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Predator platform verses ring of steps

bowkill00

New Member
Jun 12, 2016
31
11
8
I'm currently using a ros but getting some foot pain. Is a platform more comfortable? It looks easier to use than a ros. Thoughts?
 

Kurt

Well-Known Member
Nov 1, 2018
2,331
2,646
113
60
Massachusetts
I only have one season saddle hunting. I have a platform, and love it. Super comfortable IMO.
 

Country

Well-Known Member
Jun 7, 2018
895
943
93
41
I love my predator. I get occasional discomfort in the feet, but just switch to sitting position with knees against tree. So far, I love the saddle for it's comfort versatility.
 

DwadeCham

Well-Known Member
Feb 23, 2016
529
197
43
46
Platform was night and day for me compared to ring of steps. I do take a few wild edge steps though and put them on the opposite side of the tree from the platform so that you can move all the way around the tree if necessary.

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kenn1320

Well-Known Member
Sep 15, 2015
2,753
990
113
Depends on your boots I'm sure, but platform is WAY easier on the feet. I lean now with a platform and dont have to swing around for shots 360. Platform fixed the things that drove me away from saddles.
 

redsquirrel

Administrator
Staff member
SH Member
Feb 19, 2014
14,971
20,238
113
NJ
WEBSITE
saddlehunter.com
A ROS will be more comfortable if you put more weight in your saddle than on your legs. Sit in your saddle, don't stand on your feet.
 

realtown12

Member
Feb 16, 2018
59
25
18
Baltimore, MD
So... ROS= sitting and platform = leaning? Just getting back into the game (recently ordered some stepps). I'm sure I'll eventually get a platform and then an actual ROS to see what I like.
 

Nutterbuster

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Oct 12, 2017
10,069
24,822
113
Where the skys are so blue!
So... ROS= sitting and platform = leaning? Just getting back into the game (recently ordered some stepps). I'm sure I'll eventually get a platform and then an actual ROS to see what I like.
I have discovered that a "deep sit" with a high tether will put my back in a bind if I hunt that way for several days straight or for an all-day hunt. If i put my tether about chin high and put my knees at about a 45* angle, it takes the pressure off of my lower back and splits the weight between my feet, knees, and saddle. I sat for 14 hours like this yesterday with minimum discomfort in a kestrel and a set of squirrel steps. Didn't have to change my tether length very often at all, but I did periodically both lean and sit. Never got down from the tree until it was time to go home.

A platform is more comfortable if you stand. If you're sitting or even "leaning" into your saddle it's not putting a lot of pressure on your feet. Knee pads will take even more weight off. I can completely take my feet off my ROS with my knees braced against the tree and sut that way for quite a while.

For me, a platform is not only heavy and limiting when it comes to mobility, but it also is actually less comfortable in the long run because it forces my feet and knees to stay close together.

Definitely try both. You're the one who has to hunt with what you choose, not us. But there's a lot of hype surrounding the predator. I put a lot of hours on the gen 1, and have had hands on the gen 2. It's a good product, but I think platforms are over rated. The comfort and weak-side shooting edge is a bit of a straw-man argument. I have pretty much 0 trouble with both. I think those two issues are very subjective.

If you've got steps on order, it'll be fairly easy for you to use them as an ROS or add a DIY plywood platform to dexide for yourself.
 

Vtbow

Well-Known Member
Mar 21, 2018
5,516
7,043
113
I have discovered that a "deep sit" with a high tether will put my back in a bind if I hunt that way for several days straight or for an all-day hunt. If i put my tether about chin high and put my knees at about a 45* angle, it takes the pressure off of my lower back and splits the weight between my feet, knees, and saddle. I sat for 14 hours like this yesterday with minimum discomfort in a kestrel and a set of squirrel steps. Didn't have to change my tether length very often at all, but I did periodically both lean and sit. Never got down from the tree until it was time to go home.

A platform is more comfortable if you stand. If you're sitting or even "leaning" into your saddle it's not putting a lot of pressure on your feet. Knee pads will take even more weight off. I can completely take my feet off my ROS with my knees braced against the tree and sut that way for quite a while.

For me, a platform is not only heavy and limiting when it comes to mobility, but it also is actually less comfortable in the long run because it forces my feet and knees to stay close together.

Definitely try both. You're the one who has to hunt with what you choose, not us. But there's a lot of hype surrounding the predator. I put a lot of hours on the gen 1, and have had hands on the gen 2. It's a good product, but I think platforms are over rated. The comfort and weak-side shooting edge is a bit of a straw-man argument. I have pretty much 0 trouble with both. I think those two issues are very subjective.

If you've got steps on order, it'll be fairly easy for you to use them as an ROS or add a DIY plywood platform to dexide for yourself.
Off side on a ros isn't a problem in my opinion either, from my 50" recurve to my 64" long bow I have no problem. In fact there is less to hit your bottom limb on without a platform..... I sit, lean, hang...
 
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Vtbow

Well-Known Member
Mar 21, 2018
5,516
7,043
113
Off side on a ros isn't a problem in my opinion either, from my 50" recurve to my 64" long bow I have no problem. In fact there is less to hit your bottom limb on without a platform..... I sit, lean, hang...
Oh yeah...whatever you decide you need to practice :)
 

Nutterbuster

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Oct 12, 2017
10,069
24,822
113
Where the skys are so blue!
Oh yeah...whatever you decide you need to practice :)
Amen to that!
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