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Who is still using the Phantom?

H

HunterBob

Active Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2019
Messages
182
I bought the Phantom before last season and started the season with it. I like it's minimalist weight as well as some of the adjustability. However, I found that it was not as comfortable as I hoped it would be on longer sits. Picked up an Aerohunter Flex (old version) off of here in the middle of the season and ended up switching to that.

I'm thinking about selling my Phantom, but wondering if I should give it one more year, especially since it is great in the early season heat we get here in the south.

Just curious for those of you who are planning to use the Phantom this year, how have you found it comfort wise? Any mods that have helped with this?
 
I ran a phantom for a while last year and liked how compact it was, but didn’t necessarily like the comfort channel balls and ultimately got a cruzr xc to try and sold my phantom. The way I found the phantom most comfortable was to loosen the waist belt to the point the saddle is “sagging” on your rear.
 
HunterBob said:
I bought the Phantom before last season and started the season with it. I like it's minimalist weight as well as some of the adjustability. However, I found that it was not as comfortable as I hoped it would be on longer sits. Picked up an Aerohunter Flex (old version) off of here in the middle of the season and ended up switching to that.

I'm thinking about selling my Phantom, but wondering if I should give it one more year, especially since it is great in the early season heat we get here in the south.

Just curious for those of you who are planning to use the Phantom this year, how have you found it comfort wise? Any mods that have helped with this?
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I mean you bought the saddle so ultimately the choice is yours no matter what we think. Since you asked though: Here is my honest opinion. If you picked up anything aerohunter you have one of the best. They are top notch. There are also several other mesh option such as the Cruzr that breaths well for that southern heat while also keeping the all important comfort. I think aerohunter also just created a mesh version of the flex although it seems on here at least that the jury is still out on the new design.
 
The Phantom was the first saddle that I bought, and I did spend the required time to find my comfort! I spent several all day sits in it with no issues. All that aside, I currently use a Cruzr XC, not the Phantom, and am debating on getting it in a smaller size as well (early season less layers). If I do that, I will be selling my Phantom. I mentally need a backup, so two saddles, two setup bows, two zeroed rifles (during deer season), etc. lol.
 
No plans to ditch mine. Once I figured out how to get the bridge coming off the saddle at as close to 90* as possible, it made things easier.
 
Personally, I'd sell it closer to season to maximize return although market is kind of flooded now. Reasoning is you said it was not comfortable. Additional hang time is not going to change that or the flawed marble design.
 
I like the phantom and don't plan on selling mine. I started with the mantis and the phantom was a welcome upgrade. Those are the only 2 saddles I've ever tried aside from a DIY fleece saddle. My phantom is completely stock and I have no plans to modify.

If I were to try something new I would most likely go with a 2 panel saddle. They seem to have a little more "custom" feel.
 
iamcorey said:
Personally, I'd sell it closer to season to maximize return although market is kind of flooded now. Reasoning is you said it was not comfortable. Additional hang time is not going to change that or the flawed marble design.
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That's exactly what I was thinking of doing
 
I liked everything about the Phantom except the comfort channels--they were a deal breaker. I sold it, but would buy another if those stupid balls were removed
 
I bought one last year after trying one a friend has. I went from a Trophy line I liked until I had to do an all day sit in it. My back was killing me with it and despite trying different tether heights and lengths I couldn't get comfortable.

I sat in a Phantom in a hot early season hunt weekend and cold winter weekend with some short sits mixed in there and can't find a reason to switch from it. I think the Phantom with a back band is a great setup and I like the adjustable bridge points because it makes both sitting and leaning comfortable.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
 
Phantom here. I haven’t spent hours in it yet but it seems comfortable enough when on the platform, especially when I put the back band on. Back band makes a world of difference for me. That said, I’m a one sticker and I wish the Phantom was taller with more “cup” to it. Felt like it was always riding up when I was climbing in it. Finally figured out to cinch the waist strap down tight low down on my skinny hips and then cinch the leg straps down, which effectively pulls the saddle down on the bottom of my skinny butt. That made things much better. Some people complain about tight leg straps or the diaper effect, I spent 20+ years in the Navy flying off carriers in a torso harness that was so tight you couldn’t hardly breath, so tight leg straps and a saddle on my butt feel perfectly normal to me.

People buy a new saddle, first time in a tree in a saddle, have’t really spent the time to figure out the dynamics between tether height, tether angle, different bridge lengths, bridge loop adjustments and a myriad of other small details that make it comfortable and immediately decide that it’s all the saddles fault. Are some saddles more comfortable from the get go? Probably, but I’m going to run it this season, learn how to adjust things and see how it goes. After the season, if it’s still not as comfortable as I think a saddle could be, I’ll probably will spring for a Transformer next year or maybe a Cruzer….hard to beat a money back guarantee!
 
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2Sloe said:
Phantom here. I haven’t spent hours in it yet but it seems comfortable enough when on the platform, especially when I put the back and on. Back band makes a world of difference for me. That said, I’m a one sticker and I wish the Phantom was taller with more “cup” to it. Felt like it was always riding up when I was climbing in it. Finally figured out to cinch the waist strap down tight low down on my skinny hips and then cinch the leg straps down, which effectively pulls the saddle down on the bottom of my skinny butt. That made things much better. Some people complain about tight leg straps or the diaper effect, I spent 20+ years in the Navy flying off carriers in a torso harness that was so tight you couldn’t hardly breath, so tight leg straps and a saddle on my butt feel perfectly normal to me.

People buy a new saddle, first time in a tree in a saddle, have’t really spent the time to figure out the dynamics between tether height, tether angle, different bridge lengths, bridge loop adjustments and a myriad of other small details that make it comfortable and immediately decide that it’s all the saddles fault. Are some saddles more comfortable from the get go? Probably, but I’m going to run it this season, learn how to adjust things and see how it goes. After the season, if it’s still not as comfortable as I think a saddle could be, I’ll probably will spring for a Transformer next year or maybe a Cruzer….hard to beat a money back guarantee!
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Yes, I agree on many of your points. I wish the Phantom was 2 inches taller as I find it does ride up on me and I am having to adjust it. For this reason I've thought about selling it and trying out a Cruzr or the Latitude Classic, or even try to pick up an old aerohunter kite. Thanks for the input!
 
I have had a few issues like others have mentioned. Riding up, balls slightly exposed in the bridge loops and the bridge changing to different ball locations when not under tension. I put some elastic on the bridge to cinch it tight on the loops. Comfortable enough to fall asleep in a few times.
I wanted a backup saddle so I bought a classic when they were on sale. It's around 2" taller than the phantom. I only have a few hours in it and it seems just as comfortable. Hopefully the new classic touches on the issues with leg g hooks.
Only other thing i wasn't real happy with was the lineman loops are only attached to the top of the saddle. I liked or just got used to the pull on my thighs and waist of phantom lineman loops.
Sorry more of a comparison of the two saddles but I thought it was relevant being you are considering a classic. Both good saddles and I will be keeping my phantom for now.

Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk
 
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Trav2525 said:
I have had a few issues like others have mentioned. Riding up, balls slightly exposed in the bridge loops and the bridge changing to different ball locations when not under tension. I put some elastic on the bridge to cinch it tight on the loops. Comfortable enough to fall asleep in a few times.
I wanted a backup saddle so I bought a classic when they were on sale. It's around 2" taller than the phantom. I only have a few hours in it and it seems just as comfortable. Hopefully the new classic touches on the issues with leg g hooks.
Only other thing i wasn't real happy with was the lineman loops are only attached to the top of the saddle. I liked or just got used to the pull on my thighs and waist of phantom lineman loops.
Sorry more of a comparison of the two saddles but I thought it was relevant being you are considering a classic. Both good saddles and I will be keeping my phantom for now.

Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk
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Thanks for the comparison, I actually appreciate it since I am considering the classic. Do you find the classic being more comfortable when you are locked in at hunting height, or just about the same comfort as the Phantom?
 
HunterBob said:
Thanks for the comparison, I actually appreciate it since I am considering the classic. Do you find the classic being more comfortable when you are locked in at hunting height, or just about the same comfort as the Phantom?
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What is the classic? Do you mean the mantis or is there a new one that I don’t know about?
 
Trav2525 said:
I have had a few issues like others have mentioned. Riding up, balls slightly exposed in the bridge loops and the bridge changing to different ball locations when not under tension. I put some elastic on the bridge to cinch it tight on the loops. Comfortable enough to fall asleep in a few times.
I wanted a backup saddle so I bought a classic when they were on sale. It's around 2" taller than the phantom. I only have a few hours in it and it seems just as comfortable. Hopefully the new classic touches on the issues with leg g hooks.
Only other thing i wasn't real happy with was the lineman loops are only attached to the top of the saddle. I liked or just got used to the pull on my thighs and waist of phantom lineman loops.
Sorry more of a comparison of the two saddles but I thought it was relevant being you are considering a classic. Both good saddles and I will be keeping my phantom for now.

Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
What is the new classic?
 
Man, i tried to like the phantom. I had every problem listed above. the balls, the riding up, lack of "cup, etc. (+ fraying on the bridge loops)
Sold it right away. IMO If it doesnt feel like your floating with zero discomfort, there is a better fitting saddle for you out there. longer sits is when it really matters. Testing it for an hour pre-season and being comfortable isnt enough. I learned that the hard way with my mantis. Im sure it works great for some people but i just dont understand how they didnt get some of the same problems the mantis came with addressed. Aerohunter is the bees-knees for me. I hunt pretty hard early season in september in MD and it is hot and humid. I dont have any problems with my butt sweating in my kestrel anymore than with a mesh saddle but the older kite is basically the same thing in mesh. They are soooo comfy and build quality is top-notch. if you can find one in your size dont exclude that from possible options.
 
PEEJAY said:
Man, i tried to like the phantom. I had every problem listed above. the balls, the riding up, lack of "cup, etc. (+ fraying on the bridge loops)
Sold it right away. IMO If it doesnt feel like your floating with zero discomfort, there is a better fitting saddle for you out there. longer sits is when it really matters. Testing it for an hour pre-season and being comfortable isnt enough. I learned that the hard way with my mantis. Im sure it works great for some people but i just dont understand how they didnt get some of the same problems the mantis came with addressed. Aerohunter is the bees-knees for me. I hunt pretty hard early season in september in MD and it is hot and humid. I dont have any problems with my butt sweating in my kestrel anymore than with a mesh saddle but the older kite is basically the same thing in mesh. They are soooo comfy and build quality is top-notch. if you can find one in your size dont exclude that from possible options.
Click to expand...
(That Kite though :hearteyes: )
I will eventually find one in the classifieds for my saddle collection.
 
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