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What platform?

joel0711 said:
Trying Artisan Outdoors mini platform with Heliums at the moment.
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I did the same thing. I'm having a hard time justifying a Predator, so I went with the $65 mini from Artisan. I figure if I'm going to get a platform, I'll just hunt out of a tradition hang-on treestand. Planning on running the new Cranford ROSs with the mini and seeing how it works out.
 
Abishai said:
I did the same thing. I'm having a hard time justifying a Predator, so I went with the $65 mini from Artisan. I figure if I'm going to get a platform, I'll just hunt out of a tradition hang-on treestand. Planning on running the new Cranford ROSs with the mini and seeing how it works out.
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I thought the same about a platform until I got one in my hands. It's nothing like a treestand. The Predator (as well as the Podium and Perch) all strap onto the bottom of my Badlands Super Day pack, with room to also strap my bow on the back of my pack. The Predator is about 3 pounds with versa strap.
 
I’ve been going for ages with multiple (2 or 3) Stepps. This “hunting gear year” has been platform, tick and snake clothes for me.

I bought a pre-production perch. I like it, but at 275 lbs, it has some play on a Stepp. I bought a Ridge Runner and really like it. I really want to try a predator, but not looking for long lead time. I’ll jump on a used gen2, unmodified, predator as soon as I see one.

For now, when I climb with Stepps, I’ll use multiple Stepps for platform. Using sticks, I’ll use the Ridge Runner.
 
John Eberhart said:
There's no need for a platform. I've never used one and never will. More chance of getting picked with a platform.
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I can see getting picked on a large diameter tree. Big tree will take more movement to get around the back side. On a 16'' diameter and under tree i can't imagine a ros and platform being too different. Am i missing something?
 
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Predator is a damn fine platform. I tried it and found I just prefer ROS. Everyone has different preferences though.
 
I have the predator, hand climber and a couple different ring of steps. The predator is my favorite pivot style platform and I have some presets setup to use it but I much prefer a ring of steps for 90 percent of my hunts. A ring of steps takes more practice but who doesn’t like practicing?
 
EricS said:
I have the predator, hand climber and a couple different ring of steps. The predator is my favorite pivot style platform and I have some presets setup to use it but I much prefer a ring of steps for 90 percent of my hunts. A ring of steps takes more practice but who doesn’t like practicing?
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Honestly I don’t like practicing lol. I do it, but I’d rather be hunting for real or sitting in front of a PlayStation than practicing in an unhuntable tree.
 
iamcorey said:
Is it worth the money? That's a personal call. I'd say yes, but mine was a christmas gift.

Was it worth the wait? Mine took 6 MONTHS from order to receipt, so I would say no. I think they have improved their delivery process, but it left a bad taste in my mouth. Basically they sent it signature required. It got returned bc nobody was there to sign. Tethrd had us reorder the platform and did not honor the discount code used previously. I was not involved in the ordering process, but I was disappointed when I was informed of what the wife went through to get one for me.
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thats unbelievably they better get there customer service together or they will be out of the game soon you can never get ahold of them also!!!!
 
Longbowwally said:
Lone Wolf hand climber is a good platform - but ideally you should strap it down to keep it from moving...I climb with mine and just bungee the straps to each other on my side of the tree and it works good....

Less than 2 weeks before season I decided I wanted a 'cam over' style platform so decided to try a Podium. I called out on a limb mfg and talked to the guy himself and he said he would ship a podium to me that day if I went ahead and ordered...I did and had it in 5 days....I had a predator last year so wanted to try something different....The podium is about 4 inches wider than the predator but they are both very solid platforms but a little small to me - but small is what some want and they are nice to pack in......

I wish someone would come out with a cam over style platform 16" wide and about 16" deep - which would be about 6 inches 'deeper' than the podium and predator....I've found that even with the slightest of tree lean or a slightly crooked section in the tree, and sometime that slight lean or crook is on the side of the tree I want to be on for cover and shot position, if you don't stay on the 'high side' of the lean or crook, all of these platforms make it a bit hairy(to me) to turn around on them to shoot to the right due to not being wide enough front to back. Some would say now you're talking about tree stand size and not a platform but that size would make a world of difference to me in usability and ease of shooting to the right.....
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I do custom work as well
 
I'm a fan of the Ridge Runner. I handled the Predator and it just felt too small to me. The extra width of the Ridge Runner works great with my size 15 boots and I can stand up on it just like you can with the Predator (like it was a small hang on).
 
Im going to order a platform this week. I just keep going back and forth between the ridge runner and the predator.
I just cant make up my mind what platform i would like the best. I think the predator would pack easier in my eberlestock x2 pack but i like that the ridge runner is wider. AGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH I hate decisions when it comes to spending that much money.
 
Hogtooth said:
Im going to order a platform this week. I just keep going back and forth between the ridge runner and the predator.
I just cant make up my mind what platform i would like the best. I think the predator would pack easier in my eberlestock x2 pack but i like that the ridge runner is wider. AGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH I hate decisions when it comes to spending that much money.
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Might want to read up on Predator availability. I read there were some Covid related delays with their manufacturer.
I’d go with the Ridge Runner based on the customer service alone. Mr. Garis does a fine job on his product as well as his support.
 
if you don't care for making your own DIY platform, just buy once and cry once with the predator
 
I have a diy platform, and a predator. Absolutely love the predator. It’s very comfortable, versatile, and stout also
 
I have zero experience with any other platform besides a ridge runner and honestly don’t care to try another! It’s solid as it gets!
 
Hogtooth said:
Im going to order a platform this week. I just keep going back and forth between the ridge runner and the predator.
I just cant make up my mind what platform i would like the best. I think the predator would pack easier in my eberlestock x2 pack but i like that the ridge runner is wider. AGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH I hate decisions when it comes to spending that much money.
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Take a look at the treehopper platform. 107 shipped. I like it so far, but it's my first platform so I can't speak to the others.
 
jeffbofd said:
Take a look at the treehopper platform. 107 shipped. I like it so far, but it's my first platform so I can't speak to the others.
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That’s the one I’m wanting to try out this season. If anyone reading this is local to N. AL and wants to go in on a 3 pack buy lmk. $83 each.


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