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TL Ambush Lite

I

illmakeufamous

Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2019
Messages
71
So I’ve researched and read a lot of threads of guy’s first impressions of this saddle. For you guys who gave it an entire season to form an opinion, out of 5 stars what would you give it? I’m getting one and the mixed reviews make me a little nervous but it’s my first saddle so I won’t have much to compare to. The first mod I’ll need to do is get a different belt buckle it sounds like, also what did you guys do to quiet the buckle on the tether? My older tree stand harness has the same style buckle and I can’t stand it.


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I know guys put all kinds of different buckles on them. The stocks definitely suck. I don’t own one but have sat in one. Wasn’t comfortable for me but I’m a biger dude and it was a m/l so I’m sure the l/xl would be comfortable for me. I would definitely recommend a new bridge.
 
Do a search on here for Trophyline Mods. (Which you may have already done).
I bought an almost brand new Trophyline Pro from Snakeater on here and he did some really cool mods to it.
He changed the buckle to a plastic type and added an amsteel bridge.
I've only sat in it in my back yard so far, but it seems really nice.
We'll have to compare notes later on to see what each of us thinks.
The saddle itself is built like a brick $*%#house, which I like.
 
I'd give it a 4 out of 5 just because I believe there's always room for improvement. I really like mine (I have both the lite and pro) but it took a decent amount of time getting used to and adjusted. I've sat for several half day sits in both. I switched out the buckles with 2" no sew Cobra buckles at the end of last season. They are build really solid (almost like my fall harness for work). To quiet the bridge buckle either vet tape it (camoform), replace the bridge as said in previous posts or tighten the bridge down much like you would a belt and loosen it once set up. I'm a bigger guy at 220lbs and got the L/XL sizes.
 
Jtaylor…..did you get hip pinch at 1st?
I see a lot of comments about playing around with the tether height. Is that what you had to do?
 
Bowhunter48 said:
Do a search on here for Trophyline Mods. (Which you may have already done).
I bought an almost brand new Trophyline Pro from Snakeater on here and he did some really cool mods to it.
He changed the buckle to a plastic type and added an amsteel bridge.
I've only sat in it in my back yard so far, but it seems really nice.
We'll have to compare notes later on to see what each of us thinks.
The saddle itself is built like a brick $*%#house, which I like.
Click to expand...

Ya I’ve seen a few different threads about modding it. I’ll replace the buckle for sure, possibly the leg straps depending on what it feels like when i get in it’s the 2” bridge seems bulky but i don’t know about a bridge on lineman loops. Is waist buckle strap 2” as well? I should be getting mine in the next couple days.


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This thread could probably be moved to the saddle improvement section.


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Bowhunter48 said:
Jtaylor…..did you get hip pinch at 1st?
I see a lot of comments about playing around with the tether height. Is that what you had to do?
Click to expand...
Yeah it was hip pinch. I moved the tether above head height and sit in it at more of a elevated squat position (in between a full deep squat and standing). This is unrelated, but do you race flat track? I noticed your profile pic.
 
Last edited:
JTaylor...yes I used to race flat track.
We still have all the bikes but don't do it as much anymore. Marriage & family have changed all that...LOL.
I decided to get into hunting instead. Late bloomer.
 
I give it a 1 star rating. I changed the buckle which helped some. But I could not stand the bridge and the the way the bridge is attached. I sold it as soon as my flex showed up. I only got it to try it and bridge the gap until my flex showed up. I have a phantom now also. There is no comparison in comfort and fit compared to trophyline.
 
I'll give my honest opinion. I have (had) multiple saddles. I gave the TL exactly one hunt and knew it was going back. I had other saddles where I could make small changes, but the TL was very uncomfortable for me, and nothing I did really truly helped. Part of the problem IMO is the bridge attachment point. Just by the nature of how the saddle is manufactured with the bridge connected solely to the top strap it will want to pull up. That thing dug into my sides / ribs bad, and I knew there were alot of other options that were much more comfortable. If you look at the bridge loops on all the other saddles, they are formed with the top and bottom straps of the saddle. Secondly, if so much modification is necessary just to get it even semi-comfortable, why not just go with one of the other options at a little higher cost out of the gate? In the long run it is a wash. With all that said, my personal opinion of the TL is one star. Hope it works out for you.
 
Bowhunter48 said:
Mopar1169....between the Phantom & Flex, which one of those do you like best?
Click to expand...

Hard to say I like them both for different reasons. I will be using the phantom for all my warmer weather hunting. Then switch over to the flex when the colder weather starts. I think both are very comfortable and I can't really tell much difference on the tree between them for comfort. I lean most of the time though spend little time sitting. So that might be part of it also. I guess if I was going to order one today would probably give the cruzr a try. A combination of both. But I like what I have and don't plan on switching now.
 
I used a Raptor ADF buckle on my pro last season and it worked great. Thought the saddle was very comfortable for the entire season, and actually sold my Mantis for the Ambush. Would give 3.5 outta 5 to the Ambush, but as none of these things are perfect that's basically a 3.5/4.
 
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