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New Aerohunter saddle?

I think he’s framing an issue more appropriately. Not “defending” anything.

the picture posted is either really misleading, or really informative, depending on the story you want to tell yourself. What it isn’t, is an accurate depiction of the size of the loop.

seems reasonable to clear it up. Minus the actually paying attention to Facebook part - that doesn’t seem like a good move for aero hunter. I liked them betterwhen they didn’t pay attention and just built saddles.
Not paying attention got us that LB solution that was poorly engineered. I just get frustrated when I feel like a test dummy. I know in this day & age companies aren’t testing this stuff for multiple seasons prior to release. I’ve been hard on them about this product, only because I’ve come to expect more from Aero & this was a let down.
 
Not paying attention got us that LB solution that was poorly engineered. I just get frustrated when I feel like a test dummy. I know in this day & age companies aren’t testing this stuff for multiple seasons prior to release. I’ve been hard on them about this product, only because I’ve come to expect more from Aero & this was a let down.

I guess that’s part of my point. Listening to the mind of a crowd means you will become test dummy by default. The crowd is fickle. And has no freaking idea what it actually wants. You need a small group of competent thoughtful people with a range of systems and styles to prototype gear. That DONT listen to face world and saddle hunter forums. And then they need to thoughtfully and obsessively use the gear and give feedback. Without seeing each other’s feedback and talking about it and especially
Not doing so in the presence of the crowd. That’s how you get useful gear testing.

maybe they don’t do that. But the answer isn’t crowd sourcing wants and needs. Most hunters suck. And suck at knowing what they want and need. And especially suck at it when they don’t have it currently, and are imagining a future with it.

paying attention to the crowd is likely as responsible for bad features as not listening at all. Maybe not this specific feature.

I really don’t have a dog in the fight. But I know what the point of showing a lineman loop half covered by a shirt with the other half full of a finger was. And it wasn’t to show the actual size of the loop. It seems like a reasonable response by the company to show a more accurate representation of the size of the loop. It’s a can’t win situation though. Responding at all gives the impression you’re defending yourself, because the original picture was posted in bad faith. Such is the interwebs run by social apes.
 
Not paying attention got us that LB solution that was poorly engineered. I just get frustrated when I feel like a test dummy. I know in this day & age companies aren’t testing this stuff for multiple seasons prior to release. I’ve been hard on them about this product, only because I’ve come to expect more from Aero & this was a let down.

Maybe I am picky but the linemans belt setup ruined the whole saddle for me. I am glad to have rid myself of the Shrike.

I remember seeing it and first thing I thought was wow that lineman loop is tiny. Wish I compared it to my other saddles but didnt care to at the time.
 
I guess that’s part of my point. Listening to the mind of a crowd means you will become test dummy by default. The crowd is fickle. And has no freaking idea what it actually wants. You need a small group of competent thoughtful people with a range of systems and styles to prototype gear. That DONT listen to face world and saddle hunter forums. And then they need to thoughtfully and obsessively use the gear and give feedback. Without seeing each other’s feedback and talking about it and especially
Not doing so in the presence of the crowd. That’s how you get useful gear testing.

maybe they don’t do that. But the answer isn’t crowd sourcing wants and needs. Most hunters suck. And suck at knowing what they want and need. And especially suck at it when they don’t have it currently, and are imagining a future with it.

paying attention to the crowd is likely as responsible for bad features as not listening at all. Maybe not this specific feature.

I really don’t have a dog in the fight. But I know what the point of showing a lineman loop half covered by a shirt with the other half full of a finger was. And it wasn’t to show the actual size of the loop. It seems like a reasonable response by the company to show a more accurate representation of the size of the loop. It’s a can’t win situation though. Responding at all gives the impression you’re defending yourself, because the original picture was posted in bad faith. Such is the interwebs run by social apes.

see my other post.
 
That can be taken either way.. Either funny or as a shot.
I thought the name of the game in sales was to sale blue snake oil to people who want blue snake oil. Or if people want red snake oil, than you make red snake oil. Even if you think blue snake oil is better. The customer is always right.
 
It is true that you can fit a carabiner into the loop and likely two fingers, but I still don't think that the linesman loops are large enough. Yes, they work, but I personally prefer larger, easier to clip onto loops. In the photo posted by ENKRISS, he is kind of demonstrating what the hunter actually sees. With certain clothing, the size of the linesman opening shrinks (not literally, but visually). I also realize Aerohunter can't make a saddle that suits everyones personal preferences. I will use the saddle as designed, and I appreciate the fact that they are listening and that they made mine left handed. The opinion that the loops are small and could be bigger is just that, an opinion. Aerohunter can take it for what it's worth. In the end, what I appreciate most is that Aerohunter builds a high quality and safe product. I can always girth hitch a small climbing sling into the loop to create a loop as big as I want.
 
Casey has been at Aero Hunter since Aero Hunter existed. I'm not sure how long he has been with New Tribe.
Not to derail, but what is the division between Aero Hunter and New Tribe? Is New Tribe the arborist side of the business?

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
 
Not to derail, but what is the division between Aero Hunter and New Tribe? Is New Tribe the arborist side of the business?

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Correct, New Tribe has been in the arborist saddle business for a long long time! They started Aero Hunter for the hunting saddles. I don't know the exact separation/division between the two but they are essentially the same company.
 
Hunted from the shrike today. 1-sticked up tree so no use of the integrated LB necessary. This is the best webbing bridge I've used in terms of ease of adjustment. I'd rather it adjusts from the other side... I'm right handed. I haven't tried, but I think it could be removed and setup on opposite side. I would still switch out for rope if I were to keep this setup.
Here is what made me chuckle. After dark setting up to rapel... attach ATC & biner, tie on prusik loop, clip in lower biner... going through my routine and go to clip into RH linemans loop... remember I said I was right handed. I like to control tag end of rope on RH side. Had to laugh when I remembered there isn't a linemans loop on that side. Haha.
Plenty of other places I could have used, but I figured I'd try to setup on LH side and use the one linemans loop that it has... I'm particular so I had to swap ATC around. I thought it was funny enough to share. Made it to the ground safely
I like the comfort of the saddle. I'm not sure I need the stretch cord tied between the bridge loops and leg buckles like they have it. Great quality into the build, but another downgrade (for me) from my orig kestrel flex with the rope bridge.
 
Okay, so I actually gave the Shrike an honest test tonight and hunted for about four hours. I have been using my Kestrel Flex since it cooled down, but tonight was around 50 degrees so I gave the Shrike a try. Here are my thoughts:
Pros:
- Lightweight - The Shrike (gorilla mesh) weight feels similar to my Cruzr XC. This is a good thing. My Kestrel Flex has really been feeling heavy lately. But I do like the Flex.
- Comfort - I was pleased with the comfort and did not feel hip pinch or any discomfort. I would rate it similar to my Flex comfort.
- Integrated linesman belt. - Yes, I’m listing it as a pro. I was pleasantly surprised that it actually worked pretty good. It’s light, comes with a quality carabiner and adjusts easily. Mine is setup left handed, which is what I wanted. But adjustment is on my left side. Normally my adjustment is on the right side Via Ropeman and carabiner. Since the adjustment is on my left, this will take a little getting used to. But I didn’t feel like this was a negative. I just stuck the linesman in a dump pouch like I would do with any linesman…unless you prefer daisy chaining.
- Quality - Like most aerohunter products, the Shrike is well built. Stitching and materials are very good. I like the heavier waist belt. And the buckles are nice ADF Raptors. Although I like my CRUZR XC, the buckles and waist belt are not near as good as the Shrike. I appreciate some of the details like the flex bans to hold excess strapping versus plastic clips and the cords that hold the leg strap Buckles in position.
Cons:
- The linesman loop IS too small. Mine is smaller than my flex’s loops and I cannot get more than two fingers in it. I would prefer larger loops but it works.
- Web bridge - it is easy to adjust but I just don’t care for web bridges. The edges can be uncomfortable on arms and hands. And I don’t think the web slides in the carabiner nearly as well as amsteel. I will probably add an amsteel bridge and run two bridges.

To summarize, it’s comfortable, light and well made. I can use the integrated linesman’s, but I can see how it could turn people off. But I thinks it’s worth a try. So I plan to run the Shrike and my Flex. I’ll make a few tweaks but I think it’s gonna be a good addition. It could end up being my go to. Always wanted the Yarak, but I guess this is close enough.
 
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