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Ridge Runner xl review?

Topdog

Topdog

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2020
Messages
1,791
Anybody own this platform? I know it’s 5 lbs and large obviously, I own way to much stuff already but for whatever reason I’m tempted to order one, looks like a mini tree stand almost the shape of it and I’m thinking it would be simple to stand and turn around on for the weak side shot, if anybody uses one and can post your thoughts I would appreciate it, thanks.
 
I was looking for more info on this as well. I did see one video review on You tube. That's all I could find.
 
If you want to stand up and turn for the weak side shot, the Ambush is one of the largest platforms. I can do it easily. I bought 2 out of the classifieds. They cam over funny but my trees are larger than most guys hunt out of. On 12" trees or less they are rock solid.
 
Did a search and found this thread about the RRXL. I see this is an old thread by now but wondering if anyone here owns and has been running one of these for a while now and wondering what your thoughts are. I’ve been considering one of these mainly because it seems like it might have a small tree stand kind of feel to it. Doesn’t seem to be too popular of a platform but I could be wrong. Anyone have any insight?


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Topdog said:
Anybody own this platform? I know it’s 5 lbs and large obviously, I own way to much stuff already but for whatever reason I’m tempted to order one, looks like a mini tree stand almost the shape of it and I’m thinking it would be simple to stand and turn around on for the weak side shot, if anybody uses one and can post your thoughts I would appreciate it, thanks.
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Westdesign03 said:
Did a search and found this thread about the RRXL. I see this is an old thread by now but wondering if anyone here owns and has been running one of these for a while now and wondering what your thoughts are. I’ve been considering one of these mainly because it seems like it might have a small tree stand kind of feel to it. Doesn’t seem to be too popular of a platform but I could be wrong. Anyone have any insight?
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I have one. I think it's the best platform shape on the market. When I'm on it, I don't miss any space over my .5.

It beats the others hands down for foot room, imo, because the whole platform is in front of the bracket...no post to work around.

I've been grabbing the .5 this season, because I'm running their sticks and it packs so well. And I'm not getting out much, so I've done little exploring where I'd want less.

But I'm not selling the RRxl unless a well designed XL no stick platform hits the market. I've got the RRxl in a kit set to 2TC or 1 stick if I want.

I finally found a "decent" pack that it fits inside...it practically creates an internal frame. It's an old model Camelbak Motherlode.

I'm adding a Kifaru Duplex Lite and Stryker XL (shipped today), and think the RRxl will be one that fits that setup nicely.

The make or break for folks on OOAL seems to be the hanging device that OOAL uses. Honestly, it's a bit more fussy than cam-locking a post...but I've been able to get it super solid without too much trouble at all. And, as I mentioned, their system makes the whole platform usable.

I would ask around the community for thoughts on that tree attachment. Cause the platform itself, I love it.
 
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Plebe said:
I have one. I think it's the best platform shape on the market. When I'm on it, I don't miss any space over my .5.

It beats the others hands down for foot room, imo, because the whole platform is in front of the bracket...no post to work around.

I've been grabbing the .5 this season, because I'm running their sticks and it packs so well. And I'm not getting out much, so I've done little exploring where I'd want less.

But I'm not selling the RRxl unless a well designed XL no stick platform hits the market. I've got the RRxl in a kit set to 2TC or 1 stick if I want.

I finally found a "decent" pack that it fits inside...it practically creates an internal frame. It's an old model Camelbak Motherlode.

I'm adding a Kifaru Duplex Lite and Stryker XL (shipped today), and think the RRxl will be one that fits that setup nicely.

The make or break for folks on OOAL seems to be the hanging device that OOAL uses. Honestly, it's a bit more fussy than cam-locking a post...but I've been able to get it super solid without too much trouble at all. And, as I mentioned, their system makes the whole platform usable.

I would ask around the community for thoughts on that tree attachment. Cause the platform itself, I love it.
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Awesome. Thanks for the good info! Yeah I actually owned 3 regular RR’s before so I know how the attachment system goes with them for the most part. Seems to me that the XL might hold better to the tree even just because there’s more surface area grabbing the tree? I could be wrong about that though I dunno.

I actually liked how the regular RR strapped to the tree. The biggest problem I had with it was that it didn’t handle side pressure as well as I hoped. Sometimes it would be great, other times not so much. Does the XL handle side pressure relatively well?

I’m really most interested in it because it’s a lot like a mink tree stand, like you said. Not planning on putting a bunch of side pressure on it but would be nice if I needed to in the moment of the shot. Does it stay pretty well solid to the tree just standing on it or moving around a little on it?


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Westdesign03 said:
Awesome. Thanks for the good info! Yeah I actually owned 3 regular RR’s before so I know how the attachment system goes with them for the most part. Seems to me that the XL might hold better to the tree even just because there’s more surface area grabbing the tree? I could be wrong about that though I dunno.

I actually liked how the regular RR strapped to the tree. The biggest problem I had with it was that it didn’t handle side pressure as well as I hoped. Sometimes it would be great, other times not so much. Does the XL handle side pressure relatively well?

I’m really most interested in it because it’s a lot like a mink tree stand, like you said. Not planning on putting a bunch of side pressure on it but would be nice if I needed to in the moment of the shot. Does it stay pretty well solid to the tree just standing on it or moving around a little on it?


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I'm surprised to hear the regular RR was inconsistent with side pressure.

Maybe it's the taller bracket, but the XL will get really solid. Wish I had experience with the regular RR to share a more precise comparison.

I think the only time I've had any play in the XL was when I had it on a huge tree and the belt was maxed.

The only issue I've had with my XL was the leveling knob got tight after using it for like a week. But it loosened up on its own. Don't know why it bound up. But I don't find myself making too many adjustments, so I can't say for others if it has or will happen or if it will be an issue at all if it does.
 
Plebe said:
I'm surprised to hear the regular RR was inconsistent with side pressure.

Maybe it's the taller bracket, but the XL will get really solid. Wish I had experience with the regular RR to share a more precise comparison.

I think the only time I've had any play in the XL was when I had it on a huge tree and the belt was maxed.

The only issue I've had with my XL was the leveling knob got tight after using it for like a week. But it loosened up on its own. Don't know why it bound up. But I don't find myself making too many adjustments, so I can't say for others if it has or will happen or if it will be an issue at all if it does.
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Gotcha. I could have been doing it wrong with the regular RR too, who knows. Good to hear the XL is solid. Makes sense that it wouldn’t be super tight on a huge tree. Not many platforms are in my experience so far. I think I would rather the adjustment knob be too tight rather than too loose too. So simply standing on and maneuvering around like a tree stand works pretty well on the XL then?


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Westdesign03 said:
Gotcha. I could have been doing it wrong with the regular RR too, who knows. Good to hear the XL is solid. Makes sense that it wouldn’t be super tight on a huge tree. Not many platforms are in my experience so far. I think I would rather the adjustment knob be too tight rather than too loose too. So simply standing on and maneuvering around like a tree stand works pretty well on the XL then?
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I certainly think so, and I'm not a hang from a string and shoot archer unless it's absolutely necessary. My preference is to stand and shoot. I'm also fairly broad and I haven't had difficulty turning at will.
 
Plebe said:
I certainly think so, and I'm not a hang from a string and shoot archer unless it's absolutely necessary. My preference is to stand and shoot. I'm also fairly broad and I haven't had difficulty turning at will.
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Cool sounds good. I haven’t had a chance for a real shot out of a platform/saddle until recently and I think that experience told me I’m a stand and shoot kind of guy too I think.


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