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Official Predator Platform review thread!!

One thing that puzzles me about the Predator design...
Why doesn't the shape of the top stand off mirror the shape of the bottom stand off? The top usually only makes contact with the center tits. Shouldn't a design that had all points of contact match top to bottom?
Im thinking that if the top had more outside contact to the tree, it would tend to have less chance of shifting so guys wouldn't be as tempted to toe hook it which has caused breakage of a few platforms.

I've always thought that the widest points of contact to the tree were best for any stand. Some of my home made stands have proven that to me...they always sit better on trees when the widest teeth are making contact. I haven't had the outside widest teeth on my top predator post make contact in a tree yet.
It would seem to add more support to the top of the post and allow less flex...or is flex the idea behind the design?

Look at the pic...outside teeth on the bottom stand off are making good contact, but the top only makes contact with the most inner teeth.
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Well this thread caused me problems! :0) I just broke down and ordered a Predator. Probably won't get it til next year. Don't have my saddle yet anyway.
 
Allegheny Tom said:
What other tasks can you use a double fixed loop for that a whoopie can't be used for? You are stuck with the length you made your fixed rope.
A whoopie is versatile... a fixed loop...not as much.
Must be the old boy scout in me...Be Prepared.

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I get where you're coming from but mine piece of amsteel is task-specific. It is only used as an extension for my platform which already has an adjustable strap and for an extension for my first stick, if need be, which is on a versa button. No need to add an adjustable component to either one of those.

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denots said:
I get where you're coming from but mine piece of amsteel is task-specific. It is only used as an extension for my platform which already has an adjustable strap and for an extension for my first stick, if need be, which is on a versa button. No need to add an adjustable component to either one of those.

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My mindset of having a whoopie isn't really to adjust it (although I could if needed).
The reason for the whoopie is to create a non-fixed loop.
Here's the way I look at it... I have a 4 foot piece of Amsteel with ONE fixed loopin my pack that takes up less space than a strap, and a little homemade fid slips right inside. In literally 30 seconds, I can make another loop anywhere I need it...short, long, or wherever I want. In my mind, my logic says I can use that Amsteel in just about any way a 4 foot piece will work. I don't understand how an Amsteel with fixed loops on both ends is as versatile as what I'm doing.
What am I missing here?

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Allegheny Tom said:
My mindset of having a whoopie isn't really to adjust it (although I could if needed).
The reason for the whoopie is to create a non-fixed loop.
Here's the way I look at it... I have a 4 foot piece of Amsteel with ONE fixed loopin my pack that takes up less space than a strap, and a little homemade fid slips right inside. In literally 30 seconds, I can make another loop anywhere I need it...short, long, or wherever I want. In my mind, my logic says I can use that Amsteel in just about any way a 4 foot piece will work. I don't understand how an Amsteel with fixed loops on both ends is as versatile as what I'm doing.
What am I missing here?

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Tom I I don't think you're missing anything. I think you've come up with something that works for you and that's what makes saddle hunting unique from typical stand hunting. The fact that you prefer to carry a piece of amsteel to make a whoopie sling with and I prefer to carry a 2 foot with small fix loops on either end is just a personal preference thing. To me the whoopie sling is just more complicated then I want to mess with. I know it's not really a complicated thing, but it's more than I want to deal with. It's just personal. A 2 ft piece of amsteel with two small eyes on either end is perfect for me if that's a little too long I just hooked an eye on the Versa button go through the loop of my strap and hook the other eye on the Versa button and now I have a 1 foot extension. And like I said before my extension I made very task-specific. I don't know that I will ever use it but if I need it it's in my pack sitting there not taking up any room. I wasn't really trying to say my way was better than yours I was just presenting another way to do it and let people decide what works best for them. I only share how I do things so people can evaluate what I'm doing and see if that will work for them. It's certainly not to say that my way is the best way, just the best way for me so far.

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denots said:
Tom I I don't think you're missing anything. I think you've come up with something that works for you and that's what makes saddle hunting unique from typical stand hunting. The fact that you prefer to carry a piece of amsteel to make a whoopie sling with and I prefer to carry a 2 foot with small fix loops on either end is just a personal preference thing. To me the whoopie sling is just more complicated then I want to mess with. I know it's not really a complicated thing, but it's more than I want to deal with. It's just personal. A 2 ft piece of amsteel with two small eyes on either end is perfect for me if that's a little too long I just hooked an eye on the Versa button go through the loop of my strap and hook the other eye on the Versa button and now I have a 1 foot extension. And like I said before my extension I made very task-specific. I don't know that I will ever use it but if I need it it's in my pack sitting there not taking up any room. I wasn't really trying to say my way was better than yours I was just presenting another way to do it and let people decide what works best for them. I only share how I do things so people can evaluate what I'm doing and see if that will work for them. It's certainly not to say that my way is the best way, just the best way for me so far.

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I'm the same way...share what ideas I have, and maybe it will spur ideas or different versions that I can, in turn, learn from.
I doubt very many saddle guys do things exactly the same way. This stuff is pretty individual.
I still don't really get your approach to the extension compared to a whoopie, but that's ok.


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You guys go in trees that big where you need an extension? I like my trees around 12” in diameter.
 
Anyone wax the predator and still have creaking? I had an all day sit today after applying the bow string wax and it was perfect for 7 hours but started periodically after that. Much less than before but still not silent like you want


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kelly.jayp said:
Anyone wax the predator and still have creaking? I had an all day sit today after applying the bow string wax and it was perfect for 7 hours but started periodically after that. Much less than before but still not silent like you want


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I've had about 25 hours on my Pred since I waxed it. Not a creak, or pop. And it was pretty bad before the wax job.

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kelly.jayp said:
Anyone wax the predator and still have creaking? I had an all day sit today after applying the bow string wax and it was perfect for 7 hours but started periodically after that. Much less than before but still not silent like you want


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I did until I lubed the adjustment bolt. That seemed to clear it up but have had only a hunt or 2 since. Interested to hear if others have had the same issue and how they fixes it.

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pilgrimhunter said:
I did until I lubed the adjustment bolt. That seemed to clear it up but have had only a hunt or 2 since. Interested to hear if others have had the same issue and how they fixes it.

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I put wax on that too. I wasn’t bashful with it either


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I’ve been reading all the posts and I’m finally convinced. Thanks everyone! Just was curious about was there going to be a predator 2.0. Thought I read something about heavier casting or new strap. Anyone have any info on that? Ready to purchase , but was wondering what I’d be getting.
 
Wolfie said:
I’ve been reading all the posts and I’m finally convinced. Thanks everyone! Just was curious about was there going to be a predator 2.0. Thought I read something about heavier casting or new strap. Anyone have any info on that? Ready to purchase , but was wondering what I’d be getting.
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There’s info about it in another thread. They redid the mold in order to beef it up. The supposed weight increase was 8 ounces.


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No wax for me. I'm pushing 40 or so hours since I put the nylon spacer. Not a sound! This platform has completely changed my comfort level. I'm a statue in the tree. Before the predator 2 hours tops and I was constantly moving trying to get comfortable. I didn't start to feel any discomfort today until the 7 hour mark, and that was my saddle more than anything. I fricking love this thing!

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denots said:
No wax for me. I'm pushing 40 or so hours since I put the nylon spacer. Not a sound! This platform has completely changed my comfort level. I'm a statue in the tree. Before the predator 2 hours tops and I was constantly moving trying to get comfortable. I didn't start to feel any discomfort today until the 7 hour mark, and that was my saddle more than anything. I fricking love this thing!

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I ordered it, why not right. Do you use ameristeps on either side?
 
enkriss said:
You guys go in trees that big where you need an extension? I like my trees around 12” in diameter.
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I certainly try not to use trees where an extension is required but if the tree I need to be in is that big then having an extension is worth it. I do mostly run and gun hang and hunt so I make do with whatever tree gives me the best opportunity. That is one of the reasons I switched to saddle hunting.
 
I wonder if version 2.0 of the predator also addresses the strap issue and noise issue? Anyone heard or got shipping news?
 
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