Torn TreeMagic Saddle

[frans]

Been using this saddle for awhile now.
All in all I really like it. The small delta rings for my flip line I really like and the multi-adjustments work real good for me. Fit is important.
Two things I have noticed. One is a complaint of the gear loops pulling out. I have not experianced this but I could see it happening because the loops are actually a light plastic. I heard they (manufacturer) has corrected this problem.
What happened to me and this gives me serious doubts about this saddle is the main waist strap tore away from the back pad. On closer inspection I see that this main support strap is connected to the back pad by sewing on to the outer layer of the back pad. Not entirely through the back pad. The material that the main support strap is sewn onto is made of this light non-woven material sorta like foam. No sturctural integrity whatsoever.
I dont believe any loss of safety occured but I do question the overall quality of the TreeMagic. Maybe a little too light weight? It would not be a big leap in weight to sew the main waist strap through the entire back pad.
I looked at my other saddles and they all are sewn entirely through the back pad.
This saddle has features I really like, but now that I have seen the light weight construction, with perhaps compromised or overlooked construction methods, I dont know if this saddle is worth it or not. A climbing saddle really should not tear in this fashion.
The funny thing is, the saddle tore from the weight of my flip line hanging off of the right D ring!
So far their are now Two (2) valid complaints from users on the TreeMagic. 3 strikes and your out! I really hope the manufactures come up with some solutions or a different manufacturer uses the same type of hardware as on the TreeMagic 'cause I really like the hardware on it.
I have returned the saddle to my supplier for inspection, but this saddle is from overseas so actually getting any change made is unknown.
Hope the picture shows o.k.
Frans

 

[Rupe]

Frans, has your saddle not got the metal gear attachment points aswell as the plastic? I can't see them in that photo. Chainsaws should go onto the metal rings, but then, in my experience anyway, the break away if you drop the saw a bit heavier than necessary. Three broke away but didn't ripp through the back padding, I had them resewn and so far ok. I've said before on here though that I'm still not convinced about the tree magic. Great in many respects but not quite right for the job. Rec climbing, it would be great.

 

[frans]

[ QUOTE ]
Frans, has your saddle not got the metal gear attachment points as well as the plastic? I can't see them in that photo. Chainsaws should go onto the metal rings, but then, in my experience anyway, they break away if you drop the saw a bit heavier than necessary.

[/ QUOTE ]
Yes mine (or the one I had before I shipped it back) has the metal rings as well. And no I dont hang the saw from the plastic gear loops. I attach my saw lanyard from the metal rings but I hang my saw from a plastic 'biner type thing with a flat back that is inserted into the waist strap. I forget who makes this most recent one I am using but the older one was made by Black Diamond
Frans

 

[frans]

Does anyone know if the testing requirements are the same here as in other countries? I know from Sophi & Viola at New Tribe that the ANSI test involved simply dropping a weight attached to the saddle from a specific height...
Frans