfortable, it might take a minute or longer to get it all figured out. That being said I did just order a cgm cobra to try the pleated style and if that gives the comfort without the fiddle factor.

The cobra is a great saddle. Was your method 2 a standard or an XL?

 

[Birddoggin19]

The cobra is a great saddle. Was your method 2 a standard or an XL?

Standard

 

[NMSbowhunter]

I have an old Anderson and a transformer which runs through the d rings (similar to the ESS). Just curious since you’re a sitter how do you run the panels? How far apart ect….

I usually overlap the top of the bottom panel with the bottom of the top panel and have about a 9 inch wide seat.

 

[MattMan81]

Normal Method was to small for my big hind end. Liked the simplicity of it. But not enough to try the Xl. Transformer was great. Except I got to the point it would be perfect, I would slightly move, and then spend 15 minutes trying to find that spot again. I could never figure it out. Build was great. My guess was the floating side anchor points? A little shift and it changed everything for me. I usually had it closed all the way, so just went back to A single panel.

 

[Tr33_n1nj@]

Another satisfied Recon user here. Its was the price that got me.

 

[neonomad]

I started in saddles with the JX3, and then bought a Recon thinking I’d start sampling some true saddles… but that’s where I’ve stalled because the Recon has been comfortable and effective. As curious as I am about other saddles the JX3 and Recon keep getting it done in comfort.

 

[LeTuB]

I use my own DIY saddles, I first started 4 years ago with single panel, as it was my first 2 builds, sure there was some errors, but I gave up quickly beacuse of the hips pinch (couldn't stay more than 1 hour) and switched to 2 panels models which are very comfortable for my 210# . My lighter hunting buddies use 1 panel without issues, IMO over 200#, 2 panels is a must. Back support of a 2P is also very pleasant without having to add a back band.
I bought a Latitude method (V1) last year in order to compare with my own build, I used it 10 times, and finaly sold it : my DIY are nearly at the same comfort level.

 

[Apex7]

I started with the Anderson sling many many years ago. Now my go to saddle is the Eberhart Signature Series saddle and the reason is it's pattern after the sling but better in my opinion. Its very comfortable and ajustable and light weight. I also have the Overwatch outdoors Transformer that I am playing around with.

 

[Fl Canopy Stalker]

I use my own DIY saddles, I first started 4 years ago with single panel, as it was my first 2 builds, sure there was some errors, but I gave up quickly beacuse of the hips pinch (couldn't stay more than 1 hour) and switched to 2 panels models which are very comfortable for my 210# . My lighter hunting buddies use 1 panel without issues, IMO over 200#, 2 panels is a must. Back support of a 2P is also very pleasant without having to add a back band.
I bought a Latitude method (V1) last year in order to compare with my own build, I used it 10 times, and finaly sold it : my DIY are nearly at the same comfort level.View attachment 85583

To me this shows how very different everyone is. I’m well over 200 lbs. I’m staying between 230 and 240 lately and I absolutely love single panel saddles. So in correlation to the method, what did you like and not like about it specifically?

 

[Fl Canopy Stalker]

Normal Method was to small for my big hind end. Liked the simplicity of it. But not enough to try the Xl. Transformer was great. Except I got to the point it would be perfect, I would slightly move, and then spend 15 minutes trying to find that spot again. I could never figure it out. Build was great. My guess was the floating side anchor points? A little shift and it changed everything for me. I usually had it closed all the way, so just went back to A single panel.

I believe you ended up going with a cobra right???

If you could lock down the positioning of the panels instead of the free floating design, then something similar to a transformer would have worked well for you then?

 

[Jammintree]

I like where this is heading…

 

[Fl Canopy Stalker]

I started with the Anderson sling many many years ago. Now my go to saddle is the Eberhart Signature Series saddle and the reason is it's pattern after the sling but better in my opinion. Its very comfortable and ajustable and light weight. I also have the Overwatch outdoors Transformer that I am playing around with.

It would seem you’ve stayed with the saddles that have very light small profiles and the last couple have ran free floating bridge loop designs. Do you have issues with fiddling any time you move since the webbing is free floating through the d rings?