AeroHunter Merlin - anyone not like it?

[Mschmeiske]

Has anyone used a Merlin and not enjoyed it? I just received mine today and at first glance, it looks like it may be comfortable to sit in, but I’m not sure Im going to like it as much as my kestrel. I say that mostly due to the fact that it doesn’t seem as robust and some other little things.

 

[brydan]

I'm happy with mine. Where the bridge is girth hitched on the loops effects how it feels. Had to adjustment it a couple times at first to get it dialed in. Added some first lite suspenders and that really helped wearing it in.

 

[larasea]

I hunt out of the Flex and the Merlin. I really like both a lot. I mainly sit while hunting and my last sit in the Merlin was 6 hours. The last hour or so I got uncomfortable around the bottom of my legs where saddle rides. So the next day I sat in the Flex and had no discomfort. After closer examination, the Flex lower portion is wider that the Merlin. I suspect the Flex distributes my weight a little better while sitting. With that being said, I find both of them really comfortable. This my first year in a saddle.

 

[TNSTAAFL]

Interesting review by Boswell. His observations seemed to match the things I suspected when I first saw the new design.

Bummed for AH as I think they are a good company and they have made some great saddles. I really liked my Kite. Hopefully they course correct quickly.

 

[Mschmeiske]

Interesting review by Boswell. His observations seemed to match the things I suspected when I first saw the new design.

Bummed for AH as I think they are a good company and they have made some great saddles. I really liked my Kite. Hopefully they course correct quickly.

I haven’t even sat in it and a lot of those points are exactly how I felt when I tried it on.
I really hope they come up with something else or bring back the others. I never got the chance to try the original flex, but it sounds superior.

 

[Westdesign03]

Really kind of bummed they discontinued the kestrel. The flex does look good too tho and have been eying the Merlin since it came out. Haven’t seen another saddle like it yet. Interested to see how more people like it or don’t like it.


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[Aeds151]

Really kind of bummed they discontinued the kestrel. The flex does look good too tho and have been eying the Merlin since it came out. Haven’t seen another saddle like it yet. Interested to see how more people like it or don’t like it.


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I might sell my flex as i feel like a train wreck after a long hunt. I hope they come up with a different shape all together.


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[Westdesign03]

I might sell my flex as i feel like a train wreck after a long hunt. I hope they come up with a different shape all together.


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Hmm that’s not good. Do you sit or lean mostly? I don’t actually have any aero hunter saddles. Only experience so far as been with the H2. I like it pretty well and never have had a problem with it but wondering if there’s greener pastures still out there. I have to think so with all the saddles coming out now. But maybe a lot of them feel pretty similar at the end of the day. I don’t know.


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[D.AKINS]

i should have my new flex on the 30th. First saddle, hope it doesn’t disappoint.

 

[Aeds151]

Hmm that’s not good. Do you sit or lean mostly? I don’t actually have any aero hunter saddles. Only experience so far as been with the H2. I like it pretty well and never have had a problem with it but wondering if there’s greener pastures still out there. I have to think so with all the saddles coming out now. But maybe a lot of them feel pretty similar at the end of the day. I don’t know.


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I prefer to sit and have pressure under legs and have to adjust “back band/recliner” too much to hunt successfully. I spooked my buck moving to adjust when he was behind me without me knowing. My back is left sore after a sit. They all look the same to me. Same shape unfortunately. Im hoping my new hybrid works out.


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[Westdesign03]

I prefer to sit and have pressure under legs and have to adjust “back band/recliner” too much to hunt successfully. I spooked my buck moving to adjust when he was behind me without me knowing. My back is left sore after a sit. They all look the same to me. Same shape unfortunately. Im hoping my new hybrid works out.


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Gotcha. Yeah they are pretty similar looking across the board at the end of the day. I think you said you’re getting the JX3? I had one of those for a short time. TOTALLY different than all the saddles out there. It really is like a chair. It’s really nice and comfortable. Kinda wish I didn’t get rid of it. But I was not comfortable in a tree at all at the time and just couldn’t get used to it enough to climb with it with confidence. It was really nice though. You will like it I’m sure.


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[kidneystones_3000]

I prefer to sit and have pressure under legs and have to adjust “back band/recliner” too much to hunt successfully. I spooked my buck moving to adjust when he was behind me without me knowing. My back is left sore after a sit. They all look the same to me. Same shape unfortunately. Im hoping my new hybrid works out.


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I hunted own the kestrel flex and tethered phantom and currently own the cruzur xc. The areo hunter kestrel was at one the most comfortable tree saddle on the market so either you the wrong size or your not making the right adjustments.

 

[huntin_addict]

I prefer to sit and have pressure under legs and have to adjust “back band/recliner” too much to hunt successfully. I spooked my buck moving to adjust when he was behind me without me knowing. My back is left sore after a sit. They all look the same to me. Same shape unfortunately. Im hoping my new hybrid works out.


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I'll be quite honest. I've seen you mention several times now that these saddles "all look the same." What, specifically, would you like to see different so that they don't? At the end of the day, I don't feel there is a whole lot that can be changed with the current offering of saddles to change them so that they don't all look the same. To me, they all look strikingly similar to the original Trophyline or Andersen tree sling, with some design tweaks to significantly improve comfort over the years.

They have tried redesigning the razor too, added 17 blades and said its revolutionary. At the end of the day, its still a razor. You want something different, you need a different product. I'll be curious to see how you feel about the JX3.

 

[huntin_addict]

Interesting review by Boswell. His observations seemed to match the things I suspected when I first saw the new design.

Bummed for AH as I think they are a good company and they have made some great saddles. I really liked my Kite. Hopefully they course correct quickly.

I have a Kite that is my backup saddle. Was considering selling and picking up a Merlin. After watching Bobby's review, I'll not be doing so.

 

[Aeds151]

I'll be quite honest. I've seen you mention several times now that these saddles "all look the same." What, specifically, would you like to see different so that they don't? At the end of the day, I don't feel there is a whole lot that can be changed with the current offering of saddles to change them so that they don't all look the same. To me, they all look strikingly similar to the original Trophyline or Andersen tree sling, with some design tweaks to significantly improve comfort over the years.

They have tried redesigning the razor too, added 17 blades and said its revolutionary. At the end of the day, its still a razor. You want something different, you need a different product. I'll be curious to see how you feel about the JX3.

Maybe leg straps that are more like a traditional rch rather than mankini style. More material for back support like a large diy fleece saddle. I doubt this will happen since everyone wants to be “minimalist”. I am glad to see molle on bottom. Now we need pouches with molle attachments at bottom as well as top to attach to saddle to prevent flop. So far so good with JX3. After an hour sit, I wont be going back to Flex anytime soon.

 

[enkriss]

Interesting review by Boswell. His observations seemed to match the things I suspected when I first saw the new design.

Bummed for AH as I think they are a good company and they have made some great saddles. I really liked my Kite. Hopefully they course correct quickly.

after watching that I am glad I canceled my order.

 

[fbwguy]

Bobby truly gave an honest review. Not sure why u need a third loop, just adding gimmicks to sell to people who already have saddles, in my opinion.

 

[Nugget]

Interesting review by Boswell. His observations seemed to match the things I suspected when I first saw the new design.

Bummed for AH as I think they are a good company and they have made some great saddles. I really liked my Kite. Hopefully they course correct quickly.

I'll love to see Boswell come out with a saddle of his own.

 

[huntin_addict]

Maybe leg straps that are more like a traditional rch rather than mankini style. More material for back support like a large diy fleece saddle. I doubt this will happen since everyone wants to be “minimalist”. I am glad to see molle on bottom. Now we need pouches with molle attachments at bottom as well as top to attach to saddle to prevent flop. So far so good with JX3. After an hour sit, I wont be going back to Flex anytime soon.

Not arguing with you, just curious. Did you try any of the 2 panel saddles?

As far as minimalist, isn't that why people get into saddle hunting? I know that aspect is what attracted me to it. I guess what I am saying is, a saddle is a saddle and a treestand is a treestand. No matter how much lipstick you put on a pig, it's still a pig (although I was very happy to see companies design and develop a saddle that had the pleat.)

I do like the looks of the JX3, and I am very intrigued.

 

[raisins]

Not arguing with you, just curious. Did you try any of the 2 panel saddles?

As far as minimalist, isn't that why people get into saddle hunting? I know that aspect is what attracted me to it. I guess what I am saying is, a saddle is a saddle and a treestand is a treestand. No matter how much lipstick you put on a pig, it's still a pig (although I was very happy to see companies design and develop a saddle that had the pleat.)

I do like the looks of the JX3, and I am very intrigued.

A lot of us find a saddle more comfortable and able to cover around the tree better. I'd encourage you to try to find a setup that is more comfortable than a treestand.