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Going from ROS to Platform

deertrout

deertrout

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2019
Messages
245
Location
Northern Michigan
Since deciding to make the switch to a saddle from a treestand, I've been set on running a ROS. Whats not to love, 4 squirrel steps on an OCB weigh almost nothing and fit in a cargo pocket. They were great for short practice sits in the yard, but then I did a few hunts out of my saddle for Turkey season this spring and everything changed. After about an hour there were definitely some serious pressure points forming on the bottom of my feet. So I found myself repositioning my feet every 15 minutes or so for the rest of each sit. But even that didnt completely fix the problem.

Even after all that, I was determined to make it work this deer season. I didnt want to try a platform until I saw one of the tethrd youtube videos where Ernie shoots to the weak side by pivoting his feet and bringing the bow under the tether and pinning himself to the tree with the tether. I was sold.

Long story short, the tethrd fathers day discount code popped up in my email yesterday and I ordered a predator platform.

So here is my question for the guys who have made the switch from ROS to platform, do I sell the ROS or keep em for "just in case"? I'm tempted to hold onto them for shorter sits, but on the other hand, my experience with them was so miserable that I will probably always find a way to make the platform work. How often do platform guys wish they had a ROS in the bottom of their pack? Thanks

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Last season I bought 5 squirrel steps and an OCB. Throughout the season I would say I was 50/50 ROS vs platform. There are definitely situations where I do prefer a ROS over a platform and vice versa.

If i'm going in blind to a spot and it's hard to tell which direction the deer will travel: a ROS wins everytime (for me). I can relocate my "home position" around the tree fairly painlessly without much movement. In order to do the same in a platform requires resetting the platform entirely.

If it's later/colder in the season and I'm looking for an all day sit, a platform is hard to beat for comfort.

As far as weight savings go, I haven't really seen much of a difference to really warrant much attention. There are other things in your kit/setup that can be shaved off before it comes to deciding which platform to use.

All in all they're just another tool to use when the situation presents itself. Welcome to your new obsession and good luck this fall!
 
I’d say it’s rare to wish you had something to stand on that made you miserable.

Contrary to the common gear hoarders, my mindset is you can use only 1 climbing method and only need one system for foot support. Some pair steps with their platform, but I find it redundant and unnecessary. I try to keep the gear to a minimum

I run a ROS and have never said I wish I had a platform. Used to run a platform and never said I wish I had some steps for this particular tree.

With that being said I might be interested in you squirrel steps depending on price. I sold mine in a moment of weakness and want to buy in again.


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Just my 2 cents. I would hold onto them. I myself use a platform but keep the ROS for that “what if scenario.
If your on a hunt and something happens to your platform you have an alternative.

Maybe a faithful ROS user could offer some helpful hints?
 
I hunt mostly platform, but if I'm looking to go deep for a short sit, I single stick without a stick, just a 5 step etrier, and a ROS. I get the hotspots on my feet from ROS as well, superfeet insoles help, but didnt fix it. I'll have less than 7# of gear and streamlined through the woods, all day sits, ridge runner with backpack straps or tied to my backpack.

I would keep the ROS unless you are hard up for cash or you have a friend in need.

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I’d say, and this is based on you saying the steps were uncomfortable and kept you repositioning due to that uncomfortableness, sell the steps and get a solo scout.

It is low bulk and light weight like a ROS but it will allow pressure to be distributed on your foot like a platform. Price will be comparable as well.

This advice is in no way influenced by desire to give you money for them.

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I hunt using an amerstepps ROS and would notice my feet needing to be repositioned when I was wearing my lacrosse rubber boots. I then noticed that whenever I was wearing my dans hip waders that I was no longer having any discomfort to make me have to reposition frequently. I think a good boot with a good sole can help quite a bit with foot comfort.

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I went from ROS to a Predator...actually, I have 3 of them lol.
I kept the ROS for "just in case" scenarios, and at this point, I have no interest in ever using a ROS again. If I really needed the cash, I would sell the ROS, but I would rather have them and not need them than to have $50 in my pocket that I would most likely blow on something else. Seems like as soon as you sell something, you wish you still had it.
 
I use and like both. A boot with a stiff sole helps my feet with both a platform and ROS, but even more so with the ROS. I wouldn't sell them until you find you like the platform.
 
Thank you for the feedback. I will take the advice given and make sure I like the platform before I sell. I have pretty good boots- Crispi Idaho GTX, used the top step of my beast sticks as a platform last deer season and didnt have the same issue. But with that the stick was more along the length of my foot than across it the way I was standing. Thanks again, appreciate the help.

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I was thankful I still had my squirrel stepps when my predator broke on an out of state hunt.
 
I would continue to use the platform and take a couple of those steps and attach them to the predator strap at about 3 and 9 o clock or 10 and 2, so if you really have to reach around the tree, you can move one foot onto one of those steps and lean out enough for the shot. I’m doing that this year with my ridge runner and some tree hopper steps.


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Allegheny Tom said:
I went from ROS to a Predator...actually, I have 3 of them lol.
I kept the ROS for "just in case" scenarios, and at this point, I have no interest in ever using a ROS again. If I really needed the cash, I would sell the ROS, but I would rather have them and not need them than to have $50 in my pocket that I would most likely blow on something else. Seems like as soon as you sell something, you wish you still had it.
Click to expand...
This is my thought process as well.
 
I have both and use the ros more but could see why someone would want to use a platform all the time. The solo scout I don’t really get. The scout on the top of your stick in conjunction with a ring of steps makes since.
 
Squirrel steps aren't comfortable. I sold mine after 1 season. Treehopper steps are a a better design. They are bigger, lighter, cheaper, and have wings that butt up to the tree so they don't yaw with lateral pressure.

www.treehopperllc.com

Strap on Tree Steps

Strap On Tree Steps For Climbing Trees or a Ring of Steps
www.treehopperllc.com www.treehopperllc.com
 
I'm a platform guy. I'd say hold on to the steps and make sure the platform is for you. I know for me, as soon as I think I like one way over another it always seems like I wished I hadn't made the change, and there are scenarios where one might be the "best" choice over the other. That being said, I do love my platform. What saddle do you have? I consider a ROS to be more of a sitters game. If your not used to sitting in a saddle for a while or if your saddle isn't dialed in for long sits, and your putting pressure on your feet to take pressure off your saddle I can see that a ROS could be uncomfortable on the feet. It may also be important to know what kind of bow your using. It might make a difference if your using trad gear, which one is easier to shoot 360. You'd have to get feedback from a trad guy for that info. Either way it won't be hard to get rid of them whatever you decide.
 
Just thought of this too. your tether height would be different with a ROS or platform. I found that I needed a higher tether for free movement around the tree for a ROS and it changes the angles and pressures. For my platform I find forehead high fits the bill. ROS guys could expand on that more.
 
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