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Cube Blind Hide

Cube Blind Hide

The ‘Cube Blind’ comes from Ameristep, the same company that makes the Dome Blind, and the main difference between the two – as the name suggests – is the shape. As expected the ‘Cube’ uses all the same materials as the ‘Dome’ for construction yet it’s the obvious difference in shape, shooting window configuration and the way the blind ‘pops-up’ into shape that make it so unique.

Materials and Build

The Cube is manufactured from a material called Durashell which is treated with Shadow Guard. As I’ve mentioned in a past review, Durashell is hard wearing, completely waterproof and virtually rip proof. Shadow Guard is the ‘black’ lining that totally eliminates internal shadows and silhouettes.

The hide is available in the latest Realtree AP HD pattern but instead of using edge relief (small ‘cut leaf’ shapes of material at the edges of the hide to help break up the outline of the framework) there are loops along the top outer edges of all the side walls should you want to dress the hide up with extra foliage. More on ‘straight lines’ later…

Due to size and shape rather than packing down for transportation into a round carryall the ‘Cube’ is stored in a zip fastened oblong Nylon carry bag measuring 44” X 10” X 6” with two relatively wide adjustable webbing shoulder straps for ease of transportation.

Weighing 18lbs, once removed from the bag the hide is placed on the ground and carefully opened out into its full base size of 58” X 58” – you’ll easily see the bottom of the blind due to the canvas loop pegging points. Then with the roof ‘eyelet’ (more on these later) facing upwards you lift the hide up and due to what is known as a ‘HST’ (Hub Style Technology) the Cube extends upwards to its full ‘pinnacle’ height of 66”. Here I need to explain how ‘HST’ works.

The hub is a 2” diameter 1” thick metal disc that holds four metal arms. The hide has 5 hubs inside – one positioned in the centre of all four side walls and one in the middle of the roof. Once the hide is pulled up into its open position the arms fold and lock out, whereupon each arm extends to a corner of the hide to give the cube very good rigidity.

The outer material of the hide is already attached to the arms so there’s no need to tie anything on or assemble any extra rods. The design is fascinating but when opened can be likened to an umbrella that would have only four spokes. However, the main support rather than sliding along a centre pole, the hub stays in position in the centre of a wall (or roof) while the arms simply fold out. As you’ll notice by the main photo this makes the sides and roof of the wall bulge outwards, especially useful for the roof where the pinnacle stands 8” higher than the 58” high side walls which helps in allowing water to ‘drain off’ during a shower or rainstorm. To fully open out the hide into shape you then pull on the outer eyelets attached to each hub so the walls are fully secured leaving the entrance wall until last.

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For securing to the ground there are 8 ground peg points and on the outside of each hub are the metal eyelets previously mentioned giving a total of 5 extra guy rope attachment points. These are classed as ‘high wind tie downs.’

Windows and Entrance

The window layout is a very cleverly designed and well thought out system. I use the word ‘system’ as you can choose to have the windows open but use the shoot thru mesh as concealment from the outside or remove the mesh to have them fully open. The same outer material is used on the inside as an internal window covering that is stitched to the build of the hide at the bottom but held in place at the top and sides by large easy to use loops and oval toggles. Unhook the inner material and you will find the window has a full see through mesh covering attached by strong double sided Velcro strip to the inner sides of the window. This is peeled back to offer a shoot through point on the large and the smaller ‘corner’ windows while in the main windows you even have a 5” X 3” oval shape porthole style (peephole) to poke your rifle silencer/barrel through.

The main windows with peepholes measure 31” wide at the top and due to the inward facing angular design are 7 ½” wide at the bottom and 14” at the widest point. There are four main windows on all four sides in this design and on three corners of the blind there are smaller windows this time angled down from one side at the top with the longest side being “20” in length and the shorter one 12” long. These are all 8” at the widest point. The reason there are none on one corner is because this is taken up with the entrance which is configured/seen as a large side on ‘V’ shape two-zip fasten entrance. Even so, with the interior material ‘unhooked’ you have a 360-degree view and a myriad of potential opening options to shoot from. This in my opinion makes the Cube Blind so universal and can be of use to the airgun hunter, rifle shooter waiting near a deer ride or fox run and with the windows fully open and mesh removed you can even use it to swing a shotgun for use shooting over decoys for pigeon or crows.

Take Down

To take down, you simply close all windows and the entrance and un-peg the hide. Then push in the hub from the outside in the centre of each wall and then push down on the roof hub whereupon the hide will collapse to the floor. 

Gather all outside bottom corners together with the hubs at the other side. The Cube can now be returned to the carryall. Full instructions are included but after the first time you erect the hide you’ll easily remember how to do it again.

I’ve tested many hides of this ‘ilk’ that pack down for ease of transportation but in my opinion I’ve no hesitation in saying the Cube Blind is without doubt the best, easy to erect, most strong, stable, well manufactured and versatile portable instant hide on the market.

Very Impressive!

The Cube Blind in AP HD is priced at £159.95 and is available from all Deben stockists, but for more information contact Deben Group direct on 01394 387762

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  • Cube Blind Hide - image {image:count}

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  • Cube Blind Hide - image {image:count}

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  • Cube Blind Hide - image {image:count}

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  • Cube Blind Hide - image {image:count}

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  • Cube Blind Hide - image {image:count}

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  • Cube Blind Hide - image {image:count}

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