Alright, so the Longitude Chaos.
From bridge to bridge, fully stretched, it's 34". The top panel is roughly 7" tall and 22" wide, and the bottom panel is 10" tall and 27" wide.
Things I like. It's comfy. I feel like that trumps a lot of the dislikes, but I haven't had the chance to put a sit in yet. That's happening this weekend in pursuit for a 10 point stud, and there's chances of snow...but that's a different story...hopefully!
I tried to add vertical supports, much like all the other sling-styled saddles. I hooked it up and hung from it to see how it helped. To much dismay, and a few bent and broken needles later...it didn't. In fact, it made it worse! One thing to consider if doing your own sling saddle, After feeling around I noticed my vertical supports were placed way too far to the sides. I think they need to be positioned underneath your sit bones. If you feel in your butt cheeks, and trace the edges of your tail bone-that's what I'm talking about. I might come back later and add some supports back in those places, but for now I'm going without. The problem with where I had them was they would buckle, and put a lot of additional pressure on my hips and upper femur. So out came the stitch ripper.
Other things I like. The clips on the side. This isn't anything new, but without them this saddle would suck to walk in with. The clips are a total game changer. If you make one of these types of saddles, make or buy these clips.
I really like the adjustability of the bridge. Again, not new, but nice. Although, I've found the sweet spot for me and don't adjust it a lot, other than tightening it up for the walk in. For now, the bridge is 8mm accessory cord. I'm planning on getting some oplux in the future.
So I started another thread about the rope pouches. They are the leftover, lover sleeve portion of the jacket I cut up. I was originally salvaging them to wrap a hand muff, but quickly found they were way too tight. I had an epiphany, and decided to stitch the bottom shut, and use them as rope bas. They are the perfect size, and super quiet. I attached them using molle bungees.
The tether is basic 11mm climbing rope, and I tied a michoacan hitch instead of using a ropeman. On the same rope I've got a prussik, which will help to double the tether as a lineman belt while climbing, and also give me a secondary place to tie in once in the tree.
Overall, I'm really happy with how it came out. Yes, there's some things I'd change, such as possibly adding vertical supports where they'll actually make an impact, but I'd also like to play around with the top panel. It's shorter than the bottom, and my original thoughts were that it would add additional lumbar support, and it does. What I'd like to toy with is making it equally as long as the bottom panel, but adding adjustment straps with ladderlocs, much the same way one panel saddles do on the lower strap fro hip pinch. I think this would allow for adjustment to get the top panel under your butt easier, but then also cinching it up (shortening) to give you the lumbar support.
In the beginning I was apprehensive to use stretchy material. This is still something I wonder about. I know some mention to cordura-styled saddles are more comforting because of the support. This might be an upgrade, I'm not sure, but I find the stretchy material nice. I'm really happy I lined the two panels in fleece. It's soft, quiet, and might help keep my butt warm (not a lot of faith here, but who knows).
Now I just need to get the cutoff sleeves on my jacket hemmed, and I'll be rocking a hooded vest, something I wish more companies would make! If anyone has any questions fire away!