Tree Austria III

overpaidmuniguy · Nov 3, 2009

Has anyone used the Tree Austria III saddle?
I've been kicking around the idea of a new saddle, but it's not easy to come up with an opinion from pictures in a catalog.
I swapped my old Weaver double-D for a buddy's Petzl Vario, to try something new, but am not too crazy about the single suspension point, and how the side d-rings are pretty well buried when your weight is in the saddle.
Does anybody have a beef with the Tree Austria?

treedimensional · Nov 3, 2009

The other saddle in that class is the Petzl Navaho BOD FAST. Both can be fitted with Fall Arrest!

That is more like comparing apples to apples. The Sequoia is another option.

tomthetreeman · Nov 3, 2009

Does it still have a non-replaceable bridge? That was my problem with earlier models. That and the fact that it's way overpriced now that the USD is so weak against the Euro. I personally like the I and II alot, and would probably own one if not for these issues.

-Tom

Colin · Nov 3, 2009

cut it off and tie one on with scaffold knots?

Tr33Climb3r · Nov 3, 2009

get the treeMOTION but dont buy it from sherrill they are to much...if you order it straight from europe you can save yourself almost 200 bucks

tomthetreeman · Nov 3, 2009

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cut it off and tie one on with scaffold knots?

[/ QUOTE ]

Not really feasible with the I and II IMO... Looks like the III has a replaceable bridge, so that answers my question anyway.

-Tom

treeweaver · Nov 3, 2009

You don't save $200 anymore. The Euro has been doing better against the dollar recently, and now the price is about the same. Doubt we'll get as good as an exchange rate as we did January through April of this year for a long time.

Colin · Nov 4, 2009

wes spur has three for 385. fresco has it for 315. the suspenders for 85.

overpaidmuniguy · Nov 4, 2009

I guess my question was if the Tree Austria is comfortable to work in, my only saddles to judge by have been a Weaver saddle and a petzl, both very different saddles.
When I first used the petzl I was wowed by how light it was, but following a couple recent side jobs I decided it was a little too light for working in. It seemed to deform when suspended too much, especially when in an akward position. The side d rings were pretty hard to clip into when you don't have much weight on your feet.

I mostly wanted to see if there were any big drawbacks to the Tree Austria, beyond the hefty price tag. Right now I'm considering that saddle and the Weaver cougar.
Pretty subjective question I suppose, but thanks just the same...

HÖLLENREICH · Nov 4, 2009

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Looks like the III has a replaceable

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Nope, but what the hey, I hear a bunch of screw balls talk about how they mod out 500 $ saddles atleast the TM III is only 3 bills.

tomthetreeman · Nov 4, 2009

Oh... I haven't seen one, but was guessing fron the pic that those D-rings were shackles. I guess the bridge is sewn directly on? At least with the III you can tie or splice a new bridge to the D-rings, unlike the I and II.

-Tom

HÖLLENREICH · Nov 5, 2009

yes very true Tom

ChristCrucified · Nov 6, 2009

I have a Tree Austria III and think that it is a very good saddle.

1. It's very lightweight
2. It has multiple attatchment points
3. Sufficient back/waist padding
4. Adjusts very easily
5. Very stylish

It's only setback is the thin leg straps; and that's only a problem if you're hanging the saddle for an extended period of time (most likely during crane work).
For the agile/"athletic" climber, it should serve very well.

I hope that helps.

Mntreedawg · Nov 7, 2009

I have been climbing on the Tree Austria III for about a year now and love it... alot of people dont like i because of the bridge... but there are ways around it... spend five minutes in it and you will love it...

Raven · Nov 13, 2009

A few nice design changes, some good stuff lost though, I guess it always takes time to get used to something new.

Raven · Nov 13, 2009

...even though I don't like the new leg buckles(you have to step through each leg loop to put on), and the handsaw snap is missing, I'll have to let those things pass as I've found this to be the most comfortable work positioning harness EVER! Ergonomic, efficient weight distribution, no pinching, lightweight yet no nonsense heavy duty construction.