Grounder 350 vs. Penthouse Blind

[Jeff Roark]

I'm going to buy one or the other of these two blinds this evening and reading good an bad reviews it makes my head spin. So, I figured(as always) this would be the best place to ask. Which is the best all around. I'm about 67 inches tall and the longest bow I will be shooting is my old 66" Pearson Pinto.

I've searched a gob here on this but wanted a show down between these two.

[LBR]

Never used the grounder.  Love the room in the Penthouse--I can hunt with my 66" longbow with another person in the blind with me with a longbow.  Obviously we have to pay attention, and only one shooter at a time, but it gives you an idea of the room.

One thing to consider--they change the design on these things.  I've bought Penthouse blinds...3 different times, I think, and the design changed a little every time.  The last one I got had an awful zipper that crapped out on me quick, but that was a few years ago so I figure that problem has been fixed.  I just hung up some black material as a curtain at the door and forgot about it--works fine.

Chad

[German Dog]

I got the grounder 350.  I've used it about 5 times and the next time it just might end up in the dumpster.

Quality is ok but the design is bad. Well the carry bag tore wide open after only a couple uses. The windows are a bad design. they don't come down low enough and they zip from the top down and center out to the sides so there's now way to just zip open a small portion down low.

As they say "you get what you pay for". I should of listened to my friend and bought a different one.

[jjwaldman]

I have the grounder 350.  It has lots of room.  The windows could be better, but for the price it is pretty nice.  It's biggest flaw is the the bottom of the windows are just a tad too high.

[Jim Rocole]

i have 3 Grounder 350's. For the price ($110 on Sale) i think its the best and largest blind on the market. I do not carry them I usually set them up just prior to the season on my property and then leave them in for the critters to get used too. I have owned more expensive blinds in the past but just as with other blinds I have had problems with zippers,poles, etc. Why spend the money on a $350 blind when I can get three blinds for the same amount. Im 6'1" and use a huntmore 360 chair so the hgt of the windows does not come into play. I also shoot a 64" longbow and have never had a problem with clearance.

[nick straatmann]

I have a grounder 350 and am absolutely pleased with my purchase. yeah it could have two way zippers but other than that its  a great blind. by the way im 6'3" 220 and i have plenty of room even with a friend

[Zradix]

I've had a penthouse for many years.
Never given me any problems.

It's big.
As Chad said, you can have 2 people with long bows in there but you need to be mindful of where your bow is.

My Big windows come down just far enough for me to shoot from my knees.

The little "porthole" windows come down a touch farther and are a little easier to shoot out of...but I feel pretty couped up and lots of blind spots with only those open.

The penthouse isn't light.
I don't know what the other blind's weight is, but you may want to compare that aspect of them.

Takes a couple tries to learn how to take it down if you haven't used steel hoop blinds before.
After you get the hang of it it's easy....kinda a fold and twist motion.

[Jeff Roark]

thanks guys. I'm thinking I'll probably go with the penthouse as it seems to have better reviews from what I can find. Wish I could still got the Yukon Tacks Elite but as with all things good, it seems like they quit making them.

[Jeff Roark]

what do you guys think about this blind?

 http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/smartsilver-full-draw-hub-blind.aspx?a=993828

[PV]

I think it has the best windows of any blind made today I've seen so far. They are lower than the 350 or the penthouse.May be a little narrow at 5'8" wide I hunt with a Yukon Tracks Elite. The same footprint as the 350 with better windows.It's sad they aren't made anymore.

[robtattoo]

Might I draw your attention to one of these.....

 http://www.midwayusa.com/product/171089?cm_vc=S014

Best blind I've ever hunted from. I'm 6' & shoot bows in the 62-66" range. Never had a minute's problem either off my knees or off a stool.
Lots of room & sliding, selectable 360º windows.

[Jeff Roark]

Originally posted by robtattoo:
Might I draw your attention to one of these.....

  http://www.midwayusa.com/product/171089?cm_vc=S014  

Best blind I've ever hunted from. I'm 6' & shoot bows in the 62-66" range. Never had a minute's problem either off my knees or off a stool.
Lots of room & sliding, selectable 360º windows.

You might could have Rob but I think I found what I was looking for last night finally. The 350 nor the penthouse suited me, but I found the "Big Mike" from Barronett for $125 on that one site, and I couldn't pass it by. It has the size and snake eye windows that I was looking for.

 http://www.barronettblinds.com/foundations/store/storepage.asp?page=BigMike*Big_Mike_Barronett_Blinds

Thanks for all the tips, suggestions, and replies.

[PV]

Thanks for the info on the Big Mike Jeff. I have been babying my Yukon Tracks thinking it was irreplaceable.