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ROS vs Platform

What do you put your feet on?

  • I only hunt with a ROS

    Votes: 29 29.3%

  • I only hunt with a platform

    Votes: 36 36.4%

  • I prefer a ROS, but will occasionally use a platform

    Votes: 12 12.1%

  • I prefer a platform, but will occasionally use a ROS

    Votes: 13 13.1%

  • I'm close to a 50/50 split

    Votes: 9 9.1%
  • Total voters
    99
kidneystones_3000 said:
I will be honest i don't have experience as most saddle hunters and i am not a DIY guy, but what about the Hybrid Option?
I use a ridge runner platform along with a Wilde edge step and my lone wolf stick to move 360° around the tree. The benefits are that i am able to hunt from trees with a larger diameter and i am able to use the tree to block the deers view in my opinion huge advantage. The disadvantage would be more wieght(1LBS) carry and more time to set up (i am guessing 5 to 7minutes). The extra time and wieght are so insignificant to me it's a no brainer.
Click to expand...
I voted that I hunt from a platform only, but in reality all my strap-on platforms have 1 Treehopper step on each strap.
When I hunt out of a chain-on diy platform, I always have a bolt placed in the same area as the strap on would be.
 
What about the Hybrid Option I use ridge runner platform, Wilde edge step and the top of my lone wolf stick to move around the tree. Using the Hybrid option you able hunt from trees with a larger diameter and you able to shoot better from tree with a larger diameter and biggest advantage is using the tree to block the deers view of you. The disadvantage is the extra wieght(1lb) and time(7 to 10 minutes). I agree jon eberhart when he says using tree to block it view is big advantage in saddle hunting.
 
I used a ROS for 10 years, love the Predator and used it about 75% of the time last year including on presets.
 
Allegheny Tom said:
I voted that I hunt from a platform only, but in reality all my strap-on platforms have 1 Treehopper step on each strap.
When I hunt out of a chain-on diy platform, I always have a bolt placed in the same area as the strap on would be.
Click to expand...
I love my ridge runner platform but using the tree to block its view is such big advantage when i was hunting from tree stand the deer within 40yds were always looking up at me trying figure me out my shape. I would say 80% of the bowhunting videos the deer are looking at the hunter before the shot.
 
Allegheny Tom said:
I voted that I hunt from a platform only, but in reality all my strap-on platforms have 1 Treehopper step on each strap.
When I hunt out of a chain-on diy platform, I always have a bolt placed in the same area as the strap on would be.
Click to expand...

If the center of the platform is 6 o'clock, then at what location do you place your single step? 9 o'clock (if you are right handed)?
 
raisins said:
If the center of the platform is 6 o'clock, then at what location do you place your single step? 9 o'clock (if you are right handed)?
Click to expand...
Gotta have a system and stick to it. Here's my system...
Climb system (bolts, screw-ins, or sticks) is always on the right side of the platform (usually about 4 or 5 o'clock) which is my weak side. The top step will be slightly higher than the platform. Having that step below the platform is totally useless during the hunt. The extra 18" in platform height isn't doing anything towards being higher and out of being winded or seen by deer. I don't understand what the mindset is for having the top climbing step lower than the platform.

My single step on the strap is always on my strong side and placed at about 8. The size of the tree will dictate exactly where I put that step. I might put it more toward 8:30 on a larger tree.
I always have at least one foot on the platform. Transferring all body weight off the platform and onto the step on the strap contorts the strap positioning which can effect the cam-over of the platform. If full weight is repeatedly transferred from the platform to the strap over the course of the day things can shift. Keeping ~50% of body weight on the stand ensures that it will stay positioned and tight on the tree right where I originally put it. Straps stretch, too. So I'm only putting as much weight on the strap step as I need to.

For me, there are 3 uses for having a step just off the side of the platform. The primary use is for a little more body control getting around the tree. Whether it's for hiding behind the tree, or positioning around the tree for a shot, I have much better control over ultra slow movement if I have a step out there. And its definitely more comfortable if I end up half way off the platform for a long period of time because of of deer presence.
The 2nd reason for that step is that I just shoot better. Yes, I can shoot 360 without the step, but I shoot more accurately if I have better control over my body position, and that step helps me with that.

The 3rd reason for steps on each side is just for comfort. I find platforms to be the most comfortable for extended hangs, but even platforms can get a little uncomfortable after 4 or 5 hours of having both feet restricted to a 1 foot square area. It's a nice change up over the course of the day to have a foot rest that's located just above each side of the platform. As a footrest, having the step set level with the platform doesn't work as well as having it set 6 or 8 inches above the platform. And having them set below the platform is totally useless.

I like when a piece of gear can due multi-duties. Having the top climbing step set below the platform relegates it to being nothing more than the top step. But having it above the platform allows it to be part of the climbing system, and part of the movement control system, and part of the comfort system.
 
Allegheny Tom said:
Gotta have a system and stick to it. Here's my system...
Climb system (bolts, screw-ins, or sticks) is always on the right side of the platform (usually about 4 or 5 o'clock) which is my weak side. The top step will be slightly higher than the platform. Having that step below the platform is totally useless during the hunt. The extra 18" in platform height isn't doing anything towards being higher and out of being winded or seen by deer. I don't understand what the mindset is for having the top climbing step lower than the platform.

My single step on the strap is always on my strong side and placed at about 8. The size of the tree will dictate exactly where I put that step. I might put it more toward 8:30 on a larger tree.
I always have at least one foot on the platform. Transferring all body weight off the platform and onto the step on the strap contorts the strap positioning which can effect the cam-over of the platform. If full weight is repeatedly transferred from the platform to the strap over the course of the day things can shift. Keeping ~50% of body weight on the stand ensures that it will stay positioned and tight on the tree right where I originally put it. Straps stretch, too. So I'm only putting as much weight on the strap step as I need to.

For me, there are 3 uses for having a step just off the side of the platform. The primary use is for a little more body control getting around the tree. Whether it's for hiding behind the tree, or positioning around the tree for a shot, I have much better control over ultra slow movement if I have a step out there. And its definitely more comfortable if I end up half way off the platform for a long period of time because of of deer presence.
The 2nd reason for that step is that I just shoot better. Yes, I can shoot 360 without the step, but I shoot more accurately if I have better control over my body position, and that step helps me with that.

The 3rd reason for steps on each side is just for comfort. I find platforms to be the most comfortable for extended hangs, but even platforms can get a little uncomfortable after 4 or 5 hours of having both feet restricted to a 1 foot square area. It's a nice change up over the course of the day to have a foot rest that's located just above each side of the platform. As a footrest, having the step set level with the platform doesn't work as well as having it set 6 or 8 inches above the platform. And having them set below the platform is totally useless.

I like when a piece of gear can due multi-duties. Having the top climbing step set below the platform relegates it to being nothing more than the top step. But having it above the platform allows it to be part of the climbing system, and part of the movement control system, and part of the comfort system.
Click to expand...
You made alot of good points i am going re-read the information when i start practicing my climbing methods. I do believe the useing the TREE to block the deer view is a big deal it is for me at least.
 

This is how i used my ridge runner platform wilde edge step and lone wolf stick to move around the tree the. I probably didn't it the right way but it work for me . The wilde edge step and lone wolf stick were evan enough. When i video this i was brand new saddle hunting.
 
kidneystones_3000 said:

This is how i used my ridge runner platform wilde edge step and lone wolf stick to move around the tree the. I probably didn't it the right way but it work for me . The wilde edge step and lone wolf stick were evan enough. When i video this i was brand new saddle hunting.
Click to expand...
I've tried variations of how high the step is and how far off the platform the step is.
Im not saying MY way is the best way but for me, it is the best way.
1st, when the step is level with the platform, its actually a longer reach for your leg. Which requires more tether length. I can step out onto a higher step and do so without adjusting my tether. If the step is level or even lower, I will need more tether to get around the tree. Also, getting myself back 100% onto the platform requires more effort when the step is set level, and its really inefficient if the step is set lower. With the step set higher, it basically becomes a stopper, or push-off for better movement control.

I was showing my saddle and platform set up to a newbie one day and he doubted the value of a step set higher than the platform. So I placed a bolt level with the platform to demonstrate my reasoning. He instantly realized why steps need to be slightly higher than the platform.
Its hard to convey but easy to grasp when you try it for yourself.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk
 
Ok thanks for sharing with me sincerely i try setting the step slightly higher when i practice this spring. Its the small details that difference in saddle hunting thanks
 
I used a DIY platform my first two season "in the saddle," but I've been playing around with a ROS for the past few weeks. Jury is still out for me, but I'm finding that putting my climbing stick just an inch or two under my ROS lets me rest my heels on the top step of the stick with the balls of me feet on the Squirrel steps. Feels almost like a platform.
 
Boog said:
I used a DIY platform my first two season "in the saddle," but I've been playing around with a ROS for the past few weeks. Jury is still out for me, but I'm finding that putting my climbing stick just an inch or two under my ROS lets me rest my heels on the top step of the stick with the balls of me feet on the Squirrel steps. Feels almost like a platform.
Click to expand...
That is the same concept as putting the step a few inches above the platform. Part of the day to adjust position for comfort, I will rest my heels on the platform and my toes on the step.
That angle is the natural position for the foot/ankle when hanging in a saddle.
Its the same reason why some guys set their platform NOT level. They angle it down from the tree. It is more comfortable than having the platform level, when saddle hunting. Even a few degrees out of level makes a difference for comfort. Not like conventional stands...they gotta be level.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk
 
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