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So many Predators!!!!

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Is toe hooking the only way to get the gen1 rock solid? I feel like I’ve tried everything, but the toe hook is unmatched.
I rarely toe hook either of my Preds in the initial set, I just push the post down with my hand and cam over the platform. If the Gen 2 works loose during a hunt I'll toe hook it re-seat it. If the Gen 1 a little works loose I just ride it out trying to minimize any side pressure. I'm a lot more gentle setting the Gen1 . Typically with the Gen 2 I hand set it tight enough that it doesn't fully seat until I step over onto it (always with tether attached and taut).

The only time I run into issues with the Gen 1 is if, after I'm up on it, I discover I misjudged my alignment to my surroundings somehow. I will often not risk the additional motion of climbing back down to reposition the platform but rather just realign my tether to the tree so I hang off to one side or the other a bit. That can result in enough side pressure to cause my Gen 1 setup to unseat a little. That rarely happens with the way I set my Gen 2.

For the record, I've never had one come off the tree enough to throw me off the platform. By "working loose", I'm just referring to being able to notice a little shifting/slippage in the platform interface with the tree.
 
The attention to the initial details of the set are key.
Starting out with a level and tight strap before putting downward pressure during camming does a lot towards getting a nice, solid set.
I find that I really need to "work" the cam-over a few times WHILE I continue pulling the strap tight. Doing that kinda pre stretches the strap.
Taking an extra 30 seconds to pay attention to these details will minimize the need to toe hook.
But I still say that trees with soft, thick bark will be eroded out by the teeth which essentially makes the set less tight. That seems to be when I need to snug it up with a toe hook.
I'm just careful about how much downward pressure that I put on the post during the hook and final cam over.
 
To those with experience...how do the predators do with right to left lean?? That’s something that’s often not talk about in my research of any platform
 
Let me preface by saying I’m still in the infant stages of saddle hunting and haven’t used a platform yet but have been reading any and all threads I can find about them. Planning on getting one for next season.
Am I the only one that thinks you shouldn’t have to be extra careful when setting something that you pay good money for so it doesn’t break.
Unless I’m missing them I haven’t found any threads about structural integrity when researching any of the other platforms from other companies
 
To those with experience...how do the predators do with right to left lean?? That’s something that’s often not talk about in my research of any platform

When I used one, when it was strapped tightly, and cammed down properly, it stayed locked solidly. I didn’t put any excessive side pressure on it though, abs my heated up hunting weight was at lost 165lbs.


Semper Fi,
Mike
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Let me preface by saying I’m still in the infant stages of saddle hunting and haven’t used a platform yet but have been reading any and all threads I can find about them. Planning on getting one for next season.
Am I the only one that thinks you shouldn’t have to be extra careful when setting something that you pay good money for so it doesn’t break.
Unless I’m missing them I haven’t found any threads about structural integrity when researching any of the other platforms from other companies

BINGO!


Semper Fi,
Mike
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
The attention to the initial details of the set are key.
Starting out with a level and tight strap before putting downward pressure during camming does a lot towards getting a nice, solid set.
I find that I really need to "work" the cam-over a few times WHILE I continue pulling the strap tight. Doing that kinda pre stretches the strap.
Taking an extra 30 seconds to pay attention to these details will minimize the need to toe hook.
But I still say that trees with soft, thick bark will be eroded out by the teeth which essentially makes the set less tight. That seems to be when I need to snug it up with a toe hook.
I'm just careful about how much downward pressure that I put on the post during the hook and final cam over.
Taking my time is definitely an underutilized tactic :tearsofjoy:
 
Let me preface by saying I’m still in the infant stages of saddle hunting and haven’t used a platform yet but have been reading any and all threads I can find about them. Planning on getting one for next season.
Am I the only one that thinks you shouldn’t have to be extra careful when setting something that you pay good money for so it doesn’t break.
Unless I’m missing them I haven’t found any threads about structural integrity when researching any of the other platforms from other companies
It's like any other tool or device. There are right ways, wrong ways and best ways to use it. It seems like the higher the performance capabilities of something, the more know-how it takes to use it in the best way.
I'm obviously not the sharpest knife in the drawer, and if I can easily use the Predator, then how complicated can it be?
Every single aspect of hunting and outdoor gear is just a series of details. Paying attention to the little things adds up to success. The Predator is no different. There's just a few details that make it work better.
One mistake that's made is comparing apples to oranges. Don't compare the Predator to something like a Treesuit. Yeah, they may both be tiny, lightweight, saddle platforms, but the Predator can accomplish something the Treesuit and a few other platforms cannot do, and that's the fact that it can be leveled on leaning trees. The angle of the platform is huge towards comfort and comfort is huge towards success.
 
BINGO!


Semper Fi,
Mike
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
FWIW, I do not have nor have I tried a Predator but I do own a RidgeRunner and two Scouts. I really like my RR but I like my Solo Scout the most. Compact, comfortable, stable and surprisingly roomier than you think. I added two old side steps to each site of my rig for additional foot placement on each side of the scout if I wanted a change up for my foot position or to be able to lean around bigger diameter trees.
 
It's like any other tool or device. There are right ways, wrong ways and best ways to use it. It seems like the higher the performance capabilities of something, the more know-how it takes to use it in the best way.
I'm obviously not the sharpest knife in the drawer, and if I can easily use the Predator, then how complicated can it be?
Every single aspect of hunting and outdoor gear is just a series of details. Paying attention to the little things adds up to success. The Predator is no different. There's just a few details that make it work better.
One mistake that's made is comparing apples to oranges. Don't compare the Predator to something like a Treesuit. Yeah, they may both be tiny, lightweight, saddle platforms, but the Predator can accomplish something the Treesuit and a few other platforms cannot do, and that's the fact that it can be leveled on leaning trees. The angle of the platform is huge towards comfort and comfort is huge towards success.
Well Tom, for not being the sharpest knife in the drawer I would say that is a dam sharp description of the situation...either that or ...you'n me both need sharpenin...best of luck...jimmi
 
FWIW, I do not have nor have I tried a Predator but I do own a RidgeRunner and two Scouts. I really like my RR but I like my Solo Scout the most. Compact, comfortable, stable and surprisingly roomier than you think. I added two old side steps to each site of my rig for additional foot placement on each side of the scout if I wanted a change up for my foot position or to be able to lean around bigger diameter trees.
I want to give the scout solo a try but not sure about the set 30 degree angle...I figured for the price of the scout solo on here (when you catch one) it would be worth finding out...at worst they seem to sell well enough to make all or most of my money back...
 
I want to give the scout solo a try but not sure about the set 30 degree angle...I figured for the price of the scout solo on here (when you catch one) it would be worth finding out...at worst they seem to sell well enough to make all or most of my money back...

I have an angled solo scout and a I have a flat scout on my climbing stick. Both equally comfortable and no undesirable attributes of one over the other.


Semper Fi,
Mike
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
To those with experience...how do the predators do with right to left lean?? That’s something that’s often not talk about in my research of any platform

Extremely well. I’ve had them on trees so crooked I had one tooth if the bracket on the tree so it was level and it was still rock solid.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
It's like any other tool or device. There are right ways, wrong ways and best ways to use it. It seems like the higher the performance capabilities of something, the more know-how it takes to use it in the best way.
I'm obviously not the sharpest knife in the drawer, and if I can easily use the Predator, then how complicated can it be?
Every single aspect of hunting and outdoor gear is just a series of details. Paying attention to the little things adds up to success. The Predator is no different. There's just a few details that make it work better.
One mistake that's made is comparing apples to oranges. Don't compare the Predator to something like a Treesuit. Yeah, they may both be tiny, lightweight, saddle platforms, but the Predator can accomplish something the Treesuit and a few other platforms cannot do, and that's the fact that it can be leveled on leaning trees. The angle of the platform is huge towards comfort and comfort is huge towards success.
I will politely disagree with the apples and oranges reference. To me platforms designed specifically for saddle hunting are all apples, some may have different options but all are designed as a place to put your feet while saddle hunting, much like a vehicle is designed to get you from point a to b. Some are just made better and last longer and more reliable with few options while others have lots of bells and whistles but aren’t very reliable. Like everything else personal preference I guess.
 
I will politely disagree with the apples and oranges reference. To me platforms designed specifically for saddle hunting are all apples, some may have different options but all are designed as a place to put your feet while saddle hunting, much like a vehicle is designed to get you from point a to b. Some are just made better and last longer and more reliable with few options while others have lots of bells and whistles but aren’t very reliable. Like everything else personal preference I guess.
That's why you can't compare a Ferrari to a Mack truck. Or even a Mack truck to a F-150. Yeah, they are all vehicles but they perform differently and each has their own attributes and weaknesses.
My main point was that a Predator can be leveled and several other saddle type platforms cannot be leveled. There are several posters on this thread that chimed in and spoke about other brands, some guys don't yet even own any platform at all. The thread is about the Predator.
 
Fair enough. I’ve never been good with analogies. I guess what I was trying to say with my original post is that the predator is the only platform that I’ve read about that has had and keeps having structural integrity issues.
If there are some others that I’m not aware of please point me in that direction.
 
That's why you can't compare a Ferrari to a Mack truck. Or even a Mack truck to a F-150. Yeah, they are all vehicles but they perform differently and each has their own attributes and weaknesses.
My main point was that a Predator can be leveled and several other saddle type platforms cannot be leveled. There are several posters on this thread that chimed in and spoke about other brands, some guys don't yet even own any platform at all. The thread is about the Predator.

This is why we have sub categories of automotive vehicles, in this case Performance Sports Cars, Semi-trucks, and pickups. That’s a whole nother can of tuna. Airplanes, spaceships, submarines, and boats are all vehicles as well, with subcategories therein.

No reason we can’t talk about commercial saddle platforms comparatively and enjoy some benefit from that discussion. If there is something unique to the predator, just point it out. The predator isn’t so different that it needs its own subcategory.
 
Fair enough. I’ve never been good with analogies. I guess what I was trying to say with my original post is that the predator is the only platform that I’ve read about that has had and keeps having structural integrity issues.
If there are some others that I’m not aware of please point me in that direction.
And your post is also fair.
I can only comment on 2 platforms...the Predator and Treesuit (which I tested for Mark). I am not thrilled with the Treesuit but I know there are plenty of guys who love theirs.
I AM a big fan of the Predator but I realize it's had some issues along the way. The earliest ones made the popping noises which seem to have been corrected. We did the nylon bushing mod and its working well.
They also had the strap snagging issue. I know they changed the strap and buckle but I personally liked the 1st gen strap.
Then they had some gen 1 platforms break. Neither of my two gen 1s have broken.
The latest issue (gen 2) seems to be a bad run. Mine gen 2 is fine so far but I will be watching it closely.
But I am extremely happy with how my 3 Predators have performed for me. Would I like some other brand better? I dont know because until the Pred lets me down, I will keep using it...no reason for me to buy any others right now.
 
Fair enough. I’ve never been good with analogies. I guess what I was trying to say with my original post is that the predator is the only platform that I’ve read about that has had and keeps having structural integrity issues.
If there are some others that I’m not aware of please point me in that direction.
Keeps having????...wow...I politely disagree...out of all that have been made and sold I have seen like 2 people have had an issue...I would say they have a pretty good batting average...I dont think there are a bunch of better guys either...tethrd has done as much if not more than anyone in the saddle hunting community...I just get aggravated with all the naysayers about those guys...I have blocked a couple of guys who are constantly talking smack about them...go invent and market and sell your own gear if you dont like tethrd gear...lemme know how it works out for you...I absolutely love my predator...rock solid compact light easily installed and I wouldnt even think of selling it ...just my opinion...
 
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