I will agree the pad on the lone wolfs/helos get pretty rough. But I get busted more turning to look behind me with a saddle. No tree to block my movement.
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The Helo is Getting me Out of the Saddle
- Thread starter bodark
- Start date
I’ve only had a few encounters in a saddle, but had to put my cigarette out several times, even threw a cushion down and removed magazine getting ready to come down and I had deer come right in behind me and not bust me….my experience is the opposite and I think it’s cause I’m so close to the tree. There is no way I can see any stand as being a better option than a saddle, unless we’re talking a big box blind with windows all the way around.
As far as comfort, I can’t sit very comfortable in a lock on for very long. I had a climber that was comfy, but I never shot a bow out of it, so I don’t know how well that would work…..it was a heavy steel thing I got rid of. I’m sure the helo is much nicer than what I had though.
Sitting in or leaning from my saddle is by far the most comfortable thing I’ve done. I’ve fallen asleep several times and have less discomfort after a hunt. BTW-I’m using a Hawk saddle.
I guess I’m one of the few that doesn’t mind the Novix/LW seat.
Lot of guys complain about how big the seat is on the helo. Although it *may* look a bit disproportionate, the extra surface area distributes pressure better. I wouldn’t trade mine.
On long sits, it’s nice wearing my recon instead of a full body harness so I can switch things up and recline in it while in stand.
Lot of guys complain about how big the seat is on the helo. Although it *may* look a bit disproportionate, the extra surface area distributes pressure better. I wouldn’t trade mine.
On long sits, it’s nice wearing my recon instead of a full body harness so I can switch things up and recline in it while in stand.
This is exactly what I do as well. But a lot of times with just an RCH. It doesn’t take but a few minutes in my mind to kinda relieve the pressure from sitting on the seat.
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I think mostly they wanted to save weight with a smaller seat.
How much weight is that really going to save? Like a few ounces. I'd like to see one weighed vs. the normal Assault sized seat.
I’m one of the weird ones too that actually thinks the LW/Novix tree stand seats and pads ARE comfortable. I’ve always liked the pads they use and like the size. In contrast I tried a Hush stand for a short while and that seat wasn’t bad especially for the smaller size but pretty sure I would have struggled with it on a long or all day sit.
I love having the option of the saddle while in the stand too. Won’t be changing from that anytime soon unless something else revolutionary comes along.
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I really couldn't tell you. It's not a problem I have. But plenty were complaining about the "oversized" seat, so I offered the scratch and dent Beast replacement seat as a possible fix for those who it would make enough difference to spend the money.
There was some seat comparison stuff in all that discussion about the seat being too big in the following thread, maybe you could discover more there:
Truly I'm very happy with my .5 as a hybrid saddle/stand combo. I lean much of the time, so I don't have small seat problems and it not being a Helo, I don't have big seat remorse. Even the nice looking .75 doesn't upgrade my setup so dar as I can tell.
Just trying to keep folks apprised to something that might interest them.
To each his own and whatever works to get you in the woods to hunt I say go for it. However, my personal opinion only... I do not agree that a hang on stand is more comfortable than a saddle. Not even close in my opinion. I have never hunted out of a Helo, but I have used or hunted on many different types of stands including Loc-ons, API's, Summitt's and also Summit Climbers. In fact, I have two (Vipers) and the Summits are very comfortable. But again, in my opinion not appreciably more than my saddle setup to justify carrying all that bulk into and out of the woods each day. To me, just sitting in the same position and basically just standing up once and awhile than sitting back down is way more uncomfortable over the duration of a sit than my saddle. In my saddle I can lean, sit, change leg and foot positions etc. In addition, I am convinced they are warmer than regular stands of any kind as you are not touching anything metal or aluminum with the exception of your feet. I don't think I've found anything more comfortable from a weight, warmth and utility comparison than a saddle hunting setup. The CGM Sidewinder I used this season all season extremely comfortable, light, adjustable and yes.... warm. I sat on ladders stands this year too and I was wishing I was in my saddle every time. I have not been able to find a better compromise mobile hunting system than the CGM Sidewinder Saddle and the EWO Ultimate One Stick with the UP Plastform on Top. I do sometimes think I should just carry sticks sometimes but then I remember how comfortable my setup is once I'm at HH. I do know that I am way more quiet entering and exiting thick cover with my saddle system than my Summitt Climbers.
There are people that are doing that with the smaller stands. If a big saddle platform is 5-6lbs, why not just carry a hang on that's <10lbs? But I think you can get most of the benefits of a saddle in a hang on with a $50 rock climbing harness as well. Obviously it's not going to be comfortable for long periods of time leaning. But it's actually rated for static falls whereas saddles aren't. But I'm not an expert either. I've also looked at the Treestand Wingman descender. Kind of negates the argument regarding suspension trauma in a traditional harness.
20 years ago the thought came to me about using a rock climbing harness as my safety harness...I called the local REI and he told me that he was making some custom harnesses for hunters...well I had some health issues and didnt bow hunt for about 7 years...when I started hunting again and then looking into using a rock climbing harness I was introduced to a whole new world of saddle hunting...LOL...Now I am a Tethered man using Tethrd products...even in set lock on stands...
I loosen mine a little when I sit down and run it under my right arm so it’s out of the way.
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I haven't had that problem.
I suppose one could slide the girth hitch to the strong side if necessary.
But in the field, I haven't seen it as very much different than a RCH, operationally.
I run the tether up over my left shoulder when sitting in the stand. Will loosen it slightly if I have to. Doesn’t get in the way and if I want to stand up, I’ll have it loose enough to get taught again against my shoulder once I stand up. The benefit to that also is I can slightly lean my weight into the tether on my shoulder while standing and it gives me more stability/reassurance feeling that I’m held in well and then I’m more steady/comfortable taking a standing shot. Works well for me.
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bungee straps. I use 4 Novix mini sticks and make two stacks of two on either side of the seat post.
sorry didn’t realize you weren’t asking me.
My way up the tree used to look something like this...
View attachment 58627
Now it looks like this...
View attachment 58628
... Plus it's quicker, quieter, and coming down has that "Weee, I'm Batman" feel to it.
I'm never going back to stands...
When I used a Viper I flipped the straps and carried mine with the cables up. I didn’t have to worry about gremlins grabbing my feet while stepping over logs.