First 2 Sits:

[CP3]

Phantom xl. Predator xl.

First sit was nice. Evening sit for about 2.5 or 3 hrs. Nice 6 came in to 25yrds and never knew I was on the planet.

I left the sticks and platform on the tree and came back the next morning. Sat for about 3-3.5 hrs. Not as comfortable the second day. here are my best guesses as why:

- a little sore from first sit
- a bit more bulk in clothing 38-40 degrees
- knees were not as comfortable for as long against the pad. Probably sore from day before.

Anyway, questions:

- I’ve seen some suggesting lowering tether to middle of chest: why?
- I was under the impression a shorter bridge meant more hip pinch, but some suggest that with a lower tether?
- The most soreness, not real bad just nagging, was the band on the bottom of my saddle. How to fix that?
- On that xl phantom am I looking to spread it out as much as possible high and low, or ride the saddle low as possible on my waist?

Am I a leaner or a sitter? I don’t even know yet. I like both.

I have a backband.

I’m really enjoying it thus far. Hoping to get it dialed in before next fall when I go on a bow hunt in Nebraska.

*Note to self: I was hanging in a pine, there was sap everywhere the next day. Sticky. Not cool.

 

[phatkaw]

Lots of questions there^^^.

Being sore the second day simply means that you're not in 'saddle shape' yet...

Usually by the time you get into saddle shape you will have figured out how to get comfortable in your saddleS.

It takes some time. There will be days that you get 'ah ha moments'. Those are turning points and are what you're looking for.

 

[Jonathan Simmons]

As for the pine sap, the platform really digs into the tree. I get sap on mine all the time since most trees here in lowcountry South Carolina is loaded with them.

 

[Micneador]

Agree with Phatkaw, need some more time in the saddle. The first three or four sits I made I hurt like no other.

On the subject of tether height, I prefer having my tether at just above nipple when standing straight up on the platform. This puts it around chin/neck when leaning and I don't get near the hip pinch when its that low. I also use a fairly short bridge so I can have some length on the tether itself for mobility. That is what works best for ME. I could never get rid of the hip pinch on my regular phantom, and returned my phantom XL as I knew instantly it was to big for me.
I used to use a high tether position but it would never end up comfortably and I would be constantly adjusting my saddle.

 

[CP3]

Agree with Phatkaw, need some more time in the saddle. The first three or four sits I made I hurt like no other.

On the subject of tether height, I prefer having my tether at just above nipple when standing straight up on the platform. This puts it around chin/neck when leaning and I don't get near the hip pinch when its that low. I also use a fairly short bridge so I can have some length on the tether itself for mobility. That is what works best for ME. I could never get rid of the hip pinch on my regular phantom, and returned my phantom XL as I knew instantly it was to big for me.
I used to use a high tether position but it would never end up comfortably and I would be constantly adjusting my saddle.

Thanks. I used that tether height setup last night for an evening sit, and it was more comfortable. I sat more this time and stayed close to the tree, I did not have as much back cover and wanted to minimize my silhouette.

 

[Jfow85]

This is a great video on tether height

 

[Jonathan Simmons]

This is a great video on tether height

I like that video and definitely useful when I was learning how to use the system, but that angle in the thumbnail looks like it would be in the way to draw your bow.

 

[Jfow85]

I like that video and definitely useful when I was learning how to use the system, but that angle in the thumbnail looks like it would be in the way to draw your bow.

It's never gotten in my way