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Looking to buy a platform, is there a go-to choice?

I've always really like my predator platform from Tethrd. I have the original size not the xl and it has plenty of room for my size 10 boots. The packability is great and it's held up very well for me. If I lost it I wouldnt hesitate to replace it with another one.
 
Haha. Your screen name is awesome. I’ve been a ring of steps guy for the last 2 seasons mostly cuz I’m very minimalist. This year I picked up a eastern woods outdoors one stick with the flat scout platform on top. I know it’s small as platforms go, but coming from ROS it feels huge! And I have size 12 boots. And it’s super nice that I can actually stand up straight, take all the weight off my saddle and tether on it and easily take a pee! That was not always easy on ros. A lot of these other platforms coming in at 4-5 pounds just seemed to big for hauling around miles in the woods.
 
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You are going to get a ton of different answered here. This is like going to a firearms forum and asking what length 556 barrel you should run.

Tethrd Predator as mentioned above.
Cruzr Seeker

I would look at those two to start a comparison on and other forum members will also add to the list.
 
One thing I'm learning, as with most things, is that it's all about trade-offs.

Yes, there are some extremely compact (packable) platforms out there that deploy easily but you're essentially resting your toes on them. On the other end of the spectrum, there are heavy platforms as convenient as hanging an unwieldy hang-on stand.

Instead, I'd ask the following questions to pick the right stand:
1. What kind of saddle hunter are you, a sitter, stander or both
2. Do you sit for hours or all day or only hunt peak times
3. How far are you walking and how difficult a hunt

If you walk long distances, pack meat out and/or are primarily a sitter, a micro platform may be what you're looking for. However, if you walk short distances, do long sits and/or move around alot, a larger and less packable platform may be what you want.

Being a first year saddle hunter, I went with a Predator as it seems to offer the best balance between packability and comfort. Next year, I may go a different route depending on how I end up hunting this year.
 
Zero One Actual said:
You are going to get a ton of different answered here. This is like going to a firearms forum and asking what length 556 barrel you should run.

Tethrd Predator as mentioned above.
Cruzr Seeker

I would look at those two to start a comparison on and other forum members will also add to the list.
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I like the predator as well.
And 10.5” for the win
 
Dirk Dangler said:
Would like it to pack nicely and deploy easily, any advice?
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As everyone else said, depends. Also depends on your vitals. Height and especially weight. How far you humping the thing to your spot, etc. Jump on the saddle hunter map and see if there’s some folks near you that might have some platforms you can try or see if there’s a meet n’ greet near you. I myself prefer a ridge runner. I’m 6’2” 230 with size 13 boots and it works well for my purposes. Large enough to support me but small enough it doesn’t feel like I’m trying to attach scaffolding to the tree.
 
The predator is a good mix of packable, space, and weight. It's great at packing and weight, but some times i do desire a little more room. But it does what ever you need it to. I also got a mission. I take it on short walks or all day sits. I think the Mission is easier to set and bites the tree better. So if I personally had to pick just one platform to use all season I would get the EDP. But if all I had was a predator I would make it.
 
I really enjoy the pack ability of the Solo Scout. Makes for plenty of room in the tree too. However, being an American, that larger predator is looking really nice too…


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@Dirk Dangler where you located. Try to find saddle hunters close by to try a few out. If you wanted to pay shipping I would send you a diy style treesuit? Just to try out. As long as I got it back by season. But by the time you pay shipping both ways you could almost pay for one?
 
JASmith said:
@Dirk Dangler where you located. Try to find saddle hunters close by to try a few out. If you wanted to pay shipping I would send you a diy style treesuit? Just to try out. As long as I got it back by season. But by the time you pay shipping both ways you could almost pay for one?
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What is a tree suit?
 
Standard predator is about as packable as your gonna get. I also started using the one stick with the flat scout on top. Those two options are great. I’m using my predator for the longer sits which also allows for better maneuverability with the one stick/scout and the one stick/scout on the shorter and warmer weather hunts. It all boils down the preference! Good luck!
 
LtMoe66 said:
Standard predator is about as packable as your gonna get. I also started using the one stick with the flat scout on top. Those two options are great. I’m using my predator for the longer sits which also allows for better maneuverability with the one stick/scout and the one stick/scout on the shorter and warmer weather hunts. It all boils down the preference! Good luck!
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Same same.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Have a diy tree-suit style platform. Very comfortable but a platform that folds flat would be nicer to pack. Very solid. Run a ratchet strap on mine. Prefer solid lock onto tree and will sacrifice the extra weight for it
 
There is no "The One" anything only additional tools. I have a ring of steps, Trophyline platform, LW Assault, LW hand climber, will be adding a LWCG .5, and even stand on the top of my diy step. Each of these systems were used extensively last year at various points in the season.
 
Packability also depend on your choice of backpack or load. If your backpack profit is 16 inches wide, does it really matter if your platform is 10 or 16 inches wide? With good support, would you noticed the difference between 1-3 lbs difference between the platforms? Some people are packless, they strap everything to a load bearing vest and saddle setup. If you are new to saddle hunting, you have time find your style/system. But the platform is only one aspect of your system. Dont try to fit a system into a platform, JMHO. But some people do, they found their perfect platform and do setup their pack system for it, which actually works well. But some questions you have to think about. If the platform is the main deciding factor, then find packs that fit that platform. If you are considering the Predator. I highly suggest the V3 outlaw pack for it. Or get the predator carry pack and fit it to your preferred backpack or molle vest everything.
 
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