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Recon belt mod feedback

Sorry A.T. if I was confusing in my replies. I responded earlier to someone saying that the bungee was needed because without one only half of the saddle is held up. I said I'm not worried about both panels because I intend to use it as a single panel (probably overlaying and permanently fixing the panels together as one) and since I won't use it as a two panel I don't see the need for the bungee vs the webbing. Hope this makes sense.

Thats not exactly what I said about the webbing belt.
It was asked if the belt could be sewn directly to the top section and I replied that if it's done THAT WAY then the bottom section flops down. With a sling, the belt, (regardless of whether its webbing or a bungee) needs to attach at the plates in order to effectively adjust the sling as a unit and also manage the plates (or D rings on some slings) from flopping around when not under tether.
I'm not at all disagreeing with your desire to use the Recon as a single panel...I said earlier that I do that occasionally on a dawn-to-dark hang.
I'm not telling you what to do by any means.
I do know that my version of a bungee belt is just the ticket for what you are describing that you want to do.
Btw, there was a one panel Anderson sling made. They show up in the classifieds sometimes. @Vtbow... didn't you have one for sale several months ago?



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Thats not exactly what I said about the webbing belt.
It was asked if the belt could be sewn directly to the top section and I replied that if it's done THAT WAY then the bottom section flops down. With a sling, the belt, (regardless of whether its webbing or a bungee) needs to attach at the plates in order to effectively adjust the sling as a unit and also manage the plates (or D rings on some slings) from flopping around when not under tether.
I'm not at all disagreeing with your desire to use the Recon as a single panel...I said earlier that I do that occasionally on a dawn-to-dark hang.
I'm not telling you what to do by any means.
I do know that my version of a bungee belt is just the ticket for what you are describing that you want to do.
Btw, there was a one panel Anderson sling made. They show up in the classifieds sometimes. @Vtbow... didn't you have one for sale several months ago?



Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk
That was like a year ago :) @Bwhana has it now And is actually selling itnin the classifieds right now.
 
Thats not exactly what I said about the webbing belt.
It was asked if the belt could be sewn directly to the top section and I replied that if it's done THAT WAY then the bottom section flops down. With a sling, the belt, (regardless of whether its webbing or a bungee) needs to attach at the plates in order to effectively adjust the sling as a unit and also manage the plates (or D rings on some slings) from flopping around when not under tether.
I'm not at all disagreeing with your desire to use the Recon as a single panel...I said earlier that I do that occasionally on a dawn-to-dark hang.
I'm not telling you what to do by any means.
I do know that my version of a bungee belt is just the ticket for what you are describing that you want to do.
Btw, there was a one panel Anderson sling made. They show up in the classifieds sometimes. @Vtbow... didn't you have one for sale several months ago?



Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

Sorry A.T., I was responding to what wirrex posted not realizing he was referencing what you said. It would have been helpful if I had gone back and read what wirrex was referring to. I get what you are saying better now about the plates needing tension from the tether or bungee so they don't flop around. It seems to me like the sit drag where if you remove tension it slides down. That never bothered me, maybe that's why I don't see the need for the bungee? Either way, time on stand will tell me for sure. I do really appreciate you taking the time to explain your bungee system and all the work you put in testing the recon to make it as refined as it is.
 
Belt mod solved for me. Just buy a longer piece of webbing for your bridge. Set your preferred bridge length. Take the left over tag ends on either side and attach a buckle of your choice. Now you have a belt and bridge in one. No need for anything extra. In this pic I have pulled the belt away from my waist so that you can see what I am referring to. I can tighten and loosen this as much or as little as I want and it works great. 514C650F-375A-498E-8340-12C111F9DA0A.jpg
 
I was about to make the mistake of selling my recon until I did the bungee belt mod. Thanks fellas

67e96e09abb15ef8668d774fba336a41.jpg
 
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I'm growing tired of the Recon. I want to love it, but I shouldn't have to modify such a poor belt design. My patience is slipping.
 
I'm growing tired of the Recon. I want to love it, but I shouldn't have to modify such a poor belt design. My patience is slipping.
Gotta keep your eye on the prize. For me, the Recon is the most comfortable saddle that I've tried.
I tried in vain to get Mark to make a bungee belt available but he wanted to stick with the webbing belt...oh well, it's his product so he can make them however he wishes.
I did tell him, back during the design/testing phase, that saddle hunters were born to tinker and modify gear and the he should expect that customers will modify the Recon. For me, changing the belt is a no-brainer. I love the comfort of the Recon but I hate the webbing belt.
The bungee mod is pretty simple...costs almost nothing and really no tools are even needed.
It would be nice if Mark offered a "factory" bungee belt but since he won't, I'm not throwing out the baby with the bath water.
It's well worth the minor effort...rig a bungee.
 
I'm growing tired of the Recon. I want to love it, but I shouldn't have to modify such a poor belt design. My patience is slipping.

Which belt do you have? The speed buckle or the new two piece raptor buckle?
 
Which belt do you have? The speed buckle or the new two piece raptor buckle?


Speed buckle. Part of the problem could be eliminated if the panels were free to slide inside the bridge hardware. It's always binding. Just a cheap, poor design.
 
The stock belt design really sucked. No other ways to say it.

I actually just gave my Recon to another member to sew in a belt that run parallel to the molly straps. Will post pictures of it once I get it back. I actually think its going to solve the issue of sagging with pouches attached. I tried the bungee belt mod but its just not for me due to my quest to be able to use pouches someday if I wanted to. Plus I didnt like how it felt one sticking, the expanding/retracting kind of made me nervous.



I'm growing tired of the Recon. I want to love it, but I shouldn't have to modify such a poor belt design. My patience is slipping.

I understand your view. Its why I dont recommend the Recon to new people but it is a good saddle if you want to mod. At its core it is raw that need some love but I still think it is the most comfortable saddle after trying TL Ambush, Phantom, Drey, Sit/Drag, Fleece, Mantis and Transformer. I would say get the Transformer if you decide Recon not worth the hassle. Its basically a premium Recon that has all the improvements built in, but its a little more stiffer then Recon which I didn't like, the Recon hug my butt better IMHO.
 
Speed buckle. Part of the problem could be eliminated if the panels were free to slide inside the bridge hardware. It's always binding. Just a cheap, poor design.

If you mod it the way I did it eliminates the binding of the two panels and still allows it to have an adjustable waist belt.
 
I get relatively the same comfort from a sit drag and battle belt combo. So simple and easy.
 
I get relatively the same comfort from a sit drag and battle belt combo. So simple and easy.
I hate bulk and extra pieces. I just use a sitdrag with tied on bridge and sewn in belt. Doesn't get more simple than that.
 
Is there a video of step by step instructions on adding the bungee belt? I’m having trouble finding it if so!
I used to have a video that I made but it was the "1st generation" that I made of the belt. I changed a few things and I considered the video kinda obsolete so I removed it from YouTube. Also needed more room on my computer so we deleted a bunch of stuff.
 
I lurk here a lot and normally don't chime in too much but I have to say that anyone with a Recon saddle needs to do this bungie mod. I too almost gave this saddle away and just out of curiosity I removed the belt and added the bungie cord with the 550 cord prussic and I was blown away with how much better that made the saddle in every way. The panels stay high on your butt when walking in without a hint of budge, stay exactly where they belong when sitting and shifting, and that "belt" keeps everything where you had it set when taking weight off. I one stick climb and only used this saddle one time in the woods because it ended up around my knees on my way up. That was less than optimal to be sure. I hope to get out this weekend and put it to the test but in my preliminary trials so far, the Recon stays where it's supposed to as good as any other saddle I've tried to date with the bungie belt. I'm so impressed with it that I'm sure if other saddle manufacturers tried it there would be several that would be figuring out how to incorporate that into their designs. It's the best belt option I've seen hands down. There's no metal, it's light, easy to adjust, doesn't move any inch from where you set it, and self adjusts when you're to height. I'll know better after 4 or 5 hours in it but this may have become my go-to saddle all due to a $6.00 mod. Well done everyone!
 
I lurk here a lot and normally don't chime in too much but I have to say that anyone with a Recon saddle needs to do this bungie mod. I too almost gave this saddle away and just out of curiosity I removed the belt and added the bungie cord with the 550 cord prussic and I was blown away with how much better that made the saddle in every way. The panels stay high on your butt when walking in without a hint of budge, stay exactly where they belong when sitting and shifting, and that "belt" keeps everything where you had it set when taking weight off. I one stick climb and only used this saddle one time in the woods because it ended up around my knees on my way up. That was less than optimal to be sure. I hope to get out this weekend and put it to the test but in my preliminary trials so far, the Recon stays where it's supposed to as good as any other saddle I've tried to date with the bungie belt. I'm so impressed with it that I'm sure if other saddle manufacturers tried it there would be several that would be figuring out how to incorporate that into their designs. It's the best belt option I've seen hands down. There's no metal, it's light, easy to adjust, doesn't move any inch from where you set it, and self adjusts when you're to height. I'll know better after 4 or 5 hours in it but this may have become my go-to saddle all due to a $6.00 mod. Well done everyone!
You should share your opinions with Mark. I tried convincing him about the bungee belt until I was blue in the face. He just wouldn't budge on the concept.
Hey, it's his product and he can do as he pleases. All I know is this will be my 4th season since I invented the bungee belt and I'm 100% positive that it's what the Recon needs. It's nice that the mod is cheap and easily changed back to webbing if someone doesn't like it.
 
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