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Who is still using the Phantom?

Fl Canopy Stalker said:
Thank you for the link but I already have a Cruzr xc and while it’s a good saddle, well made and strong, I feel as though it’s not the right saddle for me. The mesh is so stiff and the pleat opens until it basically pulls you into the tree. It did not translate to all day comfort in my opinion. It was better than many others I have tried but it’s not as good as aerohunter saddles in my opinion.
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And here I thought I was the only one. I see the appeal but it wasn’t for me. First saddle that gave me that full diaper feeling.


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Trav2525 said:
No pain no gain!
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Brings a whole new meaning to the nom de plume @Nutterbuster . . . . yikes! :eek:
 
iamcorey said:
And here I thought I was the only one. I see the appeal but it wasn’t for me. First saddle that gave me that full diaper feeling.


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I call it the burrito effect. Add in the fact that walking around in it for any amount of time equaled it falling open and feeling like a diaper.... I like a one panel saddle for simplicity. 2 panels are adjustable but with that comes more playing with straps adjustment points and extra steps. They are probably better than pleated saddles and pleats wear out over time and stay open. To me they feel a little better open if you’re leaning because of the support but definitely not while sitting. Personally I am more of a sitter but I still prefer my tether low and I like to be able to sit with my legs open so the boys can breath. I couldn’t do that with the Cruzr or with the latitude method I tried out last year... I want my saddle to fit me and not have to make a ton of adjustments, go up to my waist line and stop an inch or two below my butt. Have enough cup or stretch so you don’t feel like you’re falling out when you lean but not so much that there’s too much pressure in your lower extremities! And I want it to be light and comfortable enough to walk a mile or two through the woods without falling open or having to clip, strap, ect.... end of the day the cruzr didn’t fit that bill for me. Again it’s a great saddle just not for me.
 
I am 6'4" 225lbs and I ran 2 all day sits in a phantom last season (and killed deer on both sits near the end of the day). I have a Kestrel, and it might be just a tiny bit more comfortable, but not much. I'm not saying that is was a lazyboy, and ya I got uncomfortable at times, but I would slightly change up my stance/arrangement and buck up.

Get the unit adjusted for your ass, climb and stop complaining. You guys just sound so soft.
 
MJH said:
I am 6'4" 225lbs and I ran 2 all day sits in a phantom last season (and killed deer on both sits near the end of the day). I have a Kestrel, and it might be just a tiny bit more comfortable, but not much. I'm not saying that is was a lazyboy, and ya I got uncomfortable at times, but I would slightly change up my stance/arrangement and buck up.

Get the unit adjusted for your ass, climb and stop complaining. You guys just sound so soft.
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Hang in a stock, unmodified mantis for 6 hrs without scaring every animal in the woods and tell me im soft. i heard the chinese added it to their torture device list. it doesnt need to be a lazyboy but if i literally cant enjoy hunting id rather lug in my viper or just hunt from the ground.

I hear what your sayin though... a lot of people are on here to nit pick and get tips on comfort. I think the comfort part is really the only thing that falls into the "con" category with saddle hunting so it gets touched on a lot here.
 
PEEJAY said:
Hang in a stock, unmodified mantis for 6 hrs without scaring every animal in the woods and tell me im soft. i heard the chinese added it to their torture device list. it doesnt need to be a lazyboy but if i literally cant enjoy hunting id rather lug in my viper or just hunt from the ground.

I hear what your sayin though... a lot of people are on here to nit pick and get tips on comfort. I think the comfort part is really the only thing that falls into the "con" category with saddle hunting so it gets touched on a lot here.
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Chinese torture device :sweatsmile: that’s funny
 
I think the comfort part is really the only thing that falls into the "con" category with saddle hunting so it gets touched on a lot here.
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That’s interesting because I see a lot of posts from folks who say saddle hunting is way more comfortable than any lock-on.
 
2Sloe said:
That’s interesting because I see a lot of posts from folks who say saddle hunting is way more comfortable than any lock-on.
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I cannot sit in a stand for any period of time without my back screaming. With a saddle so far, it's not as comfortable is simply sitting in a chair but haven't had any back pain.
 
Love mine . Not modified. Only reason I'll get a different one is if something happens to the one I have now . I use a back brace on long sits but most of my hunts are evenings and it's plenty comfortable for that . Only complaint would be the molle loops, wish it had 1-2 more closer to the front


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2Sloe said:
I think the comfort part is really the only thing that falls into the "con" category with saddle hunting so it gets touched on a lot here.
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That’s interesting because I see a lot of posts from folks who say saddle hunting is way more comfortable than any lock-on.
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more than lock on's for sure, ive never found them that comfortable for more than a few hrs. My summit viper was prolly more comfortable until my hips started going (if i hunted 3 or 4 days straight i could barely walk for an equal amount of days), and that's what originally made me switch, but the saddle is wayyyy more versatile and my shot opportunities increased exponentially.

I guess i meant before you really get it dialed in and find what equipment works best for your build and hunting style. a lot of guys are switching because as they get older they find treestands harder and harder to hunt out of. Not everybody is 6'4" 225lb built like a brick sh*thouse... i wish i was lol. im fit but pretty boney around my sides/knees from hip surgery and developing some muscle atrophy b/c the way i compensate when i walk now. My first 4-5 sits were literally agonizing and i f'd up a couple hunts wiggling around too much. mantis with 5 bullsteps (and no kneepads). sold that whole setup and started over. After about 40 hunts getting it tuned up, im all in now. Some guys on here call it getting in "saddle-shape".
 
Treehopper recon is hard to beat for minimalist and comfort combined. It may not be for everyone but I really enjoy mine.

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PEEJAY said:
It doesnt need to be a lazyboy but if i literally cant enjoy hunting id rather lug in my viper or just hunt from the ground.
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Listen I loved my climber. The shooting rail and the comfort were brilliant. But with both my Kestrel and Phantom, it took a bit of work to get them adjusted right, and I am operational. The first couple of sits at the beginning of the season are tough, but then I get into my jam. My kindle is a lifesaver on long sits...
 
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