Treehopper Recon sling

[Sheldon]

A few suggestions for anyone doing DIY of this style based on experiences of trying different options on the Anderson base. The connector webbing pieces between the sections serve more as spacers and work best when doubled or tripled and stitched to create stiffness. They serve keep the sections spread to prevent the 2 straps from closing together too much. The other is that you should not sew the mesh panel to the inner straps to allow more freedom when using the sections closer together. Less is more for this design in that respect.

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Thanks much. Recall your model was black and couldn’t tell. Will say that as it is (being sewn) doesn’t seem to impact it but haven’t tried it the other way. Did make sure the stretch of the mesh was up and down so it gives that direction. Bottom line is your design is very comfortable, and being a “sitter” love how you can adjust it to provide back support!

The design of the leg straps is the most intriguing. Thinking about adding that to the Recon. You should contact Tree Hopper, demand a hefty design fee, and share the love .


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[Sheldon]

It looks like one piece of mesh?
Is likes like it is sewn on the inside ?
And how did you decide how wide you wanted it ?


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Sorry more thinking and coffee drinking...if your desire is to add fleece, think you could try a single panel. Think as mentioned, determine the “width” so it covers the butt then determine what is the furthest distance you would separate the upper and lower for the “height”. Cut the fleece in a manner which the stretch goes top to bottom then attach as Bhawana mentions.

Wondering if, since you are wanting insulation, you wouldn’t be better off attaching to the “outside” of the sling to minimize compression. Need more coffee to think that one thru.

Suppose you could cut some and tack it on to see if it meets your needs. Hope that helps.

Found an old pic of the original wraptor I made with a panel of pack cloth I added. To the bottom. It has found a new home long ago so don’t have it to measure.

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[Bwhana]

Here was the original Wraptor with fleece added. It was very comfortable, but you could extend the fleece from top to bottom and make it wider for more coverage. I also have the fleece doubled on this model and would be good for insulation up north too. This could be added to the Recon easily.

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[Wirrex]

I girth hitched my full burry 1/4" amsteel bridge on the top of the left webbing plate and a 3/16" continuous loop on the top of the right webbing plate. (Make your continuous loop at least 13"From there you just follow the video on how to attach the two with a prusik. It take a few tries before it finally clicks.

Hope this helps.

Do you find the amsteel pulling to one side or the other of the webbing bracket? I’m going to order one I just can’t decide which plate to get. I like webbing, amsteel, and rope bridges for different reasons.

 

[Nugget]

Do you find the amsteel pulling to one side or the other of the webbing bracket? I’m going to order one I just can’t decide which plate to get. I like webbing, amsteel, and rope bridges for different reasons.

Not at all. It will take up most of the bracket if you girth hitch it on. (See attached)

 

[Wirrex]

Not at all. It will take up most of the bracket if you girth hitch it on. (See attached)

Do you think 8mm oplux rope would squeeze through there? Im not a huge fan of amsteel bridges.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

Not at all. It will take up most of the bracket if you girth hitch it on. (See attached)

I read post #144 and instantly thought of @Nugget.
I'd advise guys to get the webbing plate. Nugget proved you can make a pretty nice Amsteel bridge with it, or stick with the webbing.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

Do you think 8mm oplux rope would squeeze through there? Im not a huge fan of amsteel bridges.

I just tried it for you. My Oplux fit thru the webbing style plate. I don't have any rope style plates, so I can't comment on if Oplux fits that hole...my wild a$$ guess is that Oplux will thru a rope style plate..

 

[Sheldon]

On another note. Added the leg straps. Ran the webbing thru the MOLLE loops so can remove them.

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[Wirrex]

On another note. Added the leg straps. Ran the webbing thru the MOLLE loops so can remove them.

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How are these leg loops working in the field?

I finally got my utilibridge built out of oplux and trc. It was fun trying to get the knots as tight as possible but it payed off so that I don’t hit when rotating. Still trying to settle on a BungieBelt. This thing will be awesome for rappels!

 

[raisins]

How are these leg loops working in the field?

I finally got my utilibridge built out of oplux and trc. It was fun trying to get the knots as tight as possible but it payed off so that I don’t hit when rotating. Still trying to settle on a BungieBelt. This thing will be awesome for rappels!
View attachment 29063

Would the oplux fit through the slot in the metal that you aren't using right now that is closer to the sling?

 

[Wirrex]

Would the oplux fit through the slot in the metal that you aren't using right now that is closer to the sling?

It might be possible but it would be a little extreme. I have my ends capped now and they don’t fit so I’m not sure if you could get it.

I was really contemplating using amsteel to keep all the knots out of my usable bridge but I think overall I’m going to be happier with the oplux. Do girth hitch the webbing plates though, it keeps them straight.

 

[Sheldon]

How are these leg loops working in the field?

I finally got my utilibridge built out of oplux and trc. It was fun trying to get the knots as tight as possible but it payed off so that I don’t hit when rotating. Still trying to settle on a BungieBelt. This thing will be awesome for rappels!
View attachment 29063

Finally had some time to mess with the Recon yesterday. After several hours of climbing, walking, one stick, LWHC and rappelling decided to remove them and see how it performed without them. Think I prefer it without them. Never felt “unsafe” in any of the above activities.

Perhaps I need to try the bungee mod as the belt would be my only complaint. Would like to use the accompanying dump pouch for my rappel rope but even with just an 8mm linesman’s and 40’ of 8mm rope and lifeguard I have trouble keeping it in place walking. Sadly I suffer from no ass syndrome and seems unless I “stack” the loops to tighten when walking I struggle. The leg straps further exacerbate the problem. Don’t like the options of leaving them hanging or installing at the tree so still a work in progress.

Using it in general, I found the rig incredibly comfortable in the tree and ideal for a variety of climbing methods. If I could figure out a way to put suspenders on it would be in hog heaven.


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[raisins]

Finally had some time to mess with the Recon yesterday. After several hours of climbing, walking, one stick, LWHC and rappelling decided to remove them and see how it performed without them. Think I prefer it without them. Never felt “unsafe” in any of the above activities.

Perhaps I need to try the bungee mod as the belt would be my only complaint. Would like to use the accompanying dump pouch for my rappel rope but even with just an 8mm linesman’s and 40’ of 8mm rope and lifeguard I have trouble keeping it in place walking. Sadly I suffer from no ass syndrome and seems unless I “stack” the loops to tighten when walking I struggle. The leg straps further exacerbate the problem. Don’t like the options of leaving them hanging or installing at the tree so still a work in progress.

Using it in general, I found the rig incredibly comfortable in the tree and ideal for a variety of climbing methods. If I could figure out a way to put suspenders on it would be in hog heaven.


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Duluth Trading Company makes a variety of sturdy suspenders that clip onto belts without any damage.

 

[Sheldon]

It might be possible but it would be a little extreme. I have my ends capped now and they don’t fit so I’m not sure if you could get it.

I was really contemplating using amsteel to keep all the knots out of my usable bridge but I think overall I’m going to be happier with the oplux. Do girth hitch the webbing plates though, it keeps them straight.

Girth hitched on an amsteel utilibridge and very pleased with it. In this config actually pulls the plates away in a manner that makes it more comfortable. Highly recommend!


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[Wirrex]

Girth hitched on an amsteel utilibridge and very pleased with it. In this config actually pulls the plates away in a manner that makes it more comfortable. Highly recommend!


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Yeah, I was always a fixed bridge guy but I also always had a rch for rappel. With the recon and the utilibridge I can get the bridge exactly where I need it for rappels.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

Girth hitched on an amsteel utilibridge and very pleased with it. In this config actually pulls the plates away in a manner that makes it more comfortable. Highly recommend!


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I saw, 1st hand @Nugget utilibridge on his Recon. It was really nice...a great mod.
But my take on the bungee belt is that it self adjusts and stays tight when the bridge is slacked during repositioning in the tree...the bungee pulls tight and the sling doesn't sag.
This is a case of both mods have good reasons to have one or the other. No piece of gear is perfect out of the box and no mod is perfect either. Each has its attributes or weaknesses.
Personally, I'm torn between the bungee belt and the utilibridge. I like them both. But they are not equal. Each has its strengths.

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[Wirrex]

I saw, 1st hand @Nugget utilibridge on his Recon. It was really nice...a great mod.
But my take on the bungee belt is that it self adjusts and stays tight when the bridge is slacked during repositioning in the tree...the bungee pulls tight and the sling doesn't sag.
This is a case of both mods have good reasons to have one or the other. No piece of gear is perfect out of the box and no mod is perfect either. Each has its attributes or weaknesses.
Personally, I'm torn between the bungee belt and the utilibridge. I like them both. But they are not equal. Each has its strengths.

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Thats why you need both lol. Honestly, I would have a fixed bridge if I didn’t rappel.

The bungee is great for a saddle like this. I used them on my fleece and sitdrag. Like you said it keeps them exactly where you left them when you slack the tether.

 

[Sheldon]

Thats why you need both lol. Honestly, I would have a fixed bridge if I didn’t rappel.

The bungee is great for a saddle like this. I used them on my fleece and sitdrag. Like you said it keeps them exactly where you left them when you slack the tether.

Finished a mini one stick today. Just gave it a go...like it but think I need the bungee mod on the recon as well. I’m stuck between the saddle sagging and it digging into to the beer belly. It’s all ways something.

THIS THING IS MADE FOR RAPPELLING! LOVE IT


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[cedar paul]

I discovered a mod for the recon today- I threaded an adjustable strap(a replacement for a Petzl foot ascender) through the plates in the slots that bridge rides in and was able snug everything up nicely.