During the last few hunting seasons, I saw ads all over the internet for TideWe 360 See Through Hunting Blinds. I was impressed by the videos, but had a hunch the incredible combination of concealment and visibility was too good to be true.
Fortunately, I got the chance to see for myself when one of my hunter partners invested in one. At the risk of spoiling the rest of this review, late last year, I got one of my own. Here’s what you need to know if you are considering a similar purchase:
How it Works
These blinds use see through mesh TideWe’s proprietary perforation technology to provide a 360-degree panoramic view of your surroundings. Simply put: you can see out, but the critters can’t see in.
The package also includes an optional blackout panel that covers one of the sides, should you feel the need for additional concealment.
They offer models tin varying sizes that fit 2-5 people. Our particular models are intended for 2-3 hunters.
The Test
The first small test took place in my yard: my buddy set up the blind and sat inside holding a blaze orange cloth. He closed the windows and doors as I paced around the outside to see if I could catch a glimpse of him. I then went inside to compare the view from that perspective.
Assembly seemed to be just like any other ground blind. I saw where it could have its frustrations but, in my case, that is probably a user-issue. It was pretty straightforward.
Next, I sat in this blind during my spring turkey season in a variety of conditions.
The Perks
The primary benefit of these blinds is right in the name: it gives you a 360-degree of your surroundings from the inside, while hiding you from anything looking from the outside.
Concealment is not an issue with this blind. You are well-hidden, despite being able to sneak a few more peaks than you would out of a standard ground blind.
Another perk is the cost. My particular model is on the low-end of the cost range (between $90-$150) and, at worst, is competitive with blinds of similar sizes from other manufacturers.
The Drawbacks
In lower-light settings, like sunrise, sunset, or cloudy days, you definitely lose some visibility. Yes, you can still see enough to sense motion but you start lacking detail. Things get kind of blocky, It’s almost like you’re looking at graphics from the original Nintendo. Still, it’s more of a view that a standard blind would give you.
The only other significant drawback I found is simply the tradeoff you make for the extended field of vision. On windy days, this blind does shield you the way a typical setup would. While the wind isn’t ripping through, enough of it can navigate the holes to make a noticeable difference. This can be nice when temperatures are warmer, like on a late-season turkey hunt or early-season bow hunt, but it’s a bit of an annoyance on chillier days.
Though, to be fair, I suppose you could use the blackout panel to combat this, if your orientation allows.
The Ruling
At worst, this blind performs just as a traditional ground setup would. At best, it’s a game-changer. When you put that against the price, it’s hard to argue against it.
This blind largely does exactly what it says its going to do. It’s ultimately up to you, if those benefits are something you need in your hunting arsenal.
Nathan Woelfel Outdoors 
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