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Slingpredator06

Active Member
Joined
Dec 16, 2018
Messages
161
Location
North Carolina
Currently in a platform dilemma. As I stated in another thread I have a buddy whos looking for a LW Assassin platform and weve been talking platforms a lot lately. I have always used a ROS and screw ins but the other day I played around on his DIY XOP platform and really liked the platform feeling over the what im used to. However I think Id prefer something larger than his XOP set up. After digging through all the info on platforms in the DIY section its apparent that most of the components that made platform building relatively simple (Old LW design for KLEMZ style and XOP seats) arent readily available anymore. The predator isnt appealing to me because of its small size and history of breaking at the fins. Dont want to mess with doing a WE platform either. I dont really care about saving ounces. If I like a platform and it happens to weigh 6lbs Im good with that. Ill lug a few extra lbs if it means the equipment does what I want it to. So Im trying to come up with a design to give to my machinist to fab up a platform that I can add a post and other hardware to. So all you platform hunters out there, what do you use and why? What do you like or dislike about the current or past platforms youve had? What would you change? Does a predator tend to break because of the thickness of material, type of material, or is it a possible design flaw? So basically if you had someone ready to make you a platform today, what are some things youd want as far as size, shape, thickness, material, etc. Any platform experts please chime in. Thanks.
 
I think you may be overstating how many of the Predator platforms have broken. I wouldn't say they "tend" to break but there have been a small number of the generation 1's that have broken. However, they revised the design to solve the issue. The generation 2 platforms have been beefed up significantly in that area.

If you want something bigger understand but I would not be scared to purchase a predator platform, especially the generation 2.
 
The cost of material to machine a platform is not cost effective, even if machining was free. I agree the xop is perfect size. I used the seat and post from xop with lw offset brackets, but you likely saw that in your search.
 
I think you might be better/cheaper to fabricate and weld something as opposed to machining parts. I also think DanO has developed and making stand offs for platforms now too. Per a recent post, they should be ready mid January. I have not ordered anything from him but the products look great. Then again, maybe your machinist would do it for cost of materials.

I really like the predator design. Once you get a larger platform, your body weight starts putting more pressure on the metal frame/post and connection points as you get out to the far edges of the platform. You may need support on the sides or bottom to fix this (think tree stand). I imagine there is a point where it isn't needed but the math is far beyond my level.

A reinforced post may work with a beefier platform at this connection point. Look at the Gen 2 predator and how they reinforced it.





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Maybe get Google fired up on a search for LW assassin platform size and try to reverse engineer it? Making modifications where you want.

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As an owner of a gen 1 predator that broke, and a gen 2 predator with the modifications to address the issue, I can say I am pleased.

I cannot speak to testing results, but I can speak to how it responds to me always using more force than necessary - just fine. I think they have a winner.

As an owner of size 13 boots, the platform gives me enough room to stand and take a break, take a leak, or take a funky offside shot if needed.

I’m slowly falling into the ‘if you lug a platform why not sit in a hangon’ team though. The predator is sized just right to keep me on the fence.

The hay to be made in a platform is one that puts room for your feet on either side of the post(wrapping around the tree) not out in front of it. You figure that out, and make it fit in a backpack, and be as easy to set as the predator and assassin, you’re in business.

Also have an assassin, and it does have some utility. It’s far more rare I use it these days though.
 
I had an xop & didn’t love the size or attachment. The Klemz had an awesome bite & design, too small a footprint for me. The predator gen 1 I had was fine but I sold it b/c I’m a big guy & it felt a bit minimalist to me. I think some of the breaks they’ve had are probably cam torque related, gen 2 should help looks beefier. ( I’m probably gonna give that a shot) I think from a size perspective the predator is really good. I’m just using it as a perch, i still need something else to cover around the tree. Don’t really want a tree stand base, I think that makes weird geometry for leaning. Just my 2 cents.. so a hybrid b/w the assassin & predator would be nice but I don’t really know how much demand there is for that.
 
The cost of material to machine a platform is not cost effective, even if machining was free. I agree the xop is perfect size. I used the seat and post from xop with lw offset brackets, but you likely saw that in your search.
Not cost effective even if free? Please explain.

@Homebrew454 yeah fabricating something is on the table. Good point about platform lean.
 
Not cost effective even if free? Please explain.

@Homebrew454 yeah fabricating something is on the table. Good point about platform lean.
Well I was speaking from a Google search of 1/2" 14x18 Ish billet 6061-t6 or cast jig plate. If you get it for free....what are you waiting for?
 
Well I was speaking from a Google search of 1/2" 14x18 Ish billet 6061-t6 or cast jig plate. If you get it for free....what are you waiting for?
I didn't say I could get anything free. I didn't know where you were coming from with what you said. I can't get anything free but a guy who I know that's a machinist by trade has made parts for me before and he could prolly make me something similar to an assassin for less than an assassin used to cost new. I threw the idea at him and all he said was will that be 6061 or 7075? Lol so I'm waiting to see what he quotes it at. Honestly, if they still made an assassin I'd prolly buy one over a predator just for the size difference alone. Seems like it's not too big or too small and I've had good luck with LW in the past. I keep my gear overall pretty small and compact so a platform with a little extra weight is no big deal to me
 
I
I think you may be overstating how many of the Predator platforms have broken. I wouldn't say they "tend" to break but there have been a small number of the generation 1's that have broken. However, they revised the design to solve the issue. The generation 2 platforms have been beefed up significantly in that area.

If you want something bigger understand but I would not be scared to purchase a predator platform, especially the generation 2.
I must've overlooked your comment the first time around. Sorry about that. Good to know they've addressed the issue. That wasn't a jab at Tethrd. I recently bought a mantis and other gear from them and they are a legit company. I thought the breaking was an ongoing issue and wasn't gonna throw that much cash at an item I can't depend on. Despite the fix though, I think the predator may be too small for my taste
 
Currently in a platform dilemma. As I stated in another thread I have a buddy whos looking for a LW Assassin platform and weve been talking platforms a lot lately. I have always used a ROS and screw ins but the other day I played around on his DIY XOP platform and really liked the platform feeling over the what im used to. However I think Id prefer something larger than his XOP set up. After digging through all the info on platforms in the DIY section its apparent that most of the components that made platform building relatively simple (Old LW design for KLEMZ style and XOP seats) arent readily available anymore. The predator isnt appealing to me because of its small size and history of breaking at the fins. Dont want to mess with doing a WE platform either. I dont really care about saving ounces. If I like a platform and it happens to weigh 6lbs Im good with that. Ill lug a few extra lbs if it means the equipment does what I want it to. So Im trying to come up with a design to give to my machinist to fab up a platform that I can add a post and other hardware to. So all you platform hunters out there, what do you use and why? What do you like or dislike about the current or past platforms youve had? What would you change? Does a predator tend to break because of the thickness of material, type of material, or is it a possible design flaw? So basically if you had someone ready to make you a platform today, what are some things youd want as far as size, shape, thickness, material, etc. Any platform experts please chime in. Thanks.

If you don't mind doing some modifications, you'd be money ahead to buy a LW Assault stand and cut it up. You can make it the exact size that you're looking for and be money ahead versus buying an Assassin. There's a thread on here somewhere with a platform exactly like you're looking for...larger than a predator and just slightly smaller than an Assassin.
 
I didn't say I could get anything free. I didn't know where you were coming from with what you said. I can't get anything free but a guy who I know that's a machinist by trade has made parts for me before and he could prolly make me something similar to an assassin for less than an assassin used to cost new. I threw the idea at him and all he said was will that be 6061 or 7075? Lol so I'm waiting to see what he quotes it at. Honestly, if they still made an assassin I'd prolly buy one over a predator just for the size difference alone. Seems like it's not too big or too small and I've had good luck with LW in the past. I keep my gear overall pretty small and compact so a platform with a little extra weight is no big deal to me
Post #8 kinda implied free. I did explain. the material alone was crazy expensive let alone machine cost. I was looking at 1/2", but that meant bolting on ears for post. Cost of 2" and machine time to have billet 1 piece with mounting ears would be expensive.
My xop is doing great. I like the longer post as I use the platform like a hang on in terms of transport. I wear it on my back and carry sticks and outerwear strapped to it. It also doubles as a way to carry 2 sticks up the tree silently and easy to access. Its benefits to me far outweigh the lack of ability to put it in a pack.
 
If you don't mind doing some modifications, you'd be money ahead to buy a LW Assault stand and cut it up. You can make it the exact size that you're looking for and be money ahead versus buying an Assassin. There's a thread on here somewhere with a platform exactly like you're looking for...larger than a predator and just slightly smaller than an Assassin.

Also, based on the way I use a platform, there is very little usable difference in size between the predator and an XOP seat. It is physically bigger but the angled and rounded off sides of the XOP seat account for the size difference and I never found it comfortable to use the sides to begin with. The XOP does stick out from the tree a little further (mainly because it doesn't have integrated teeth that extend behind the post like the predator does.) The predator wins this battle hands down for me.

Personally, I think that if you are coming from a ROS, you would be happy with a predator. I thought it was too small when I first saw it but after a few hunts, that concern is gone and it has done everything that I need it to do. I wouldn't want the predator any smaller but I'm happy with it as is. I'd still buy the predator if it were slightly larger, but I don't want or need another assassin. If you've never been on an assassin, you may be in for a shock....it is a beast! more of a small stand than a foot positioning platform .....but has it's place for sure, hence the prices :)
 
Also, based on the way I use a platform, there is very little usable difference in size between the predator and an XOP seat. It is physically bigger but the angled and rounded off sides of the XOP seat account for the size difference and I never found it comfortable to use the sides to begin with. The XOP does stick out from the tree a little further (mainly because it doesn't have integrated teeth that extend behind the post like the predator does.) The predator wins this battle hands down for me.

Personally, I think that if you are coming from a ROS, you would be happy with a predator. I thought it was too small when I first saw it but after a few hunts, that concern is gone and it has done everything that I need it to do. I wouldn't want the predator any smaller but I'm happy with it as is. I'd still buy the predator if it were slightly larger, but I don't want or need another assassin. If you've never been on an assassin, you may be in for a shock....it is a beast! more of a small stand than a foot positioning platform .....but has it's place for sure, hence the prices :)
That helps a lot. Thank you
 
No problem. I'd try to find someone near you and try out a predator before you go to great lengths building something else.....You may be pleasantly surprised. Better yet, you're from NC, go to saddlepalooza in Feb....got a feeling you could test out anything that has ever been made there! :)
 
I want to re
No problem. I'd try to find someone near you and try out a predator before you go to great lengths building something else.....You may be pleasantly surprised. Better yet, you're from NC, go to saddlepalooza in Feb....got a feeling you could test out anything that has ever been made there! :)
Man I want to really bad but unfortunately I'll be in a training phase preparing for a deployment. Maybe next year
 
I love my Predator 1. I'll probably try a Pred 2 before next season.
The size isn't an issue to me but I set it so it's level with my top step (on my weak side) and I place one Ameristep on the strap on my strong side. It give me the best of both worlds. All day comfort of a platform and the steps on each side allow 360 shooting and the feeling of having more mobility with more control.
 
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