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Treehopper Recon Sling/Saddle

Romulan

Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2020
Messages
57
Location
Tejas! (aka: Texas for non-Texicans)
Hi all - new to saddles - I've watched the youtube reviews on Treehopper Recon Sling/Saddle - I like that its made in USA and the price point - what are any of your experiences with this saddle. The Recon looks good - I like that it has the 4 "seatbelt" webbing rather than just one on top and bottom connected by fabric.

Any issues regarding the saddle - I saw that the belt came undone on a y
 
Received mine yesterday and spent a few minutes in the backyard playing around. At first glance it appears like a huge improvement over my mantis. I'm excited and don't regret my purchase. Quality is top notch. Good luck!

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i love mine! came from a mantis and i wont be going back. i can sit half a day sits with no problem. the 2 panels make all the difference to me because i go between leaning and sitting throughout the mornings.
 
Great saddle, versatile, waist belts are easy to swap out and play with if you don't like the stock one. Quality and company is top notch.
 
Great saddle, versatile, waist belts are easy to swap out and play with if you don't like the stock one. Quality and company is top notch.
What are the problems with the stock waist belt on the Recon??
 
What are the problems with the stock waist belt on the Recon??
I have absolutely none. I love the stock waist belt. It's designed after a RCH buckle. It's quick, easy, and secure. Some people dont love it.
 
II am thinking of picking a Recon up so that's why I asked. Also, 've been running the original TactiSaddle this season and love it so far. I added a EWO BB with two Tethrd original Sys Haulers, one for my tether and LB and the other holds my 30' feet of oplex for rappeling down. This may seem like a little overkill but I like how the BB carries all the heavy junk keeping my tactitsaddle unweighted. I connected it to the BB with four Molle Straps. I have an old original GI padded Molle Harness System in Woodland Camo that I rigged my BB and Tactisaddle to last night and it is so comfortable and the extra pockets are great so I don't need a BP but I am concerned the front pockets will get in the way of my bowstring. It doesn't seem to but I have to experiment with it more. It may be overall heavier in the tree but then you don't have a BP hanging in the way and everything stays on you, the whole system feels lighter overall. Has anybody else experimented with any of this yet?
 
II am thinking of picking a Recon up so that's why I asked. Also, 've been running the original TactiSaddle this season and love it so far. I added a EWO BB with two Tethrd original Sys Haulers, one for my tether and LB and the other holds my 30' feet of oplex for rappeling down. This may seem like a little overkill but I like how the BB carries all the heavy junk keeping my tactitsaddle unweighted. I connected it to the BB with four Molle Straps. I have an old original GI padded Molle Harness System in Woodland Camo that I rigged my BB and Tactisaddle to last night and it is so comfortable and the extra pockets are great so I don't need a BP but I am concerned the front pockets will get in the way of my bowstring. It doesn't seem to but I have to experiment with it more. It may be overall heavier in the tree but then you don't have a BP hanging in the way and everything stays on you, the whole system feels lighter overall. Has anybody else experimented with any of this yet?
I had an original tactisaddle. I dont tote any of my stuff on my saddle, but I can tell you the recon is hands down WAY more comfortable than the tacttisaddle in my opinion...
 
The stock belt cuts into my over hang and causes some hip pinch when i one stick so I removed it and just run a bungee... Just tied a bungee with a hook on one side to the right side of the top section molle loop and pull it across the front and hook it to the left side linesman loop when sticking or walking in.
 
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I talked to Mark Cama - really nice person to talk to and very informative - I purchased the Recon and Platform after our conversation and seeing videos done by Nutterbuster & Madhunts. Really excited to be receiving these and can't wait to use them on public land I hunt - I'm now in the process of trying to sale some cheap hang-ons I've had.

I like the 4 straps of webbing rather than just the two that most saddles have - seems like more webbing could equal to more strength and having the ability to adjust the top and lower portions independently - I think Aero Flex and Curzr XC tries to replicate that expansion but with fabric rather than straps.

I'll probably also continue to use my wingman self rescue attached to my linesmen belt as a backup until I get more comfortable hunting out of the saddle. I need to purchase a treestrap with sewn eye and prusik...any suggestions for good quality/high safety?
 
I just order one and have spoke with Mark twice. Very impressed with the customer service. He has responded in a very reasonable time with the increased orders from the resent reviews of the Recon. I purchased a set of his strap on steps and love them. The way they lock together when not in use is a nice touch. One thing about the Saddle Hunting community is they are very willing to help each other with the learning curve. Very passionate group of guys for the outdoors.
 
I just order one and have spoke with Mark twice. Very impressed with the customer service. He has responded in a very reasonable time with the increased orders from the resent reviews of the Recon. I purchased a set of his strap on steps and love them. The way they lock together when not in use is a nice touch. One thing about the Saddle Hunting community is they are very willing to help each other with the learning curve. Very passionate group of guys for the outdoors.
Just got my saddle yesterday. Are you using as a ROS? Do you think you could use as a climbing method? I'm considering them.

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I’m using them with a Artisan platform attached to a Hawk stick. I use 3 of them on a OCB buckle on a strap. This set up has been very solid for me. I don’t know the dimensions of all the different steps out there but from pictures these look to to be thicker than any of the others. I like that and don’t seem to hurt my feet. They clamp down very firm to the tree and hold tight. As a climbing method I’m not sure. Because of their size and the number you would need may be a bit much to carry. As a ring of steps they are rock solid.
 
I’ve used the steps as a climbing method on 6 different trees so far this season. I use the Bullman outdoors straps with them and they are quick to install even with gloves. It’s definitely slower than sticks but my sticks can’t be put in a small backpack like the steps can!


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I’ve used the steps as a climbing method on 6 different trees so far this season. I use the Bullman outdoors straps with them and they are quick to install even with gloves. It’s definitely slower than sticks but my sticks can’t be put in a small backpack like the steps can!


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I think I'm going to give this a try. How many are you using and how high are you getting?

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II am thinking of picking a Recon up so that's why I asked. Also, 've been running the original TactiSaddle this season and love it so far. I added a EWO BB with two Tethrd original Sys Haulers, one for my tether and LB and the other holds my 30' feet of oplex for rappeling down. This may seem like a little overkill but I like how the BB carries all the heavy junk keeping my tactitsaddle unweighted. I connected it to the BB with four Molle Straps. I have an old original GI padded Molle Harness System in Woodland Camo that I rigged my BB and Tactisaddle to last night and it is so comfortable and the extra pockets are great so I don't need a BP but I am concerned the front pockets will get in the way of my bowstring. It doesn't seem to but I have to experiment with it more. It may be overall heavier in the tree but then you don't have a BP hanging in the way and everything stays on you, the whole system feels lighter overall. Has anybody else experimented with any of this yet?
I’m sure this was a good comment but too many abbreviations for me.
 
I’m sure this was a good comment but too many abbreviations for me.
I am so sorry, that must be very annoying to try and read. BB is battlebelt, I use it to keep the weight of my dump pouches (that contain my rappel rope and belay device, caribiner and then my Lineman's belt and Tether with the ropeman's on each are in my other dump pouch. The EWO stands for Eastern Woods Outdoors or DanO's website where you can get a lot of great gear for saddle hunting. LB is Lineman's belt. BP is backpack. Anyway, I scrapped the idea of the load bearing suspenders hooked to my battlebelt because the magazine and grenade pockets on this harness will get in the way of my bowstring at full draw or I fear they will. I hope that clarifies my annoying comment better for you.
 
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