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Post by bsutravis on Aug 31, 2006 8:48:42 GMT -5
OK....so, the B-day is fast approaching..... Layout blinds are on my "A" list for the wife to "get" me. I was set on the Avery Finisher....planning on dropping $250+ on one. Now......Bass Pro sends out an e-mail today, (that my wife sees) saying that they now have a payment deal where they spread out your total purchase over 6 months...interest free. GREAT DEAL I am thinking......since my wife cannot understand the need to spend nearly $300 to look like I'm covered in corn stalks. She has offered to go out in the field and cover my big butt up for FREE! LOL. Anyway......here's my dilema. BPS does not carry the Avery line, even though while at their Cincy store last month I KNOW I looked at a box for the Finisher and Migrator. I called the Clarksville store and they said that they only carry Final Approach blinds.....and that what I saw in Cincy was probably left over inventory. With that in mind, my wife will probably divorce me if I go drop $300 at once when I can have it come off the debit card at $50/month for the next 6 months. SO........now on to my real question, does anyone know anything about the Final Approach Eliminator Pro Guide ($300) or the Final Approach Eliminator Top Gun ($330) lay out blinds?  ?? Kyle, Art, Duff.....anyone....help me out here. |
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Post by supr87gt on Aug 31, 2006 8:55:12 GMT -5
I personally use a Finisher. I dont know much about the others except I've heard Foiles mention he hunts out of a Fnal Approach blind and that is all he had in Wisconsin this past weekend was FA stuff.
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Post by duff on Aug 31, 2006 9:44:01 GMT -5
Some of the older FA blinds do not fold up, they just colapse flat, and some in half lengthwise I believe. I would not get one if it doesn't fold into a compact package. If you have to walk into the field with a half sheet of plywood hanging off your back that is just that many fewer dekes you can carry. They do make one that fold, and maybe they all fold now I don't really know.
That was my main concern with the FA line of ground blinds. From what I have been told they are super nice, roomy and comfy. But if I can't haul it easy, or store it in a truck very easy I wouldn't buy one.
But if that is what you have to get I am sure you will be happy with it, except on those super muddy fields 410 will take you in. Then none of the blinds are fun to tote in and out...
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Post by bsutravis on Aug 31, 2006 9:53:31 GMT -5
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Post by duff on Aug 31, 2006 10:00:02 GMT -5
Nope, they are good blinds with a good reputation.
I would check the diminsions of the folded package if they give it, and compare it with the finisher.
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Post by Woody Williams on Aug 31, 2006 10:21:26 GMT -5
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Post by Woody Williams on Aug 31, 2006 10:23:21 GMT -5
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Post by dec on Aug 31, 2006 12:11:31 GMT -5
I own two Final Approach blinds.
I've had an original Eliminator for 5 to 6 years. It is very similar to the Top Gun with out all the extra features. They just did not have all the features back then. Basically it is a very roomy blind and built rock solid. It is a full frame blind, meaning that the frame extends to your toes. The unfortunate thing about this design is that it does not fold up. It collapses flat, and yes, it can feel like carrying a sheet of plywood, but not nearly as heavy. I love the blind even though it is bulky.
Last year I bought a Final Approach S.U.B. I'll be hunting out of it for the first time tomorrow morning. So far, with just playing with it at home, I really like the blind. It is not a full frame blind, it is more of a half frame. The frame stops at the bottom of the doors, so your legs kind of slide down into the end. Many of the Avery models are made like this. The blind is lower profile than the Eliminator and has newer features like flagging holes. The blind frame collapses flat like the Eliminator and then the foot area folds up over. While not "compact", it is much smaller than the Eliminator and lighter weight.
I don't get to hung up on the fold up factor. We truck or ATV w/ trailer all our gear into the fields.
I have no experience with the Finisher line up. But I have friends that have them and have had no problems. I have read reviews over on refuge.com about guys not happy with the hardware quality on them. I've read that due to the many pieces and hinge points that it takes to make the compact when folded up, it can make them more delicate, but again, I have no first hand experience with this. I've also read where Avery's customer service is lacking to say the least, but again, this is second hand.
Final Approach makes an awesome product, as does Avery. Which ever you get, you'll like not laying on the cold wet ground.
Good luck this year!
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Post by bsutravis on Aug 31, 2006 13:54:10 GMT -5
Thanks Dec for the input... I am looking very hard at the SUB.....trying to decide on dropping $200 for the SUB or $300 for the Elminator. Duff really got me thinking about the carrying part of the equation....so I might go with the SUB, save $100....and turn around and drop that "Saved" money into a new set of waders!!!! (Isn't that exactly what each of our wives do to us after "saving" money at a store???)
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Post by 10point on Aug 31, 2006 14:53:18 GMT -5
You might want to check with the new Sportsman Warehouse here in Lafayette that opened up today. I was in there this morning and they have a good assortment of layout blinds. They also have spend 50 and get 10 off coupons. Would cover some of the gas.
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Post by pigeonflier on Aug 31, 2006 15:27:59 GMT -5
I have always hunted out of a goose chair. Less money involved and still acomplish the same goals. If you are hunting in cut hay or grass, to me the layouts stand out too much. Wear some good camo on your legs and you are in buisness. Also you can purchase a retro fit swivel base which always puts the birds in front of you, no matter which way they come in. And they always want to come in from behind, no matter how carefully planned your spread is. My dog is the only one in a layout. Final Approach for her.  |
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Post by dec on Aug 31, 2006 15:46:53 GMT -5
Goose chairs work nice too.
The S.U.B. I bought, I got in kakie. I've got it mudded up and made my own clip on camo bundles using raffia from a guy over at refuge.com. I died 1/3 of it green, 1/3 brown, and left the rest natural color. I mixed the colors in the bundles. With them snapped on, I think it looks better than my Eliminator does in M.O. Shadow Grass and brushed up. So, I'd consider saving a couple extra bucks and get the kakie, IMO.
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Post by bsutravis on Sept 2, 2006 1:42:46 GMT -5
After our goose hunt yesterday morning I ordered the Final Approach SUB..... AND new neoprene waders from BPS...... Come on UPS man!!!!!
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