Eberlestock F1 Mainframe Probelsm and Solutions

[BlackpowderGuy (AJHS)]

Thought I'd start a thread for owners of the Eberlestock F1 mainframe to share some problems and solutions... @Kayl @Loopwing

Starter questions:

1. Do you actually haul the mainframe up the tree with you or do you stash it somewhere on the ground?
2. If you stash it on the ground, what bag or whatever are you taking up with you?

I basically love my F1 but have struggled over the last two seasons to get it just right. What I generally do now is use a second backpack that I attach to the mainframe, ditch the mainframe at the base of the tree and carry the smaller bag up with me. I've never tried to bring the mainframe up the treee with me, it is so long...

I have the vapor 2500 and I want to get it modified so that it has some light straps on the back and add a few rows of molle on the top, then I would simply unzip it from the mainframe and carry it up getting rid of the need for a second bag.

 

[Ajbradley]

I just switched to the F1 and I bought the Kifaru Escape and Evade to use as my tree pack. Very small and lightweight. I’m going to dual it as my tree pack and compression for the platform.

 

[Kayl]

I usually bring the mainframe up with me. Early and mid season I climb with it. When it's cold and has all my layers strapped to it I pull it up on a loop above my weapon loop on the end of my rappel rope. I'm probably going to buy a vapor 2500 for my layers and might experiment with just using that vs the batwings. I do really like the bat wings and the storage behind them though.

 

[Kayl]

I usually bring the mainframe up with me. Early and mid season I climb with it. When it's cold and has all my layers strapped to it I pull it up on a loop above my weapon loop on the end of my rappel rope. I'm probably going to buy a vapor 2500 for my layers and might experiment with just using that vs the batwings. I do really like the bat wings and the storage behind them though.

I should mention that I use the multipack pouch on my hip belt molle for my madrack, rappel rope, pulldown rope, autoblock, back up atc, and hand ascender with foot loop. So that'll have to change if I go to the vapor and leaving the mainframe at the base of the tree.

Multipack

The A2MP has ten pockets. But its not about the pockets... Its just an exceptionally useful and versatile piece of gear. The MultiPack is a padded, compact, multi-pocket accessory pouch with many potential uses. With Eberlestock’s Padlock attachment system built in, it can be mounted to a...

eberlestock.com

 

[BlackpowderGuy (AJHS)]

I should mention that I use the multipack pouch on my hip belt molle for my madrack, rappel rope, pulldown rope, autoblock, back up atc, and hand ascender with foot loop. So that'll have to change if I go to the vapor and leaving the mainframe at the base of the tree.

Multipack

The A2MP has ten pockets. But its not about the pockets... Its just an exceptionally useful and versatile piece of gear. The MultiPack is a padded, compact, multi-pocket accessory pouch with many potential uses. With Eberlestock’s Padlock attachment system built in, it can be mounted to a...

eberlestock.com

The multipack holds all that? How many feet of rappel rope.

 

[Ajbradley]

Are you guys carrying sticks in?

 

[BlackpowderGuy (AJHS)]

Are you guys carrying sticks in?

4 of them and either a Mission or an EDP...{though I am always tempted by the Predator's ability to fold flatter}

 

[Kayl]

The multipack holds all that? How many feet of rappel rope.

40' of CIV and 40' of canyon elite (not at the same time. I'll take a pic after Christmas

Are you guys carrying sticks in?

99% of the time I'm using my EWO ultimate one stick. I got some Tethrd One sticks that I'll be using more.

4 of them and either a Mission or an EDP...{though I am always tempted by the Predator's ability to fold flatter}

I too am tempted by a flatter platform. I'm looking at the Hunt Arsenal RZR or RZR Magnum

 

[Dope on a Rope]

Love the F1 with batwings but I’ve never tried bringing it up the tree though I’ve toyed with the idea… could make a nice all in one pack/shelf/hanger… just seems like too much in the tree. I use it with spike duffel and bag wings for longer camping hunts but batwings are plenty coming up the tree. Hooked them to my suspenders yoke for the climb and strapped them around the tree. For muzzleloader I’ve been using the mini-me with scabbard… I just don’t need that much for a day in the woods.

 

[Ajbradley]

I just got in the Kifaru E&E and decided to play with the set ups on the F1. I was minus a stick but it held all of my essentials perfectly.

 

[BlackpowderGuy (AJHS)]

40' of CIV and 40' of canyon elite (not at the same time. I'll take a pic after Christmas


99% of the time I'm using my EWO ultimate one stick. I got some Tethrd One sticks that I'll be using more.


I too am tempted by a flatter platform. I'm looking at the Hunt Arsenal RZR or RZR Magnum

I have seen the RZR up close and it is small! I am at the heavier end of the scale and I think the flex in the RZR would freak me out. EDP is built like a tank...

 

[Ajbradley]

I have seen the RZR up close and it is small! I am at the heavier end of the scale and I think the flex in the RZR would freak me out. EDP is built like a tank...

It’s going to be tough for me to move away from the EDP. I’m holding out hope for Elevate to release their platform at ATA

 

[Loopwing]

Let me start off with I love the F1 for what it is intended for, packing meat. Every time I walk into the woods I try and kill a deer. I don't look for reasons not too. (Target buck, not big enough) I am one step above "it is brown it is down."
I have 2 batwings and a large dry bag. I carry a lot of stuff in my saddle pouches also. I made my mission into a 1 stick.
One thing I have really grown to dislike is the zippers on the batwing zip up, so you are constantly fighting gravity. The zippers should zip down. Depending on the size of the tree I will pull the pack up with me. I keep a biner on the end of my rappel rope and use that as my pull up rope. I haven't had to to fiddle with gear during actual killing season. I have bought some triglides to attach smaller packs. I am also thinking about getting small pouches for organizing the batwings and dry bag.

 

[Kayl]

One thing I have really grown to dislike is the zippers on the batwing zip up, so you are constantly fighting gravity. The zippers should zip down.

The one side has a little hook to keep it up. I use a small binder and a dynasteel loop to keep the others up. I'll post a pic later this week.

 

[BlackpowderGuy (AJHS)]

The one side has a little hook to keep it up. I use a small binder and a dynasteel loop to keep the others up. I'll post a pic later this week.

At the top of either side of the frame there is a small loop and at the end of the zippers on the Vapor {and I assume the batwings} there is a hook and you are supposed to put the hook in the loop. It is a tight fit and I have made a small loop paracord on the loop of the frame in order to make it easier to get the hook into. Would be better if zipped down, for sure.

 

[Loopwing]

I was thinking about putting a zip tie through the fabric

 

[BlackpowderGuy (AJHS)]

So, I think I may have found a cheap-ish solution to my Vapor problem...I found these straps on Backwoods Mobile Gear, and I think I can attach them to the loops on the top and bottom of the Vapor 2500 and that way I can unzip the pack at the bottom of the tree, leave frame below and carry Vapor up with me. I may try and get two rows of Molle on top so that I can attach an easy to access pouch there for when in tree.

 

[BlackpowderGuy (AJHS)]

OK, here are the pics of the mods that I have made...2 rows of Molle up top, one row on side {does not block water port}, straps from Backwoods Mobile. Inside the bag is my saddle and pouches, kill kit, bib, winter coat and sweater, and kill kit and other supplies.