Re: Ground blinds....
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: OKbow87</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Scott, I don't know about the newer ameristeps, but the two I have had for about four years, I have not been impressed with. I have an intimidator and a brickhouse, both in max1 camo. Until this year I have used both of them about 10 times because they break repeatably.
My biggest problem has been the metal pieces that hold the rods into the hubs. There are two small dog ears that stick out 90 degrees on each metal piece that holds the rods into the hubs. I have had every single one on my intimidator's break and over half on my brickhouse's. I called ameristep this year before season and had them send me enough new ones to replace every single one on both blinds. The replacements they sent me seem to be made out of a much sturdier metal and I have had no problems with them since.
The second problem I have is the fabric ripping where the hubs connect to the blind. The ameristep material is much thinner and not near as durable as the primos/double bull. There is a grommet, like on a vinyl tarp, and the hub connects through its hole. I have had several of these rip out on both blinds. I took both blinds this year and cut a bunch of 1 1/2" by 1 1/2" pieces of nylon webbing from and extra safety harness I had laying arounnd and sewed them over the gromet holes. I then cut a small hole in the center and burned it with a lighter so it would not fray or rip and reinstalled the hubs. This has made them alot more durable and I have not had any problems since my alterations.
I wrote this long post to basically tell you that I think the ameristeps are pieces of junk. The only reason I haven't thrown them away is because I spent several hundred dollars on them when I purchased them, and lots of my personal time fixing them. I have hunted out of several older double bulls and the new primos blinds and think they are far superior. </div></div>
I've been using my Ameristep Intimidator for three years. I've set it up and taken it down dozens of times and have never experienced the issues that you outline. Maybe I should knock on wood. At any rate, I disagree with your statement that they are junk. Mine sure isn't. I've hunted out of a buddies older Double Bull several times and I like the Intimidator better.
To each his own.
Rob Opp
