LWCG .5 vs saddle setup

[Westdesign03]

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.

Not trying to knit pick but just wondering why you went $250 for a pack with the EDP and only $50 for a pack with the .5?


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[Plebe]

Not trying to knit pick but just wondering why you went $250 for a pack with the EDP and only $50 for a pack with the .5?

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It's pick your poison in packs.

I think $250 hits a middle ground for a decent EDP setup for the average hunter, with perhaps similar carry qualities to the .5 with waist belt and shoulder straps. I could be wrong.

Whereas, the .5 provides a rigid frame and stick integration if desired, so something like a Rancho Safari Catday Mini can cost as little as $40 and you wouldn't need more.

A nice daypack that carries decently has to do more to match what the .5 provides, and therefore costs more than the pack you'd run with the .5.

Some popular choices that are talked about on the forum:
-Badlands Superday $250
-Kifaru Shape Charge starting at $315
-Hill People Gear Connor $275
-Eberlestock X2 $250
-Mystery Ranch Pop-up Starting at $300

I'm sure there are more economical options, as well as much more expensive options. Again, it's a whole nother can of tuna and I feel like $250 is somewhat centered.

 

[Mr. Vince]

1.0 ready to go. Using a 2 step aider with 3 steps


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What pack are you running?

 

[Westdesign03]

It's pick your poison in packs.

I think $250 hits a middle ground for a decent EDP setup for the average hunter, with perhaps similar carry qualities to the .5 with waist belt and shoulder straps. I could be wrong.

Whereas, the .5 provides a rigid frame and stick integration if desired, so something like a Rancho Safari Catday Mini can cost as little as $40 and you wouldn't need more.

A nice daypack that carries decently has to do more to match what the .5 provides, and therefore costs more than the pack you'd run with the .5.

Some popular choices that are talked about on the forum:
-Badlands Superday $250
-Kifaru Shape Charge starting at $315
-Hill People Gear Connor $275
-Eberlestock X2 $250
-Mystery Ranch Pop-up Starting at $300

I'm sure there are more economical options, as well as much more expensive options. Again, it's a whole nother can of tuna and I feel like $250 is somewhat centered.

Makes sense. Yeah I see plenty talked about with most of those packs. Since I’ve gotten serious about hunting, I’ve just been using this Mossy Oak pack I found randomly for $50 (new in store) for the last several years. Maybe I don’t know any better but I can strap anything I need to it and has just worked great for me so far from anything I’ve asked of it. Someday I’ll have to try one of the real expensive packs that are popular out there but I just can’t bring myself to drop that kind of $ on a bag yet.


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[Plebe]

What pack are you running?

I'm running an AMAP from Agilite with the straps removed, but it does double duty for me and I could go smaller/lighter like Topdog. IMO, a short pack works best with the .5.

 

[Jmillwood]

I’m using an Exo pack. It adds some weight but I pack my deer out when I shoot one also. With the .5, two beast sticks, 3 step aider I can get 18’ to my platform easy and that setup weighs about 10 pounds minus the saddle and ropes. I like it pretty dang good.

 

[Andrew]

Anyone been using a 0.5 this past seaon have any more thoughts to add to this topic? Who all has been using the 0.5 as a stand alone treestand? Have you found the small size to an issue? Looking at either trying this stand out or waiting for the 0.75. The poteintal weight savings has me leaning towards the 0.5, but I'm worried about the size. I have a Helo and somedays I cant imagine having a stand much smaller. Whats been yalls experience over the past season?

 

[bigsquirrel]

Anyone been using a 0.5 this past seaon have any more thoughts to add to this topic? Who all has been using the 0.5 as a stand alone treestand? Have you found the small size to an issue? Looking at either trying this stand out or waiting for the 0.75. The poteintal weight savings has me leaning towards the 0.5, but I'm worried about the size. I have a Helo and somedays I cant imagine having a stand much smaller. Whats been yalls experience over the past season?

Andrew, how have you liked your help? Been thinking about buying one but not sure it would be much of an upgrade from my assault 2.

 

[Andrew]

Andrew, how have you liked your help? Been thinking about buying one but not sure it would be much of an upgrade from my assault 2.

I love it. I have zero complaints. It's a great stand. I'm just wanting to explore some of the lighter options that are now available. I think its the best stand for the money right now. I've never used an Assault 2, so I cant comment on if its worth an upgrade.

 

[bigsquirrel]

I love it. I have zero complaints. It's a great stand. I'm just wanting to explore some of the lighter options that are now available. I think its the best stand for the money right now. I've never used an Assault 2, so I cant comment on if its worth an upgrade.

I’m in the same boat. Considering the 0.5 or even the OOAL Hush stand. I’ve heard great things about it too.

 

[Topdog]

Anyone been using a 0.5 this past seaon have any more thoughts to add to this topic? Who all has been using the 0.5 as a stand alone treestand? Have you found the small size to an issue? Looking at either trying this stand out or waiting for the 0.75. The poteintal weight savings has me leaning towards the 0.5, but I'm worried about the size. I have a Helo and somedays I cant imagine having a stand much smaller. Whats been yalls experience over the past season?

I run a .5 with a saddle, in my honest opinion I would pick something else if your not using it in a hybrid setup/saddle, I would probably pick a bigger LWCG stand or stick with your helo, that .5 is really small and I definitely appreciate that tether being tight the entire time I’m in it, if your a smaller dude maybe it would be ok, IDK it’s a tiny ass stand, I love my .5 but with a saddle for sure.

 

[will4554]

Anyone been using a 0.5 this past seaon have any more thoughts to add to this topic? Who all has been using the 0.5 as a stand alone treestand? Have you found the small size to an issue? Looking at either trying this stand out or waiting for the 0.75. The poteintal weight savings has me leaning towards the 0.5, but I'm worried about the size. I have a Helo and somedays I cant imagine having a stand much smaller. Whats been yalls experience over the past season?

I sold mine for different reasons. The size didn’t bother me. I’m 6 foot tall, 195-200, wear a size 10, for reference. It’s enough platform to stand and adjust to shoot. My feet hung half off while sitting.

 

[Robert loper]

My bro j hand has mine and has been experimenting with saddle and .5
he said it is hard to beat.
Flip seat pad over and you got an instant knee pad. Turn around loosen tether and sit for awhile.

 

[KYHunter]

I run the .5 with saddle and 4 shikar sticks.
I love it and don’t foresee myself changing for a long time. A huge advantage was being able to lose a big bulky backpack. I feel so much more streamlined.

As for hunting from the stand I never felt that the small size was an issue. Depending on the setup, I would use it as a saddle platform and other times I would just stand and lean against the tree like a regular stand. Plenty of room to rotate and also when sitting I didn’t feel too cramped. It’s not the most comfortable seat for sitting but I only really sit and wait as I’m waiting for daylight. Otherwise I’m standing.

For reference, I’m 5’8” 180 with size 9 boots. I also am very comfortable at heights so that may play into it as well.

 

[Jim DeSantis]

I used the .5 this year with my saddle. 90% I faced the tree and used the flipped up seat with pad to rest my knees against. With a back band, I am extremely comfortable. Last year was my first year with a saddle using the little slanted OOL Scout. Very uncomfortable to me. My thought process was the same as mentioned in this thread. My MR pack weighs probably 4 lbs, as most bigger platforms do. Stand isn't much more and with a waist belt is very comfortable to me. I use a light small pack and strap my heavy clothes to the stand. I put my saddle with pouches under the seat/shelf with the same strap I use as a backhand. Only change I will make is buying LWCG mini sticks with a movable 3 step aider. Used cut down Hawks with 2 step amsteel aiders this year. Worked and was quiet, but not as compact as I'd like. I hunt 100% public mountains of North Central PA. I do use two straps when I put up the stand, very stable, no issues, almost zero flex.

 

[Jmillwood]

I used my .5 all season. It’s small. But I got to were I sit probably 50% in the saddle and 50% on the seat. I find I move a lot less sitting in the seat vs the saddle. But I don’t see myself using another setup for awhile. The weight and space when used as a hybrid setup is hard to beat.
I shot my buck this year just standing on the platform as you would in a regular tree stand. So technically I can’t consider it a “saddle kill”

 

[Shed84]

I've used an ooal lil ambush stand as a hybrid. I know it's not as light as a .5 but I liked the price,size and it fit well on my exo mt gear pack so weight wasn't an issue. With my recent back problems this year I could not sit at all in a tree stand. If you don't plan on using the seat at all I'd go with a large platform like the preditor xl. Plenty of room to stand and shoot. I do practice a lot out of the saddle,that said I do shoot better from a flat standing position then I do off of my ultimate one stick. I did have a 5 hour rifle hunt standing on a rut roost this year and I was pretty comfortable. If my bow is in my hand I think the XL gives me my best shot options. If i know I'm hunting the thick stuff with only close range shot options it's the one stick every time .

 

[arrow30]

I used my .5 all season. It’s small. But I got to were I sit probably 50% in the saddle and 50% on the seat. I find I move a lot less sitting in the seat vs the saddle. But I don’t see myself using another setup for awhile. The weight and space when used as a hybrid setup is hard to beat.
I shot my buck this year just standing on the platform as you would in a regular tree stand. So technically I can’t consider it a “saddle kill”
View attachment 60725

thats how i killed a doe, i think it counts as a saddle kill.

 

[SILhunter]

I ran the .5 all season, I use 3 20" sticks with cable aiders that set on the seat shelf and strap to the stand. I also used a Primos bow vest which has enough pockets to carry everything I need on 1/2 day hunt, so basically I switched out a platform and pack for the .5 and lost around 3 lbs . I have size 13 boots and this stand has plenty of room to stand and turn IMO, the seat leaves a lot to be desired as far as comfort while sitting. After seeing LWCG introduce their mesh seat oat the ATA show I'll be interested to see if thats offered on the .5 or just the .75 and up? I've read that Tethrd is coming out with an improved One stick so if I can get a light stand with the mesh seat and 3 One sticks with aiders I will be strongly considering it.

 

[Andrew]

I ran the .5 all season, I use 3 20" sticks with cable aiders that set on the seat shelf and strap to the stand. I also used a Primos bow vest which has enough pockets to carry everything I need on 1/2 day hunt, so basically I switched out a platform and pack for the .5 and lost around 3 lbs . I have size 13 boots and this stand has plenty of room to stand and turn IMO, the seat leaves a lot to be desired as far as comfort while sitting. After seeing LWCG introduce their mesh seat oat the ATA show I'll be interested to see if thats offered on the .5 or just the .75 and up? I've read that Tethrd is coming out with an improved One stick so if I can get a light stand with the mesh seat and 3 One sticks with aiders I will be strongly considering it.

Sounds like a good set up. What was it about sitting that was uncomfortable? Seat size/height, platform length, inadequate cushion?

Thanks for all the replies everyone. Good discussion.