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The Helo is Getting me Out of the Saddle

Noonespecial said:
Those cables would get stuck on every stick and rattle on the inside of that hollow metal tube, snag the back of my feet when stepping over a log and if the platform and seat were not put together correctly they would tink together on every step. The hunt would be over before it began.
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That's just one reason I don't see myself using the saddle less. There were two main reasons why I wanted to try saddle hunting and carrying that summit around was one of them. The other is that siting in a hang on absolutely kills my back. A few years ago I needed a stand close to a bedding area so I wanted to be as quiet as possible so I used a hang on for the first time. I ended up making the seat platform larger with a bigger cushion and still couldn't stand to sit more than an hour or so before my back would start killing me. That caused me to start fidgeting and standing up. I still carry close to the same amount of weight but a saddle is just way more comfortable for me.
 
I imagine when men first began golfing they attempted to do it all with one club, and ultimately decided "screw it, lets just carry 10 different options". After two years of this forum, this is how the back of my car now looks... but instead of golf clubs, its hunting 'options'.

Ground seat
Saddle
One stick
Sticks
Helo
Ghillie
Climbing Platform
ROS

Mix and match as needed! *insert nervous laugh...*
 
Noonespecial said:
Those cables would get stuck on every stick and rattle on the inside of that hollow metal tube, snag the back of my feet when stepping over a log and if the platform and seat were not put together correctly they would tink together on every step. The hunt would be over before it began.
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You never folded the cables up into the V where they sit perfectly? Eeeeee


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Aeds151 said:
You never folded the cables up into the V where they sit perfectly? Eeeeee


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Lol! Guess not. The one thing I need to mention about the Helo is why in the world is that seat so freaking big?!!! That thing looks half the size of the platform. Cut that in half and shave 1.5 lbs off and put the dang platform cables on the outside now you’re talking!
 
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bodark said:
Did anyone else pull the trigger on a Novix stand over Black Friday? Mine just came in yesterday and I swear this thing is going to get me out of the saddle. I have never been super happy with anything I’ve tried in the saddle world and if the opportunity presented itself I’d just as soon sit on the ground. After two seasons “dialing in” my setup and two more convincing myself it was “perfect” I’ve all but given up.

I move too much, my feet get tired. If the tree isn’t perfect I’m fighting gravity. I’m good for a few hours but I find myself just wanting to sit down. I’m tired of having a bridge across my chest to get my bow over. You can shoot 360 in the yard but real world it’s not as practical as everyone makes it seem. But most of all…I’m tired of staring at a tree all day long. My field of view without moving my body depending on tree size is 90* at best when you really think about it. My biggest blind spot is directly behind me and that’s where I am the most exposed. Deer don’t always behave like you think they should.

The most comfortable setup I found was a Kestrel saddle, 4 Novix mini sticks, and a Mission platform. I carry everything I need in a fanny pack. With the Helo I have added like 5lbs to my total weight and I am infinitely more comfortable. I’m still relatively light weight, I can still get in cover, and most of all I can sit still and see what’s in front of me.

I would encourage anyone looking to get into saddle hunting to seriously consider one of the new lock on’s as well. There is so much to offer on the market now that “going mobile” doesn’t just involve a saddle.

What has everyone’s experience been in the past 3 or 4 seasons? Those who were on the front end of this bubble where do you see yourself next season with all of these new products on the market? Will the saddle stay in your bag or is anyone else transitioning back to a lock on?
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I bought an assault 11 just for when I take a rut cation and hunt 6 days straight all day ,the body gets tired thought it would be nice sitting down ,weird feeling for me facing away from tree .I'm exposed on every move .I did like the upfront bow holder, I shot a 2yr old about 20yd in it ,but I can hunt in a saddle like it's made for me ,sometimes I let out my tether and just sit. With my side resting on tree
 
bodark said:
Did anyone else pull the trigger on a Novix stand over Black Friday? Mine just came in yesterday and I swear this thing is going to get me out of the saddle. I have never been super happy with anything I’ve tried in the saddle world and if the opportunity presented itself I’d just as soon sit on the ground. After two seasons “dialing in” my setup and two more convincing myself it was “perfect” I’ve all but given up.

I move too much, my feet get tired. If the tree isn’t perfect I’m fighting gravity. I’m good for a few hours but I find myself just wanting to sit down. I’m tired of having a bridge across my chest to get my bow over. You can shoot 360 in the yard but real world it’s not as practical as everyone makes it seem. But most of all…I’m tired of staring at a tree all day long. My field of view without moving my body depending on tree size is 90* at best when you really think about it. My biggest blind spot is directly behind me and that’s where I am the most exposed. Deer don’t always behave like you think they should.

The most comfortable setup I found was a Kestrel saddle, 4 Novix mini sticks, and a Mission platform. I carry everything I need in a fanny pack. With the Helo I have added like 5lbs to my total weight and I am infinitely more comfortable. I’m still relatively light weight, I can still get in cover, and most of all I can sit still and see what’s in front of me.

I would encourage anyone looking to get into saddle hunting to seriously consider one of the new lock on’s as well. There is so much to offer on the market now that “going mobile” doesn’t just involve a saddle.

What has everyone’s experience been in the past 3 or 4 seasons? Those who were on the front end of this bubble where do you see yourself next season with all of these new products on the market? Will the saddle stay in your bag or is anyone else transitioning back to a lock on?
Click to expand...

i agree. I still use my saddle some but that Novix Helo is my favorite. I use it more than any of my other stands and saddle. I have a hard time sitting still period but I move much less in a tree stand. That Helo is comfortable and the extra weight is. It bad at all. For the money it’s a sweeet set up!
 
Noonespecial said:
Lol! Guess not. The one thing I need to mention about the Helo is why in the world is that seat so freaking big?!!! That thing looks half the size of the platform. Cut that in half and shave 1.5 lbs off and put the dang platform cables on the outside now you’re talking!
Click to expand...

I think the seat is fine. It could be smaller but then I’d be fidgeting more than if I were in a saddle.
 
Is there a better seat cushion out there for seat that you all prefer
 
Started saddle hunting 6 years ago and pretty much have come full circle. Used it on and off until the last couple years I've switched mainly to a lwcg 1.0 and lone wolf climber. I like to just sit very still and prefer to stay sitting for the shoot and minimalize movement. Occasionally I have to be too close to where I want to shoot and in that case I want to be behind the tree so I have the old sit drag in the pack and am already wearing a rock harness. Still have a flex cause it is comfortable but haven't used it the last couple years.

To take full advantage of the mobility of the saddle you need to be using a minimalist climbing method and I've tried just about all of them. When it gets cold and I'm layered up it's just too much for me. I find that comparing saddle/sticks/platform/frame pack to rock harness/stand/sticks is a pretty comparable weight now with the options out there. So really for me I find weight to be pretty equal so a stand is just my preference. I'll always keep my saddle for if/when I want to go minimalist but most of my hunting now is during the rut when the weather is usually too cold for me to do that.

I will add though, there are so many things I still use a lot that I picked up from this site through the years. I otherwise would have no idea. Rock harness with lineman loops, ropes for tethers, lineman belts, amsteel daisy chains, aiders, different hitches and tenders, SRT, sit drag, and on and on.
 
enkriss said:
I hunted out of the helo then started hunting out some LWCG setup. I have hunted 1 time from the saddle in the last 8 weeks and I didn’t enjoy it….lol. I might be back in the stand full time next season.
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I can support this thread.. I believe saddle is a great mobile tool, but I don't think it's quite what I hoped it would be. I hunted out of a saddle almost exclusively the past 4 years and my take aways are this:
1) I am never truly 100% comfortable. Sure, I can bear it and deal with it for a few hours, but I am readjusting at least a couple times an hour.
2) I HATE the giant blind spot right in front of me.
3) I would rather carry the extra weight of my climbing stand.

FWIW, I do feel safer in the saddle and I do enjoy them on smaller trees. Unfortunately, my climber is just too comfortable. I can have a seat and not move for hours. At the end of the day the best camo I can buy or use is being still. It's impossible to be still and look around the tree infront of me.
 
Just another tool. I do all my hang and hunts out of a saddle but they tend to be shorter affairs: 1-3hrs. I also still hunt from the ground, sit in box and popup blinds, and hunt a few permanent hang on tree stands. Would you try to build a house with just a screw driver? Why limit yourself to just a saddle?
 
Noonespecial said:
Lol! Guess not. The one thing I need to mention about the Helo is why in the world is that seat so freaking big?!!! That thing looks half the size of the platform. Cut that in half and shave 1.5 lbs off and put the dang platform cables on the outside now you’re talking!
Click to expand...

The seat is big when you’re walking with the stand before setting it up. I have to admit tho the seat size is one of the things that makes this stand so comfortable for me. Keeps me still much longer. I know a lot of people don’t like the seat pad on these/LW stands, but I think the pad works really well for comfort and warmth. Also am impressed how fast it dries out after being rained on. That’s just me though.


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Westdesign03 said:
Oh yeah. I had an assault a while ago and have regretted selling it ever since. It was a sweet stand and will always be one of the best out there IMO. I do feel like the Helo is just as good if not a hair better than the assault. It is noticeably lighter and the V bracket bites the tree just as good and the way they shaped it, it’s like it’s almost impossible to snag on things or tear up your bag or clothes if you brush up against it. Would highly recommend trying one if you’re in the market.


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I would like to buy another hang on, maybe a Helo, but my issue w/a hang on has always been the low seat height. If they mad that seat post adjustable for taller folks, I'd buy one today...
 
Blacksmith said:
I would like to buy another hang on, maybe a Helo, but my issue w/a hang on has always been the low seat height. If they mad that seat post adjustable for taller folks, I'd buy one today...
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Understandable. If you want a slightly taller seat height, I had the OOAL Hush stand for a while and the post on it is a bit taller than LW/Novix stands I’m pretty sure. It sure felt like it was taller to me anyway. But I think it did measure slightly taller too if I remember right. Check the specs maybe to be sure.


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Blacksmith said:
I would like to buy another hang on, maybe a Helo, but my issue w/a hang on has always been the low seat height. If they mad that seat post adjustable for taller folks, I'd buy one today...
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Chippewa does a couple different seat heights as wel, and they now have a mesh seat option like a millenium...could be pretty slick.
 
LWCG has 20” and 22” post options on the 1.0 and 2.0. On the .5 an 18” comes standard but a 22” will also fit. The 20” has button/rung interference when folded on the .5.
 
I REALLY want to try a .5 but can't stomach the cost of one after getting my Vanish all setup with foot rests and they make the seat into a load shelf. I took the time to weigh everything the other day and I'm at about 25lbs total but with the new backpack straps it is pretty darn comfortable carrying it when testing at home. I wouldn't take it with if I was going in 2 miles to a spot but for the short distances I walk I'm going to be using it more often then not next year. I will say hanging it while wearing my saddle is super easy and the EZ hang bracket rocks.
 
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