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New Era of EQUIPMENT when is the start of the end?

boyne bowhunter said:
I actually think that as saddle hunting increases in popularity and public visibility the inevitable next step will be an increase in regulations. Whether you agree with the principle or not ultimately there will be push to develop and meet a set of safety standards similar to the TMA certifications that currently exist on tree stands and climbing sticks. Ultimately the cost of testing and meeting those requirements will drive a lot of the smaller manufacturers from the game leaving only those with deeper pockets to supply. This consolidation of suppliers will actually act to stiffle the innovation process, much the same as it has with current tree stand technology. It just is too expensive to re-certify a new design every year for incremental improvements.

Ironically I think you'll see the bigger saddle companys are the one's who will push for the increase in regulation just because it will limit the threat from small competitors.
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You hit it right on the head my man.
 
So the next big trend will be no stick climbing & manufactures will make dedicated platform options. Guessing they will bring a price tag in the $350 range being the dedicated sticks are in the $250 range. I envision a platform with a 90 degree turnout at the top to act as a climbing step and standoffs built into the platform to help stabilize.
 
Cbigbear said:
So the next big trend will be no stick climbing & manufactures will make dedicated platform options. Guessing they will bring a price tag in the $350 range being the dedicated sticks are in the $250 range. I envision a platform with a 90 degree turnout at the top to act as a climbing step and standoffs built into the platform to help stabilize.
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I agree that platform climbing like you do makes so much sense. Why bother with a stick if you want to hunt on a platform.

But, I thought most of the platforms on the market (last year) lacked the necessary integrity for this method. The Mission seemed adequately robust, but I worried that anything much bigger than your setup would be hard to manage. However, guys modding the Mission to platform climb seem to be enjoying it.

I like the upcoming Trophyline EDP as a candidate for this method, its size being more manageable for the average person and it appearing somewhat beefy. But it has that "handle" so the front edge isn't such a positive thing to stand on during the climb. While the "handle" could act as a nice hand hold during aider ascent, I would think as a foothold it is non-viable.

Do you think replacing the rubber foot rest on the post with something like a straight scout or a reverse installed Artisan platform would work as a (90 deg turnout step) foothold for climbing? I know the platform would no longer fold flat unless the "handle" was cut off or the post replaced with one a bit longer (in which case run the aider on the 90 turnout mini platform).

Anyways, your experience appreciated, and thanks for producing your platform climbing video.
 
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Crossbows are really making strides, look at the Ravin R18, that thing is lightweight and compact. With metal rails and less human influence to mess up the shot, they can keep pushing the envelope. Pretty soon(if not already) they'll hit a point where they'll need to make legislation to limit how effective they are. When you look at the area of a circle, shooting twice as far puts 5 times as much stuff in your kill zone.

I think making these lightweight stands and sticks more comfortable, user friendly, and compact will be the game for a while. It's the same with backpacking gear. The big thing was ultralight sleeping pads, then it evolved to thicker more comfortable ones that weighed the same.

Realistically most people should probably just start with an ultralight stand like the .5 or a climber, and wear a saddle. You'll be more comfortable on long sits, but have the shooting ability of a saddle.



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BCHunter said:
Crossbows are really making strides, look at the Ravin R18, that thing is lightweight and compact. With metal rails and less human influence to mess up the shot, they can keep pushing the envelope. Pretty soon(if not already) they'll hit a point where they'll need to make legislation to limit how effective they are. When you look at the area of a circle, shooting twice as far puts 5 times as much stuff in your kill zone.

I think making these lightweight stands and sticks more comfortable, user friendly, and compact will be the game for a while. It's the same with backpacking gear. The big thing was ultralight sleeping pads, then it evolved to thicker more comfortable ones that weighed the same.

Realistically most people should probably just start with an ultralight stand like the .5 or a climber, and wear a saddle. You'll be more comfortable on long sits, but have the shooting ability of a saddle.



Sent from my moto z3 using Tapatalk
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Great point bro. Love the input
 
BCHunter said:
Realistically most people should probably just start with an ultralight stand like the .5 or a climber, and wear a saddle. You'll be more comfortable on long sits, but have the shooting ability of a saddle.



Sent from my moto z3 using Tapatalk
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That was exactly how I started. Used a climber plus RCH/DIY sit drag. Only issue was that most climbers need a lot of weight applied to the platform or else it very easy for it to escape the tree since the tracks arent bitting the back of the tree. hang-on might be the way to go. I'm thinking about taking an old lone wolf sand cast platform, moving the cable as far back as I can to the base, attach 2 straps instead of one, and see if it affect stability. Its one of the thing I took noticed when I consider it as a saddle platform, I was tripping over the cables too often.
 
Plebe said:
I agree that platform climbing like you do makes so much sense. Why bother with a stick if you want to hunt on a platform.

But, I thought most of the platforms on the market (last year) lacked the necessary integrity for this method. The Mission seemed adequately robust, but I worried that anything much bigger than your setup would be hard to manage. However, guys modding the Mission to platform climb seem to be enjoying it.

I like the upcoming Trophyline EDP as a candidate for this method, its size being more manageable for the average person and it appearing somewhat beefy. But it has that "handle" so the front edge isn't such a positive thing to stand on during the climb. While the "handle" could act as a nice hand hold during aider ascent, I would think as a foothold it is non-viable.

Do you think replacing the rubber foot rest on the post with something like a straight scout or a reverse installed Artisan platform would work as a (90 deg turnout step) foothold for climbing? I know the platform would no longer fold flat unless the "handle" was cut off or the post replaced with one a bit longer (in which case run the aider on the 90 turnout mini platform).

Anyways, your experience appreciated, and thanks for producing your platform climbing video.
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I’ve found the edge of my predator & diy assault platforms to both have ample foot room for climbing. I don’t think a modification or custom designed platform is necessary, however I do feel it would appeal more to the masses. I found the key to climbing with the platform is switching out the stock standoffs for the original LW batwing bracket. That bracket really bites and increases stability.
 
Cbigbear said:
I’ve found the edge of my predator & diy assault platforms to both have ample foot room for climbing. I don’t think a modification or custom designed platform is necessary, however I do feel it would appeal more to the masses. I found the key to climbing with the platform is switching out the stock standoffs for the original LW batwing bracket. That bracket really bites and increases stability.
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I agree not much bites better than the old batwings.
 
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