• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

AeroHunter Merlin - anyone not like it?

Well, I was pleasantly surprised to get a USPS delivery today. I received my new Flex in the gray color. Quick unbox and out to a tree in my yard. I grabbed a tether and carabiner from my pack, hung it at about eye level. So this is the first saddle I have ever sit it, so no other baseline for comparison.
just sat about 20 minutes fiddling with adjustments and tether length etc. I’m thinking this Flex is pretty comfortable. I didn’t feel pinched in any spots after a couple of adjustments.
I can see knee pads are a must have.
I put my linemans rope on the small/3rd loop. This will be the ticket while drilling or doing anything where your gonna be on your linesman rope for any period of time, very comfortable.
More to follow later
 
huntin_addict said:
As far as minimalist, isn't that why people get into saddle hunting? I know that aspect is what attracted me to it.
Click to expand...

Minimalist is the reason i got into saddle hunting until i figured out minimalist equates to less comfort. Which equates to more movement and shorter sits due to discomfort.

Minimalist is great for a 2 hour evening sit but HORRENDOUS for a 14 hr all day rut sit.

I’m back to carrying my LW Assault in combination with my saddle for long sits now.
 
swampdonkey said:
Minimalist is the reason i got into saddle hunting until i figured out minimalist equates to less comfort. Which equates to more movement and shorter sits due to discomfort.

Minimalist is great for a 2 hour evening sit but HORRENDOUS for a 14 hr all day rut sit.

I’m back to carrying my LW Assault in combination with my saddle for long sits now.
Click to expand...
Funny, I feel the exact opposite. I can guarantee that if a LW was my only option ever for hunting elevated, I would be strictly a ground hunter. Literally the only treestand I could could stand for more than 1/2 hour was a Millenium M100. Anything else was murder on my back. What saddle are you using?

.
 
I started saddle hunting for the bulk/weight savings. Then after a few sits I quickly realized it stressed my back way less which is why I stuck with it. I don’t see myself going back to a treestand. I tried a treestand again this year. Made it 3 hours and was begging for my saddle and ring of steps.
 
First season for me and glad I got the old flex. After watching the video I can see exactly what he is talking about, great video with explanations.
 
huntin_addict said:
Funny, I feel the exact opposite. I can guarantee that if a LW was my only option ever for hunting elevated, I would be strictly a ground hunter. Literally the only treestand I could could stand for more than 1/2 hour was a Millenium M100. Anything else was murder on my back. What saddle are you using?

.
Click to expand...

I have a Phantom (sucks), Flex, and Cruzr. I feel there isn’t a saddle made more comfortable than a Cruze or a Flex.

I don’t just sit on my LW assault i use my saddle with it. So i essentially “saddle hunt” but with far more options than a ring of steps or platform for me feet/butt as i’ll lean into saddle, completely stand, and even turn around and sit down.

I could hunt 18 hours straight this way. But i have sat in saddle sun up to sun down several times and will never do it again.
 
swampdonkey said:
I have a Phantom (sucks), Flex, and Cruzr. I feel there isn’t a saddle made more comfortable than a Cruze or a Flex.

I don’t just sit on my LW assault i use my saddle with it. So i essentially “saddle hunt” but with far more options than a ring of steps or platform for me feet/butt as i’ll lean into saddle, completely stand, and even turn around and sit down.

I could hunt 18 hours straight this way. But i have sat in saddle sun up to sun down several times and will never do it again.
Click to expand...

Interesting...i might be into this.
Any chance a pic or two of the setup may come out??


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I bought one and really didnt care for it. I ended up selling it. It is just a freaking huge design. Way to big for the lack of butt that I've got. The bottom of the saddle was like halfway between my butt and knee very uncomfortable for me personally. I'll stick with my modded mantis still.
 
I've swapped out the webbing bridge for an adjustable 8mm oplux bridge with carabiner. The webbing was fine, but was not long enough for me and I prefer the rope.
 
Chrighton said:
I've swapped out the webbing bridge for an adjustable 8mm oplux bridge with carabiner. The webbing was fine, but was not long enough for me and I prefer the rope.
Click to expand...
Did you experience any of the hip pinch that was talked about in the video shared earlier in this thread?
 
Not really... and Boswell didn't like the slimmer chassis, which I don't feel like it hurts comfort for me. I typically would wear the top part of the saddle/chassis pretty low (below where you would wear a belt through your pants)... and with this setup I get the pressure where I want without having to pull the saddle down. I hope that makes sense.
 
I am new to SH and the flex is my first purchase in the world of SH. I wanted to go with a reputable company since my life may depend on the saddle. I didn't want to buy used and have no interest in creating my own system. My life isn't worth a few hundred dollars in savings. I really didn't have any way to compare saddles or try other saddle manufacturers other than a friendly SH on the forum in my areas letting me try his saddle. I think it was a Cruzr. A few minutes in the saddle was no way for me to know if it would be good for me long term, so I went with the AH based on reviews, name recognition, and the age of the company. Anyway, I have sat about 6 times ranging from 2 hours to 6 hours. For me, it has been a game of adjustments. I switch from sit to lean, but mostly stay leaning. I find myself pulling down the back when I switch from sit to lean. I guess that's normal. It does the job and I am not terribly sore for someone that is not in saddle shape. I have tried different adjustments and it seems to help. I mean, how comfortable can one expect to be when sitting in any position for a prolonged period of time? Especially, cold mornings or days. That being said, I am happy with the saddle and it seems well built and I feel confident with the gear. I had an issue with some rope melt on the tether and AH sent me a new tether asap. I would love to try other saddles to be able to get one that fits just right; however, that is not an option. So, for now this is my saddle and I will make it work. It still beats the hell out of lugging around a climber! Now, if only I can get a deer to walk near my tree I will give it 5 stars!
 
I got the new flex, but I have not sit it in much. I’m still hunting my loc on and a climber till I get a system worked out and practice a lot
I think it is comfortable, give it a try.
 
Watched the video and I agree about the pressure point on the lower half of the saddle it pulls and puts pressure on my thigh. The upper webbing I actually like where pressure is applied, my flex puts pressure on my lower back where I’ve had issues with my discs and was really uncomfortable. So I always pulled the top under my butt. The Merlin I don’t really have to do that which I like. I have the size 1 and thought the size 2 might help with that but not sure. I’ve owned a kite, mantis, phantom and kestrel. I currently have a og flex and the Merlin. As of now I like the Merlin the best, the pressure the other saddles would put on the waist band would really mess with my discs and would make it extremely uncomfortable. I almost was thinking of going to a loc on but I can’t sit for extended periods of time. As for the loops being to close to each other I understand his point but haven’t experienced accidentally not clipping in to the right loop. I’ll keep an eye on it , seems like a valid point.
 
I've used my Merlin for two sits and so far it has proven to be more comfortable than my Kestrel which I always found to be very comfortable. The last sit was nine hours without fatigue, hip pinch or the need to adjust it's position.
 
I feel like in the video he’s picking it apart because they didn’t ask him for any input on the saddle design. First off, there is no safety issue with this saddle. It’s probably the safest saddle available, with every component being weight rated. If your not making sure your carabiner gate is closed and locked every time, your probably going to fall out of any saddle at some point. The top webbing does supply support, just tighten the waist belt. If your getting a pinch from the leg straps, just keep them loose. IMO this saddle is great and comfortable. I own other Aerohunter saddles and this is my favorite.
 
I have the new flex which is just the solid fabric version of the merlin. I have had size 2 kestrels, flex’s and kites in the past but went with a size 1 per Debbies recommendation. I too was not confident that the saddle would be comfortable and I did experience a bit of a shock in the difference from the original flex to the new one; however, after fooling with it in the yard then hunting with it I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable it was.

The biggest concern I think most
People may have is the bottom digging in. That just isn’t the case, or at least not what I experienced. If I wanted to change from sitting to leaning I would sometimes rotate the girth hitch webbing bridge up or down which would rotate my hip orientation in the saddle.

He mentions in the video that the top part is supporting no weight while sitting in the saddle but that’s not completing true in my experience either. While sitting you do loose support from the top part ast your hips rotate up and in; however, while you’re leaning you can adjust the bridge to apply more or less pressure to the top of the saddle where the belt is. The top part of the saddle is not meaningless either. Other saddles have the belt at the same location as the top part of the saddle, but don’t feel comfortable riding on your waist and often times require you to loosen the belt and slide the saddle down below your waist and around your butt. With this design I can cinch the belt down to my desired tightness and never have to readjust the belt orientation.

The saddle folds back up neatly and hangs nice and high while walking in and doesn’t interfere with leg movement like some other saddles I’ve tried. I’ve tried open and closed but have found that if I’m in the saddle at all I prefer it open. It cups my but very well.

As far as the loops and connecting to the wrong one, I hardly see that as an issue. Is it possible, sure, is it likely, not really (in my experience).

The webbing Molle loops have been been great on a saddle so far. They are loose enough to get gear in and out but not too loose where everything just sags and flops around.

I tried about a dozen or more saddles and I’ll probably try a bunch more. Is this the greatest saddle that ever existed? No, but it’s a very solid, safe and comfortable saddle that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to someone.

I have been able to sit multiple times for 6 hours without any fidgeting or pain, and I haven’t been able to do that in many saddles. I did find that I preferred a lower tether with this saddle and fully extended bridge. Find the saddle that fits your butt. It makes a difference.
 
Shakeandbake said:
I feel like in the video he’s picking it apart because they didn’t ask him for any input on the saddle design. First off, there is no safety issue with this saddle. It’s probably the safest saddle available, with every component being weight rated. If your not making sure your carabiner gate is closed and locked every time, your probably going to fall out of any saddle at some point. The top webbing does supply support, just tighten the waist belt. If your getting a pinch from the leg straps, just keep them loose. IMO this saddle is great and comfortable. I own other Aerohunter saddles and this is my favorite.
Click to expand...

I caught that also. Who climbs up or down in the dark without a headlamp (not even a dim red one) and instead relies upon glow in the dark paint/stickers in near or total darkness? Does he walk in and out like that and continually take sticks to the eyeball and step in holes?
 
raisins said:
I caught that also. Who climbs up or down in the dark without a headlamp (not even a dim red one) and instead relies upon glow in the dark paint/stickers in near or total darkness? Does he walk in and out like that and continually take sticks to the eyeball and step in holes?
Click to expand...
I guess it works if your walking in an open crop field like on TV. I would say for most of us we would get ripped in half by briers and break ankles walking in with no light hahah
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top