Kestrel vs Mantis

[Halonhunter6]

I am trying to choose between the two can anyone with experience give some pros and cons of each? Both have features I think I would prefer but neither has it all. Any insight is appreciated.

 

[DB4x4]

I chose the Kestrel because I like a big, confidence-inspiring climbing rope for a bridge, and I liked the fact that the leg straps are load-bearing/rated. To me, this is a big plus when climbing via the one stick method; I want rated straps holding me in...

 

[Mike Nutto]

I have a mantis , I like it for a couple reason , I dislike it for a couple reasons. Im waiting on a kestrel now to really compare. this is my first year saddle hunting. I love it so far. There are learning curves. I think every saddle company can improve what they have to offer. Long sits are where you start to notice discomfort. So placement of your tether rope , length of bridge, and having micro adjusters ,and the back strap can all effect how you feel in a saddle. Ive heard a bunch of guys say they prefer mantis over the Kestrel , but I think both have advantages and disadvantages.
One the mantis is a fixed bridge , you cants change it once your sitting, this can be an issue in a long sit, for me pressure builds on my hip, which is discomfort so now I'm set up in the tree, in order to adjust I have to move my tether on the tree. Changing the height of the tether effects where you get the pressure points from. Understand you have to move in order to do this , and by move I mean stand up , push the tether up or down the tree. With an adjustable bridge you can put it in or release the tension a bit. That doesn't mean you still wont feel pressure , it just changes pressure points. Back straps also make a big difference in a long sit to release pressure on your hips. The micro adjusters also help with this.
The kestrel has leg buckles and they are going to be way easier then the mantis to attach, the mantis has small loops with hooks. This is where weight savings come in , there is nothing wrong with the mantis loops except they are a bit difficult to find in the dark , or with bulky clothes on. Personally I think they need to drop the loops off the belt so you can attach them easier. ( just my thought). The Buckles on the Kestrel with make a bit of noise, this concerns some guys but I feel that is minor. Deer do what deer do and by being mobile with this system is what makes you get into places the deer are not going to expect you. I use to carry a climbing treestand and trust me they make more noise then a buckle ,and I still killed deer. There are a lot of videos out there on one verse the other. There are a lot of options on ropes and tethers now , and how you can hook them to your saddle. I really like tethered's system of attacking bags, Not that the aero hunter system is bad but I think you will find the tethered's bags are just a simpler system. So those are just things to think about. There are little differences on each saddle that make one different then the other like placement of linemen loops tethered is more forward then the kestrel , im not sure on the kite. So there is my two cents.

 

[Bourdeau]

A kind word of advise about either saddle -order well in advance of your hunting season the demand now for both Mantis and Kestrel is ever increasing the delivery time. I waited too close to this season to order and as a result carried my tree stand all year as I checked my email daily for news of the saddle delivery. Not complaining at all It's us guys and our peaking interest in saddle hunting that is driving the market just be patient and order early.

 

[Halonhunter6]

I have a mantis , I like it for a couple reason , I dislike it for a couple reasons. Im waiting on a kestrel now to really compare. this is my first year saddle hunting. I love it so far. There are learning curves. I think every saddle company can improve what they have to offer. Long sits are where you start to notice discomfort. So placement of your tether rope , length of bridge, and having micro adjusters ,and the back strap can all effect how you feel in a saddle. Ive heard a bunch of guys say they prefer mantis over the Kestrel , but I think both have advantages and disadvantages.
One the mantis is a fixed bridge , you cants change it once your sitting, this can be an issue in a long sit, for me pressure builds on my hip, which is discomfort so now I'm set up in the tree, in order to adjust I have to move my tether on the tree. Changing the height of the tether effects where you get the pressure points from. Understand you have to move in order to do this , and by move I mean stand up , push the tether up or down the tree. With an adjustable bridge you can put it in or release the tension a bit. That doesn't mean you still wont feel pressure , it just changes pressure points. Back straps also make a big difference in a long sit to release pressure on your hips. The micro adjusters also help with this.
The kestrel has leg buckles and they are going to be way easier then the mantis to attach, the mantis has small loops with hooks. This is where weight savings come in , there is nothing wrong with the mantis loops except they are a bit difficult to find in the dark , or with bulky clothes on. Personally I think they need to drop the loops off the belt so you can attach them easier. ( just my thought). The Buckles on the Kestrel with make a bit of noise, this concerns some guys but I feel that is minor. Deer do what deer do and by being mobile with this system is what makes you get into places the deer are not going to expect you. I use to carry a climbing treestand and trust me they make more noise then a buckle ,and I still killed deer. There are a lot of videos out there on one verse the other. There are a lot of options on ropes and tethers now , and how you can hook them to your saddle. I really like tethered's system of attacking bags, Not that the aero hunter system is bad but I think you will find the tethered's bags are just a simpler system. So those are just things to think about. There are little differences on each saddle that make one different then the other like placement of linemen loops tethered is more forward then the kestrel , im not sure on the kite. So there is my two cents.

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I like the idea of the heavier duty leg buckles and ease of use on the kestrel but just seems as if the bridge and stuff on the mantis are less cumbersome without knots. Also seems that the kestrel has more seat to it.

 

[DB4x4]

I don't find the rope on the Kestrel to be cumbersome at all, but then again I girth hitched a prusik on one of the bridge loops so that my bridge is adjustable.

When bow hunting, I use a low tether and short bridge. When gun hunting, I use a high tether and long bridge so that I can use it for a shooting rest. To me, the adjustable rope bridge is more versatile, but everyone is different.

 

[rutjr]

I have a Kestrel. The reason I bought it is because I like heavy duty and feel this is a heavy duty saddle. A little extra weight does not bother me and I've worn my saddle scouting, to my stand and can't even tell it's there. I made a shorter bridge for it out of 5/16's amsteel and girth hitched both sides so I can make adjustments easily for comfort. I haven't even messed with the ass buckles that come with the saddle. Hanging in a tree I am very comfortable.

 

[Mike Nutto]

.
I like the idea of the heavier duty leg buckles and ease of use on the kestrel but just seems as if the bridge and stuff on the mantis are less cumbersome without knots. Also seems that the kestrel has more seat to it.

So you can eliminate the knot from one side using a tethered predator rope and then use a girth hitch on a loop on the other saddle loop. This gives you an adjustable bridge. the girth hitch wouldn't really even be in your way. Remember these guys have been doing this with the knots for a long time. Its just now the tree climbing guys are getting involved and saying hey you could do this , to make it lighter, or less bulky.

 

[jlh42581]

A more direct comparison is Mantis vs Kite

 

[Newhunter1]

So you can eliminate the knot from one side using a tethered predator rope and then use a girth hitch on a loop on the other saddle loop. This gives you an adjustable bridge. the girth hitch wouldn't really even be in your way. Remember these guys have been doing this with the knots for a long time. Its just now the tree climbing guys are getting involved and saying hey you could do this , to make it lighter, or less bulky.

Can you explain this a little better...maybe a picture?

 

[Mike Nutto]

Can you explain this a little better...maybe a picture?

Ok sorry no pic but you can hook a carabiner to one side of the saddle loop , where the bridge would go. Then you can hook a pursik to the bridge , then attach the pursik knot to the carabiner. On the opposite side of the saddle you loop the predator rope (which needs to have a tethered loop on one side ) this eliminates the knot on that side. The carabiner and pursil on the other side are held away from you , you can also tie the pursik to the saddle to eliminate the carabiner. Seek a professional for that. Dyi hunter has a video on up grading his saddle he did what I'm talking about. Look up dyi hunter saddle upgrades on you tube

Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk

 

[Mike Nutto]

 

[Mike Nutto]

pay attention to when he explains a girth hitch

 

[rutjr]

I did the same because of this video. It's awesome!