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RemovableTethrd Phantom bridge?

goodtimeshooter

New Member
Jan 30, 2015
9
3
3
I'm new to saddle hunting, been spending a lot of time hanging out in the yard, climbing,shooting etc. I've got it all set and feel comfortable using it. My one issue is that I want to use my IWOM later in the season. I can hardly hunt without it in the cold anymore. I think I could run the bridge out one side opening and down into the other side and wear the saddle underneath with no problem. My issue is that I have no previous experience with the amsteel material, and with the prusik being a continuous spliced loop it would have to be cut off the bridge loop. Do I have to use an amsteel prusik on amsteel rope? If not does the same rule of using smaller diameter rope for the prusik than the rope it is on still hold true, because that would be difficult with how small the amsteel is? Has anyone else made the bridge removable?
 

MoBowGuy

Active Member
Sep 20, 2019
168
144
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36
the continuous loop for the prussic IS removable, however i would recommend it. there is a video that shows you how to make a utilibridge and he uses a continuous loop. you can watch it to see how it could be removed. just incase my link does not work, type 'DIY Utilibridge' in the youtube search bar. Also, make sure to TEST TEST TEST at ground level first
 

kobudo

Well-Known Member
Jan 4, 2017
776
545
93
53
Barron County Wisconsin
I'm new to saddle hunting, been spending a lot of time hanging out in the yard, climbing,shooting etc. I've got it all set and feel comfortable using it. My one issue is that I want to use my IWOM later in the season. I can hardly hunt without it in the cold anymore. I think I could run the bridge out one side opening and down into the other side and wear the saddle underneath with no problem. My issue is that I have no previous experience with the amsteel material, and with the prusik being a continuous spliced loop it would have to be cut off the bridge loop. Do I have to use an amsteel prusik on amsteel rope? If not does the same rule of using smaller diameter rope for the prusik than the rope it is on still hold true, because that would be difficult with how small the amsteel is? Has anyone else made the bridge removable?
Try using your lineman belt set up on your bridge loops as a test. When I use my iwom, I use my phantom more like a rock climbing harness, and use a fleece saddle or sit drag on the outside. I have the one that only has one zippered relief hole though, so I back up the sit drag with my tether.

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tmattson

Well-Known Member
Jul 2, 2019
1,088
312
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South East Michigan
First how do you like the IWOM? IF I am able to hunt late season (Doc has to approve, due to a recent illness) I need something warm. I always got cold easy but even worse now. I was thinking leave the current bridge as is, just tuck it away, and add a removable Oplux bridge just for using the IWOM.
 

goodtimeshooter

New Member
Jan 30, 2015
9
3
3
First how do you like the IWOM? IF I am able to hunt late season (Doc has to approve, due to a recent illness) I need something warm. I always got cold easy but even worse now. I was thinking leave the current bridge as is, just tuck it away, and add a removable Oplux bridge just for using the IWOM.
I love my IWOM, I've had it for several years and at this point don't know how I hunted in the cold without it. It's actually one of the main reasons I haven't gotten a saddle sooner. Like any system, it's not perfect, but for me it's better than anything else. I HAVE to have arms, so that leaves out pretty much all the others. To top it off, customer service is excellent. Last year I had a zipper issue that I felt like I shouldn't be having even after as long as I've had it,I emailed them and one of the top guys immediately got back with me, emailed me a return label and fixed the issue for free and paid shipping. Way above what they had to do, which was nothing........ I feel pretty dumb for not thinking to just use a different bridge rather than changing what's on there. That's absolutely what I will do. Thanks!!
 

goodtimeshooter

New Member
Jan 30, 2015
9
3
3
Try using your lineman belt set up on your bridge loops as a test. When I use my iwom, I use my phantom more like a rock climbing harness, and use a fleece saddle or sit drag on the outside. I have the one that only has one zippered relief hole though, so I back up the sit drag with my tether.

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Great advice trying it out with the LB first, thanks. At the risk of sounding dense (keep in mind I'm brand new) could you explain a little more what you mean by wearing the phantom like a rock climbing harness and using a fleece saddle on the outside? I'm very interested as you are using the same gear I am wanting to use.
 

tmattson

Well-Known Member
Jul 2, 2019
1,088
312
83
60
South East Michigan
I love my IWOM, I've had it for several years and at this point don't know how I hunted in the cold without it. It's actually one of the main reasons I haven't gotten a saddle sooner. Like any system, it's not perfect, but for me it's better than anything else. I HAVE to have arms, so that leaves out pretty much all the others. To top it off, customer service is excellent. Last year I had a zipper issue that I felt like I shouldn't be having even after as long as I've had it,I emailed them and one of the top guys immediately got back with me, emailed me a return label and fixed the issue for free and paid shipping. Way above what they had to do, which was nothing........ I feel pretty dumb for not thinking to just use a different bridge rather than changing what's on there. That's absolutely what I will do. Thanks!!
Did you buy your IWOM new or size/field tested used? Sorry to hijack the thread.
 

goodtimeshooter

New Member
Jan 30, 2015
9
3
3
Did you buy your IWOM new or size/field tested used? Sorry to hijack the thread.
I bought it new. 5 or 6 years ago. Other than that zipper issue that they fixed it still looks and wears like new. It sure has made long sits in the cold much more doable. I wear light clothes going in so I don't sweat then put it on once I'm in the stand.....
 

Chandler96

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Oct 25, 2019
584
575
93
37
Otsego, MI
I cut my utlibridge off and just use oplux with carabiners hooked to my linesmans loop with a duck....much much more comforatble and removable.
 

enkriss

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Sep 13, 2018
6,115
8,965
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I cut my utlibridge off and just use oplux with carabiners hooked to my linesmans loop with a duck....much much more comforatble and removable.

how does that work with the comfort channels?
 

goodtimeshooter

New Member
Jan 30, 2015
9
3
3
I cut my utlibridge off and just use oplux with carabiners hooked to my linesmans loop with a duck....much much more comforatble and removable.
I probably won't be cutting anything, for one I paid too much to not get at least one season before I change it too much, plus I'm too new to even know what I like yet. On top of that, I guess I really need to study up on rope climbing equipment because I don't know what half of the terms you guys are using even mean lol. I appreciate all the suggestions though, and look forward to learning from this forum.
 

Chandler96

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Oct 25, 2019
584
575
93
37
Otsego, MI
I probably won't be cutting anything, for one I paid too much to not get at least one season before I change it too much, plus I'm too new to even know what I like yet. On top of that, I guess I really need to study up on rope climbing equipment because I don't know what half of the terms you guys are using even mean lol. I appreciate all the suggestions though, and look forward to learning from this forum.

Yeah i wouldnt ever recommend you cut anything off. Just sharing what i did and what works for me.
 

goodtimeshooter

New Member
Jan 30, 2015
9
3
3
Sure, I wear mr phantom inside the iwom, and as I only have one relief hole at waist level, I run my tether to the phantom bridge using a apline butterfly and caribeener. Then I hook up with the fleece saddle.


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I have some pictures here.
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Ok so I studied your pictures, let me see if I am getting what you are saying: Your utilibridge on the phantom is cinched down short, the carabiner on the prusik of your tree tether runs into the opening on your IWOM and attaches to the bridge, it's simply there for fall protection. You then have an alpine butterfly partway up your tree tether with another carabiner that the "bridge" of your fleece saddle, worn outside the IWOM attaches to. Is that right? If so, do you adjust the prusik down to where there is barely any tension on the utilibridge and most weight is at that point on the fleece?
 

kobudo

Well-Known Member
Jan 4, 2017
776
545
93
53
Barron County Wisconsin
Ok so I studied your pictures, let me see if I am getting what you are saying: Your utilibridge on the phantom is cinched down short, the carabiner on the prusik of your tree tether runs into the opening on your IWOM and attaches to the bridge, it's simply there for fall protection. You then have an alpine butterfly partway up your tree tether with another carabiner that the "bridge" of your fleece saddle, worn outside the IWOM attaches to. Is that right? If so, do you adjust the prusik down to where there is barely any tension on the utilibridge and most weight is at that point on the fleece?
Yes, actually almost all of the weight is on the fleece. Just my take on it, but I hope it helps someone out.
JJ.

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kobudo

Well-Known Member
Jan 4, 2017
776
545
93
53
Barron County Wisconsin
Yes, actually almost all of the weight is on the fleece. Just my take on it, but I hope it helps someone out.
JJ.

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If I remember correctly, I Alpine butterfly with caribeener to my saddle bridge, and use prussic and caribeener for fleece bridge .

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