For myself, I went from an older LW assault (8.5lb version) into the saddle world. I tried a ROS, Predator Platform, OOL scout, along with standing on my top Beast Gear steps. they all kind of worked for me, but I had issues shooting left handed. I just couldn't get comfortable with the setups. I would occasionally take out the old LW and use my saddle as a harness, and that actually seemed to work best for me. So, I sold most of my saddle stuff, and used that to fund a LWCG .5 along with 4 of their double steps. I loved how the beast gear sticks worked, but hated how they packed. where I hunt, I occasionally get tipped over and take a swamp bath, I was always worried about digging one of them into myself. Now, I run the .5, and normally 2 of the double sticks with a 2 step amsteel aider on the bottom one, and a 1 step aider on the others. using the .5 as my pack frame, the sticks strap on with minimal space, along with an old back pack for gear, it is very light, so not much added weight. I am 6', size 13 feet, and have no issues.
mod's on the .5:
1) 1" x Ø1 plastic spacers and a new grade 8 bolt for the cables at the seat post. (been running this for years on the old lw)
2) stealth strip cable silencers
3) paracord wrap on the outer perimeter of the stand
4) side kick bow holder
5) using their backpack straps and waist belt
double steps sticks
1) stealth stripped
2) amsteel aiders (tried the cable aiders, but sold those, work nice, but wanted to loose the extra weight of them and their hardware (not much, but I prefer the amsteel))
3) using the buckeless straps (have buckled ones in the bin) still not sure what I like best.
saddle
I have 3 DIY based off the wraptor. my 1st one was using a battle belt to help hold up, and after some tinkering last year, i decided to use the battle belt with a diy belt thru it, with linesman loops on it. I got a set of removable leg straps from Latitude, an really like the way it works as a saddle and safety harness like a RC harness if I want to sit. attached to this is my linesman belt, tether, and on the back, my bow pullup rope winder(name is escaping me at the moment, but the one most guys here use)
so, when I want to sit a tree, it comes with, if I am ground hunting, i revert back to my badlands monster pack and go.
mod's on the .5:
1) 1" x Ø1 plastic spacers and a new grade 8 bolt for the cables at the seat post. (been running this for years on the old lw)
2) stealth strip cable silencers
3) paracord wrap on the outer perimeter of the stand
4) side kick bow holder
5) using their backpack straps and waist belt
double steps sticks
1) stealth stripped
2) amsteel aiders (tried the cable aiders, but sold those, work nice, but wanted to loose the extra weight of them and their hardware (not much, but I prefer the amsteel))
3) using the buckeless straps (have buckled ones in the bin) still not sure what I like best.
saddle
I have 3 DIY based off the wraptor. my 1st one was using a battle belt to help hold up, and after some tinkering last year, i decided to use the battle belt with a diy belt thru it, with linesman loops on it. I got a set of removable leg straps from Latitude, an really like the way it works as a saddle and safety harness like a RC harness if I want to sit. attached to this is my linesman belt, tether, and on the back, my bow pullup rope winder(name is escaping me at the moment, but the one most guys here use)
so, when I want to sit a tree, it comes with, if I am ground hunting, i revert back to my badlands monster pack and go.