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ROS vs Platform and why ?

raisins said:
i've never tried a ring of steps because i'm a leaner

i went off common sentiment here that a ring of steps is more for sitters

my platform also allows me to shift positions of legs subtly (put one foot up post top, etc)...not sure if it is as easy with ROS
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I think you heard wrong. Leaning is quite possibly the best on a ROS. Might worth giving it a shot
 
gcr0003 said:
I think you heard wrong. Leaning is quite possibly the best on a ROS. Might worth giving it a shot
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huh.....i might have to try it out.....it is in the spirit of the thread, so can you explain how you lean on ROS (position of steps you lean with and type of step/attachment) and why you prefer leaning on ROS vs. platform?

thanks, this will help me too
 
raisins said:
huh.....i might have to try it out.....it is in the spirit of the thread, so can you explain how you lean on ROS (position of steps you lean with and type of step/attachment) and why you prefer leaning on ROS vs. platform?

thanks, this will help me too
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I use a set of pioneer steps, I just position my first two steps at roughly 8/4 o clock on the tree. The other three steps get spaced out along the backside. If I’m using sticks I place them close to level with my top stick wheee the step is sitting at 6 o’clock. It gives me an extra step to push off of, use, or adjust with.

With the steps at 8/4, I pretty much just lean with those. Almost like riding a Harley. Then I have a pad against the tree if I wanna sit.

I actually like leaning on steps better because I find it more comfortable than keeping My feet together.
 
raisins said:
huh.....i might have to try it out.....it is in the spirit of the thread, so can you explain how you lean on ROS (position of steps you lean with and type of step/attachment) and why you prefer leaning on ROS vs. platform?

thanks, this will help me too
Click to expand...
I wouldn’t over think it. 3 or 4 steps spaced comfortably apart. The height I like best is where I can lean or sit without adjusting the bridge. To me it feels like in between sitting and standing. You don’t get all the weight in the saddle like you do sitting, and you don’t get near as much weight on the feet as you would leaning in a platform. It feels like you’re keeping yourself from swinging into the tree more than it feels like you’re standing. Keep in mind you’re still leaning.

I think this is because your feet are closer to the tree relative to where you tether anchor is.

Large trees are the exception as I feel it bows the feet out too much abd can be uncomfortable. The trade off is youcan ease around the tree a little better than a platform.
 
I prefer ROS for shorter sits. They are light and very easy to pack. But if I plan on being in the tree more than 4 hours, a platform is great. Even when I use a platform, I hang a couple of slotted squirrel steps on the platform strap so I can still maneuver around the tree
 
Fl Canopy Stalker said:
I prefer ROS for shorter sits. They are light and very easy to pack. But if I plan on being in the tree more than 4 hours, a platform is great. Even when I use a platform, I hang a couple of slotted squirrel steps on the platform strap so I can still maneuver around the tree
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why do you like a platform on longer sits?

i have 3 spare tree hopper steps and a few ocb buckles...so i'll finally try the ROS out soon just in the backyard, but your experience after 4 hours would help me and maybe others

for me, i like being able to stand on my predator platform and fully take the weight off my tether and just hang out for a bit and adjust things easily or whatever

that's why i only need a big enough platform to stand fully and keep hoping manufacturers invest in ultralight, medium sized platform (OG predator size roughly)....instead of going towards larger and larger platforms, as is the current trend
 
raisins said:
why do you like a platform on longer sits?

i have 3 spare tree hopper steps and a few ocb buckles...so i'll finally try the ROS out soon just in the backyard, but your experience after 4 hours would help me and maybe others

for me, i like being able to stand on my predator platform and fully take the weight off my tether and just hang out for a bit and adjust things easily or whatever

that's why i only need a big enough platform to stand fully and keep hoping manufacturers invest in ultralight, medium sized platform (OG predator size roughly)....instead of going towards larger and larger platforms, as is the current trend
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Makes it easier to stand up fully to stretch. I get a little fidgety after several hours, being able to stand straight up and stretch out is nice. That’s truly the only reason. I refuse to make weak side shots by twisting on the platform like some guys do. And pushing off the side of platforms with a knee to the tree is never as stable as stepping on ROS. So really I only use it if I’m gonna be in the same tree for more than 4 or 5 hours straight.
 
So after reading 27 posts I see no one has incorporated a couple (2-4) steps into their platform strap. I have an EDP and want to slide 3 or 4 steps into the same strap as the EDP. I would then have the best of both words. Do you guys have any concerns about incorporating 3 or 4 steps onto the the same strap as a platform?
 
TDubbs12 said:
So after reading 27 posts I see no one has incorporated a couple (2-4) steps into their platform strap. I have an EDP and want to slide 3 or 4 steps into the same strap as the EDP. I would then have the best of both words. Do you guys have any concerns about incorporating 3 or 4 steps onto the the same strap as a platform?
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Nope. I have an EDP and do that as well. Steps might not be as tight as I'd like but they give me something if needed. I try and push more of my weight down on them rather than too much side pressure. I use Bullman style steps
 
when i started saddle hunting 3 years ago i used the ROS exclusively, even doing all day sits. The key was spacing them correctly around the tree so i could alternate different positions with my feet. I now use a angled scout platform and honestly i think i do prefer it, especially for leaning even though with the ROS it was never terrible. I too will occasionally throw 3-4 steps around with my platform for that added step over.
 
Dmathews87 said:
when i started saddle hunting 3 years ago i used the ROS exclusively, even doing all day sits. The key was spacing them correctly around the tree so i could alternate different positions with my feet. I now use a angled scout platform and honestly i think i do prefer it, especially for leaning even though with the ROS it was never terrible. I too will occasionally throw 3-4 steps around with my platform for that added step over.
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i have a set of ewo ros steps i have not tried yet. What clock positions do you think I should start at?
 
I use both how ever I refuse to use a cam over platform. My one stick has a monarch and then a have a slanted scout as well. I’m running 3 steps on the scout and love it so far (just got this setup) then on my one stick I’ll take a ros with 3 steps and use it in combination to get around the tree. The only time I use just a ros is when I’m running in quick for a few hours to a preset. When I do run just the steps the tree size determines the orientation large trees I run the at 1,3,5,7,9,11 small trees I run them at 12,3,4,6,8,9.
 
Hall17 said:
I like both and for different reasons. I will hunt off my EDP platform 95% of the time. Its small and light. However, because you can get a ROS for under $70 its a nice addition to have if you want to add them to the platform set up or use them on their own. I like them on their own if I am scouting my way to hunting. I don't do that often as I have a pretty good idea of where I am headed and why but there are days where I like to just go on an adventure and scouting my way in to a new area is fun.
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I think you are spot on. You sometimes need to explore and go with your gut on a spot. That first time in on a new spot sometimes is golden! The element of surprise can be all the difference in success!
 
IMO, it largely depends on style of hunt, length of hunt and types of trees.

If you're walking for hours with no idea where you may set up, a ROS is hard to beat as ounces count. Conversely, if you're walking a few hundred yards at most to a known area with known trees, a platform is more comfortable.

For me, a ROS is only comfortable for 2-3 hours. After that, your feet start to hurt. Others may have differing opinions as my only experience is with the Bullman Apex.

For trees, 99% of my trees are cantelope to basketball sized. For that, ROS placement at 3/6/9/12 are plenty. With a platform at 6, a ROS at 12 is great as it helps moving around the tree.

In short, I really want to like the ROS for all hunting situations as it's lighter and gives greater maneuverability. However, I can only do 2-3 hours before my feet hurt from them and a platform feels fantastic after using a ROS. The happy medium seems to be a platform with a single step 180 degrees from the platform. Wider trees may require more steps but the trees in my AO aren't that big.
 
I ran a ROS last year. This year I switched over to a seeker. Personally I’ll take the seeker all day everyday but I like having the real estate for my feet. I do however have two steps in my pack just in case but I haven’t needed them. The seeker has been rock solid for the type of trees I’m hunting in.
 
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