I purchased the Grouse blind 4 years ago and it has been a game changer for getting close to wildlife, for capturing images and video, without disturbing their behavior. The most magical moments in nature I have experienced have been sitting in my blind before the sun comes up hearing and seeing wildlife waking up and the excitement of what I might capture with my camera.
Great info! Lots of fond memories tucking into blinds before dawn, jittery from excitement and sleep deprivation. Proud to share Tragopan products with my workshop participants - just collected two Monal V2's from the field that look like new after weeks of wind lashing.
Thanks, Jess. It’s pretty amazing how well the Monal does in heavy wind. I’ve continued to be impressed. Hope your workshop participants are enjoying the view!
Great explanation of the Tragopan products. I have a Grouse and a Lagopus in the UK and am very happy with both. As an engineer and a photographer the thing that impresses me is the build quality and the attention to detail. Looking forward to seeing the guys from Tragopan at the UK Bird Fair later this year.
Gerrit, thank you for this great explanation of these blinds. I have been looking at the Hokki for some time and have decided to buy one as soon as I can. I am retired so I have to find the money first. Many years ago I used a blind by LL Rue that was great but it faded and the material wore out so I tried hunting blinds and even building my own. Nothing worked. These are really well-designed for photography. I only wish the camo pattern was different. It is too dark and will blob up at a distance. I would likely throw a cover of some other pattern if needed.
Yes, it’s hard to create a pattern that works in all situations but Tragopan offers some cover materials for different habitats. Generally the color pattern doesn’t matter to the animals at all. It’s more to hide things better from people!
Excellent video. I purchased the V6 and Hokki from you. Totally agree that there use opens up new and unique opportunities. Can I request that you do a video on the floating hide? Considering this one
Thanks for the great review of all of these blinds. I am curious to hear if you think the movement of the lens is noticed by the birds. I've spent hundreds of hours shooting mostly video from large hunting blinds on the edge of our backyard cypress swamp. They are large enough that I can move back in the blind and the lens doesn't extend out the window opening. I wear all black, and have made a camo drape for my lens to hide the movement of my focusing hand. I like the large window opening so I can pan back and forth w/o having to cross any fabric or poles. The lens tunnel for the Tragopan looks like an interesting solution to allow you to keep hidden, but it's always seemed to me that even if you're out in the open, if you don't move, birds tend not to notice you. Do you find that birds are spooked by the movement? We have a lot of Wood Ducks here. I can't imagine them not flying if they were within 50' of the blind and the extended lens moved... Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
As I’m sure you have experienced, different species have different levels of perception and vigilance. Birds like golden eagles and other raptors are hyper aware of every little movement. Others not at all! Generally, I find with most species that if I make slow gentle movements everything is fine. If I am working on a species that is difficult I’ll often put a 3D cover on my lens too so that there is always some movement where the lens is (the blowing 3D Camo). I find if there is consistent movement it desensitizes some species. In extreme cases where I have to set up a blind way in advance I will often hang a coffee can painted black in my window opening and let it dangle and blow over several days, again to desensitize.
@@GerritVyn Great insights and ideas - thanks very much for sharing. I have never seen a 3D lens cover - I'll look into them. I love the black coffee can idea.
I purchased the Grouse blind 4 years ago and it has been a game changer for getting close to wildlife, for capturing images and video, without disturbing their behavior. The most magical moments in nature I have experienced have been sitting in my blind before the sun comes up hearing and seeing wildlife waking up and the excitement of what I might capture with my camera.
This is so wonderful to hear! Thanks for sharing!
Good review thankyou and a really great speech at the end.
Thank you!!
Great info! Lots of fond memories tucking into blinds before dawn, jittery from excitement and sleep deprivation. Proud to share Tragopan products with my workshop participants - just collected two Monal V2's from the field that look like new after weeks of wind lashing.
Thanks, Jess. It’s pretty amazing how well the Monal does in heavy wind. I’ve continued to be impressed. Hope your workshop participants are enjoying the view!
Gerrit probably the best presentation of the blinds I have seen!! I have watch quite a few. I have the V6 and Grouse use both really! Thanks!!
Wow, thanks!
Merci 🙏 très intéressant mon ami ! 🎥🎬
Great explanation of the Tragopan products. I have a Grouse and a Lagopus in the UK and am very happy with both. As an engineer and a photographer the thing that impresses me is the build quality and the attention to detail. Looking forward to seeing the guys from Tragopan at the UK Bird Fair later this year.
Thanks and be sure to say hello to Jonathan and team at the UK Birdfair!
You've done a top-notch job in showing these blinds! Other You-tubers, take note.
Thank you!
Gerrit, thank you for this great explanation of these blinds. I have been looking at the Hokki for some time and have decided to buy one as soon as I can. I am retired so I have to find the money first. Many years ago I used a blind by LL Rue that was great but it faded and the material wore out so I tried hunting blinds and even building my own. Nothing worked. These are really well-designed for photography. I only wish the camo pattern was different. It is too dark and will blob up at a distance. I would likely throw a cover of some other pattern if needed.
Yes, it’s hard to create a pattern that works in all situations but Tragopan offers some cover materials for different habitats. Generally the color pattern doesn’t matter to the animals at all. It’s more to hide things better from people!
@@GerritVyn Studies have shown certain patterns like ASAT or Marine Digital camo is most effective in a variety of habitats.
This is really helpful and I'm glad you went through the accessories
Glad it was helpful!
Great Information !! thank you for sharing.. im surely gonna buy V6 on my birthday :)
Good choice!
Excellent video. I purchased the V6 and Hokki from you. Totally agree that there use opens up new and unique opportunities. Can I request that you do a video on the floating hide? Considering this one
Thanks, Richard! Yes, I’ll be getting the floating blind out soon as well!
Hi Gerrit, the chair blind, what is the maximum load capacity for the chair? Thanks.
Very safe at 220. Not sure beyond that.
Thanks for the great review of all of these blinds. I am curious to hear if you think the movement of the lens is noticed by the birds. I've spent hundreds of hours shooting mostly video from large hunting blinds on the edge of our backyard cypress swamp. They are large enough that I can move back in the blind and the lens doesn't extend out the window opening. I wear all black, and have made a camo drape for my lens to hide the movement of my focusing hand. I like the large window opening so I can pan back and forth w/o having to cross any fabric or poles. The lens tunnel for the Tragopan looks like an interesting solution to allow you to keep hidden, but it's always seemed to me that even if you're out in the open, if you don't move, birds tend not to notice you. Do you find that birds are spooked by the movement? We have a lot of Wood Ducks here. I can't imagine them not flying if they were within 50' of the blind and the extended lens moved... Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
As I’m sure you have experienced, different species have different levels of perception and vigilance. Birds like golden eagles and other raptors are hyper aware of every little movement. Others not at all! Generally, I find with most species that if I make slow gentle movements everything is fine. If I am working on a species that is difficult I’ll often put a 3D cover on my lens too so that there is always some movement where the lens is (the blowing 3D Camo). I find if there is consistent movement it desensitizes some species. In extreme cases where I have to set up a blind way in advance I will often hang a coffee can painted black in my window opening and let it dangle and blow over several days, again to desensitize.
@@GerritVyn Great insights and ideas - thanks very much for sharing. I have never seen a 3D lens cover - I'll look into them. I love the black coffee can idea.