New Gear for 2023, Go!

[Horn]

Hey there, Gang!!!

I can't seem to find the saddle hunting platform with 'slants' on three sides. I watched a YouTube video on it a few months back and didn't take notes...

Anyone know what I'm talking about?

Thanks!

Trophyline onyx, Here's a thread too.

Trophyline Onyx platform initial thoughts?

I got an email from Trophyline on a new platform they’re releasing tomorrow (1/11/23) called the Onyx I guess? Looks kind of interesting. A little more streamline than their others so far. Wondering what everyone’s thoughts are on it if you’ve seen it yet?

saddlehunter.com

 

[enkriss]

Trophyline onyx, Here's a thread too.

Trophyline Onyx platform initial thoughts?

I got an email from Trophyline on a new platform they’re releasing tomorrow (1/11/23) called the Onyx I guess? Looks kind of interesting. A little more streamline than their others so far. Wondering what everyone’s thoughts are on it if you’ve seen it yet?

saddlehunter.com

It still bothers me they don’t put any protectant or finish on the onyx platforms and they come with white oxidation/corrosion all over them.

 

[Horn]

It still bothers me they don’t put any protectant or finish on the onyx platforms and they come with white oxidation/corrosion all over them.

I don't think I had heard this before. That is pretty disappointing, they charge at least as much as everyone else. Seems like anodizing would be a pretty nice touch

 

[enkriss]

I don't think I had heard this before. That is pretty disappointing, they charge at least as much as everyone else. Seems like anodizing would be a pretty nice touch

Trophyline stopped painting/finishing their platforms. They say “it cuts down on lead time for the customer” I was not pleased…

 

[Fl Canopy Stalker]

Back in the day there were people literally begging existing companies to make a saddle platform. Platform choices commonly included repurposed everyday materials including landscaping pipe and wheelchair footrests.

Now we have a whole cottage industry, dozens of choices, totally superfluous features, and whole goofball sects of tribalism within the SH community.

Back in the day was 5 years ago. Man does time fly.

In 5 years I'd venture to guess we'll be back to a handful of choices.

I think you might be correct. When the market becomes too saturated like now, and the insurance and standards become mandatory to sell, the smaller guys that advance the sport will disappear and it will be the titans that are left offering options. Hopefully the bigger companies are smart enough to bring on some of the smaller guys to help fix their gear issues though

 

[Fl Canopy Stalker]

No different than every other piece of gear you touch in the tree.

Yea but that one will clang more on the way down

 

[Fl Canopy Stalker]

I hear a company is bringing out the ultimate hunting platform for 2026. Cheap at a $100k predicted price. I wonder if the company is Tethrd? Or someone else?

The stealth wrap will cost a bit though.


View attachment 85234

I know guys at work who already do this

 

[Center Punch]

Thank you, Gents!

Don't know if I'm going to pull the trigger on it, but it was bugging me that I couldn't find it.

 

[Jefferson10940]

Trophyline stopped painting/finishing their platforms. They say “it cuts down on lead time for the customer” I was not pleased…

Not sure why what yours looked like but mine has zero white spots. Looks like every other cast I’ve seen. No different than any platform from TL

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sojourner]

Not sure why what yours looked like but mine has zero white spots. Looks like every other cast I’ve seen. No different than any platform from TL

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

A long time ago I bought a lone wolf alpha II from Cabelas. When I opened it up it has white splotchy areas all over. I took it back. It was explained to me that it was probably made right before the molds were cleaned for maintenance. The one I replaced it with did not have any of the white splotchy marks.

I don’t know anything about casting processes or molds or cleaning them, but that is what I was told. Maybe someone can make some sense of that explanation I received.

 

[enkriss]

Not sure why what yours looked like but mine has zero white spots. Looks like every other cast I’ve seen. No different than any platform from TL

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I know you have an affiliation with them and will defend them. My predator platforms and my old lone wolf stands were finished. However, this is what mine looked like out of the box and found it completely unacceptable especially when it cost as much as machined platforms on the market. Also, Nick from trophylines BS response.

 

[Plebe]

A long time ago I bought a lone wolf alpha II from Cabelas. When I opened it up it has white splotchy areas all over. I took it back. It was explained to me that it was probably made right before the molds were cleaned for maintenance. The one I replaced it with did not have any of the white splotchy marks.

I don’t know anything about casting processes or molds or cleaning them, but that is what I was told. Maybe someone can make some sense of that explanation I received.

I too bought a LW hang-on that had what I thought was oxidation. Idk.

What were they supposed to be coated with?

 

[Horn]

Does it really matter what the cause is? If it's from the mold that's bad QC / bad practice. It certainly looks like corrosion. I wouldn't be happy with that either. I don't do casting but I do happen to work with metal. That would never get out of any shop I've worked in and I change jobs like most people change their undies

 

[Jefferson10940]

I know you have an affiliation with them and will defend them. My predator platforms and my old lone wolf stands were finished. However, this is what mine looked like out of the box and found it completely unacceptable especially when it cost as much as machined platforms on the market. Also, Nick from trophylines BS response.

View attachment 85696View attachment 85698
View attachment 85699

I only have to defend the company as you are making blanket statements. Does this happen in the heat treat process, yes. Is it common? No. Yours is the only one that I have seen to be honest. It’s unfortunate but stuff happens and the response of companies is what defines them. You were offered a replacement or refund. And I imagine the response time was quick. It’s clear that you are hard to impress and that is completely fine and understandable, it’s your hard earned money. This was clearly unacceptable for any customer. I’m glad that you reached out with your concerns. It only makes companies better


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Plebe]

Does it really matter what the cause is? If it's from the mold that's bad QC / bad practice. It certainly looks like corrosion. I wouldn't be happy with that either. I don't do casting but I do happen to work with metal. That would never get out of any shop I've worked in and I change jobs like most people change their undies

I'm certainly interested in learning more about the whats and whys of it. And how other cast platforms are coated/better.

It'd also be interesting to hear if other TL customers have had similar "issues" as @enkriss .

I know one of the named companies who's platforms @enkriss has never had such an issue is known to have sent out bent platforms and called them good to go, amongst other problems. For context.

Not to disparage @enkriss's complaint either.

I'd love to know more about cast platform coatings and who's doing what. And how good what they're doing actually is. Maybe another thread?

 

[GeoFish]

I only have to defend the company as you are making blanket statements. Does this happen in the heat treat process, yes. Is it common? No. Yours is the only one that I have seen to be honest. It’s unfortunate but stuff happens and the response of companies is what defines them. You were offered a replacement or refund. And I imagine the response time was quick. It’s clear that you are hard to impress and that is completely fine and understandable, it’s your hard earned money. This was clearly unacceptable for any customer. I’m glad that you reached out with your concerns. It only makes companies better


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I see we're they offered a replacement. But I did not see a offer fof a refund.
I don't know much about aluminum coatings. What is the coating on my LWCG .75?
What ever it is it is much nicer then my old Alpha Lone Wolf stands.
The pics above by @enkriss are totally unacceptable to me.

 

[Plebe]

I see we're they offered a replacement. But I did not see a offer fof a refund.
I don't know much about aluminum coatings. What is the coating on my LWCG .75?
What ever it is it is much nicer then my old Alpha Lone Wolf stands.
The pics above by @enkriss are totally unacceptable to me.

The text is rather limited, no?

 

[enkriss]

I see we're they offered a replacement. But I did not see a offer fof a refund.
I don't know much about aluminum coatings. What is the coating on my LWCG .75?
What ever it is it is much nicer then my old Alpha Lone Wolf stands.
The pics above by @enkriss are totally unacceptable to me.

The coating on the .75 is hard coat anodize.

I returned the trophyline onyx and had to eat shipping charges.

 

[sojourner]

I too bought a LW hang-on that had what I thought was oxidation. Idk.

What were they supposed to be coated with?

No idea

 

[enkriss]

No idea

Anything even a simple clear coat would probably suffice… what does the automotive industry use? An anodic type of finish?