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Top of stick

B

Bmac1746

New Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2017
Messages
11
Just started using tnation saddle last year. Used top of my Helium stick and a couple of Wild Edge steps for a "platform". Anyone else using something similar? Is the Predator that much ($) better of a platform?
 
I just got into the saddle last year myself. I'm sure there are a lot of people here using this method. It depends on what you like. If it works for you stick with it. I have used the WE Steps as a platform at the top of a bolt climbing system and find it very comfortable. I also have a Predator that I haven't used yet, I have LW sticks I've played with a little, and I think my favorite is the LW hand climber. I guess what I'm trying to say is if you are happy with your system then you needn't spend anymore money. I spent a lot of money until I found what I really liked, I will use them all I'm sure but I have my favorite.
 
I bought a ROS while the predators were on back order. When my predator came in it was a game changer for me as far as comfort in the tree goes. Plenty of folks love the ROS, but they weren’t for me. Buy it, try it. If you hate it sell it here, I’m sure it wouldn’t last long.


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I used a Ring of Steps for 7 or 8 years before we started diy platforms. Both systems work and have pros and cons. It all depends on personal preference.

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I have only used the Predator. One huge benefit is the ability to stand straight up on it and turn for a weak side shot. I found this especially useful when I had a shooting window on my weak side through leaves and branches and leaning into the saddle had me too low to shoot through my window. I found I was able to stand up, pivot, and was in perfect position to make the shot. That is situational, of course. Not all trees will set up that way.
 
It’s just such a personal thing. When you factor in size, weight, and price the predator wins as far as pivot platforms go. I think I will likely settle on a strap on ring of steps but the predator will always be on standby.
 
It really just depends on what you want. If you want a platform you can’t go wrong with a predator. If you want a ring of steps the double steps are going to be much easier to setup and more compact than your wild edge stepps but won’t feel as solid underfoot. I personally wouldn’t use wild edge stepps as a platform unless I climbed with them also. Every tree is different and when climbing with the wild edge stepps I get a feel for how tight they need to be as I’m climbing. Then when you set your platform you just tied several on and know how tight they need to be. When using other climbing methods you don’t get to warm up on a couple steps before the ones that you need to be as near perfect as possible.
 
Just starting out, a predator doesnt have as much of a learning curve as other options. But like others have stated, its all personal preference.

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I used the top of my muddy stick and two WE steps as a platform all season. Worked good for me.
 
I cut down a Lone Wolf stick and left the top step on and one at the bottom and attached a LW seat. Sort of like a mini LW stick with a platform and two steps. The nice thing is if I put my top step on my climbing stick level with the top step on the platform I can go almost completely around the one side of the tree. Flip my top step on my platform to the other side and can lean that much further to the other side by putting one foot on the edge of the platform and one on the top of my top step on my platform. No real need for any additional steps. I also like to put one foot on the platform and one foot on the top step of my LW platform while leaning and sitting, flip the top step to the other side and give my other leg a rest. Almost like a quasi lean/sit if that makes sense.
 
I use the top of my heliums with two or three cranford ezy t steps. No issues for me and I have no desire for a platform.
 
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