Steyer 6.5
Well-Known Member
Has anyone brought one and if so can I have your opinions?
Brought one to where mate?
I "bought" one of these and put it up today, that's two Harkila 4.5m freestanding high seats, a Harkila 4.25m tree stand plus the portable in about 14 days.
For the record I'm less than impressed with the Harkila 360's, their tree stand is quite good and the portable is fine - given that it is a portable and therefore in some respects a compromise. It's not a light weight but I carried mine about a quarter of a mile without much trouble, apart from the annoying squeaks and clattering, sort this if you are carrying some distance. The rifle rest is positioned with two stays and it takes only minutes, likewise the seat lock. There is a single support post under the seat which should be a captive nut and a hand wheel bolt, the flimsy wing nuts begs to be dropped and from 2.5m you would stand no chance of finding it. I'll probably come up with a modification for that some time.
The rifle rest isn't the most solid and I would have liked a bit more foam covering but it is adequate. Fixing the high seat to the tree is very easy, a foot on the bottom rung and the rest of the assembly pushed upwards until everything is locked which it does automatically. Once fully extended it can be leaned and shuffled until it feels reasonable then the seat straps can be put round the tree and secured, I found this pretty easy with no Norman Wisdom like drama. I also wound the two carrying straps round the tree which gave even more security though I'm not sure this is intended.
Once everything is fastened off climbing in is straight forward and the seat is a reasonable size, given the short time it takes to erect the high seat which was only about 10 minutes (my first attempt), it felt safe and secure. Would I recommend it ? Yes I would, even though it felt a little low after the other seats it is a big advantage being up there and it is certainly portable, what more can I say ?