Recon any new mods?

[mike.podolan]

They sell the polyester by the foot and it works just fine.

From your picture, I noticed that you have the shock cord run through the opening in the plates for the webbing bridge. I have the Recon with the rope plates, and I don’t think the shock cord would fit through with the rope.

Do you think your current bungee belt system would work similarly if I routed it through where the current belt attaches to the plates (ie. where the saddle straps run through the plates)? I know you used to run yokes and have found that this way works just as well, but I was unsure if having the belt farther out at the bridge attachment section was making a difference versus having it closer to your hips where the saddle itself runs through the plates.


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[Allegheny Tom]

From your picture, I noticed that you have the shock cord run through the opening in the plates for the webbing bridge. I have the Recon with the rope plates, and I don’t think the shock cord would fit through with the rope.

Do you think your current bungee belt system would work similarly if I routed it through where the current belt attaches to the plates (ie. where the saddle straps run through the plates)? I know you used to run yokes and have found that this way works just as well, but I was unsure if having the belt farther out at the bridge attachment section was making a difference versus having it closer to your hips where the saddle itself runs through the plates.


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I never tried it that way so who knows? It might work just as well or maybe even better.
Try it and let us know how it works.

 

[John 35]

Added a little bungee extension to my stock belt to keep the saddle secure when unweighted.

 

[mike.podolan]

Added a little bungee extension to my stock belt to keep the saddle secure when unweighted.

Interesting idea! So, if I’m understanding correctly, you could keep the belt tightened up while climbing and getting setup so that the saddle stayed snug; then you stretch and hook the bungee with the belt still tight. At this point, both the belt and the bungee would be holding the saddle tight; then you loosen the belt, but the bungee would still be holding the saddle tight on its own. At that point, you could put weight into the saddle, and the bungee would allow the plates to widen out as needed, but still then “snap back” to the original tightness you had with the belt tightened?


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[John 35]

Interesting idea! So, if I’m understanding correctly, you could keep the belt tightened up while climbing and getting setup so that the saddle stayed snug; then you stretch and hook the bungee with the belt still tight. At this point, both the belt and the bungee would be holding the saddle tight; then you loosen the belt, but the bungee would still be holding the saddle tight on its own. At that point, you could put weight into the saddle, and the bungee would allow the plates to widen out as needed, but still then “snap back” to the original tightness you had with the belt tightened?


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Pretty much. I like to hook up my tether to my bridge, loosen the belt enough to move the saddle down under my butt, then tighten the belt enough to remove slack but not enough to put tension on the plates. At that point I hook on the bungee and it operates as other bungee mods would. It’s actually extremely simple in practice and takes about 5 seconds but a little wordy to try and describe.

 

[mike.podolan]

Pretty much. I like to hook up my tether to my bridge, loosen the belt enough to move the saddle down under my butt, then tighten the belt enough to remove slack but not enough to put tension on the plates. At that point I hook on the bungee and it operates as other bungee mods would. It’s actually extremely simple in practice and takes about 5 seconds but a little wordy to try and describe.

I like it! I just picked up some shock cord; I think I’ll try this before actually removing the belt. I like the idea of still having the belt on there. Thanks for sharing!


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[shmeags]

I am a big fan of the OG bungee belt. Easy to adjust with gloves, easy to adjust in the dark.

The main reason I do not like the stock belt is that the attachment point jams between the plates and the seatbelt webbing, making it very hard for the webbing to move through the plates. This makes it harder for the webbing to auto-adjust for comfort, and harder to adjust the overlap of the panels while in the tree.

I attach my bungees to the lower edge of plates. When the bridge is weighted, this helps to slightly counter the tendency for the upper edge of the plates to turn inward and dig into your body (assuming you haven't "flipped" the panels).

Bringing me to another point, I don't like flipping the panels because I like to keep one panel under my butt at all times. This panel (the inner panel) never moves, and the outer panel fully overlaps it for changing your shirt etc, and then you can adjust it to whatever overlap your prefer for general hanging. If you flip the panels, assuming you keep the panel with the molle on the top, the inner panel is now on top, so you can't use it like I just described. Fine if you never adjust your panels I guess.

The bungee mod I use is just a short length of 3/8" shock cord, some 6mm accessory cord, and a few zip ties to keep it in place on the plates. You can also easily remove this and go back to the stock belt if you want, no permanent mods required.

 

[John 35]

I actually like the stock belt and buckle but I’m definitely in the minority, I did add one of those plastic strap keepers to secure the tag end of the belt when it’s tightened down. The recon is a very easy saddle to modify to the individual user which is a very nice feature.

 

[mike.podolan]

I am a big fan of the OG bungee belt. Easy to adjust with gloves, easy to adjust in the dark.

The main reason I do not like the stock belt is that the attachment point jams between the plates and the seatbelt webbing, making it very hard for the webbing to move through the plates. This makes it harder for the webbing to auto-adjust for comfort, and harder to adjust the overlap of the panels while in the tree.

I attach my bungees to the lower edge of plates. When the bridge is weighted, this helps to slightly counter the tendency for the upper edge of the plates to turn inward and dig into your body (assuming you haven't "flipped" the panels).

Bringing me to another point, I don't like flipping the panels because I like to keep one panel under my butt at all times. This panel (the inner panel) never moves, and the outer panel fully overlaps it for changing your shirt etc, and then you can adjust it to whatever overlap your prefer for general hanging. If you flip the panels, assuming you keep the panel with the molle on the top, the inner panel is now on top, so you can't use it like I just described. Fine if you never adjust your panels I guess.

The bungee mod I use is just a short length of 3/8" shock cord, some 6mm accessory cord, and a few zip ties to keep it in place on the plates. You can also easily remove this and go back to the stock belt if you want, no permanent mods required.

View attachment 79818

Thanks for the photo! I might also give this a try this to see if I like this belt setup. I do like the idea of having the straps more easily self-regulate.

I had never really considered flipping the panels back to normal. I bought mine from another user on here, and they were already flipped. I read that a lot of people had flipped them, and the reasoning made sense. However, I have had some issues with having to fidget too much when adding clothing. Your description seems like it would eliminate this issue. Sounds like I’m going to be playing around with this a lot this offseason!


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[neonomad]

I’m jealous of the new belt buckle and the new buck slayer plate coating.

I have flipped the panels with the plates still rubber coated, no real problem doing that

I believe I ran my shock cord belt through molle loops with fine results, but maybe I’m now missing out on panel freedom that I don’t realize… I used pretty darn thin shock cord in a loop so it’s not pulling hard, but definitely enough to keep the thing from falling to my ankles.

After some comfort issues in 2021 I also realized in 2022, and agree, that a low tether is much preferred, not as good for movement around the tree but definitely better comfort.

 

[Whiteoaks]

I just took a normal bungee and Shortened it to fit from one lineman loop to the other. When I’m walking I hook it up. No saddle sag . When I’m ready to climb I throw the bungee in my pack. I found I didn’t need a adjustable option. Just needed the bungee tight when walking to hold the saddle up.