[dce]

I graduated from a full body harness, to a rock climbing harness, and now to a Tethrd Mantis saddle.
I wanted to make an ultra lite platform for those quick "hour after work" hunts since that's what I tend to hunt most anymore. I put a lone wolf seat on a lone wolf stick and the total weight came in at 4.4 pounds. I'll either take in all four sticks with aiders or maybe just do a "two stick" method and leapfrog the first stick until I get to the height I need....then hang the stick with the platform.


I'm really liking the Tethrd Mantis. Even with the RC harness I found myself standing and leaning more than sitting. The true saddle makes it even more comfortable.

That is slick as snot.I tried the original tree saddle.I liked the concept but it killed my knees when resting against the tree.I then went to a guido's web that took the pressure off my knees but it was kinda heavy and cumbersome.Please go into some detail about this two stick climbing method

 

[dce]

Comfort seems very individualized and you have to get your saddle set up just right for you.
I was much more comfortable the other night on my top stick than I was using my M7 platform the time before. It doesn't seem logical, but that's how it turned out.
I did a lot more "sitting" with the stick. More "leaning" with the stand.


I think adding this ROS is going to be my system so I can walk around the tree.

What kind of saddle are you using and how do you keep your knees from getting crushed against the tree?

 

[dce]

Tethrd Mantis.
Knee pressure against the tree really isn't unbearable, but I might pack along a set of knee pads for my next hunt.
Legs straddling the tree is also fairly comfortable.
You can also sit side saddle for a change up with your hip against the tree.

I gave the treesaddle a whirl several years ago but it just killed my knees.The next year I bought a QUIDO'S WEB.It solved that problem and was fairly comfortable but more of a pain to deal with than I cared for.I really liked the concept so I may have to give it another legitimate try.

 

[dce]

If you have facebook,check out artisan outdoor fabrications.He makes a small platform that bolts onto a stick and replaces the top step.I ordered one last night.I'm gonna try it and see if that's better than the way I originally tried it.

 

[dce]

No,It's going on three weeks and I haven't received it yet.I did use the saddle with an old gorilla tree seat as a platform and it was way better than just using tree steps.I've been playing around with the one stick method of climbing and I think that may be the ticket once I get that stick platform.

 

[dce]

Did you ever get this? Try it out?

Sorry,missed the post.Yes I did get it but only got to try it out with a practice session.It's very light and much better than resting my feet on the top steps although not as good as a little bit bigger platform.I would say that it's just the ticket if you plan on hunting and climbing with one stick or if using a set of climbing sticks that you put up every time.A small platfform would be better if you're hunting pre-set locations.It was worth the $65 though.

 

[dce]

I will find out soon enough. My saddle and platform should be here by Christmas. Hoping to try it out on a few hunts in Ohio. Carrying a climber sucks up those mountains really sucks.

It's not something that you use once and say,this is the ticket.You really have to play around with it to make it work.I started using a small tree seat as a platform.It's not ideal but I had it laying around and decided to use it.When I used to use one several years ago,I stood on a ring of steps and tried to sit,which pushed me into the tree.With a small platform,I found that I can stand and just lean back,putting about 20-30% of my weight on my legs.It's not bad at all.A legit platform designed for use with a saddle would be better.I still like a ring of steps for shooting around certain angles of the tree.I just don't like keeping my weight on such a small surface areas.When they become available again,I'm gonna pick up a JX3 hybrid.I have a Quido's web which was very comfortable and eliminates the need for a platform.A ros is all you need because you actually sit.The JX3 seems to have fixed everything I didn't like about the GW.

 

[dce]

I ordered the Predator platform when I ordered the saddle. I think the Artisan may be nice for long hikes in early season when you are hunting for just a couple of hours.

That would be my assessment as well.Get some practice climbing with just one stick.It's slick

 

[dce]

I don't know about that. I may try it, but not sure if I will do that while hunting. You drop the stick and then you are stuck.

Don't drop the flippin stick.