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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
I will only use a platform because that’s all I own right now. :). This is my first year and having the platform seemed like an easy way to transition from lock on stand hunting. I’ve bought way to much gear this year. Maybe next year I will add a ring of steps.
 
Nutterbuster said:
I know my answer, but what's yours?

I personally strongly prefer a ring of steps (squirrel steps ftw!), but will occasionally break out a tree suit platform. I do think there is some value in having both options available.
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Nutter, I've been playing with this since last year. For me I prefer to use both together. A ROS is fine but I like to stand alot during the day. I will say that using just a plateform doesnt make since when you want to move around the tree. It's not a stable feeling one foot on and the other off...this is why I use both
May The Magic of The Whitetail Forever Enrich Your Life
 
Silvio said:
Nutter, I've been playing with this since last year. For me I prefer to use both together. A ROS is fine but I like to stand alot during the day. I will say that using just a plateform doesnt make since when you want to move around the tree. It's not a stable feeling one foot on and the other off...this is why I use both
May The Magic of The Whitetail Forever Enrich Your Life
Click to expand...

You gotta hook the tree with your off leg.
 
Silvio said:
Just never like that approach...I like steppingcompletely around the tree which eliminates your blind spot. For me I just like to stand quite a bit so the plateform provides that attribute...
Click to expand...
I also give Nutter the credit for walking around the tree using DanOs squirrel steps. My sits are always long and sometimes boring so having options with your stand set up makes it easier to relax and enjoy every hour.
 
Cain said:
I've tried platforms. They weren't for me. I like me feet to be on each side of the tree or one foot in front and one to the side. The most comfortable to me is 3 WE steps. 3o clock, 6 o'clock, 9 o'clock.
Click to expand...
So far I haven’t minded using my top step as my 6 o’clock, and then adding an 8 and 4 o’clock steps slightly above the 6. A little whacky but easy to setup.
 
Bama_Xander said:
I will only use a platform because that’s all I own right now. :). This is my first year and having the platform seemed like an easy way to transition from lock on stand hunting. I’ve bought way to much gear this year. Maybe next year I will add a ring of steps.
Click to expand...
"I bought way to much gear this year" it is my first year as well and I read this in my head as "I bought WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY to much gear this year!" At least i'm not the only one!

Also I love the Squirrel steps ROS so far
 
A couple of WE Stepps for me. It is all I have used so far. I have really liked them.
Haven't played with a platform....yet. Will be giving one a try this fall.
 
The whole idea of saddle hunting is to be as light and minimal as possible. If I'm gona bring a platform I'll just hunt outa a lockon.
 
bowkill00 said:
The whole idea of saddle hunting is to be as light and minimal as possible. If I'm gona bring a platform I'll just hunt outa a lockon.
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No so for me. The only lock-on I have enjoyed hunting from is my millennium. It’s a little heavy. Compared to the super lightweight lone wolfs and the old limits I find a saddle more comfortable and lighter. But it doesn’t have to be one way or the other. Sometimes I use my ring of steps and other times I use a platform. There’s nothing wrong with going as light as possible if that’s your thing though. I just want to be as light as possible without sacrificing comfort.
 
bowkill00 said:
The whole idea of saddle hunting is to be as light and minimal as possible. If I'm gona bring a platform I'll just hunt outa a lockon.
Click to expand...

This is my thought process as well started with a predator but have settled on squirrel steps and will take the assault in if I want/need a platform.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
My goal was/is compactness. I chose a ROS mainly because it and my whole climbing set all fit in a pack... Nothing to strap on the pack and get hung up on the nasty thickness I hunt.

It also helps that I actually enjoy climbing with steps.
 
I've be up my tree and using 2 wei stepps as a platform, but when it gets cold up here in Mn I'll most likely go to a platform as my cold weather boots (Mukluks, made in Ely, Mn) have soft sole bottoms on them and Idon't think the WEI stepps or any ROS will be comfortable in a soft sole boot for long sits if you like to lean... Anybody use ROS with softer sole boots and can comment on their own experience?
 
dblomberg4 said:
I've be up my tree and using 2 wei stepps as a platform, but when it gets cold up here in Mn I'll most likely go to a platform as my cold weather boots (Mukluks, made in Ely, Mn) have soft sole bottoms on them and Idon't think the WEI stepps or any ROS will be comfortable in a soft sole boot for long sits if you like to lean... Anybody use ROS with softer sole boots and can comment on their own experience?
Click to expand...

Have done a bunch of practice with my steps and ROS and you're right. My soft soled hikers are not comfortable at all on the ROS so I started using harder soled boots and it was much better.
 
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dblomberg4 said:
I've be up my tree and using 2 wei stepps as a platform, but when it gets cold up here in Mn I'll most likely go to a platform as my cold weather boots (Mukluks, made in Ely, Mn) have soft sole bottoms on them and Idon't think the WEI stepps or any ROS will be comfortable in a soft sole boot for long sits if you like to lean... Anybody use ROS with softer sole boots and can comment on their own experience?
Click to expand...

The video I posted in successful hunts of a buck I killed in Missouri last year - I walked about 2 miles before I found the spot, and sat from about 9am-5pm on two with soft soled boots. Before squirrel steps I used stepps as platform for 2 seasons predominantly.
 
ROS, but may go back to what I used last fall. Put my tether where the top of my helium or WE step is at 4 or 8 o'clock, and a cranford folding screw-in at the other position. Just a simpler system for me... and comfortable as a sitter, even with soft soled Tingleys all last season.

John H., Hickory, NC

Keep your nose to the wind, and your eyes along the skyline.
 
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dblomberg4 said:
I've be up my tree and using 2 wei stepps as a platform, but when it gets cold up here in Mn I'll most likely go to a platform as my cold weather boots (Mukluks, made in Ely, Mn) have soft sole bottoms on them and Idon't think the WEI stepps or any ROS will be comfortable in a soft sole boot for long sits if you like to lean... Anybody use ROS with softer sole boots and can comment on their own experience?
Click to expand...

I used to hunt from a ring of screw in steps and they would kill my feet even with harder sole boots. I then found ameristeps and they are much better but I still found some discomfort (I hunt with waders on most of the time and they have a fairly soft sole) I just got a ridge runner yesterday and I think I am going to like that platform.
 
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