Dear Blind Manufacturers
Contributors to this thread:Turkey
From: Bowfreak
23-Apr-18
I'm asking for a really simple concept. Great material like that comes on Double Bull blinds, hub design and a narrow vertical window on either side of the strap (using a Matrix 360 for comparison). Make the window openings adjustable up and down and you have a perfect blind. I would even prefer just 2 windows in the whole blind with maybe a peep hole to either side but I won't be too picky.
Honestly....please make something that doesn't let so much light in without having to rig up panels to block off light.
From: PECO
23-Apr-18
I agree. Narrow, low windows are needed. Blinds seem to be really geared towards rifle hunters.
From: Ziek
23-Apr-18
I was just thinking the same thing during our turkey hunt. We "make" windows out of the front of the Double Bull. The windows on the other side are too high for my wife to shoot out of comfortably. Even in my T2, the windows should be about 4 inches lower.
From: midwest
23-Apr-18
Just bring back the T5 and I'll be happy! So simple!
From: HUNT MAN
23-Apr-18
What nick said.
From: elkstabber
23-Apr-18
Don't forget to make it useful for recurve or longbow shooters also.
From: pointingdogs
23-Apr-18
Bring back the T2......................... light, easy to pack, easy to set-up, very simple. (and NO the "shack attack" is NOT even close to the old T2.
From: Butternut40
23-Apr-18
I bought my T5 the same year the Matrix came out. I wouldn't trade it for any blind out there.
From: Bowfreak
23-Apr-18
I like the shape and size of the Matrix. Don't like the big diamond windows.
From: sitO
23-Apr-18
sitO's Link
Have you tried the "Bowed Up" blind? All material fashioned with Grandma's decorative shears.
Turkey Huntin's best kept secret by gawd
HDYLMK
From: milnrick
23-Apr-18
SitO Am I the only one who "caught" the "Granny's shears" and HDYLMK reference?
That was TOO FUNNY.
From: AZBUGLER
23-Apr-18
SitO, I’ll never get that 4:19 back........ Dad gum!
From: Bowfreak
23-Apr-18
Believe it or not....I have hunted out of a few of TBMs blinds. I know 3 guys that owned them.
From: t-roy
23-Apr-18
“Tracking spiders optional “
From: StickFlicker
23-Apr-18
Is that really, THE TBM?! He's a "REAL" person?
From: sitO
23-Apr-18
They also custom design Facemasks...get you one!
From: Dino
23-Apr-18
Great thread. Spent a lot of time in the 360's... realised many of the things the OP said. Then I found the Xenek blind. Problems solved. Love this new blind!!!! Like the 360, but on steroids, so much adjustability!!!!
From: Bowfreak
24-Apr-18
Dino,
Can you actually make the windows small and get the blind really dark inside on the Xenek? I really like that concept but assumed you would be with the same big opening on the Xenek.
From: DEC
25-Apr-18
I own three Xenek blinds. They are hit and miss in my opinion. You can do some more creative things with the main window simply due to the flexibility of the design, but not without help. Using some paracord and binder clips I can get the main window down to a real thin gap, better than a DB DarkHorse style. The rear windows though are giant zipper openings, not the old DB port type of windows. Also, the Xenek has a ton of exterior shine to it. Many guys are reporting the same feelings and noticing birds not wanting to be around it. I took some cans of ultra flat spray paint and painted all of mine. Really helps. Also the Xenek's do not go up and down as silently as the DB blinds did. They tend to bind because they are so much taller than they are wide. They are very hard to set up quietly in the dark. I have also broken 3 rods in one year between 3 blinds, broke one hub, and ran a rod through the re-enforced corner in one case.
Sounds like I am bashing them. I really like them once they are setup and painted though. You can get pretty creative with that front window. But they are not everything that guys are making them out to be either. I still use them, but I keep going back to my many DB Dark Horse blinds for most hunts.
From: trackman
25-Apr-18
The narrow long window is lone over do for bow hunters it would be a great seller i think
From: Bowfreak
25-Apr-18
Thanks for the info DEC. Now...one of these days you can sell me one of those Dark Horse blinds you have ratholled! :)
From: pointingdogs
25-Apr-18
TBM lives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From: DEC
25-Apr-18
No way I am selling any of my Dark Horse blinds ... LOL. I have a lifetime supply of them still sealed in their boxes. My wife can sell them when I am gone.
From: mountainman
25-Apr-18
Didn't a blind come out a few years ago with narrower opening that was more vertical? it dropped down below the midpoint of the blind. I don't remember who made it, just remember seeing pictures.
From: Starfire
25-Apr-18
I have to disagree with just two windows. To me part of the success of completely enclosed blinds is 360 degree shooting. Maybe the turkeys you hunt are more predictable but I have a lot that like to circle. Nothing more frustrating than having a bird behind you at 12 yds and cant make a shot.
From: Starfire
25-Apr-18
I do think having a vertically adjustable opening would be good. I like to set up on high spots, so a lot of times I am shooting downhill. I like to block the top half of the window. It lets in too much light and I don't need it if I am shooting downhill. I saw a vertically adjustable window one a Redneck's soft sided blind.
From: rooster
25-Apr-18
X2 on vertical windows being overdue! A lot of the "hard sided" permanent blinds have them for good reason.
From: Bowfreak
25-Apr-18
I have shot a bunch of gobblers and all but 2 was standing right at my decoy. I can understand if people want other windows but I have no need for them. I don't care if a blind has 20 windows if you could actually seal off the light from them.
From: HUNT MAN
25-Apr-18
All of this could be fixed if someone would just make a T5 style blind . I think windows on each side is a must. I have dropped windows many times . Not just for turkeys but antelope , deer and bears. I love ground blind hunting . Have tried most blinds and still nothing compares to the original T5. I will be sad when mine is done.
From: Dino
26-Apr-18
Bowfreak, the Xenek is considerably darker than the 360's I've used. There is a lot of adjustability. The blind takes some practise setting up and taking down, but seems super durable. Someone commented on rods breaking, mine are good so far...on my 360's I've replaced a ton of rods, specifically before they started putting metal ends and sleeves on the rod tips that feed into the hubs.
From: Teeton
26-Apr-18
I have 3 blinds and the T-5 is by far my favorite.. I can easily close up a back windows if a bird is coming in from the front and have many of times. I agree that the windows (my T-5 is one of the first) should of been lower. I hit the bottom of the window 2 or 3 times over the years. The reason I have not bought an new blinds is I hate the new ones I have now, not even close to my old T-5 in concealment... Bring back the T-5 with lower windows and I'll buy 2 of them..
From: Beav
26-Apr-18
Another vote for T5. Make them the same with new blacked out inside and you have the perfect blind. I can’t believe someone hasn’t.
From: Bowfreak
26-Apr-18
How about a T5 with just longer windows? Maybe they don't need to be lower if they just extended the window farther down? Is it the same physical size as the Matrix? If so....I agree it would be perfect.
From: goyt
26-Apr-18
I have one of TBM's blinds. Shot a lot of birds out of it. He was an amazing guy to deal with. I did not know him or he me. I wanted the blind in a hurry. He made me a blind in a day or so, sent it to me and said if I liked it to send him a check which I did. I was worried that he would wait for my check to clear to send a blind but he did not request a check until after I was satisfied. Still blows me away.
From: kadbow
26-Apr-18
I am pretty happy with wide windows. What I would really like is a built in hammock so I don’t have to nap on the ground with the ticks. (Typed from my blind)
From: thehairlessone
27-Apr-18
What not to like about shack attack? I loved the t2 and matrix. Wish someone would come out with something like the old double bulls in deception with same old material and hubs.
Rick
From: Rock
29-Apr-18
Blind with vertical Windows
Blind with vertical Windows
Are you looking for windows like this? These windows open from the top down or bottom up.
From: Shawn
29-Apr-18
200 turkeys with a season limit of 5 it took the guy from Alabama 40 years to kill all those birds and the blind has only been around 10 years!! LMAO. Shawn
From: t-roy
29-Apr-18
You have to take into consideration that those are ‘Bama birds, Shawn. Using TBM’s scoring system, that equates to about 1,106 birds.
From: DEC
01-May-18
I have a Shack Attack and honestly it is a pretty nice blind. I also still have an old T2. I don't hunt out of either very often, but I actually really like the Shack Attack. You can make the front window into a perfect opening. The only thing that I find a bit annoying is how heavy it is given that it only has two hubs and rod sets. It is probably 10 pounds heavier than the old T2. But in general it is a pretty nice one person blind.
From: shortbeard
10-May-18
The "unmentionable ones' " blind is fast, light, quiet and very effective. It allowed me to set up under this bird @ 65 yards in the dark. FYI - (?????) just killed #11 this year (5 w/recurve) putting him @ 250 bowkilled gobblers. Just sayin..........
From: Knife2sharp
10-May-18
For those of you who like 5 hub blinds, the ASAT Reaper blind is really nice. I have one and like it more than the standard T5. Every window has mesh and a flap, so you can even remove the mesh if you'd like. I did however, add black duck cloth to front of each window flap, that way, when I lower a flap, it goes from black to black. They're also made out of the same cotton/poly blend that DB used to use, and not the loud all poly fabric alot of blinds are made out of now. BTW, I also own a T2 and dark horse, and have hunted out of Matrix and the old DB BS5. I like the ASAT one the best, as far as window configuration goes.
From: midwest
11-May-18
Shortbeard....hilarious sweatshirt but it's HDYLMK!
From: David A.
11-May-18
Caberla had some slider type front windows on one of their blinds, just worked great. Rest of the blind was not that great. I'd like to see Primos eliminat a lot of the side and back windows esp. those held up by toggles which tend to stretch. Their door system is still not that good, either. And why go cheap on the straps out side for brushing the blind in? Like to see lots more on top and sides. C'mon this is pretty cheap to do.
From: 7 Points
11-May-18
How about magnetic strips on the windows instead of that terrible, noisy Velcro? I found a blind years ago that had magnets but, I haven't seen it around for a few years.
From: Bowfreak
11-May-18
Yes....that shirt is priceless!
From: Grubby
12-May-18
I too hate Velcro, but what about zippers? I like the toggles personally and wish the doors had them too.
From: DeerSpotter
12-May-18
Have are any of you ever considered the Hidden Hunter, made in Michigan. ? DS
From: Tracker
18-May-18
I have two original DB Matrix one has the light weight poles. My favorite by far. I want to give the T2 I have some love but just can’t get used to the big front. I am going to modify it this summer with the window I can open. My dark horse is great as long as you don’t need to haul it far.
From: Two Feathers
20-May-18
DS - yes I have a Hidden Hunter and like the vertical windows. Also able to shoot my longbow out of it. I also like that it's not a hub style. All my hub styles incurred broken rods and that became a pain.
From: weekender21
28-May-18
I have a 12 year old Double Bull Matrix, wish I had bought a few more. I have yet to find a blind as easy to set up and as dull (most newer blinds are shiny).
From: trackman
28-May-18
narrow long window for bow hunters.
