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Gear you liked/disliked 2024

bigmike23

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2020
Messages
2,436
Location
NE PA
What worked this season, what didn't? Happy with everything you have or are there changes planned?

I changed this season from the Fanatic jacket/ Fanatic bib, to the FL Thermic/ Incinerator Bibs combo. I think the Thermic jacket is better in every way than the Fanatic. The incinerator isn't quite as warm as the Fanatic bibs were, but I was still comfortable in 20-degree weather and the bulk is dramatically less.

The Fix is the best platform I've ever used. I had issues caming it the first half of the season stemming from a bad cam strap. Got that resolved and It's been great ever since. I'm likely selling it as I have the Ambush on the way. I find the width of 12 inches perfectly fine, but I constantly want more depth. The 14.5 in of the Ambush should be awesome.

The Lonestar saddle has been the best saddle I ever used. Used it every sit since early Nov and its been a dream.

The Kuiu Encounter pants were used nearly every sit this year. Theyre a mix of Attack pants and baselayers with a brushed fleece lining. Theyre like PJ's. I only used baselayers twice this season. Big win with them.

Method MD3 broadheads are currently my favorite. I like IW single bevels as well, but despite me being good at it, I hate sharpening and want things as brain dead easy as possible. The quality of the S7 here is absolutely superb, The wider cut. Ease of sharpening. And while expensive, not quite IW expensive. Not world-ending if you lose one.

Tree styx are the best in the game. It isn't remotely close. Not much more to say here. Worth every nickle.

Dislike.
Got the Garmin crossbow scope for half the cost on classifieds. I hate the thing. Having no remote option to trigger the rangefinder is deal-breaking. It's 2024. Cables are dead. I don't want any external paraphernalia on my Xbow like a routed cable. Second, and this surprised me, was how pixelated the screen was. Super low-resolution screen so even the aiming dot inside is a little blurry and imprecise. There's cell phones at Walmart for 50 bucks that have higher resolution screens. Its very heavy, and messes with cheek welds unless you buy the higher stock piece. I just expected more considering how unbelievably perfect the Garmin chronograph is.

Tactacam 3.0s. Junk. I cant believe this came from the same guys who made the perfect 2.0. All 4 of mine have the latest firmware. The videos are choppier and have lower frame rate. I'm absolutely convinced they miss of ton of game. They claim these cams have less false triggers than the 2.0, and I believe it. Its because they lowered the sensitivity of the sensor so much that it misses a ton. Battery life has been terrible as well. Im hoping a firmware patch can fix some of this nonsense.
 
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LIKES

-Tree Styx, thought I was a one sticker 4life until I got these. Best sticks I’ve ever used.

-Tethrd Predator V, I have the regular and XL. I’ll hunt off these from now on. Solid and lightweight.

-Sitka Ambient hoodie and jacket, it hasn’t been all that cold this season, but these pieces pack up very nicely in a backpack and are surprisingly warm being so lightweight.

-Truck bed camper topper, I’ve spent nearly 3 weeks this season living out of the back of my truck. GAME CHANGER for sure. Park where I hunt and never have to leave.

- Buff face mask pull over, thin enough to be able to hear like you’ve got nothing over your ears, but just enough to block the wind a little.

-Trophyline Platow pack, I wish the pack was a little more ridged, and the waist belt needs to be smaller. Other than that it’s great.



DISLIKES

-Latitude Profile, worst platform I’ve ever had. Way too much flex ( I’m 250) and hated the shape of the outside edges. They’re circular which makes moving around not as easy, straight angles work way better. Surface needs more grip.

-Latitude bow hanger. It’s ok, but I’m not a fan. There’s better ways.

-Tethrd roller cam, hard to tighten up with one hand.

-Tethrd Ultralock side bags, I liked them at first but if the zipper goes all the way back, it’s imposssible to zip up one handed. I usually load them up so when it opens all the way up it’s hard to close back. I gotta find another way… probably will go with the CGM pouches.


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LIKES

-Tree Styx, thought I was a one sticker 4life until I got these. Best sticks I’ve ever used.

-Tethrd Predator V, I have the regular and XL. I’ll hunt off these from now on. Solid and lightweight.

-Sitka Ambient hoodie and jacket, it hasn’t been all that cold this season, but these pieces pack up very nicely in a backpack and are surprisingly warm being so lightweight.

-Truck bed camper topper, I’ve spent nearly 3 weeks this season living out of the back of my truck. GAME CHANGER for sure. Park where I hunt and never have to leave.

- Buff face mask pull over, thin enough to be able to hear like you’ve got nothing over your ears, but just enough to block the wind a little.

-Trophyline Platow pack, I wish the pack was a little more ridged, and the waist belt needs to be smaller. Other than that it’s great.



DISLIKES

-Latitude Profile, worst platform I’ve ever had. Way too much flex ( I’m 250) and hated the shape of the outside edges. They’re circular which makes moving around not as easy, straight angles work way better. Surface needs more grip.

-Latitude bow hanger. It’s ok, but I’m not a fan. There’s better ways.

-Tethrd roller cam, hard to tighten up with one hand.

-Tethrd Ultralock side bags, I liked them at first but if the zipper goes all the way back, it’s imposssible to zip up one handed. I usually load them up so when it opens all the way up it’s hard to close back. I gotta find another way… probably will go with the CGM pouches.


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A topper for my truck is at the top of my need list, esp since I threw my tent in the trash after my MO hunt. Have a tri-fold bedcover that keeps stuff covered but is a royal pain in my backside with how often I have to work on it.
 
A topper for my truck is at the top of my need list, esp since I threw my tent in the trash after my MO hunt. Have a tri-fold bedcover that keeps stuff covered but is a royal pain in my backside with how often I have to work on it.

Just an FYI. I've had a Softopper on my truck for the last couple of years and love it. It's obviously not as secure as a fiberglass topper but, being able to fold it down in less than 30 seconds and have access to my full bed more than makes up for it. Not to mention they are cheaper. They might be worth checking out.
 
I didn't make many changes and I liked both.

Tethrd Predator XL platform: being able to easily turn around makes it so much better, however this thing is too heavy for me to carry in deep....will look for a lighter weight option as they become available

Meindl Hunter boots 400 gram primaloft: I've owned my fair share of boots and these are my favorite and it's not even close, primaloft is significantly warmer than thinsulate at the same weight, I hunted all day below freezing with just these and a liner sock with a thicker alpaca sock which I couldn't do with 400 gram thinsulate, the build quality on these things is just superb and the traction very good
 
Just an FYI. I've had a Softopper on my truck for the last couple of years and love it. It's obviously not as secure as a fiberglass topper but, being able to fold it down in less than 30 seconds and have access to my full bed more than makes up for it. Not to mention they are cheaper. They might be worth checking out.

What brand?


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What brand?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You looking for a full camper top or just a tonneau?

Here's what I have for a tonneau, I've had ARE before and this beats it hands down.


Not painted so can't scratch or flake, very light and can be removed by one person, detachment system to remove is very easy.
 
Liked:
Picked up a Springbar canvas tent and wood stove earlier this year for family camping and hunt trips. Love it.
Lite Boots is all I’m wearing now, even for southern OH hills.
Hickory Creek Mini
Sevr Hybrid broadheads
Tethrd One sticks are good enough that I’m not window shopping for other sticks. If I start hunting hang ons a little, it’s because the sticks weight has now become so low.
I sat a Summit climber once this year, I still like it, known downsides but it’s still fun to perch in total comfort.
Novix Raider - awesome comfortable stand for semi permanent locations or heck maybe even some mobile.
DJI Osmo gimbal - click a creature of interest on your phone and the gimbal will follow it hands free.
Old beat up Osprey backpack.
Trekking pole, any trekking pole will do.
Petzl SMD twist lock biners

Disliked:
I dunno man I like the Dryad / JX3 combo that I run but I’m still pretty slow and clunky setting em up, that’s probably more on me than the gear itself.
Motorola Defy satellite unit (for safety) would not connect to satellite this season.
 
I upgraded my platform to the Latitude Rebel this season, and it was a huge upgrade from the boat anchor XOP Edge platform I used the two previous seasons

I am doing much better with my EWO one stick by now (season still ongoing because I've passed on deer so far), but it was giving me issues in the early season when I was out of practice.

Things I didn't like:
My XOP saddle. I have the old version, and its just not that comfortable over the course of a long sit. I have a CGM Cobra on order, so I'm hoping to relieve that for next year.

I used some cheap kneepads from Menards that were pretty terrible, but I just received new ones from EWO that should be better.

I tried 2TC with a Garda foot loop and I just couldnt figure out the moves/ rhythm to make it work efficiently and without sweating my butt off in the three climbs I tried. I think this may still be something I use in the future, but I'm saving the evaluation for the offseason (as I should have to begin with).
 
You looking for a full camper top or just a tonneau?

Here's what I have for a tonneau, I've had ARE before and this beats it hands down.


Not painted so can't scratch or flake, very light and can be removed by one person, detachment system to remove is very easy.
Full topper.
 
I revisited a bivy sack during elk season. This was both my like and dislike. The bivy is super quick and easy to set up and pack away.
I really don’t like the entry into my OR Aurora. It only unzips to about shoulder height. Makes getting in and out giant pain. I look like Ace Ventura being pooped out of the rhino getting out of that thing. Probably why I hung it up for a long time.
I’ll either get a new bivy or take this one in for a quick modification and try it again.
 
I’ve been trying to fine tune my system every year and have gotten fairly close at to what I need at this point, but still need to make some modifications.

Dislike -
My current gear hanging system. Paracord with a niteize cam jammer with a couple of different clips hanging in it. It’s super lightweight, but I need to do something about what I’m using as a bow hanger.

Still trying to dial in my cold weather stuff. For the backpack hunt I use a merino base, grid fleece mid, and then a Born Primative Tundra puffy. I’ve avoided my warmer gear due to space taken, but after being frozen from wind in even 30-40’s I need to start bringing in my Kryptek Njord pants and jacket. The set weighs 4 lbs and with a compression sack I think I can really reduce the space taken.

Wins
EXO K4 5000 - I absolutely love this pack. Makes my backpacking hunt and training hikes a breeze.

Hanwag Makri Combi GTX - Hiking miles on end without issues and provides the support needed when on a platform to stand on the edges without the boot rolling over. Need to add boot blankets for long cold sits.

Combination of Stone Glacier Chilkoot 15° and Thermarest xtherm nxt - Slept in just my base layers down to 19° and woke up warm without a hint of being cold. I believe their 15° rating is very modest and more of a comfort rating vs a survival rating. I also believe that the xtherm with is 7.1 r value plays a huge role in how that bag performs for me.

Overwatch Outdoors Transformer - still love this saddle
 
I’ve been trying to fine tune my system every year and have gotten fairly close at to what I need at this point, but still need to make some modifications.

Dislike -
My current gear hanging system. Paracord with a niteize cam jammer with a couple of different clips hanging in it. It’s super lightweight, but I need to do something about what I’m using as a bow hanger.

Still trying to dial in my cold weather stuff. For the backpack hunt I use a merino base, grid fleece mid, and then a Born Primative Tundra puffy. I’ve avoided my warmer gear due to space taken, but after being frozen from wind in even 30-40’s I need to start bringing in my Kryptek Njord pants and jacket. The set weighs 4 lbs and with a compression sack I think I can really reduce the space taken.

Wins
EXO K4 5000 - I absolutely love this pack. Makes my backpacking hunt and training hikes a breeze.

Hanwag Makri Combi GTX - Hiking miles on end without issues and provides the support needed when on a platform to stand on the edges without the boot rolling over. Need to add boot blankets for long cold sits.

Combination of Stone Glacier Chilkoot 15° and Thermarest xtherm nxt - Slept in just my base layers down to 19° and woke up warm without a hint of being cold. I believe their 15° rating is very modest and more of a comfort rating vs a survival rating. I also believe that the xtherm with is 7.1 r value plays a huge role in how that bag performs for me.

Overwatch Outdoors Transformer - still love this saddle
My gear hanging system is something I've also considered changing. I currently girth hitch my linemans and hang my pack on the biner/ropeman 1, and also have the ITO Dewclaw hanger with the bow hook and three small hooks. I feel like I have too much stuff hanging off the tree.
 
Finally talked myself into buying a Waldrop a few months back. Got around to using it for our gun opener and a reduction hunt. The seat killed my ass after a couple of hours. I adjusted the seat strap and even used a cushion. Sold it last weekend. I like the concept but it just was not comfortable for me for the price. I got a Stolek seat that is more comfortable but more fiddle factor and kind of awkward to pack. But it was $80 for Black Friday.
 
Gear I really liked this year:
  • my Amazon Kindle, on which I read a great history about US forces in N Africa in WWII.
  • my RMS Cutthroat broadheads, which passed through eight deer and hit where aimed on every one, including a 44 yard shot.
  • VAP TKOs. Likewise, flawless.
  • Hearing aids, used all season, were a big help for my old ears.
  • Spot Hogg Wise Guy-> best wrist strap release I have ever used.
 
Switched from Montecs (still love them and will use for coyotes and such) to the Grim Reaper Pro Series mechanicals. I absolutely love them. They perform great out of my low-KE setup (smallest diameter, I think 1.25”). I have indeed “watched ‘em drop” in sight with quick kills. They are stupidly sharp and that’s the main reason I switched, I was starting to get annoyed sharpening Montecs 1-2x per week. Yuck. Just got the GR practice head and the real ones come 4/pack, just $12 apiece, and I never have to sharpen (I don’t reuse broadheads on animals).

Jury is still out on Sterling TRC for me. It’s plenty strong and works well on my 9mm line but it almost works TOO well. I find the Sticht is the only hitch that tends very easily with it. Prusik is like cement, which is great until you need to adjust your tether to descend and you have to literally pry the prusik “bar” to the side to unload it (even without body weight). I like my Bluewater 7mm but I want a different 6mm heat-resistant line to try, if anyone has recommendations.
 
A topper for my truck is at the top of my need list, esp since I threw my tent in the trash after my MO hunt. Have a tri-fold bedcover that keeps stuff covered but is a royal pain in my backside with how often I have to work on it.
Once you go cap, you don’t go back.

I have a trail boss with a 6.5 bed and a leer on top. I made a set of drawers, and a cot fits perfectly in the long bed. It turned my truck into a pretty nice adventure buggy. After having a cap I just don’t get how people can have a truck and not have one. I don’t put dirt bikes or four wheelers or anything in the back of mine that I would need to take the cap off, I can see how that would discourage people from one.
 
Finally talked myself into buying a Waldrop a few months back. Got around to using it for our gun opener and a reduction hunt. The seat killed my ass after a couple of hours. I adjusted the seat strap and even used a cushion. Sold it last weekend. I like the concept but it just was not comfortable for me for the price. I got a Stolek seat that is more comfortable but more fiddle factor and kind of awkward to pack. But it was $80 for Black Friday.
I got a Waldrop off of here and ended up having the same issue. My problem was the front bar of the seat just dug into the backs of the thighs too much for me. And don’t want to sit spread eagle all the time either on it. I tried a pad on it and it was a lot better but still not enough for me at the end of the day. Didn’t pay new price for it but still was more than what I cared for how it made the lower half feel.
 
I got a Waldrop off of here and ended up having the same issue. My problem was the front bar of the seat just dug into the backs of the thighs too much for me. And don’t want to sit spread eagle all the time either on it. I tried a pad on it and it was a lot better but still not enough for me at the end of the day. Didn’t pay new price for it but still was more than what I cared for how it made the lower half feel.
I think it was maybe a combination of the bar and how narrow the seat is. Luckily I was able to sell it without shipping it and didn’t take too bad of a hit. I just got a Cabela’s turkey chair yesterday that I think will work well for ground hunting. With a gun or xbow at least. If nothing else, I’ll use it for turkey season ha.
 
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