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Anyone regret moving to larger platform?

Size 9.5s here and tried both Predator and Predator XL. Went with Predator. But now I pretty much only use the UP with a couple squirrel steps.
 
I’ve got the gen 1 predator and predator xl. 90% of the time I’m on a ros. My original hasn’t been on a tree since the xl showed up last year. My son is a fan of the xl but he isn’t carrying anything else since he isn’t climbing solo yet. So I’ll set the sticks, set his platform and lifeline and either climb up above him or climb down and go climb another tree. About the only time I use the platform is on a really large tree, a leaner, or when I’m hunting with a recurve.
 
TNbowhunter said:
I have an OG Predator, and I’ve been thinking about trading for a Predator XL or Mission to get a bit more foot room during my standing breaks (I mostly sit, with some leaning mixed in) and for weak side shots (I prefer to stand upright for those instead of contorting/twisting around—just more stable for me). So, my question is: Has anyone made a similar move with similar motives and regretted it? Or has it been a great move for those of you who’ve done it?
Also, I primarily hunt private land with a 1/4 mile walk or less, though my public ground hunting has ramped up the last couple years.
Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts and experiences!
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if i was hunting private land mostly, with shorter walks, i would go to a larger platform

even the smaller og predator is not light enough for long walks on public land up and down hills (for a middle aged guy with a back injury)

i hope to see the premium makers come up with some machined platforms the size of the predator and predator xl but cutting a pound or more off of each
 
MIPublic said:
I don't regret it, predator xl has been great, but I'll be switching back to a regular predator next year. I personally don't think the extra weight/space is a good enough trade-off. Even at 250 lbs I can turn and shoot the weak side just fine.
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i find the original predator is the minimum size to do this

i had my treehopper treesuit out yesterday, and i just can't make it work

it's too small to fully stand and relieve tether pressure, let alone hope to turn, even adjusting the tether requires grabbing the tree to pull yourself up and on a thick tree you couldn't do this

mark should make a treesuit xl that allows a normal human male to stand on it fully but would be lighter than the predator because of the non cast construction and lack of chunk i beam
 
I have a folding leg Alpha and its a shade bigger than any mentioned.
I love it. No wobbles or kick out and I can stand and turn, lean against the tree with my back.
It has backpack straps and carries my rope and stik.
I don't use a pack as Everything I need goes in my many pockets. A light, compass, gps, gut gloves and a knife.
So my stand is a bit heavier but my pack weighs nothing.

Which is more popular the trophyline or the XOP I wonder?

Of note, I feel nothing is more stable than the folding leg. I mean my stand does NOT even wiggle or flex for that matter.
 
Short answer is no.
Went from using top of steel sticks, to Klemz, to predator, ridgerunner, then mission, then to edp and for grins the predator xl. Can’t imagine where my money went. Prefer mission on a preset and for archery, use the predator with a step for gun season and mobility. Sold the ridgerunner (it tore up my pack) and was more difficult to set up if using it as a mobile setup. Ridge runner was easy to move on. Still not sure on the xl and edp. Weight vs movement. Spent a lot of time on the EDP this year. Edp was my carry in for archery.
 
I find myself doing the opposite. Every year I think....... I don't mind suffering a little bit more just to carry less crap. I have a ridge runner that I have used a couple times this year, I used it almost exclusively last year. Short hunts after work, I find myself just standing on my sticks. I should probably order a scout for the top of my sticks.
 
I love my predator XL except it’s a tight fit in the pack, and getting it out makes noise. It gives a third position...standing with back against the tree, basically standing in a tree stand using your tether same as a tree stand safety harness. which is comfy.....but not necessary. I started with a stick mounted OOAL beginning of season. Considering going back to ooal, and pairing 2-3 ROS, since I rarely do all day sits. I might need to trade you for your regular predator. I’m size 13, but usually kick my toes out, so I don’t feel I need the real estate. If you want to trade, we could do risk free, then PM me....but I’ll need the XL this Saturday. If either of us wants their stand back, we both eat shipping. LMK.
 
While having only ever tried the predator, I do think it's probably the best overall compromise in terms of size. For most of the hunt, leaning or sitting, something like the solo scout would probably be ideal since I only really use the edge of the platform. However, during setup and teardown, I prefer to stand on the platform which allows me to adjust my bridge and work more stably.

Anything bigger would be wasted material and weight and anything smaller would force me to change what I'm comfortable with.
 
Enjoying the Mission The extra width is worth the little extra weight to me Wear it with shoulder straps and I can hardly tell it’s there
 
TNbowhunter said:
I have an OG Predator, and I’ve been thinking about trading for a Predator XL or Mission to get a bit more foot room during my standing breaks (I mostly sit, with some leaning mixed in) and for weak side shots (I prefer to stand upright for those instead of contorting/twisting around—just more stable for me). So, my question is: Has anyone made a similar move with similar motives and regretted it? Or has it been a great move for those of you who’ve done it?
Also, I primarily hunt private land with a 1/4 mile walk or less, though my public ground hunting has ramped up the last couple years.
Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts and experiences!
Click to expand...
I see you're in middle TN I just went from a small to a larger platform, the Cruzr Seeker. Had no idea they were in Cookeville. Anyways I'll meet up with you somewhere and you can climb and play with my platform all you want to see if you'd want a larger one. I'm not sure where you are in middle TN but I live in Lebanon and my office is in Nashville. I'm the treasurer at Old hickory Lake Bowmens Club in Hermitage and we can go in there and you can climb any tree you want.
 
been using predator for several years and very happy with it, but just this season decided to try the xl. Definitely nice to have a little more real estate with the xl, but agree with MNFarm the regular size predator was really about the perfect size when you take into account the weight, size to pack and the amount of foot room and leverage needed to shoot around the tree. I have 10.5-11W foot size, so I could see where larger foot sizes would benefit from a slightly larger platform.
 
I wear a size 14W and started on the mission. I still have it as a back up. I moved to the Cruzr Seeker and love it. I never use the mission and can shoot from all positions with no issues.

Also keep in mind you can always use your last/top stick and make it even with your platform. This gives you that additional space to stepmom that you fear you maybe losing out on.
 
Hunted off the Mission this morning. It really is nice for longer sits and having the ability to stand up straight from time to time. Was thinking of selling it but I think I'll hold onto it for awhile now.
 
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