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LWCG .5 vs saddle setup

I'm going to play devil's advocate here. Why use a $150-200 saddle when you can get a $50 RCH and add lineman's loops and accomplish the same task? Plus the RCH is better for fall arrest. I'm asking because I've contemplated a hybrid set-up.
Because there not comfortable to sit in, at least mine wasn’t, my saddle is.
 
I wouldn't find a RCH comfortable to sit in for periods of time. Otherwise I'd have to agree with you.
I wouldn't find a RCH comfortable to sit in for periods of time. Otherwise I'd have to agree with you.

I guess that also depends on if you're primarily facing the tree or sitting on the seat. I would think I'd primarily sit on the seat and use the saddle/RCH for shots behind me. Guess I'll have to try it.
 
Definitely. Most have the intention to primarily use the saddle while taking advantage of the platform size. Relative to the weight of the mission, your gaining quite a bit of room/options with the .5

I plan to use both equally. Because I find a saddle more comfortable, but like shooting traditionally, I plan on sitting on the seat during prime time and the saddle otherwise.
 
Any one in here buy a .5 and think nah I’d rather use a normal saddle platform? I ordered one and cannot decided how I feel about it
 
Any one in here buy a .5 and think nah I’d rather use a normal saddle platform? I ordered one and cannot decided how I feel about it

I bought one last year for the purpose of a saddle platform and a tree stand. Just use it however I felt like at the time. I ended up selling it because for the price of the thing, I didn’t want to deal with the sharp edges and the flexibility of the seat/post. I set it up like 2-3 times and already it was working on cutting through the strap. I’m sorry but that’s not acceptable to me for a high dollar piece of equipment like that.

In terms of the size and shape and weight, it was frikin awesome. I liked it both for a regular stand and a saddle platform. Although I didn’t feel super comfortable putting side pressure on it but on the front edge it was fine.

Sorry if that discourages you. Was just my experience with it. I REALLY wanted it to be my one and only go-to for everything. It just lacked in a few areas I couldn’t live with.

I tried the Mission platform before the .5 and really liked it except since the weight was a little more than I wanted, I sold it and that’s where the .5 came from. But after the .5 I bought the EDP and haven’t looked back. For a saddle platform it pretty much checks all of my boxes.


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Gotcha. I'm looking to use the .5 on shared private where I don't like to leave presets. Before I started with a saddle I used a LW Alpha. Guess I'm just wondering if guys who are using .5 feel like they have enough room for a 4-5 hour sit?


Hell no. Its VERY small. It's best used as a hybrid imo. Beast stand is better to stand hunting or a 1.0
 
Thanks! @Westdesign03 I have the edp now and can’t help to but wonder why even bother with the treestand and for the price I’ve heard several people mention the same problems. I’ve been back and forth on it for a month or so. Saw it back in stock and pretty much panic bought it. I was even in the middle of the woods scouting lol I’ve been considering calling Monday and canceling the order.
 
Thanks! @Westdesign03 I have the edp now and can’t help to but wonder why even bother with the treestand and for the price I’ve heard several people mention the same problems. I’ve been back and forth on it for a month or so. Saw it back in stock and pretty much panic bought it. I was even in the middle of the woods scouting lol I’ve been considering calling Monday and canceling the order.

Oh yeah lol. Nice. Yeah I get that. I’ve done the panic buys several times before on hunting gear for sure. I mean you may have a better experience with it. It sure is a lot of $ though so wouldn’t blame you for cancelling. I wonder if they smoothed the edges. I’ve heard rumors that they have but don’t know how true that is.


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Oh yeah lol. Nice. Yeah I get that. I’ve done the panic buys several times before on hunting gear for sure. I mean you may have a better experience with it. It sure is a lot of $ though so wouldn’t blame you for cancelling. I wonder if they smoothed the edges. I’ve heard rumors that they have but don’t know how true that is.


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Another thought I have is kinda of like what’s the point? My main thought was to be able to sit. You can sit in a saddle. Sitting in a saddle is super comfortable for me too. I’m normally indecisive but this is really making me super indecisive I feel like the stand takes away for my mobility a bit. I have stick mounted scout platform coming tomorrow. My thoughts are I only hunt public and if someone busts my set no biggy. Pop down and move on in a few minutes at most
 
Another thought I have is kinda of like what’s the point? My main thought was to be able to sit. You can sit in a saddle. Sitting in a saddle is super comfortable for me too. I’m normally indecisive but this is really making me super indecisive I feel like the stand takes away for my mobility a bit. I have stick mounted scout platform coming tomorrow. My thoughts are I only hunt public and if someone busts my set no biggy. Pop down and move on in a few minutes at most

Yeah I see what you’re saying. Mobile hunting with a saddle is a given for sure but you’ll have almost as many people say how mobile tree stand and hang on stand specifically is mobile. I think both are mobile but in different ways obviously. I use saddle and tree stand. Just depends on how I’m feeling that day. Sitting in a saddle is definitely comfortable. I have to admit though overall I tend to be able to sit a lot more still the longest in a tree stand over a saddle.

I’m definitely indecisive too and I end up just having to buy stuff just to try it to see if I’ll like it enough to keep. Otherwise I’ll just be forever wondering what if. Don’t know anyone around me to be able to go try their stuff so unfortunately that’s just how I have to do it.

Yeah that is definitely the benefit, just jump down and go somewhere else real quick. I love that aspect of the setup. I had the stick mounted scout platform also for a little while. Also ended up selling it but part of me wishes I didn’t. Only reason was I just wanted just a little more foot room than that gave me. Once again (and so far) the EDP seems to be the sweet spot between both worlds for me.

Also, IMO sitting in a saddle feels MUCH different than sitting in a tree stand. That’s probably the biggest reason I keep using both.

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I think you guys should change your way of thinking. If you are worried about comfort and you like saddle hunting why not keep your current saddle and add a JX3 Hybrid. It is the summit viper of saddle hunting. You will be able to sit all day with zero discomfort. Just a thought, that is what I did


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I think you guys should change your way of thinking. If you are worried about comfort and you like saddle hunting why not keep your current saddle and add a JX3 Hybrid. It is the summit viper of saddle hunting. You will be able to sit all day with zero discomfort. Just a thought, that is what I did


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I bought one of the gen 1 JX3’s. I admit I didn’t really give it a chance. It really was super comfortable. Kinda regret selling it. Would like to circle back eventually and give it another try. Probably not this year though.


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Any one in here buy a .5 and think nah I’d rather use a normal saddle platform? I ordered one and cannot decided how I feel about it
This is my 29th bow season, I have a .5, I think I have tried every tree stand known to man during that time, other than some of the new stuff like the beast stand and lwcg 1.0, etc. I won’t be selling my .5 anytime soon and I am a hard person to please, I run it with a saddle as a hybrid setup, I have the thicker black cushion and that rides on the bottom of the seat for my knees to rest on, I toe hook it and run a second strap on the v bracket to really lock it in, it’s rock solid this way. I have never had a problem killing deer with a bow/tree stand and being this is only my second year running a saddle I have not practiced enough with weak side shots and stuff to feel comfortable rocking a little platform with my bow, the .5 solves this problem for me, I have zero complaints with my .5, other than the stupid sharp edges because I have one of the early ones, a dremel tool took care of that, totally sucked but it’s done and I’m over it. In my opinion it is the ultimate stand if your 100% mobile like myself, if I was doing presets only there is better options obviously.
 
I wish you guys would say it sucked so I’d save 500$ but thanks for the reply! Haha
 
I used a predator last year. Bought a 1.0 and used it late season last year. Picked up a .5 during the off-season. Sold the 1.0 after sitting a few times in the .5 this year. I can sit all day no problem alternating between the seat and the saddle. And only being 2# more id much rather carry it over a platform.
 
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This is my 29th bow season, I have a .5, I think I have tried every tree stand known to man during that time, other than some of the new stuff like the beast stand and lwcg 1.0, etc. I won’t be selling my .5 anytime soon and I am a hard person to please, I run it with a saddle as a hybrid setup, I have the thicker black cushion and that rides on the bottom of the seat for my knees to rest on, I toe hook it and run a second strap on the v bracket to really lock it in, it’s rock solid this way. I have never had a problem killing deer with a bow/tree stand and being this is only my second year running a saddle I have not practiced enough with weak side shots and stuff to feel comfortable rocking a little platform with my bow, the .5 solves this problem for me, I have zero complaints with my .5, other than the stupid sharp edges because I have one of the early ones, a dremel tool took care of that, totally sucked but it’s done and I’m over it. In my opinion it is the ultimate stand if your 100% mobile like myself, if I was doing presets only there is better options obviously.

Are the edges of the .5 not sharp anymore now?


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Are the edges of the .5 not sharp anymore now?


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Not as sharp as the originals is my understanding, they have a new deburring process, a video was posted on youtube or facebook of the machine, maybe somebody with a new one can hopefully confirm this soon.
 
Not as sharp as the originals is my understanding, they have a new deburring process, a video was posted on youtube or facebook of the machine, maybe somebody with a new one can hopefully confirm this soon.

Gotcha. Yeah I’d love to know. That was probably my biggest complaint about it. I likely would have kept it if it weren’t for that issue.


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Thanks! @Westdesign03 I have the edp now and can’t help to but wonder why even bother with the treestand and for the price I’ve heard several people mention the same problems. I’ve been back and forth on it for a month or so. Saw it back in stock and pretty much panic bought it. I was even in the middle of the woods scouting lol I’ve been considering calling Monday and canceling the order.

Another thought I have is kinda of like what’s the point? My main thought was to be able to sit. You can sit in a saddle. Sitting in a saddle is super comfortable for me too. I’m normally indecisive but this is really making me super indecisive I feel like the stand takes away for my mobility a bit. I have stick mounted scout platform coming tomorrow. My thoughts are I only hunt public and if someone busts my set no biggy. Pop down and move on in a few minutes at most


EDP = 3lb 13oz (at 13.5" x 13")
Tethrd Knee pads = 18oz ; Arcteryx = 8oz; Lattitude/Alta = 12.5oz

.5 = 5lb 11oz (at 16.5" x 23")
Seat pad = 5oz

Less than 2 lbs advertised difference in the bare platform.

Run the pad on the backside of the .5 seat, no knee pads needed. Using knee pads with the EDP could cut the weight difference practically to 1lb, depending on selection.

Yet the .5 offers 10" more length and 3" more width. I know I like that. Plus you got an added positional option, sitting, which can be useful.

From there, comparison will come down to your other components.

I suspect the .5 with straps / belt and a lightweight pack, such as the fleece packs @Topdog mentioned will weigh considerably less than the pack most would choose when running an EDP and cost less.

Running sticks, .5 integrates LWCG sticks in ways that are simple, quiet, and carry well. Efficient. Your pack?

Carry in your cold weather gear, that .5 shelf is nice.

But it's so expensive...or is it?

Price:
EDP = $170, Knee pads $70, pack...lets say $250 = $490
.5 = $500, pack $50 = $550

That's not to say the .5 is the best option for everyone or anyone. You can certainly build a lighter, cheaper, more compact set around the EDP.

But, the .5 offers some advantages the EDP can't and for most users the end result will be minimum weight and cost penalty, if any, and in some cases, a savings in either or both catagories.
 
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