Hi all.
I just got my Aerohunter Evo a couple weeks ago. Have hunted from it several times now, including a couple public land hunts with long walks in (> 1 mile).
I don't notice the weight and while I wouldnt want it heavier, I can walk 2 miles in wearing it without fatigue.
My initial thoughts:
1) When carrying a bow or climbing sticks they tend to clang on the paws. Others have mentioned rubber coatings, but something to eliminate the sound would be nice.
2) Is the linemans rope supposed to require two hands? One to hold the Blake's hitch, one to pull in slack? I stopped using it on my third hunt and switched to a webbing lineman's belt I can operate in the dark with one hand. Taking both hands off the tree to adjust my safety belt isn't an option.
3) It's tough to get all the slack out of the tree strap/rope bridge combo. The ropes bite, which they're supposed to, but it often means I need to try to get my tree strap higher than I can reach from the top of my sticks. I tried using a Gorilla tree strap and lineman's belt combo, which worked beautifully, but I don't feel comfortable using that beyond testing in my front yard. Like Boswell I prefer a long bridge short tree trap. I want the carabiner above eye level. Tough to do that.
So far I really like it. Hunted down to about 29 degrees so far wearing insulated camo and sat for three hours. That was my first sit. No issues.
I like the utility bag that came with the system, but the material is noisy. I love that it holds my Stepps, but it's too noisy to continue using. If it was fleece lined or something it'd be perfect.