Ordered a Recon, how has everyone improved upon it?

[Mschmeiske]

I considered getting a recon, but I’ve always preferred a rope bridge. Any issues with rope and the metal plates? I wasn’t sure how the edges were once you removed the rubber.

 

[Wirrex]

That is the main reason for a bungee belt. The saddle can "open" when tethered under weight, but then it auto closed snug when you unweight the bridge.

This really is what makes the sling work. I have been doing it with my fleece before so it was second nature to me.

I “one stick” the snot out of mine and couldn’t be happier.

 

[Wirrex]

I considered getting a recon, but I’ve always preferred a rope bridge. Any issues with rope and the metal plates? I wasn’t sure how the edges were once you removed the rubber.

That’s the first thing I did. Oplux in my case. The edges are rounded and work great! I have the webbing plates.

 

[sweats]

That is the main reason for a bungee belt. The saddle can "open" when tethered under weight, but then it auto closed snug when you unweight the bridge.

I bought some elastic cord and intend to try this modification soon. I really like the Recon, but there's just one or two things I want to improve, the belt being the main one.

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[Olegrad]

I flipped the panels like some have suggested here, and spliced in an amsteel utili-bridge. I don’t mind the stock belt and the occasional squeaks don’t bother me or the deer (I’ve learned to move to minimize noise so it hasn’t really been an issue). Already becoming my favorite saddle/sling.

 

[Noonespecial]

I started with a sit-drag, then borrowed a Ambush Pro from a buddy on this forum. I'm sorry to say that the sit-drag was more comfortable even if the TL Pro look SUPER secure and is built like a tank. It was just too rigid for me and I had pinches everywhere. I saw the Wraptor on this forum and wanted to built one myself, but wife cared for my safety too much and wouldnt let me DIY it myself (or it could be she think i'm a moron with no sewing experience who first attempt is something my life depend on). We compromised on a Recon for my Christmas present and I think its the right decision.

Question, the saddle look shinny from the videos and pictures. obviously people have used it successfully, but how much does it stand out compared to the more earth tone of other saddle?

I do wish it was a more earth tone color but after wearing it and breaking it in the color fades and isn’t so bad. I shot two buck from it this year both were inside 10 yards and they didn’t seem to care about the color...lol!

 

[KeithinPA]

Flipping the plates made a huge difference in my opinion. The main reason that the inside panel wants to stay the most snug when the belt is tight or when you're hanging at height. As it comes that is the lower panel. By flipping the plates the inside panel is now the upper panel which allows the lower panel to move more freely and seems to self adjust much better at height. I did a 5 hour sit with it as it came from Treehopper and then another sit after flipping the plates and it was night and day. It was WAY easier to find the sweet spots both sitting and standing with the lower panel on the outside of the upper panel. I'd recommend trying it both ways to form your own opinion. A little wax on the sling took care of the minor squeak that could occur on occasion. I found the leg loops more of a pain then a benefit so I won't be using them and I one stick as well. With any saddle you need to give it time and learn what works and what doesn't for you. I love it and have no intention of ever carrying a treestand again.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

.... And it'd be cool if we could order it without molle or the funky stitching that makes the leg loops work but also stiffens the bottom panel

Totally agree about the molly loops. I own 2 prototypes that Mark made when he was trying to decide on dimensions, plates, etc. One of mine has zero mollies, and the other has very minimal mollies that are "soft" and more flexible than the mollies are on the current production Recons. I like the "feel" and softness of the top section without the stiff mollies especially in warm weather when I'm not wearing a lot of layers to cushion the top strap. I did own a production Recon and I noticed the top section was not as soft and supple as my prototypes. I sold that production Recon.

 

[HuumanCreed]

Flipping the plates made a huge difference in my opinion. The main reason that the inside panel wants to stay the most snug when the belt is tight or when you're hanging at height. As it comes that is the lower panel. By flipping the plates the inside panel is now the upper panel which allows the lower panel to move more freely and seems to self adjust much better at height. I did a 5 hour sit with it as it came from Treehopper and then another sit after flipping the plates and it was night and day. It was WAY easier to find the sweet spots both sitting and standing with the lower panel on the outside of the upper panel. I'd recommend trying it both ways to form your own opinion. A little wax on the sling took care of the minor squeak that could occur on occasion. I found the leg loops more of a pain then a benefit so I won't be using them and I one stick as well. With any saddle you need to give it time and learn what works and what doesn't for you. I love it and have no intention of ever carrying a treestand again.

Glad I started the thread, this is exactly what I was hoping to get. My first initial thought about the Recon was I wished the top panel was the interior panel!

I might be ok with the top being a little stiffer due to molle loops. Maybe it will help once I figure out a method to clip both panels together until I'm ready to hunt.

Thank you again for the video!

glad I made the decision with Recon instead of ESS.

 

[Wirrex]

Flipping the plates made a huge difference in my opinion. The main reason that the inside panel wants to stay the most snug when the belt is tight or when you're hanging at height. As it comes that is the lower panel. By flipping the plates the inside panel is now the upper panel which allows the lower panel to move more freely and seems to self adjust much better at height. I did a 5 hour sit with it as it came from Treehopper and then another sit after flipping the plates and it was night and day. It was WAY easier to find the sweet spots both sitting and standing with the lower panel on the outside of the upper panel. I'd recommend trying it both ways to form your own opinion. A little wax on the sling took care of the minor squeak that could occur on occasion. I found the leg loops more of a pain then a benefit so I won't be using them and I one stick as well. With any saddle you need to give it time and learn what works and what doesn't for you. I love it and have no intention of ever carrying a treestand again.

It’s odd but I’m back to the plates in the factory orientation.

 

[KeithinPA]

I might be ok with the top being a little stiffer due to molle loops. Maybe it will help once I figure out a method to clip both panels together until I'm ready to hunt.
I found with them flipped and the belt tight they stay put pretty well.

It’s odd but I’m back to the plates in the factory orientation.
Its nice that the Recon has that flexibility

 

[Noonespecial]

Totally agree about the molly loops. I own 2 prototypes that Mark made when he was trying to decide on dimensions, plates, etc. One of mine has zero mollies, and the other has very minimal mollies that are "soft" and more flexible than the mollies are on the current production Recons. I like the "feel" and softness of the top section without the stiff mollies especially in warm weather when I'm not wearing a lot of layers to cushion the top strap. I did own a production Recon and I noticed the top section was not as soft and supple as my prototypes. I sold that production Recon.

Put me down for the NO molle loops also.

 

[HuumanCreed]

Put me down for the NO molle loops also.

Crazy idea going to try. Just wear the Recon upside down. If you're removing the leg straps anyway. Maybe the molle stiffness is not as bad if you're sitting on it?

 

[floydfreak]

This isn't a mod but just a suggestion. The recon is my first saddle and when I started wearing it I found that I was wearing it too high. The top panel was sitting above my belt line. If you push that down to your belt line the longer sits are much more comfortable.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

Crazy idea going to try. Just wear the Recon upside down. If you're removing the leg straps anyway. Maybe the molle stiffness is not as bad if you're sitting on it?

Good thought.
Someone did mention once time about just sliding the top down to the bottom, and the bottom to the top in order to simulate flipping the plates. Doing it that way would allow for an instant impression on what feels/works best. Flipping the plates or turning the sling upside down requires removing it to accomplish it. But just swapping the top for the bottom accomplishes the same thing without removing the sling.
One minor detail though for guys who are using the leg straps...the top section cannot have the leg straps attached to it because that section is box stitched so you can't slip the leg straps thru. But there are ways to deal with that.


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[Allegheny Tom]

This isn't a mod but just a suggestion. The recon is my first saddle and when I started wearing it I found that I was wearing it too high. The top panel was sitting above my belt line. If you push that down to your belt line the longer sits are much more comfortable.

I've been wearing mine lower as well. But I have noticed that how I position myself effects how comfortable a higher section will be. For example...If I bend (articulate my posture) at the waist slightly, a top positioned higher is less comfy than it is if I straighten out my posture slightly. Posture has an effect on how a lot of saddles feel, or how well they stay in place. Changing your posture slightly during the day does help alleviate back ache and fatigue too. Also helps warm me a little bit.

 

[HuumanCreed]

Good thought.
Someone did mention once time about just sliding the top down to the bottom, and the bottom to the top in order to simulate flipping the plates. Doing it that way would allow for an instant impression on what feels/works best. Flipping the plates or turning the sling upside down requires removing it to accomplish it. But just swapping the top for the bottom accomplishes the same thing without removing the sling.
One minor detail though for guys who are using the leg straps...the top section cannot have the leg straps attached to it because that section is box stitched so you can't slip the leg straps thru. But there are ways to deal with that.


Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

Not that big a deal I think, since the leg straps are removeable, just use a slider to capture it between one of the webbing straps. My rock climbing harness that I use with my sit drag has that. I was actually thinking of taking it and switching it out from the Recon because it was a stretchy material.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

Not that big a deal I think, since the leg straps are removeable, just use a slider to capture it between one of the webbing straps. My rock climbing harness that I use with my sit drag has that. I was actually thinking of taking it and switching it out from the Recon because it was a stretchy material.

View attachment 40545

The 1st experiment Mark did with leg straps was to just wrap them around the short vertical webbing (we call those the "ladders"). That was when he was box stitching closed all 4 ladders. We decided that leaving the bottom ladders unstitched would allow the leg straps to stay temporarily "attached" to the sling better.
Wrapping the leg straps around the ladders works, but it just not as neat or refined as having them slip thru the ladders.

 

[Longbowwally]

I've had several saddles and the Recon has surprised me in comfort - as in its very comfortable. So far, with 3 hour sits I did not need a back band with the Recon - but all other saddles I needed it for comfort.

I haven't changed the belt - I just pull the belt tight as I stand up if I'm going to turn with back to tree which I do for right side shots(I'm right handed) - then loosen it back up when I go back to a 'normal' position.....

Leg straps are a pain but I will play with that based on some of the ideas here. Definite room for improvement there....

I don't do a lot of tweaking of my stuff during deer season so have left the Recon stock for now and am still happy with it....

 

[HuumanCreed]

I've had several saddles and the Recon has surprised me in comfort - as in its very comfortable. So far, with 3 hour sits I did not need a back band with the Recon - but all other saddles I needed it for comfort.

I haven't changed the belt - I just pull the belt tight as I stand up if I'm going to turn with back to tree which I do for right side shots(I'm right handed) - then loosen it back up when I go back to a 'normal' position.....

Leg straps are a pain but I will play with that based on some of the ideas here. Definite room for improvement there....

I don't do a lot of tweaking of my stuff during deer season so have left the Recon stock for now and am still happy with it....

If I got the Recon before the season I feel the same way you do. But since my tree hunting season is over, need to find things to do and keep my mind engage. Keep me out of trouble as my drill instructor used to say. I can still remember those Fall days cleaning the yard outside the barrack with a bunch of other privates. We had to pick leaves by hands while the racks in the storage shed watch us.....MOCKED us.....