• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

Umm ... Aerohunter Retires Kestrel and Kite

Allegheny Tom said:
BONUS! BONUS!! BONUS!!!
For a low, low monthly payment, in addition to the VINTAGE Kestrel, We will include a VINTAGE Baker treestand!!!!!! You can be the envy of all your hunting buddies at camp.
HURRY, this is a limited time offer!
But wait...we will double your shipment!! (just pay a separate fee).

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
You're likely gonna need that solid as rock Vintage Kestrel to save your butt when that Vintage Baker falls off the tree. :)
 
sojourner said:
I personally hope that aero hunter keeps to it’s arborist / Rec tree climbing roots with their hunting saddles. Built like a tank by experienced builders and designer for safety first and comfort right behind that, then weight. And with a long track record for producing quality and safe products.

I have no qualms for paying a little more and having it weigh a little more than other companies. I want weight bearing waist and leg straps, commonly accepted ropes/straps used in the tree climbing industry, comfort and camo would be a nice to have.

IMO, the last thing aero hunter should be doing is going the amsteel bridge with amsteel friction hitches in endless loop configuration. Or clips for leg loops. Looking at Sampson site for splicing, I do not see an approved “endless loop” splice. If aero hunter chases the “lightest is best” route, it will be to their folly.


Just my thoughts on the matter.
Click to expand...


I am not a fan of Amsteel for a bridge or Prussic knots. I do like the oplux for a bridge and TRC or a Beal jammy for an adjustable bridge. The amsteel does not slide or move easy.

Aero hunter bridges are bulkier than they need to be. The little extra weight is not a huge deal but the mesh and size of the Cruzr XC make it slightly more comfortable than a flex. But the flex is built like a tank


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
Jefferson10940 said:
Inventory? They have been 4-6 weeks behind forever.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I realize that. I figured they had backup materials at the very least. It would seem that they do not. Maybe that’s why they ended up where they are at currently. For the record I am an AH saddle fan until I die.
 
swamp_possum said:
I have already emailed about leftover inventory on the Kite specifically and Debbie said that they do not have anything left. I imagine they have been working down inventory levels all summer.
Click to expand...
I believe AeroHunter built to order so they didn't carry any inventory of finished goods. That increases the shipping time a bit but if you wanted something special (differnet leg strap buckles, bridges, etc.) they could readily accommodate you.

I suspect the demand for these two are down a bit with respect to the Flex. By limiting the models they can focus on building a common platform and hopefully reduce their cycle time a bit.
 
boyne bowhunter said:
You're likely gonna need that solid as rock Vintage Kestrel to save your butt when that Vintage Baker falls off the tree. :)
Click to expand...
You have not lived until you have broken ribs from the safety belt that came with the Baker when it slipped! We were just tougher back in the day :)
 
sojourner said:
I personally hope that aero hunter keeps to it’s arborist / Rec tree climbing roots with their hunting saddles. Built like a tank by experienced builders and designer for safety first and comfort right behind that, then weight. And with a long track record for producing quality and safe products.

I have no qualms for paying a little more and having it weigh a little more than other companies. I want weight bearing waist and leg straps, commonly accepted ropes/straps used in the tree climbing industry, comfort and camo would be a nice to have.

IMO, the last thing aero hunter should be doing is going the amsteel bridge with amsteel friction hitches in endless loop configuration. Or clips for leg loops. Looking at Sampson site for splicing, I do not see an approved “endless loop” splice. If aero hunter chases the “lightest is best” route, it will be to their folly.

I hope aero hunter stays in their lane of tank built, safe and comfortable saddles built by a company with a long track record of safety. They own that lane. I don’t see anyone being able to compete in that lane with them.

There is room enough for all the competitors. There are saddles for people with different criteria for purchasing.

All this has me thinking I should buy a backup flex now.

Just my thoughts on the matter.
Click to expand...

Not going to see amsteel


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
swamp_possum said:
I realize that. I figured they had backup materials at the very least. It would seem that they do not. Maybe that’s why they ended up where they are at currently. For the record I am an AH saddle fan until I die.
Click to expand...

AH makes a beautiful saddle there’s no questioning that! I just wish they could figure out the production end so the buyer doesn’t wait so long.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Jefferson10940 said:
AH makes a beautiful saddle there’s no questioning that! I just wish they could figure out the production end so the buyer doesn’t wait so long.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

The worlds Been thru the ringer this year but I bet the lead time gets better


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
So who's gonna have the last Kite made? I guess I bought mine just in time. It was delivered August 1. It seemed to me like it wasn't mentioned nearly enough and I didn't mind the buckles. I've spent 20 years slipping stand harnesses on the same way and never cared.
 
boyne bowhunter said:
Wait, it came with a safety belt?
Click to expand...
It actually did, and was so well designed that the waist belt became a tree squeeze on your body when you fell and only popped 2 ribs in that first fall! Instead of not using the stand again, I threw away the belt and accepted a 3-5 ft fall as normal and prayed it caught (which happened many climbs and shredded skin off my arms each time). Didn't have an alternative back then, so we didn't even think of not using them. All of the equipment used today is heads and shoulders above the good ole days, even if not 24kN rated!
 
Wow I’m just happy I ordered mine when I did because all my options were discontinued..... size 2 flex in ASAT with adjustable rope bridge haha
 
I’m thinking I’ll be able to pick up a flex on the cheap after they release the latest design.
 
Apex7 said:
I been waiting for them to release a mesh Flex but nothing yet. Don't think it will be this year so I bought a Cruzr XC.
Click to expand...
Yeah I’m not buying another until I need one. If they’ve come out with something equivalent or better than a Cruzr XC I’ll probably give it a shot . I still have not forgotten AHs honesty problems about the lead time issue last year. But their product is top notch.
 
I am done buying saddles for a while. I have a Cruzr XC and a Tethrd phantom as back up.
 
enkriss said:
I am done buying saddles for a while. I have a Cruzr XC and a Tethrd phantom as back up.
Click to expand...
Right now I will use my Cruzr XC in early season and my Flex in late season. I still have my Kestrel but I think about selling it. If I want to sit all day in comfort I can use my Guido's web or I can go and use my Treesuit it's not the platform it's a saddle.
 
sojourner said:
I personally hope that aero hunter keeps to it’s arborist / Rec tree climbing roots with their hunting saddles. Built like a tank by experienced builders and designer for safety first and comfort right behind that, then weight. And with a long track record for producing quality and safe products.

I have no qualms for paying a little more and having it weigh a little more than other companies. I want weight bearing waist and leg straps, commonly accepted ropes/straps used in the tree climbing industry, comfort and camo would be a nice to have.

IMO, the last thing aero hunter should be doing is going the amsteel bridge with amsteel friction hitches in endless loop configuration. Or clips for leg loops. Looking at Sampson site for splicing, I do not see an approved “endless loop” splice. If aero hunter chases the “lightest is best” route, it will be to their folly.

I hope aero hunter stays in their lane of tank built, safe and comfortable saddles built by a company with a long track record of safety. They own that lane. I don’t see anyone being able to compete in that lane with them.

There is room enough for all the competitors. There are saddles for people with different criteria for purchasing.

All this has me thinking I should buy a backup flex now.

Just my thoughts on the matter.
Click to expand...

I agree, it's not as snazzy to market safety, you have to have a baseline knowledge to appreciate what a gamechanger it is.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top