Gourd Rack recommendations requested
I’m planning to add a gourd rack for next year and I’m debating between the Troyer Super System 24 and Gemini 24. I’m looking for good wind resistance specifically. The Gemini seems more compact so maybe catches less wind but the Super System spaces the gourds further apart on each arm which may help with rocking. I also wonder if there is an advantage to the Super System in preventing owl attacks as it may be harder for the owl to maneuver between the arms. Anyway…does anyone have thoughts about these two racks?
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Mstan
- Posts: 159
- Joined: Tue Apr 16, 2024 7:52 pm
- Location: Missouri
- Martin Colony History: 2023- 2 racks. 24 gourds
2024- 2 racks.28 gourds. 100 fledged
2025- 3 racks. 24 gourds,6 chirpy nest.105 fledged.
My friend has the super system and has had zero issues. It is a nice system. The Gemini looks nice as well, it may have a little more weight with the circular rack design. I have a round rack 12 unit on a 2” pole and it is heavier than my deluxe gourd rack 12 unit on a 2” pole. My round rack sways more in high winds. The Gemini may give more perching space with round rack design. Either way you’re getting a mighty fine system. Enjoy
Thank you!!Mstan wrote: ↑Tue Jul 08, 2025 12:51 pmMy friend has the super system and has had zero issues. It is a nice system. The Gemini looks nice as well, it may have a little more weight with the circular rack design. I have a round rack 12 unit on a 2” pole and it is heavier than my deluxe gourd rack 12 unit on a 2” pole. My round rack sways more in high winds. The Gemini may give more perching space with round rack design. Either way you’re getting a mighty fine system. Enjoy
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flyin-lowe
- Posts: 3788
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
- Location: Indiana/Henry Co.
I have always loved the look of the Gemini, just not in my budget. My first rack, almost 20 years ago was the AAA 16 gourd rack. My first one was bought before Troyers took over. I bought my second one sometime after I moved into my new place in 2012. Both have preformed well and have held up fine. My original one will need some of the plastic slider/buttons replaced this year but other than that I have done nothing to it since I have owned it. It only has a 2 inch pole so that is not as sturdy but it doesn't have as many gourds on it so it probably evens out.
2026 HOSP 26
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
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Jones4381
- Posts: 830
- Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2020 10:54 pm
- Location: Southwestern VA
- Martin Colony History: 2020- 0
2021- 1 pair-5
2022- 5 pair-20
2023 34 pair-44
2024 30 pair-122
2025 54 Pair -178
I have one of each. The super system 24 was my first primary rack purchase and it immediately filled up. Early 2024 I added the Gemini 24 as I liked its saucer design and overall appeal. After 2 years I now find myself getting ready to replace 2 SK tri-tek poles with a third 24 gourd pole....ejgravley wrote: ↑Tue Jul 08, 2025 11:34 amI’m planning to add a gourd rack for next year and I’m debating between the Troyer Super System 24 and Gemini 24. I’m looking for good wind resistance specifically. The Gemini seems more compact so maybe catches less wind but the Super System spaces the gourds further apart on each arm which may help with rocking. I also wonder if there is an advantage to the Super System in preventing owl attacks as it may be harder for the owl to maneuver between the arms. Anyway…does anyone have thoughts about these two racks?
Without a doubt I will go with the Troyer Super System 24. After 2 years I prefer it's viewing angles and I now like the square over the circle. I would recommend choosing on your own preference. The Martins seem to like both and either is fairly simple to put together, with the Super System getting a slight nod in those 3 areas for me. Good luck and the birds will thank you either way...
If i could go back....I should have purchased the Super System 36 and I would have added a second to reach my limit of 72 gourds and only had 2 poles. Now, I'll end up with 3 poles to achieve the same thing and have 2 of 1look and an odd ball saucer third....but being a little odd myself...I don't mind but it would have saved me money and space.
Finally, I strongly encourage you to get the baffle guard and add snake netting above the baffle.
"Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." - Lao Tzu
Thank you so much for the review of both systems. I was leaning toward the Super System initially but then had concerns about wind as it is wider overall than the Gemini. It sounds like I should be good with either system and it may come down to personal preferenceJones4381 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 09, 2025 2:36 pmI have one of each. The super system 24 was my first primary rack purchase and it immediately filled up. Early 2024 I added the Gemini 24 as I liked its saucer design and overall appeal. After 2 years I now find myself getting ready to replace 2 SK tri-tek poles with a third 24 gourd pole....ejgravley wrote: ↑Tue Jul 08, 2025 11:34 amI’m planning to add a gourd rack for next year and I’m debating between the Troyer Super System 24 and Gemini 24. I’m looking for good wind resistance specifically. The Gemini seems more compact so maybe catches less wind but the Super System spaces the gourds further apart on each arm which may help with rocking. I also wonder if there is an advantage to the Super System in preventing owl attacks as it may be harder for the owl to maneuver between the arms. Anyway…does anyone have thoughts about these two racks?
Without a doubt I will go with the Troyer Super System 24. After 2 years I prefer it's viewing angles and I now like the square over the circle. I would recommend choosing on your own preference. The Martins seem to like both and either is fairly simple to put together, with the Super System getting a slight nod in those 3 areas for me. Good luck and the birds will thank you either way...
If i could go back....I should have purchased the Super System 36 and I would have added a second to reach my limit of 72 gourds and only had 2 poles. Now, I'll end up with 3 poles to achieve the same thing and have 2 of 1look and an odd ball saucer third....but being a little odd myself...I don't mind but it would have saved me money and space.
Finally, I strongly encourage you to get the baffle guard and add snake netting above the baffle.
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Jones4381
- Posts: 830
- Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2020 10:54 pm
- Location: Southwestern VA
- Martin Colony History: 2020- 0
2021- 1 pair-5
2022- 5 pair-20
2023 34 pair-44
2024 30 pair-122
2025 54 Pair -178
You're welcome. Looking forward to your future updates and photos'! Good Luckejgravley wrote: ↑Wed Jul 09, 2025 6:33 pmThank you so much for the review of both systems. I was leaning toward the Super System initially but then had concerns about wind as it is wider overall than the Gemini. It sounds like I should be good with either system and it may come down to personal preferenceJones4381 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 09, 2025 2:36 pmI have one of each. The super system 24 was my first primary rack purchase and it immediately filled up. Early 2024 I added the Gemini 24 as I liked its saucer design and overall appeal. After 2 years I now find myself getting ready to replace 2 SK tri-tek poles with a third 24 gourd pole....ejgravley wrote: ↑Tue Jul 08, 2025 11:34 amI’m planning to add a gourd rack for next year and I’m debating between the Troyer Super System 24 and Gemini 24. I’m looking for good wind resistance specifically. The Gemini seems more compact so maybe catches less wind but the Super System spaces the gourds further apart on each arm which may help with rocking. I also wonder if there is an advantage to the Super System in preventing owl attacks as it may be harder for the owl to maneuver between the arms. Anyway…does anyone have thoughts about these two racks?
Without a doubt I will go with the Troyer Super System 24. After 2 years I prefer it's viewing angles and I now like the square over the circle. I would recommend choosing on your own preference. The Martins seem to like both and either is fairly simple to put together, with the Super System getting a slight nod in those 3 areas for me. Good luck and the birds will thank you either way...
If i could go back....I should have purchased the Super System 36 and I would have added a second to reach my limit of 72 gourds and only had 2 poles. Now, I'll end up with 3 poles to achieve the same thing and have 2 of 1look and an odd ball saucer third....but being a little odd myself...I don't mind but it would have saved me money and space.
Finally, I strongly encourage you to get the baffle guard and add snake netting above the baffle.
"Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." - Lao Tzu
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dsonyay
- Posts: 1677
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Broussard
- Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.
2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)
2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.
2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged
2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(
2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go.
2024: 13 pair. About 60 eggs
2025: 14 pairs .. 69 eggs.
I’ve owned a AAA 16 for many years with zero issues. I am about to order new rope and pulleys for next season.
It is very well built and was not overly expensive.
It is very well built and was not overly expensive.
