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Ring of steps

I run 6 steps and pair them two together in three spots around the tree, if that makes sense. Gives you double the area for your feet.
I do the same thing with my tree hopper steps. I will also sometimes pair 2 together at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions then single steps at 7 and 5 with the top of my stick just below the 7 and 5 step. I use the top steps of my stick to rest my heels on at times. I think that's the benefit of a ROS is you can move them around and try different positions to see what works best for you unlike a platform.
 
Any updates on the bullmans?
I use bullmans ROS. I'm 210lb and they feel sturdy to me. I have them rung on the strap that came with my hawk helium stick (made daisy chain for the stick) and a ratchet strap. I have to ratchet them very tight or they'll slip which happened twice while I was still getting used to them.

I run 3 pair at the 12, 4, and 8 o'clock position with my stick at the 6 o'clock. I could probably run just 3 instead of 3 pair but it's my first season and my buddy that introduced me to saddles is a platform guy that said I probably need the extra room. Now that I'm used to it I think I'll try less steps and see how that is.

To be honest I'm thinking about getting a platform so that I can stand up a little better and not be duck footed. Also the ROS is a pain to put in and take out of my bag. Any suggestions are appreciated.
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The ROS allows you to place the tree between you and the deer so you can move and position for a shot. I like small, light platforms and have used a Scout, from OAAL, on my top step and ROS for 2 years. Recently, I have been getting sore during 1/2 day sits with this set up so I purchased a Cruzr Mini Seeker to use with my ROS.

I think the ROS compliments a platform but does not replace it. Using just a ROS would be tough on your feet during extended sits.
 
Are you primarily a sitter or a leaner? I ask because I am a sitter, and the ROS is perfectly comfortable for me during extended sits. The picture below was from the other day. I did an 8 1/2 hour sit way back along a creek. These are Bullman Pioneer steps on an OCB from Eastern Woods.

I don't do an awful lot of all-day sits, maybe 4 to 6 per season but my normal sits are 4 to 5 hours. I can see how small steps would get old if I was leaning all the time.
 

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I mostly sit because like you said it is more comfortable. However, I do like to mix it up when sitting for long periods or multiple days in a row and I find myself wanting to get my feet under me a little bit more.
 
I do the same thing with my tree hopper steps. I will also sometimes pair 2 together at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions then single steps at 7 and 5 with the top of my stick just below the 7 and 5 step. I use the top steps of my stick to rest my heels on at times. I think that's the benefit of a ROS is you can move them around and try different positions to see what works best for you unlike a platform.
I think I’m doing the same thing… two ROS steps are snugged pretty close to the top double step and my feet are usually supported by both the step (a bit higher than the stick) and the then the stick. comfortable for me but I’m only 170.
 
Any reviews on the Bullman Platform steps. I haven't been able to find anything other than stuff from Bullman, and of course their going to toot their own horn.

I liked the look of these since they've sort of eliminated the hard edges to make them more comfortable, but we all know some things look like they should work great and then don't.
 
I’m using 5 bullman steps this season, and pretty happy up to 4 hour sits, then the predator xl for the 1 all day sit i did. I’m running latitude. Seems like the 2 panel sitters are fine with ROS, i rarely have more than 30% weight on my feet, except when lining up a shot, which has been rare this season, sadly. I’m hunting a lot of new spots this season due to EHD taking a toll where i hunt, and i always find i need to put a big gap where the OCB hits….and invariably deer end up coming from opposite of where i think, or the wind shifts, and i end up wanting to step on the OCB buckle. Finally did this last week with 15 minutes of light left, nice loud pop…and i just hung out the last 10 minutes of light with a 0 step ROS and a branch. (Lol). I lash the 5 pack with an elastic strap to my backpack belt, stole that idea from @tailgunner. works great except i did drop them recently. Still my first season with them, but they do take some fiddle factor to setup. The predator XL sets up smoother and faster.
 
I have 4 hawk steps, and they're ok but leave something to be desired, which is why I was thinking of the platform steps. And I'm thinking of going to a ratchet strap too since I had the OCB buckle come undone, and I struggled to get it tight enough the other day. My main two steps would squeak against the bark when I shifted my weight.
 
I’m using 5 bullman steps this season, and pretty happy up to 4 hour sits, then the predator xl for the 1 all day sit i did. I’m running latitude. Seems like the 2 panel sitters are fine with ROS, i rarely have more than 30% weight on my feet, except when lining up a shot, which has been rare this season, sadly. I’m hunting a lot of new spots this season due to EHD taking a toll where i hunt, and i always find i need to put a big gap where the OCB hits….and invariably deer end up coming from opposite of where i think, or the wind shifts, and i end up wanting to step on the OCB buckle. Finally did this last week with 15 minutes of light left, nice loud pop…and i just hung out the last 10 minutes of light with a 0 step ROS and a branch. (Lol). I lash the 5 pack with an elastic strap to my backpack belt, stole that idea from @tailgunner. works great except i did drop them recently. Still my first season with them, but they do take some fiddle factor to setup. The predator XL sets up smoother and faster.
This might help but I always feed the tag end of the OCB back around and under the steps wedging it between the steps and the bark, so the OCB won't pop loose at an inopportune time. I have thought about just what you described.
 
I think I need to give the ROS a go. Have only tried platforms. But watching some of John’s videos gets me thinking….lol
Just know John has been doing it a few times more than us. In reality if a deer comes in from your 6, there’s a good chance they’re already pretty close by the time you see. Grabbing the bow, letting enough slack out of the tether to get around, then doing so quietly with a deer within 30 yards is not so easy as it looks. This happened the same comedy of errors hunt i refer to above. First i unlashed the ROS, dropped them, had to rappel down and 2TC back up (only 10 ft). Probably the noise i made led a curious doe to come in from thicket at 6, i heard her, slowly turned, and she was already looking. I managed to scoot around, but she went back into cover, and i think bedded down. hoped she’d come out before dark, but the pop of the OCB on my ROS probably isn’t a “natural” sound. i should cross post this in the failed hunt section.
 
Just know John has been doing it a few times more than us. In reality if a deer comes in from your 6, there’s a good chance they’re already pretty close by the time you see. Grabbing the bow, letting enough slack out of the tether to get around, then doing so quietly with a deer within 30 yards is not so easy as it looks. This happened the same comedy of errors hunt i refer to above. First i unlashed the ROS, dropped them, had to rappel down and 2TC back up (only 10 ft). Probably the noise i made led a curious doe to come in from thicket at 6, i heard her, slowly turned, and she was already looking. I managed to scoot around, but she went back into cover, and i think bedded down. hoped she’d come out before dark, but the pop of the OCB on my ROS probably isn’t a “natural” sound. i should cross post this in the failed hunt section.
I agree John makes it look simple. Honestly when I’m watching videos always seems that way…lol. NY Saddle guys make rope stuff look effortless comes with experience.
 
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