Lone Wolf hand climber for saddle hunting

[Plebe]

No.Their saddle platform is much bigger than a LW handclimber top.The only thing I see that they need to do is make the angle of the arms steeper.

What are the dimensions of the XOP saddle platform?

 

[dougell]

I don't know the exact dimensions but they told me that it would fit a 22-24" tree once the get the longer belts.It's clearly much longer than the LW seat because it would be too big to use as a seat.The LWCG stand it only good up to an 18" tree.If they make the angle of the arms steeper,it will climb better and you should be able to use the stirrups,which would work much better with a saddle because you're already closer to the tree.tHAT rANDY DID TELL BE THAT AS it is now,you could fit your feet under the arms.He also said that there's knobs to put a bungee on.I don't like that.I want a steeper angle with stirrups.If they don't change that angle,I'll just buy a platform and cutabout 4" off the borrom of the stand.He did say that they'd sell me just the platform if I didn't like saddle platform.

 

[dougell]

The weight and size of that platform is pefect.They just need to change the angle of those arms.I've been messaging them so hopefully they listen.

 

[Plebe]

I don't know the exact dimensions but they told me that it would fit a 22-24" tree once the get the longer belts.It's clearly much longer than the LW seat because it would be too big to use as a seat.The LWCG stand it only good up to an 18" tree.If they make the angle of the arms steeper,it will climb better and you should be able to use the stirrups,which would work much better with a saddle because you're already closer to the tree.tHAT rANDY DID TELL BE THAT AS it is now,you could fit your feet under the arms.He also said that there's knobs to put a bungee on.I don't like that.I want a steeper angle with stirrups.If they don't change that angle,I'll just buy a platform and cutabout 4" off the borrom of the stand.He did say that they'd sell me just the platform if I didn't like saddle platform.

Yeah, it's hard to say. It does look a little bigger. What was the LWHC 13" deep? Is this one 16" deep?

My cut LW platform is 22". I could have taken it to 18" but that's sketchy with the arm bolts there. (Though others have done it). 22" is awesome imo. I've 16" to the spreader bar and my toes can slide under it, for extra foot space. And the bar makes a decent foot rest for leaning.

This XOP design will be more portable and lightweight. IMO, it's still more inline with a LWHC seat than a cut LW climbing platform like @Pastorjim mentioned.

 

[rhagenw]

What's the minimum tree diameter for the XOP climber? Most public land around me are old grown up farmstead the MDC bought up, so we have a lot of small oaks. A climber plus saddle would be money for rifle hunting, doubt I'd bow hunt out of one.

 

[dougell]

What's the minimum tree diameter for the XOP climber? Most public land around me are old grown up farmstead the MDC bought up, so we have a lot of small oaks. A climber plus saddle would be money for rifle hunting, doubt I'd bow hunt out of one.

I think 6"

 

[dougell]

Yeah, it's hard to say. It does look a little bigger. What was the LWHC 13" deep? Is this one 16" deep?

My cut LW platform is 22". I could have taken it to 18" but that's sketchy with the arm bolts there. (Though others have done it). 22" is awesome imo. I've 16" to the spreader bar and my toes can slide under it, for extra foot space. And the bar makes a decent foot rest for leaning.

This XOP design will be more portable and lightweight. IMO, it's still more inline with a LWHC seat than a cut LW climbing platform like @Pastorjim mentioned.

I agree.That's why I may just grab a platform and cut it down.I used an assault platform most of last year and it worked well.I think having foot stirrups closer to the tree would be better than sticking my feet under the arms

 

[Plebe]

I agree.That's why I may just grab a platform and cut it down.I used an assault platform most of last year and it worked well.I think having foot stirrups closer to the tree would be better than sticking my feet under the arms

I am curious about the LWCG climber base foot cutouts.

I've found climbing with my platform easiest with feet under the side supports.

One concern I have of soft stirrups is fishing feet into and out of them when making cable length adjustments during the climb. And if there isn't a tree strap, for walking the tree.

 

[dougell]

I had a barren ridge and it climbed awesome,as long as it was a smaller tree.I positioned my feet very similar too the way the stirrups are an the LWCG climber and the XOP climber.Using the side support on the LW was doable but with a saddle I'm closer to the tree and it was a little uncomfortable but not bad.I think it works better when your feet are a little closer to the tree.

 

[Wlog]

I think it looks easy enough going around tree limbs in broad daylight, in a back yard, in jeans, sneakers and a t-shirt but not sure in the dark, with boots and heavy clothes on.

For they guys who’ve been using any sort of climbing platform, what are your experiences with going around limbs? Worth the effort? Doable with enough practice?

 

[Maverick1]

I had a LW assault hand climber. Tried to use the top as a climbing device. It was a little too sketchy for my liking, both for climbing and side pressure. Flipped arms around and felt the same way. Tried using the bottom as a climber and it was too big and clunky for my liking. Thought about cutting down the bottom to make it smaller and more manageable, and then remembered how restricting using a climber was in the areas where I hunt, where most of the trees have limbs in the way. And also remembered how much I dislike hunting for straight trees instead of just hunting the right location. Ended up selling the whole thing for $350. Won’t be going back.