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H2 vs tethrd?

I’ve been spending a lot of time going back and forth between my H2 and Phantom this week...several hours at a time in each and then switching. I’m seriously on the fence about selling the Phantom and keeping the H2. I installed the Triad bridge this week and it’s very hard to tell which saddle is more comfortable. I do know this, the Phantom, rides up for me and the H2 cups my hind quarters better. Phantom vs H2 w/ the standard bridge and the Phantom wins in the comfort department. The Triad really takes the H2 to another level and it’s right there with the Phantom...though for me, the H2 has beat the Mantis and Kestral Flex for comfort. I’m seriously thinking my H2 is winning. One other thing I don’t like about the Phantom is that when adjusted for max comfort on me, I can get a fist between the waist band and my backside. When the H2 is adjusted for max comfort...it cups and stays close. That makes me feel safer.

Take my review with a grain of salt as it’s my opinion only and I’ve had two Buffalo Trace whiskeys this evening!
I have the same issue with the phantom not being snug for me on the waistband. And it seems to ride up just like the mantis. Interesting...might have to try the h2.

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@shamus275
Not trying to be personal, but what size waist do you have and do you have a flat butt or not? Trying to see if we are similar body sizes.

I’m 5’7” with a 30-32” waist and I squat regularly so my butt is definitely not flat. I’m thick thru the hips/hamstrings/quads but I wear a medium or 30/30, 31/30 in pants. I’m blessed with stubby legs. Size small in a H2, size 1 in any Aerohunter product, medium in a Mantis, two of me could’ve fit in the new Trophyline Ambush.

My H2 and Phantom are almost identical in size/amount of fabric and the bridge loops/length are identical as well.
 
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I bought the Phantom at the Iowa Deer Classic. It was great to be able to "try before you buy" at the Deer Classic. I have sat in the Phantom about 4 hours on two different sits and I have been very comfortable. I love the big, easy to clip into lineman's loops, the leg straps attach easily and quickly. I have been experimenting with the comfort channels anf for me they do make a difference. Standing I like the center channel. Sitting I like the top channel. I like the adjustable bridge with about 6" of amsteel pulled out past the prussic. The adjustable bridge is also nice in that you can get it out of the way while walking or climbing. I have not hung in a Kestrel or H2 so no comparison there. I am happy with my purchase and Tethrd made it easy with their "teach and train tour" by coming to my area and having inventory there to sell. Here are a couple of pictures of me in the tree.

I actually made it into the video from the Deer Classic at the 1:20 mark. Blue ASA shirt and brown Stormy Kromer cap. What are the chances? I knew no one at Tethrd and there were 1000s of people there.

The Predator is working out great also.

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I have a mantis, sit drag, homemade wraptor (Anderson) and had a tactisaddle. The Mantis would not stop riding up and killing my crotch. Hunted twice with the tactisaddle and it literally wore red marks into the side of my hips and sitting on one piece of webbing hurt. The wraptor was nice but too much webbing and constantly got tangled. I ended up hunting with the sit drag for 2019 and harvested two bucks from it. Just recently bought the H2 and it is the best of them all. Never sat in the Phantom but what I don’t like is how much it costs I was disappointed when seeing the price. I’m not criticizing any manufacturers just my opinions everyone is different. However, I believe that you can’t go wrong starting out with an H2 for the price and comfort. Not many bad reviews on the H2.
 
Well I now have an H2 and phantom. It is a long review with many details.

Just initial impressions. And I only sat in a phantom for 30 min

Comfort. Hard to tell at this point and not really fair to guess. But initial impression. H2 may, may be slightly better for me only.
Not sure if the phantom will ride up on me. I do not think the H2 will.
Comfort is a draw for now and is subjective anyway. You will never beat a JX3 if comfort is king.
For sure the phantom has addressed the hip pinch in the mantis


Lineman’s loops. For sure the phantom wins

Price. For sure H2 wins

Bridge. Triad or ultribridge.
For sure phantom is easier to adjust after loading . The triad will replace comfort channels

Construction. Really both will last a long time. Some loose threads on the phantom. No big deal

Safety. I expect zero difference

Waist belt. A draw .
I like the H2 for how it feels when walking around. I like the width of the belt better.
But I like the phantom for adjustability. It moves from two sides and adjusts easier from one side. The one side though will just be adjusted once to your body and and centred.

Leg straps
Phantom wins. Nice colour for hook up and slightly more accessible. Not deal a breaker

Comfort channels. The triad bridge will grab better at the extreme ends of the bridge loops. On the phantom the bridge will slip on the extreme ends of the bridge loops. I will likely use the comfort channels but not at the extreme ends of the loops. So it is not a deal breaker.
The phantom is easier to adjust on the loops when sitting
So a draw

Molle loops. A draw. I like some large open loops and some tight.
Phantom are tight. H2 are open.
Phantom has a row of loops on the bottom of the saddle. I don’t know if I will use them
A draw

Ropes. Tethrd wins. But you pay for it. I would make my own
So I do not care

Weight. Minimal difference.

Brand recognition and pro staff

Tethrd wins

Who has promoted saddle hunting the best tethrd


Who are the nicest guys. How do I know I have never spent a day with any of them. So far I like them all. A draw.


So who wins.
Comfort is king for me. Which is more comfortable between these two. Not positive yet. But that is completely subjective anyway. Nothing will beat a hybrid. But that is another type of saddle

Price. Will matter to a lot of people so buy an H2 if that is important you will not go wrong.

Weight matters to this crowd.
A draw but I did not weigh them. Let’s say not much difference

Construction quality and safety matters to some people. They are all good but really you cannot beat a new tribes saddle but weight is the cost of a robust build.

Take the important things for you and buy either and you will not go too far wrong.
Both will make most new hunters happy.

My recommendation try both buy one. Or buy two sell one in September. They both are good and should retain most of their value.
Or if price is a major factor buy the H2.




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Thanks for that review OntarioFarmer, after a lot of time...A LOT OF TIME in both over the last two weeks I think I've finally given in to the Phantom. The H2 w/Triad is nice but the adjustability and ease of bridge adjustment with the Phantom wins. I hate to say it because I REALLY like my H2 but I'll be selling it.
 
Thanks for that review OntarioFarmer, after a lot of time...A LOT OF TIME in both over the last two weeks I think I've finally given in to the Phantom. The H2 w/Triad is nice but the adjustability and ease of bridge adjustment with the Phantom wins. I hate to say it because I REALLY like my H2 but I'll be selling it.

Perfect decision for you


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Thanks for that review OntarioFarmer, after a lot of time...A LOT OF TIME in both over the last two weeks I think I've finally given in to the Phantom. The H2 w/Triad is nice but the adjustability and ease of bridge adjustment with the Phantom wins. I hate to say it because I REALLY like my H2 but I'll be selling it.

The phantom bridge is excellent. I am going to make the triad bridge better.


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Well I now have an H2 and phantom. It is a long review with many details.

Just initial impressions. And I only sat in a phantom for 30 min

Comfort. Hard to tell at this point and not really fair to guess. But initial impression. H2 may, may be slightly better for me only.
Not sure if the phantom will ride up on me. I do not think the H2 will.
Comfort is a draw for now and is subjective anyway. You will never beat a JX3 if comfort is king.
For sure the phantom has addressed the hip pinch in the mantis


Lineman’s loops. For sure the phantom wins

Price. For sure H2 wins

Bridge. Triad or ultribridge.
For sure phantom is easier to adjust after loading . The triad will replace comfort channels

Construction. Really both will last a long time. Some loose threads on the phantom. No big deal

Safety. I expect zero difference

Waist belt. A draw .
I like the H2 for how it feels when walking around. I like the width of the belt better.
But I like the phantom for adjustability. It moves from two sides and adjusts easier from one side. The one side though will just be adjusted once to your body and and centred.

Leg straps
Phantom wins. Nice colour for hook up and slightly more accessible. Not deal a breaker

Comfort channels. The triad bridge will grab better at the extreme ends of the bridge loops. On the phantom the bridge will slip on the extreme ends of the bridge loops. I will likely use the comfort channels but not at the extreme ends of the loops. So it is not a deal breaker.
The phantom is easier to adjust on the loops when sitting
So a draw

Molle loops. A draw. I like some large open loops and some tight.
Phantom are tight. H2 are open.
Phantom has a row of loops on the bottom of the saddle. I don’t know if I will use them
A draw

Ropes. Tethrd wins. But you pay for it. I would make my own
So I do not care

Weight. Minimal difference.

Brand recognition and pro staff

Tethrd wins

Who has promoted saddle hunting the best tethrd


Who are the nicest guys. How do I know I have never spent a day with any of them. So far I like them all. A draw.


So who wins.
Comfort is king for me. Which is more comfortable between these two. Not positive yet. But that is completely subjective anyway. Nothing will beat a hybrid. But that is another type of saddle

Price. Will matter to a lot of people so buy an H2 if that is important you will not go wrong.

Weight matters to this crowd.
A draw but I did not weigh them. Let’s say not much difference

Construction quality and safety matters to some people. They are all good but really you cannot beat a new tribes saddle but weight is the cost of a robust build.

Take the important things for you and buy either and you will not go too far wrong.
Both will make most new hunters happy.

My recommendation try both buy one. Or buy two sell one in September. They both are good and should retain most of their value.
Or if price is a major factor buy the H2.




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Great review! Thanks for that! I am still hoping the corona virus doesn’t cause our Missouri meet up to cancel so I can try the H2 out.
 
Sometimes I think my tolerance for comfort is like my taste palette. I’ll eat anything.

Point is I’ve sat in several saddles, a sit drag and a fleece. It’s never the discomfort that makes me switch it’s the little things. The jingle bell buckled in the trophy line, the vertical movement on the mantis, the RCH requirement in the fleece and SD. I finally stopped at the H2 when I realized it was comfortable and priced right.

I’m wanting to at least try the articulating positions offered by the comfort channels or something similar on the H2 that I’m working on. Not going to lay out $250 to try though.


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