Layout blind final decision?

[Clamman]

I want to thank all of you who replied to my last thread pertaining to which layout blind(s) would be best to use my Cabela's gift monies on.

Some of the suggestions were way out of my budget, while others where close enough. I have narrowed it down to three, actually two and a half but I will throw in the one just for discussions sake, all of which are in my budget. I based the decision on; 1) overall size for me to be comfortable in, 2) low-profile when the blind was set-up and 3) whether it had a zippered bottom.

What I need to know is if anybody has any experience with the blinds made by Otter Outdoors? Two of the three that I have earmarked are made by them. They are the

1. Otter X-Terminator

2. Otter Destroyer blind (the 1/2 that I am not sure on)


3.Final Approach X-land'r.


Any help or personal experience with any of these blinds would be greatly appreciated. I have the itch to purchase something since the Cabela's money is burning a hole in my pocket



Clam

[BrotherWolf]

I love my Final Approach X-land'r. But then again I like allmost all final approach products.

[Clamman]

Bueller?....

Bueller?....

Bueller?....



Clam

[bp97211]

I read your previous thread. I, too, am looking at a layout blind. I've narrowed to the Eliminator Pro Top Gun, or the X'Lander. I think I'm going with the X'Lander because you can pack it easier (I walk in a lot). The only thing that would keep me from getting one is if I finally pull the trigger on a boat.

[ogrejager]

Originally Posted by bp97211

The only thing that would keep me from getting one is if I finally pull the trigger on a boat.

(thread hijack)

Boat? Eh? What's the plan, Brian?

[ArcheryHunter]

final approach best by far...

[Rogue Hunter]

final approach exlander are low profile,light,and work great

[waterfowlin101]

Eliminator pro-guide....

[Hunt'nFish]

Zippered bottom??? exlpain...why?

Also how important is it that they be camo? If we grass them up with natural stuff, isn't kaki ok?
Hunt'nFish

[quackersnacker]

Originally Posted by BrotherWolf

I love my Final Approach X-land'r.

I've had mine since they first came out and it meets my needs great!

[waterfowlin101]

Zippered bottom is for opening up and hosing out...debris, mud and empty hulls will just wash right out. Not neccessary, but doesn't really hurt anything.

Camo is really not essential, but is good for break up. I would definately buy it over khaki.

If I had my choice as to the pattern it would be a camoflague known as NAT. GEAR. I've seen pro guides in nat. gear and they are sweet. You got to pay the extra shipping because there aren't any locally....that I know of. If you find some let me know!!

Jon

[Hunt'nFish]

Thanks, Jon.
I'm seeing some good deals on kaki blinds and was wondering if they would be a big mistake or not.
Hunt'nFish

[D3smartie]

I would go with the X-lander. Although i justsaw the F.A. S.U.B and really like it. The X-lander was a little too floppy for me.

once you mud up a blind and brush them, it really does not matter what camo pattern or lack thereof is underneath.

[Clamman]

D3,

Could you define a little bit more in what you mean by "floppy". Also what did you like about the S.U.B. over the x-lander?

I will say that I appreciate all the information everyone has given. Since nobody has any information about the Otter products, it makes me a little leery.

Thanks,

Clam

[waterfowlin101]

I hunted out of my buddy's SUB the other day because my blind was already in a field for the afternoon hunt.

I normally hunt out of the proguide. I noticed several distinct differences between the two. The SUB has a larger opening where your head goes....in my opinion, a huge downside. While the SUB has a slightly lower profile, I noticed that this caused me to be a little less comfortable, and by the end of the day my neck actually hurt. I strained myself getting into good position to see and call to birds while still remaining hidden. The last negative thing about the "FLOPPY" type blinds is that the place where your feet go is not rigid like a tent, but more "floppy" like a sleeping bag. This creates unneeded movement that could be more easily seen by approaching birds....(keeping movement minimal is always a key to staying hidden).

As for my comments on camo or not, I still think camo is a plus whether or not you mud/brush up the blinds. If you have a backdrop like Khaki or some other solid color, you standout moreso than if your backdrop for brush and mud is camoflague. At times, we will totally cover the blind with mud, but most often, mud is used in thin layers to dull the camo pattern on the blind.

There have also been times when we use little or no cover...just a few cornstalks with mud here and there....I think the khaki blinds wouldn't fail miserably for this type of cover.

My fiirst vote goes to nat gear...then camo, just remember as with all hunting, you have to be both versatile and flexible, and some form of camoflague alllows for this better.

Jon

[D3smartie]

It seemed like a soft sided bag of sorts. It is just the feeling i took away from hunting out of one. i'll try to think of how to better describe it.

the sub was more substantial. Much more like an eliminator without the higher profile. i think it is a really good compromise between a fully framed blind and something like a power hunter(which i hunted out of all year) that is just a bag with a back rest.

[Clamman]

All right fellow hunters, I am making my decision by Friday. Any last words? So far it looks like the x-lander though the S.U.B. has snuck in. I would buy the pro model if my finances were approved for it . But that is not the case.

Let me know. I trully appreciate the input.


Clam

[huntercgr]

I too have the X-lander in Nat Gear. I love it. With the Nat Gear it is very easy, well, easier, to blend into almost any type of terrain with some help.

[Sauvie's Slayer]

The x-lander is a great blind. low profile and great if you have to pack a small ammount of decoys or other gear. don't know much about the others