Here it is! -- New Master IV w/ Floating D

charlieb

charlieb

Location
New Orleans, LA
OK guys and gals, here it is:
For the first time ever, the Buckingham New Master IV saddle with 'Floating D' Bridge and with three rear tool/pouch slots is attached in the photos.
The bridge is made of Spectra sewn in triple layer across the two lower tie-in loops. It meets safety standards and is similar to the way they formed it on the new Glide saddle. Of course you can still use the three upper tie-in's separately if you choose.
The three rear tool/pouch slots are located one to each side of the rear center and one at the center. On the right side in the photo of the rear, I put in a tool pouch to show to show how it's attached and rides high and tight to the belt. I put a little tag marked "pocket slot" pointing to the center and left side slot positions where you can put in the other pouches, if desired, or whatever else you'd like to use these slots for.
Also you can have the two existing accessory loops(the ones w/ plastic wrapped on them) moved forward so they're not underneath your pouch slots.
This saddle is lighter than the previous versions and is comfortable in the hang.
Personally I also like the fact that the colors, green and black, are also Stealthy!--haha.
Anyway, just thought you all would enjoy the changes that can be had for us arbos and all we have to do now is ask.

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I cant say Ive tried it but, look where the bridge attaches.
On the upper part of the harness, to me it would be like hanging from your belt loops. It cant be comfortable in the hang, but you are right to each his own.

The most comfortable saddle is, by far the BF 1 !!

I also believe the buckingham saddles are WAY overpriced.
but thats just my opinion, and you know what they say about opinions dont you?
 
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look where the bridge attaches

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I was thinking the (at least almost?) same thing. It doesn't appear much has been gained over merely omitting the upper-central loop (where your 'biner is in the photos) and placing the rollered-'biner around the "main bridge". In fact, it makes me wonder how much actual freedom of movement you're getting with that rope. I mean, if/when you're hanging by it, since its attachment points are so far away from your hips and are relatively narrow, can you achieve much usable hip rotation? Doesn't it tend to want to center you on that section of rope anyway?

There's no denying it's a handsome piece of gear, though!

Glen
 
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what do you think IS the most comfortable?

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I've never had one, but my next saddle's gonna be a Ness.
 
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...my next saddle's gonna be a Ness.

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Pardon my ignorance, but what is a "Ness" saddle? Is there another name? My search came up empty.
 
I too have a Ness. However, eventhough light and somewhat comfortable, you're stuck with one fixed D tie-in so that first off, your lines jam together and secondly, you have no ability to rotate without the saddle rotating with you, which many people especially on other sites have complained about when rotating in the canopy.
On this saddle, first let me say that the main cross band with the 3 tie-ins rides very low on the hips now, so that even the floating D bridge does not rise up too high and is therefore more responsive to the hip motion and is therefore more comfortable and maintains your center of gravity very well. You do have a good range of hip motion because it is riding low and is fairly further back on the hips than it may appear in the photo. I've tried the Butterfly and the bridge is about the same both in length and position therefore you don't get anymore motion on the BF than on this one, in my humble opinion(IMHO). The BF bridge was only 10" and this one is 12" and rides just as low and just as far back on the hips.
Also, you still have the other 3 tie-in points to give you the versatility to tie-in many other ways, for example, ascend with your rope tied-in to the two outer loops, keeping your ropes separated, and then when in canopy switching to a working system tied-in to the bridge. Can you do this on a BF or a NESS? This one therefore has a total of Nine tie-in points, does BF or NESS?
This saddle has a lot more padding than the older ones and is lighter so it is very comfortable, IMHO.
Anyway, it provides great versatility, is easy to use your tools with since you can move your lines out the way to many other tie-ins depending on your situation in the tree, has three rear pocket slots that can keep a lot of gear out of the way and organized, holds your chainsaw very well, allows you to rotate without the saddle rotating with you when using the floating bridge and is much more comfortable than in the past.
The point is even if remotely interested, try one for a few days, but don't overlook this one!(IMHO)
 
Forgot to mention the reason it rides much lower is because they (mfr.) shortened the length of web between the leg loops and the main belt. This makes it more like a rock climbing harness for better ctr. of gravity and better hang time and makes the leg loops more independent so they're more comfortable.
A few other features I forgot also:
You can connect a full body harness to this saddle thru the two slots in the rear, which is why they were originally put there.
You can connect a first aid kit to the center rear slot.
It now has a belay loop at center rear for aerial rescue. This actually gives it ten connection points, not nine as I miscounted before, sorry.
It has an accessory carabiner sewn in on the left and a snap hook on the right.
It has two chain saw loops, one left side and one right.
 
Charlie,

In your original post, you mentioned the colors were green and black, but on my monitor the colors appear to be blue and turquoise. Is it just the pictures, or are the colors as they appear?

Thanks.
 
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It now has a belay loop at center rear for aerial rescue. This actually gives it ten connection points, ...

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My master 2 also has ten connection points (one of which is the connector in the back), plus the bridge that I put on, which makes 11.

From the few I've talked to in my travels, it seems the Master saddles are great for those they they fit well, and they absolutely suck for everybody else. Ever since I got rid of the bulky plastic d-ring in the nut-crunchage region, I've never been smashed!

love
nick
 
Don't confuse the II with the IV, because the leg loops are more independent now and this nut-cruchin area is completely clear now and your legs have much more freedom.
They did remove the two lowest tie-ins that used to be on the leg loop straps(the vertical ones) on the Master II, for some reason, maybe because the loops were cross stitched to the webbing? But they did add another accessory loop on the ctr. rear and the new bridge kind of makes up for those loops, in my opinion.
 
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