Will be in the market to buy a blind soon. Want one that is fiberglass and a platform w/ steps (not a ladder design). Wanting to know the pros and cons of each.

Which blind would you recommend if you don't like either of these?

There will be 2 of us in most of the time so a 4x6 or larger will be needed.

Know of any stores/ suppliers w/ good deals around SA or Houston?

Also, look into Texas T Box....I love mine and cost less then the Superior and Boss Blind and better then Dillon.

The fiberglass blinds are nice but they do require maintenance. Everyone on our lease has had to have fiberglass repair and new paint. I bought an Atascosa blind and love it.

if you are going to spend that kind of coin, i agree with jim 1961 on the atascosa blinds. they are low maintenance and near indestructible. the 5x7 or 5x9 would be good for what you are describing. the extra foot of depth makes a big difference once you are in there.

if you can wait til after the season is over, you can find some deals on them.

the fiberglass are nice too and will do you well. have hunted in several. they get pretty darn hot in the warmer months though...
so if you hunt more than the winter, that is a consideration.

I have Atascosa and Fiberglass. Atascosa are great but I have had a few issues (1) had paint pealing off it in less then 1 year. Another has a few bees in it and we aren't sure how they are getting in. They are very quiet and very very heavy so if you plan on moving the blind..not an easy job. Even the small one on a 4' stand is heavy.

Fiberglass....i little loud if you don't put carpe on the walls and floor but overall pretty good. I have had mine 3 years and haven't had to paint it but I am sure I will some day. If I want to move it, me and a friend can move it prety easy. As for hot, in my opinion both are very hot blinds. In the summer you will fry in both. Fiberglass maybe a little warmer because the insulation is also thinner on the walls.

We like both for different reasons. POrtability go with fiberglass. For a permanent blind you will leave in place for a long time....atascosas are great but they may need to be repainted sometime in the future. I already have one.

Thanks for the info guys! MIne isn't gonna be in a permanent place so the lightweight of the blinds matters to me. May have to install and move on my own or w/ my wife someday.

You mean the Texas Trophy Hunter blind? If so, have hunted out of them and don't see them being bee proof. Been stung too many times this year not to have a bee proof blind for my own.

go to www.tboxblinds.com. I think I paid $1,350 for a 4' x 6' fiberglass blind that is insulated with an RV trailer entrance door, carpeted shelf 6' long, sideways sliding windows that are tinted and a 5'-0" tall tube steel stand. Has a bar for a ladder so steps are not necessary but it sure makes it easier to get in and out. I made some wooden stairs for one that cost me about $30 more. And I bought a 5' warehouse ladder and rail and attached it to my other blind. Good luck. I think you will like it. Bought my brother one and he wishes we never made hardi-plank and plywood blinds. If you want just the blind I think they cost $900.

Curious what you think if you check them out. I got lucky and found them being sold on the side of the road before they use to have a website. I was a little concerned about buying it but the price was so good I said what the heck. Turns out a company near waco that builds cultured marble tops was making them on the side and now they are being sold all over the place.

I shop around like crazy and looked at Dillon, Supperior. The entry level Dillons were nice I just didn't like the flip up windows. I like to be able to slide a window open a little to get fresh air, stick my rifle out the window, etc. Upper end Dillons and Superior had all the items I mentioned for the T-box with some extras (Covers over windows, and maybe another shelf I think) but the price was a lot higher where I was compelled to go with the Atascosa Steel Blinds. The T-box was a happy medium. Oh, and the T-box has the entire floor encapsulated with fiberglass which I didn't mention before. There are cheaper fiberglass blinds that don't have that.

HLo, I checked into those blinds and they appear to be of good quality. Have seen the plywood floors on some blinds warped and rotted. So, the floor has to be sealed properly for me to buy one w/ plywood.

Any know of the prices of these blinds now and the tallest platform they offer?

When I spoke to them they would make just about any size up to I think 12'. They will also add ladders, balcony, etc...but that gets expensive. You start adding all that you might want to look at the Atastcosa blinds.

Hi,
I'm surprised nobody mentioned the realbark stands.
To me they stand out in the top 3 for sure.
check them out at:

www.realbark.com

the 5' dia. stand only weighs 119 lbs.
They are UV protected.
They come groundblind, 5' tower or 10' tower.
You can get a 4', 5' or 6'dia.
You can have ladder or stairway entry
They have 6'-6" interior ht.
windows w/Padded gun rests
3/4" Wolmanized floor.
Yes, I did say wolmanized.
A lockable 5' tall door on hinges
I don't work for them, I just have just been studying them.
since the end of the season.
I have not found anything that compares to them.
They are made right over in Henderson
They are strong and thick, kind of like those igloo looking dog houses that last forever.
Check out that swivel seat system while your looking
I plan on hunting in one next season if possible.

Has anybody ever used Potbelly blinds? Was thinking about getting one.

I just got one of the three person blinds from banks outdoors, the stump blind. You can buy them at the sportsman's guide:

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/banks-outdoors-stump-style-tower-deer-stands.aspx?a=552618

They are awesome, I put mine up 20 feet. The best part is it's manageable with a few people to move and put up and can put up with 4 x 4s.

Texas Proud-
My husband and I build and sell blinds using closed cell foam insulation. Please take a look at them at www.hunterscomfortusa.com Be sure and visit the gallery page to see them on stands. Let me know if you have any questions.

Sent ya an e-mail w/ a bunch of questions. Thanks.

I have looked into them. I have decided if I'm gonna spend that kind of $$ I'd rather do it one time for a blind w/ more material than plastic. The Blynd blinds were OK a few years ago, but have delt w/ wasps and mud dobbers to a degree that I'll never forget. Been stung too many times this past season and went thru multiple cans of wasp spray also!!

So far the T-Box Blind is a good price, but a buddy is gonna check them out personally this weekend to see if it is the one we want.

I really want a 12' tower w/ steps and a small porch w/ a 4x6 blind.

Any one else got a blind you really like that I maybe interested in buying? In a process of elimination right now.

These are more than most 4'x6' fiberglass blinds!! For $1449.97 you can buy a T-Box blind and still have money left!

I prefer a steel tower for the safety of my son. A staircase w/ a small porch and railing on one side is what I'm looking for. I won't have to be right under him hoping he doesn't slip and me try to catch him. Wouldn't be a good day for either of us!

Any idea what the price of the larger one is? Still reminds me of "The Blynd".

Take a look at www.snaplockhuntingblinds.com They retail for $595.00 weigh less than 90 lbs for the 4x6 model and can be assembled in less than 30 minutes. You can also disassemble and move them. They are double wall constructed and will last a lifetime.