Nutterbuster's Treehopper Recon Sling Video

[Nutterbuster]

My package came today. Recon snd Treesuit. Brief test hang in the yard.

Initial thoughts;

Recon: Very well built and very comfortable. Lots of support in all the right places. Amazingly light for how comfortable it was. The two panel thing will take some adjusting to, but I'll get there. Walking with both panels cinched high was great. I even installed fleece dump pouches for LB/T with no issues. It's weird how you have to loosen the belt when hanging, and then be ready for it to not stay put if you stand to readjust. I don't fully understand why that's so different than my Kite. I don't ever remember a problem with the waist belt.

Treesuit: Not so psyched about this thing. Weight is awesome! So light! Plenty roomy and I don't mind the non-foldable legs. I think I'll figure out how to pack it in no problem and it's like carrying nothing. My issue was getting it firmly set. There appears to be a change to it from previous models where there are now teeth along each post. These seem like they are intended to help it bite into the tree. Problem is they also prevent it from cinching down the trunk to pull any slack out of the strap. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't keep it from pulling away from the tree when I stood on it.

Anyone else have one with teeth and figure this out? I wanna love this for its weight and simplicity, but so far I'm skeptical.

I personally do not love the teeth. The original didn't have them, and I think it was a rare misstep by Mark to add them. Not a fatal flaw, but an annoying one. I'd be inclined to grind them off myself.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

My package came today. Recon snd Treesuit. Brief test hang in the yard.

Initial thoughts;

Recon: Very well built and very comfortable. Lots of support in all the right places. Amazingly light for how comfortable it was. The two panel thing will take some adjusting to, but I'll get there. Walking with both panels cinched high was great. I even installed fleece dump pouches for LB/T with no issues. It's weird how you have to loosen the belt when hanging, and then be ready for it to not stay put if you stand to readjust. I don't fully understand why that's so different than my Kite. I don't ever remember a problem with the waist belt.

Treesuit: Not so psyched about this thing. Weight is awesome! So light! Plenty roomy and I don't mind the non-foldable legs. I think I'll figure out how to pack it in no problem and it's like carrying nothing. My issue was getting it firmly set. There appears to be a change to it from previous models where there are now teeth along each post. These seem like they are intended to help it bite into the tree. Problem is they also prevent it from cinching down the trunk to pull any slack out of the strap. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't keep it from pulling away from the tree when I stood on it.

Anyone else have one with teeth and figure this out? I wanna love this for its weight and simplicity, but so far I'm skeptical.

The sag while unweighted is exactly why I developed the adjustable bungee belt. IMO, it's the perfect solution. Cinch it tight and it can handle weighty dumps, and then put the bungee in the "half way" position and it stays put when you reposition.


The concept behind the teeth on the tree suit is to eliminate the squeaking against the bark. I still firmly believe the whole issue can be fixed with different paint. The original tree suit did not have teeth and it worked fine. The TH Treesuit is basically a clone but it squeaked...gotta be the paint.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

I personally do not love the teeth. The original didn't have them, and I think it was a rare misstep by Mark to add them. Not a fatal flaw, but an annoying one. I'd be inclined to grind them off myself.

I thoroughly agree.

 

[gcr0003]

My package came today. Recon snd Treesuit. Brief test hang in the yard.

Initial thoughts;

Recon: Very well built and very comfortable. Lots of support in all the right places. Amazingly light for how comfortable it was. The two panel thing will take some adjusting to, but I'll get there. Walking with both panels cinched high was great. I even installed fleece dump pouches for LB/T with no issues. It's weird how you have to loosen the belt when hanging, and then be ready for it to not stay put if you stand to readjust. I don't fully understand why that's so different than my Kite. I don't ever remember a problem with the waist belt.

Treesuit: Not so psyched about this thing. Weight is awesome! So light! Plenty roomy and I don't mind the non-foldable legs. I think I'll figure out how to pack it in no problem and it's like carrying nothing. My issue was getting it firmly set. There appears to be a change to it from previous models where there are now teeth along each post. These seem like they are intended to help it bite into the tree. Problem is they also prevent it from cinching down the trunk to pull any slack out of the strap. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't keep it from pulling away from the tree when I stood on it.

Anyone else have one with teeth and figure this out? I wanna love this for its weight and simplicity, but so far I'm skeptical.

Set the tree hopper at the height you want it and tighten down the strap such that it is holding where you want it.
With your one hand hold the platform in place and with the other holding the strap give it a sharp pull.
Tie up and step onto the platform. Place your heels above the vertical tubing that is closest to the tree and give it a sharp jump.You should feel it set into place.

see if that helps you out. It made a huge difference to me.

 

[TNSTAAFL]

Thanks for the input. I remember reading about your bungy belt. I'll have to try that. I like the stock belt for walking though. Easy to cinch tight.

The Recon is a sweet piece of gear. I'm about done with the early season ultra light stuff, so I'm not sure I'll hunt out of it before 2021, but I think it will be a great October system up here in the north country. Doesn't seem like a heavy layer, cold weather item.

Disappointed about the teeth. I have no interest in grinding them off. Maybe I'll have to return it if he'll take it back. Wanted to love this so bad. It is sooo light.

 

[TNSTAAFL]

Set the tree hopper at the height you want it and tighten down the strap such that it is holding where you want it.
With your one hand hold the platform in place and with the other holding the strap give it a sharp pull.
Tie up and step onto the platform. Place your heels above the vertical tubing that is closest to the tree and give it a sharp jump.You should feel it set into place.

see if that helps you out. It made a huge difference to me.

I appreciate the tip.

Does yours have the teeth? I had tried this approach previously and the platform did not budge despite my 215 lb jumping weight, close to the trunk. The teeth just bit too hard.

Since it didn't budge, it would then still pull away when I leaned back.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

I appreciate the tip.

Does yours have the teeth? I had tried this approach previously and the platform did not budge despite my 215 lb jumping weight, close to the trunk. The teeth just bit too hard.

Since it didn't budge, it would then still pull away when I leaned back.

How well the teeth function will be relative to the type of bark you are dealing with.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

 

[gcr0003]

I appreciate the tip.

Does yours have the teeth? I had tried this approach previously and the platform did not budge despite my 215 lb jumping weight, close to the trunk. The teeth just bit too hard.

Since it didn't budge, it would then still pull away when I leaned back.

Mine had the teeth. In that case don’t tighten it quite so tight (Not loose) and bounce on it. It’s kinda a happy medium but I never had trouble getting to set right. I’m 210.

 

[TNSTAAFL]

How well the teeth function will be relative to the type of bark you are dealing with.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

It was a fairly thick barked tree. Not what I'd typically climb, but not far off either. The teeth are super deep/spaced. I could see them sliding on a smooth barked maple or something, but any oak or moderately barked tree is going to hang them up I'd guess.

 

[TNSTAAFL]

Mine had the teeth. In that case don’t tighten it quite so tight (Not loose) and bounce on it. It’s kinda a happy medium but I never had trouble getting to set right. I’m 210.

Well that could be it. I was cranking on the strap like my life depended on it!

 

[Vtbow]

I think the Merritt of the original was its ability to slide through the strap to tighten. The teeth prevent that. As do the clips to hold the strap in place. Trees get wider towards rhe bottom. If the legs slide through like the old one, it creates a wedge tightens the whole thing up.

 

[TNSTAAFL]

I think the Merritt of the original was its ability to slide through the strap to tighten. The teeth prevent that. As do the clips to hold the strap in place. Trees get wider towards rhe bottom. If the legs slide through like the old one, it creates a wedge tightens the whole thing up.

This is what I was envisioning, and given the pictures on the website, thought I was getting. Seemed like it would be rock solid.

 

[BigDelknut]

I just received my recon and tree suit. The tree suit came with an extra ocb buckle, tried it with the ocb at first and couldn't get it solid so ran the strap thru the top tube and used ocb and it makes it much more stable

 

[sweats]

Still waiting on mine. I have another saddle to use so no big deal, but am curious to try it out.

Scratch that. It arrived today.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[BigDelknut]

My first saddle setup, been thinking about it for couple of years. Did a few practice sits in the yard so far think I am going to love it once I get through the learning curve. Wish had pulled the trigger sooner so I had more practice before I use it hunting

 

[TNSTAAFL]

First hunt in the Recon tonight. Went well. Only a 3 hour sit.

Pros:
Walk in felt like wearing nothing, even with 2 fleece dump pouches.
Very supportive and comfortable. Under butt and low back.
Great while leaning, which is my preference. Forgot my kneepads so didn't sit much.
No noise even with coated plates.
Stock belt easy to adjust.
LB over neck as suspenders was key to keep it up while walking. Great climbing with LB.

Cons:
Took off leg straps, so when belt loosened to hang and then stand up the sling is unweighted it does not stay put. Big adjustment to this from my Kite. Not a fan but might get used to it.
Seemed harder to add layers given high panel. 34 degrees tonight!

 

[sweats]

First hunt in the Recon tonight. Went well. Only a 3 hour sit.

Pros:
Walk in felt like wearing nothing, even with 2 fleece dump pouches.
Very supportive and comfortable. Under butt and low back.
Great while leaning, which is my preference. Forgot my kneepads so didn't sit much.
No noise even with coated plates.
Stock belt easy to adjust.
LB over neck as suspenders was key to keep it up while walking. Great climbing with LB.

Cons:
Took off leg straps, so when belt loosened to hang and then stand up the sling is unweighted it does not stay put. Big adjustment to this from my Kite. Not a fan but might get used to it.
Seemed harder to add layers given high panel. 34 degrees tonight!

Any particular reason you took off the leg straps?

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[Vtbow]

Any particular reason you took off the leg straps?

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

I got rid of mine too. Restricts the adjustment of the bottom pannel...

 

[TNSTAAFL]

I got rid of mine too. Restricts the adjustment of the bottom pannel...

This.

Plus I overlaped the panels above my waist for the walk in, and the leg loops created extra dangly straps to manage. As simple cheap webbing straps with plastic backpack strap attachment they seemed to suggest "unnecessary" to me.

It's new for me as I'm a leg strap guy. I loved the ones on my Kite and always used them. I want to give this thing a fair shot, and that will probably mean using it through 21 given how late I got it and that northern cold weather in 20 will chase me from it and the woods in general.

I do suspect that I'm a single panel, belted and leg strapped kind of guy though. I miss my Kite and should not have sold it. Skeptical of the new AH saddle with its extra unnecessary loops. I like what I hear about Cruzr but a little concerned about quality given newness and scale of company. Wish TX5 would get off Facebook and be more accessible to the general consumer. It is amazing how many saddle makers and styles there are now.

 

[Wirrex]

I ran without the leg loops but have since added my own paracord version just to keep the bottom panel pinned down where I like it. They work perfect and paired with a simple bungee belt I rarely have to readjust the sling even with all the standing up I do.

I have gone back to the original plate orientation and seem to prefer the way it distributes pressure. There is a noticeable difference in feel when flipping the plates.