Metal High seat recommendation
- Thread starter Stevec66
- Start date
ive got one of the A1 decoy ones, quite light and easy to move / set up. Not amazing quality but for the price isnt bad. main problem i find is that as there is no back support on the seat part, it can be slighlty uncomfortable but other than that isnt to bad
this is the one ive got Folding High Seat - A1 Decoy
The Bushwear and A1 decoy one (not the Summit) must come out of the same factory in China due to design similarities.
The Bushwear one has a slightly better rifle rest whereas the A1 version has a nice footrest to make long periods of sitting more comfortable, but the rifle rest only really works for something directly in front of the seat.
Some modification can be made to improve the A1's rifle rest, such as making a frame/box round the top portion, but then it ceases to be 'portable'.
The Bushwear one is pretty much ready to go 'out of the box' but you'll need a rachet strap (not supplied) to ensure the seat is properly secure (it just comes with a bit of string...
).The A1 version requires more bolting together and God help you if the supplied spanners are all you have. It does have a nicer seat with camo cover and it does come with a rachet strap to secure it.
Both have flaws, still very heavy and quite expensive (although the A1 version is a bit cheaper).
The Summit seats are OK if you're on a tight budget, or a looking for something quick and easy to put up and take down on a temporary bit of ground. Not much good if you want to leave them in situ long term though, as they're very thin steel and will rust and fall to pieces fairly quickly. (Although having said that, I've got a few that have been up for 5+ years, and they're just about still usable. Fairly sheltered locations, to be fair).
Also, the rail is too low. I've seen people raise the rail by extending the struts with a bit of bar, but then the angle is all wrong if you want to take a shot to the side. I lash my backpack to the top of the rail, right hand corner, and rest my rifle on that for most shots. It makes a massive improvement in shooting position and stability.
Erik Hamburger
Well-Known Member
I highly recommend Keith's High Seats - yes a Premium product at a premium price, but cheaper than a 'budget' high seat, long-term.
I like the 1.5 or double ones more than the singles - it gives you a bit more space to turn around and shoot behind you or over the wrong shoulder.
Go for the NATO-green finish - so much less obvious and shiny- not because the deer care, but to hide it from the wrong people.
For a Mobile/folding high seat - the Bushwear Panther has been much liked by friends - I haven't been in one myself yet. At £280 again a high price but see my point above.
Don't be temped by the HSF 'Summit' High-seats, yes they are cheap, but for a reason: The joint on the ladder will quickly fail, and the seat will break, and the construction is flimsy. However, you can 'improve' them with some simple DIY - but by the time you'll have spent the extra cash on it you could as well have bought a Premium seat in the first place.
I like the 1.5 or double ones more than the singles - it gives you a bit more space to turn around and shoot behind you or over the wrong shoulder.
Go for the NATO-green finish - so much less obvious and shiny- not because the deer care, but to hide it from the wrong people.
For a Mobile/folding high seat - the Bushwear Panther has been much liked by friends - I haven't been in one myself yet. At £280 again a high price but see my point above.
Don't be temped by the HSF 'Summit' High-seats, yes they are cheap, but for a reason: The joint on the ladder will quickly fail, and the seat will break, and the construction is flimsy. However, you can 'improve' them with some simple DIY - but by the time you'll have spent the extra cash on it you could as well have bought a Premium seat in the first place.
Fixed angle seats rely on an upright tree, with any lean it is reflected in the rail height/ladder angle as you have swivel joints
in scaffold/key clamp.
Yes the are good but fixed angles.
What ones do you use....?The Bushwear and A1 decoy one (not the Summit) must come out of the same factory in China due to design similarities.
The Bushwear one has a slightly better rifle rest whereas the A1 version has a nice footrest to make long periods of sitting more comfortable, but the rifle rest only really works for something directly in front of the seat.
Some modification can be made to improve the A1's rifle rest, such as making a frame/box round the top portion, but then it ceases to be 'portable'.
The Bushwear one is pretty much ready to go 'out of the box' but you'll need a rachet strap (not supplied) to ensure the seat is properly secure (it just comes with a bit of string...
The A1 version requires more bolting together and God help you if the supplied spanners are all you have. It does have a nicer seat with camo cover and it does come with a rachet strap to secure it.
Both have flaws, still very heavy and quite expensive (although the A1 version is a bit cheaper).
Ronin
Distinguished Member
Brilliant film
Have a few of Kieth’s lean to and freestanders
All have been excellent - easy to erect and yes you do need to have the “right” tree
Service, comms and the product all super
I’ve used other brands - in my view these are amongst the best
Yes it is a good film, seen his seats and as a fabricator they are v nice. However as you mentioned the right tree is needed which I have found the tree in the right place is the one leaning on the wonk, just like setting your car seat for a 2 hr drive you don't want to be tipping fwd or back. With many people coming into stalking as we see by the questions each day the last thing will be on a new stalkers list is how to fit a high seat.. Being comfortable in all shooting is down to fit, be it LOP cast eye relief or a seat sitting on the wonk.Brilliant film
Have a few of Kieth’s lean to and freestanders
All have been excellent - easy to erect and yes you do need to have the “right” tree
Service, comms and the product all super
I’ve used other brands - in my view these are amongst the best
Steve,
An example of a shop bought seat on a wonky tree which was dreadful I put it there as the farm said to use that tree.
I had just picked up the farm so went with that, then moved it to here same seat up right tree, the shop seat then rotted so I replaced it with ones I make where the ladder can find its own angle..
Leaning tree with a floating ladder.
No problem, ask a question abt what binos knife sticks boots coat and you will have lots of answers as they are hand items which are taken out and put back in the cupboard each time.
Very little is written about seats as once the compromise is reached people will put up with it being on the **** as they might only sit in it once a month.
In truth what happens is people will spring the ladder/rail to get what they need as they are an item people don't deal with every day with many not ever been up a HS let alone put one together then strap it to a tree.
With estate seats most are set up by right handed people as that is the side most people shoot off.
I have 2 seats which are just viewing platforms with both fields having a crown in the middle out of 40 muntjac from one field over time 2 and a few foxes have been shot from them. The rest I get out and stalk into a shooting position as muntjac
250 yards away will only be feeding for 10/15 max then gone again.
What I do (not set in stone) is...
Check with the owner you might have to cut a few branches out the way.
Take a step ladder with you so you can get the ratchet straps level with the seat fixing points (as they will droop down and not work so well)
Take a spade to get the base flat as in the summer the ground is rock hard (winter the ladder will go in the soft ground)
I unbolt the short tail of the ratchet strap and turn it 180 so the back of the strap hook is against the tree and thread the long piece the same.
I use a bit of fencing wire to lock the strap in place just in case someone wants to unlock it but it looks locked.
Buy better ratchet straps as the mickey mouse one supplied or out of Halfords are pants.
OR SHOOT OFF YOUR STICKS LOL
EMcC
Well-Known Member
The cheap Chinese ones from A1Decoy are Ok but I tend to add a length of 2x2" to the legs to stop any chance of bending if placed too far from the upright.
I put one on a bit of ground I use and it did me well for a two years and showed no sign of fatigue.
However ! when A1 Decoy took over managing the ground he took mine down and replaced it with a new one of his of the same model.
When I queried who had stolen it he admitted taking it away and said he took it away for H&S reasons, It showed no sign of stress taking my weight and I am not a light weight.
So make of that what you will.
I put one on a bit of ground I use and it did me well for a two years and showed no sign of fatigue.
However ! when A1 Decoy took over managing the ground he took mine down and replaced it with a new one of his of the same model.
When I queried who had stolen it he admitted taking it away and said he took it away for H&S reasons, It showed no sign of stress taking my weight and I am not a light weight.
So make of that what you will.
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