This is part 2 of a DIY project for a mirrored hunting blind...for those of us who don't have $500 dollars to spend on a blind, this one is quite a bit cheaper....and WAAAAAY cooler than traditional hunting blinds.
I just wanted to say thanks for putting these DIY videos up. I have noticed that "ghost blind" lowered their price down to $250. But I am still going to make my own I like to say I did/built that. Some of your viewers just want to complain so to them I say go buy the original. I am going to try the same thing on some coroplast which should cut the cost even more and make it lighter, I'll let you know if it works. Keep up the great videos for us DIY'ers.
@bowhunter4e Iceman - I didn't mean to upset you, I just figured you were misinformed about the price. Actually, I was also wrong myself about the price at Cabela's- it's $239 not $249 with carry strap & tie down kit. As I told you before, we don't have any problems with people making their own blind afterall, this is America. I am sure you will agree everyone needs to know the real cost so they can make an informed decision. Keep up the good work, we love your videos.
GREAT idea bud!!! I made one using ideas from your vid and corrugated plastic for sign making. Got the corrugated plastic from a garage sale, super cheap. Made my blind with lots of extra material left over for around $60! Thanks for the idea!
Lowe's has a hefty price on a sheet of 1/4" plexi glass. OPTIX brand at Lowes is $230.00. self adhesive film is around $3.00 per sq\ft. Adding hardware and paint brings the price to the same as the actual "Casper" blind. Unless you have plexiglass laying around it seems that you're better off getting one already made. Edit: Nice job. Doesn't look "thrown" together.
@tatoo190 its kind of hard to explain...but I'll try. there are 4 panels, panel 1, 2, 3, 4 panels 1 and 4 have a rope staked to the ground behind the blind panels 2 and 3 (center panels) there is a gap between panels 1 &2, 2&3, 3&4 so with the blind up, you stake down panels 1 & 4 behind the blind then slide the ball end of the other ropes in between the 1&2 gap, and then the 3&4 gap pull those ropes tight and stake them in the ground (try drawing it out and numbering the panels)
DUDE! That's awesome. I probably can afford the real deal at 3 bills, but I absolutely LOVE to do it my self. It's kind of an addiction. Plus I can use that extra money I saved to blow on something else. And make more than one too - so my kids can use them when we hunt. I wouldnt want to have to buy 3 of those things, but I can make 3 and enjoy doing it too! Thanks for your time filming and explaining - Keep 'em coming!
I'm one that owns a ghostblind and recently bought the run-and-gun style. But yeah you pull this off pretty good. I still rather pay and rely on craftsmanship from a professional then my own, mainly because if I do a bad job of it that's money I just threw away. We all know hunting isn't cheap and it is what it is. But this is a good video well done sir!. Blue collard for life!
@wadevb1 what I should have done in the video is sit in the weeds alone and then bring the blind in, the truth of the matter is there really wasn't a whole lot of foliage in front, and like I said in the video, I've found that the blind is really effective behind a little bit of brush, like a hall of mirrors effect. I don't pull any punches with my videos, if i'm not happy with something, you guys know it. Im not makin any money off of these things, so why try and lie? Thanks for the input
Yeah, placement will be crucial. I agree with where you put it in the video. But I would think most of us, who camo up and hunt, would know the best practices already. Obviously, you wouldn't put one in front of a tree. Unless you're trying to get that levitating tree affect!
Cool thanks for sharing this project with us. Only one suggestion I think you need to fold the Casper blind so the mirror side is inside wend folded. This way your not sending a signal that you are coming. I believe I will build one for next year. But mine will be a Spooky Blind..
@walinga5 I do these videos for people like me, who can't afford to drop $500 on a hunting blind, people who would rather have the satisfaction of saying "I made that myself"....I'm not saying they have a bad product- as a matter of fact, it's an amazing product full of ingenuity. If I had the money to buy one, i might have...but I didn't- so I made something similar that cost a fraction. People who can buy these- I urge you TO buy them, but for guys like me who like the satisfaction....DIY!!!
4' by 8' corrugated plastic cardboard may be cheaper and making use of mylar space blankets may save money and be lighter for transport. Haven't tried it yet though.
This was a brilliant idea from the guy who originally thought of it but it would be difficult to patent and its so easy to make one yourself, you dont need a tooled up factory with specialist tools. No doubt the original one will be better, the carrying harness etc but hey at $300 for the basic panels then extra for the harness $400+ shipping it will not be cheap. Im going to make one .
Nice dude! very cool video! I saw that you can buy mirrored acrylic and I'm thinking about making my own from that and using your video! thanks for posting this!
@terriergal no its not a problem, like I said in the video that the most effective way to use this blind (what I have found with the homemade one anyway) is to put it behind some sort of brush...I only had the blind about 1 foot inside the weeds, if I was sitting on a bucket instead, you would def. see me. The blind I made folds like an accordian as well, I made the decision to do it the way that I did because I would rather have 3 hinges showing than 6
It seems like a couple layers of silver metallic spray paint would accomplish roughly the same effect with a lot less time and money investment. Thanks for the video! Also, a knot or two would serve the same purpose as the black plastic balls.
This is a pretty kool project, but so far I'm up to $325 bucks in material costs. Right now I can go and get the real deal predator blind, carrying case and have it shipped here for about the same price or at least if the sale doesn't end because they're on sale right. Now this would change if I ordered the extension set(s). Now another thing is that Ghostblind orders their materials in bulk which reduces their manufacturing costs dramatically. But I'd still buy both of them though.
------------------------- Casper the Friendly Deer Blind ------------------------- Wow! Thanks for the bright idea. I always look for cheaper ways to copy expensive hunting equipment! I cannot afford the high end hunting clothing and equipment so thank you very much! Bill
I think corrugated plastic would work better -You wouldn't have to paint it -It would have a serious weight advantage -Cheaper to construct -And significantly quieter
me, i just take camo spraypaints, a roll of camo tape for hinging and 1/4" 4x8' lauan/plywood underlayment and make my blinds. Supper easy and, all for about 30 buicks
Honestly, the price for the commercial product, for what it is, is ridiculous even though it's a great idea. I was thinking of using corrugated plastic cardboard. I don't begrudge anyone for wanting to make a profit, but damn. They'd likely sell a lot more at a lower price.
Just curious, I was told by a person who does car and truck windows that this film won't stick to aacrylic very long. Have you had any problem with it peeling off?
I am going to be making a full size box blind to hold 2 hunters using the Mylar reflective film of a 2mil thickness. As long as the top is angled down it will work like a dream. I am only doing the 2 sides and the very front of the blind. The back will remain painted wood in natural colors (camo). I will make and post a video of it within the next 3 months so be on the lookout for it. Check for my future videos on TexasTrioHunting here on RU-vid. Thanks and happy hunting brothers and sisters.
My only question is why use heavy, expensive plexi? The product, (Gila window film) will work mounted onto light plastic hollow core boards, or even ridgid foam insulating board.
I'm just wondering how much cheaper is this to build .because plexi, window tent and all the other supplies are not cheap and the casper blind is only $198.00 at amazon w/free shipping and wouldnt it be cheaper to use mylar and 1/4/ plywood
I went real cheap with mine and actually made a couple of bucks ..... I found an old rear projection screen TV in the craigslist free section they have very shiny mylar mirrors in the back (some have real mirrors other uses for them ) ... any how I scraped the copper and lead from the TV made 6 bucks and use the mirror in the back it is very light weight and already has a frame around it ... made a nice mirror hunting shield ..
Hey, the problem is you put the blind behind a bunch of weeds in the last shot, we can't see if it works the same way as the uhh original. Does it work or doesn't it? Also, they have it fold like an accordion so that the reflective sides fold together and the outside when you carry it is the camo.
@vendettaxs I tried on a small piece I had left from a roof and yes it does look wavy compared to a flat surface . I not yet got around to making one of these things out of anything at the moment , but the polycarbonate would work I think as long as the animals arn't opticians, a fabric hide isnt perfectly blended to the surroundings either.
@bowhunter4e I know you said that, but I thought you meant a SMALL amount of brush. ...even in the pix where the 'brand name' is completely exposed you can see the top line of the blind. In yours you can't see it. The blind really excels in being stuck out in the middle of nowhere, which is where I want to use it,in meadows or crop fields where deer come out of the woods. I want to be out in the plain grass facing the woods. if I sit on the edge of the brush, they will see me from the back.
The "soulution" that either came with the tint or you bought is not nessecary.All you have to have is soapy water.We used Johnson's baby shampoo and mix with water at the install shop tinting windows.
Finding this 8 years later and looking at building one. do you think masonite would work? Lighter and I wouldn't have to coat the back (except for extra durability/waterproofing
@wadevb1 Yeah at 11.29 where the blind is in the middle of the yellow foliage it seems pointless, and on the grass in front you would just get a solid grass reflection against the yellow.........this seems to be a small restriction for its use but overall a great idea.
Good info. Gonna see if my father-in-law (or bro-in-laws) can make one. If i did it, the panels would be upside down and the film would have bubbles in it (you should see the screen protector my cell phone - lol). It would end up costing me more than buying the original.
love your DIY vids man please keep them coming done the wrist sling and my buddy loved them so I guess I shouldnt of showed them cause now I get to make 6 of them lol def gonna do the blind to NICE
Good stuff bro. Good stuff. Ps folks: The plexiglass allows u too see through the little viewing windows so u don't have a floating head poking around in the middle of a field! :-) silly hunters. And the guy who said "the deer will see me from behind!" Really???? Make two if them! It's called a circle!
@Ghostblindcom It's funny...I'm not sure if you are trying to play off the whole "I have nothing to do with ghostblind" story, but I'll play along "mr.ghostblindcom"...I got the $500 figure that I was talking about from your...oh sorry...ghostblinds websiteThe deluxe package that included the carrying straps, storage bag, etc. etc. etc....you know, the same shit that should be included when you buy something. The $500 figure was (I believe)
hey man great vid and project. Off for the holidays and i have a new project. This will also work for wildlife photography..... and maybe add some slots for camera lens on top and on the bottom of the blind. Thank you man send more videos
You seem like a cool guy and you did an awesome build, but to be honest, the blind was placed behind quite a bit of foilage. I think I could have been concealed as easily with plain cardboard.
I have been looking at other cheaper materials for the main boards and the double layer polycarbonate hollow honeycombe sheets for conservatory roofing is much cheaper and will be lighter . It comes in 700mm wide X 2.4mtr £23, 3mtr £32 4mtr £55 lengths her in uk it could be hinged normally even though it is "hollow" or hinged with strong duck tape. comments on this would be welcome.
@Ghostblindcom are the guys and gals who WOULD NOT spend that kind of money...go advertise somewhere else- that IS what you are trying to do...because my fans and the people who watch my videos are not falling for your plight....and to think, I was actually considering taking my videos OFF the internet....well....thank you mr. ghostblind....you have truly inspired me to do more videos...
I am wanting to know how much you spent to make this blind versus the cost to purchase the blind? Could you please inform us the cost of the build please
Well just wanted to let you know the sheet of coroplast was cheaper and lighter but just got done putting mirror on it and it is not smooth enough for this project. The mirror sticks to it just not very clear thus loosing a good reflection, just FYI
Very cool. If you have trouble peeling large amounts of film at once without messing it up, couldn't you just do small pieces and put it on your mounting board one piece at a time with a little overlap (or without)?
So I just bought the blind that you don't refer to in this video I wished I'd have seen this first . I thought about the same thing but the tint I had wasn't nearly as good as what you used....can I get a brand name that you used?
I think you do GB a disservice.. considering the time it takes to make one, added to the costs you encountered you would end up to about what they charge. the beauty of DIY is you get to save that money for yourself. for me, the ultra cheais to get the mirrored film on ebay (not window film, actual mirror film) and glue it to cardboard from a refrigerator.. total cost about $40... One question, does your work well with so small an angle? Is not GB about 3' top and 2' bottom?
Great Video, I’m going to make one ASAP. For the guys looking to save even more money go on Craigslist for plexiglass. I was looking for plexiglass to make windows for a box blind & the guy sold it cheap. He had 1/8 8’ x 4’ pcs for $5. I’m going to call him in the morning for ¼ 4’ x 8’ and get a few since I know a few friends will want one of these bad boys. Great job on the video!!! P.S. I think the mirrors made it look like 8 inches to your girlfriend. LOL
Looks great. Any chance i can get some more detail about top portion: shooting slot dimensions. Also one quick question. Math says anything closer than 20 feet will see itself in mirror. Has this ever been a problem?
I have been thinking of making something like this but the cost for a DIY "casper" blind is as much as the actual Ghostblind... I think I have found a much cheaper way to make one...100 bucks or less
Also could you do this on some lighter material like plastic posterboard? I know that would be more easily blown around, but the plexiglas itself is kind of spendy isn't it?
Hey guys, glad to hear you like the GhostBlind concept. Not sure where Iceman is getting the $500 figure he is comparing to but you can get a real GhostBlind at Cabela's and many other dealers for $249.
@Ghostblindcom you're telling me is...if some guy wanted to purchase your blind, and lets just say that he has an average job paying out $10 an hour...let's say that he has no kids, no truck payments, no mortgage or rent...no bills at all even, just basic taxes... he would need to save for a week and a half spending absolutely zero money...well mr. ghostblindcom, I think you need to look at the people who are actually watching my videos, these
