Photos: Preston Innovations · supplied retailer imagery
Coarse match · Seatboxes · Our take
Preston Innovations Absolute D36 Mag Lok Station
Absolute D36 Mag Lok Station
A proper high-end match seatbox with loads of storage, clever Mag-Lok compatibility and the sort of solid, tidy setup that makes long coarse sessions a lot less faffy.
- Six telescopic 36mm legs give the station a broad, adaptable footprint on uneven banks.
- A Mag-Lok-compatible stacker plate is included, with compatibility across Absolute and Inception Mag-Lok trays and units.
- Storage includes two deep side drawers, one shallow side drawer and a lidded 26mm shallow tray.
- The package includes a two-position locking footplate, spirit level, padded shoulder strap and Absolute seatbox cover.
Make sure it’s the right one. This review covers the Preston Innovations Absolute D36 Mag Lok Station, not the standard Absolute or a separate Inception seatbox.
Tackle Index Score
Tackle Index score
A cracking high-end match station for anglers who’ll use its stability, storage and Mag-Lok upgrade path regularly.
Desk-research score from specs, price and fishing fit · How we score
- Product Quality9.7/10
- Performance9.6/10
- Impact on Fish Catching9/10
- Ease of Use9.1/10
- Value for Money8.5/10
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Who it suits
Is it right for you?
Great for
- Serious match anglers. It gives you a stable, organised base for pole, feeder and commercial work, with room to keep the important bits close.
- Anglers building a Mag-Lok setup. The included stacker plate and compatibility with Absolute and Inception units make it easy to add storage as your fishing evolves.
Maybe skip if
- Occasional pleasure anglers. A simpler seatbox or chair will do the job with less outlay and less kit to carry.
- Anglers walking long distances to remote swims. Around 14kg before extra tackle goes in, so the weight can soon become a proper slog.
The lowdown
Introducing the Preston Innovations Absolute D36 Mag Lok Station
A proper high-end match seatbox with loads of storage, clever Mag-Lok compatibility and the sort of solid, tidy setup that makes long coarse sessions a lot less faffy.
- Six telescopic 36mm legs give the station a broad, adaptable footprint on uneven banks.
- A Mag-Lok-compatible stacker plate is included, with compatibility across Absolute and Inception Mag-Lok trays and units.
- Storage includes two deep side drawers, one shallow side drawer and a lidded 26mm shallow tray.
- The package includes a two-position locking footplate, spirit level, padded shoulder strap and Absolute seatbox cover.
Quick verdict
Verdict
The Absolute D36 Mag Lok Station is a serious bit of kit for the match angler who wants a stable, organised platform without lugging a great lump of old-school tackle to the bank.
Its 36mm telescopic legs, two-position footplate, useful drawer layout and Mag-Lok compatibility make it a cracking long-term setup. It’s a premium buy, mind, and probably more seatbox than a casual commercial angler needs.
A cracking high-end match station for anglers who’ll use its stability, storage and Mag-Lok upgrade path regularly.
Desk-research score from specs, price and fishing fit · How we score
- Product Quality
- 9.7/10
- Performance
- 9.6/10
- Impact on Fish Catching
- 9/10
- Ease of Use
- 9.1/10
- Value for Money
- 8.5/10
The hydroformed aluminium frame, 36mm legs, non-marking clamps and included accessories give it a properly premium feel.
Six telescopic legs, a spirit level and an adjustable footplate are well suited to demanding coarse and match pegs.
It won’t catch fish for you, but quick access to organised rigs and a stable fishing position can cut faff when the swim is on the munch.
The drawers, lidded tray, locking pins and padded strap make setup and tackle access straightforward, though the overall size takes some getting used to.
It’s expensive kit, but the included storage, footplate, cover and Mag-Lok compatibility make the package more convincing for regular anglers.
Head to head
How it stacks up
Side by side with the closest kit we've reviewed. This updates as we add more reviews.
Preston Innovations
Preston Innovations Absolute D36 Mag Lok Station (this one)
Top scorer
Scores are our own, out of 10. Best in each row is in green. Prices change, so check the latest before you buy.
The full rundown
Everything you'll want to know about the Preston Innovations Absolute D36 Mag Lok Station
If you’re after a cheap perch for the occasional day ticket, you can stop reading now, mate. The Preston Innovations Absolute D36 Mag Lok Station is firmly in serious match-seatbox territory. It’s built for anglers who want a proper stable base, loads of organised storage and a setup that can grow with their fishing.
The first thing that matters is the frame. This station uses six telescopic 36mm legs, giving it the broad, planted feel you want when you’re sat on a steep bank, a soft peg or an awkward bit of towpath. That extra stability is handy when you’re shipping a pole, playing a proper lump or constantly reaching for rigs and bait.
Those legs have removable screw caps, too. That’s a small detail, but a useful one. You can protect the threads when the box is being transported, then remove the caps when you need to adjust the legs or set the box properly on uneven ground. No need to wrestle with a wobbly platform and hope for the best.
The leg clamping blocks are non-marking, which is another nice touch. Your legs should stay secure without leaving a right mess on the aluminium. Add in the integrated spirit level and you’ve got a much less faffy way to get the station sitting square before the match gets busy and the rods are off.
Storage is where the Absolute D36 really starts to earn its keep. Two deep side drawers swallow the sort of tackle that normally ends up rattling around in boxes: pole floats, feeders, hooklengths, shot and spare bits. There’s also a shallow side drawer for smaller items, plus a 26mm shallow tray with its own lid for quick-access essentials.
That mix suits real coarse fishing rather than just looking good on a brochure. Keep your main rig collection in the drawers, then use the shallow tray for the floats or hooklengths you’re likely to change during the session. It means less rummaging, fewer dropped bits and more time actually fishing the swim.
The Mag-Lok side is a big attraction for anyone already invested in Preston’s system. A Mag-Lok-compatible stacker plate is included, and the station works with both Absolute and Inception Mag-Lok trays and units. So if your fishing changes from commercials to natural venues, or you simply need more storage, you’ve got a neat upgrade path rather than a box full of loose add-ons.
The footplate uses spring-loaded locking pins and locks in two positions. That makes getting comfortable easier, especially when the bank isn’t flat or you’re switching between a close margin line and a longer pole line. It won’t replace sensible positioning, but it gives you useful adjustment without turning setup into a full-on engineering job.
Portability is reasonably well thought out. The deluxe padded shoulder strap makes carrying the station more comfortable, while the included Absolute seatbox cover helps keep the whole lot protected between sessions. The hydroformed aluminium frame keeps the construction relatively light for this type of high-end station, although approximately 14kg is still a fair lift before you’ve loaded it with tackle.
So, who should buy it? Anglers fishing regular matches, commercial leagues and demanding all-day sessions will get the most from it. It’s stable, tidy and properly expandable. For a casual angler who fishes a few hours now and then, it’ll probably be a bit of a wallet workout and more box than you need. But if your seatbox is the centre of your fishing world, this is a cracking, well-equipped platform that should feel right at home on the bank.
Specifications
The nuts and bolts
- Legs
- Six telescopic 36mm legs
- Frame
- Lightweight hydroformed aluminium
- Storage
- Two deep drawers, one shallow drawer and a lidded 26mm shallow tray
- Compatibility
- Absolute and Inception Mag-Lok trays and units
- Footplate
- Spring-loaded locking pins with two positions
- Approximate weight
- 14kg
Specs checked with Preston Innovations, Oct 2026.
Spot a model or spec change?
Our take
The real angle
This isn’t just somewhere to perch while you wait for a bite. It’s the hub of your whole match setup, keeping rigs, hooks, floats and bits close at hand while giving you a proper stable platform for a feeder rod, pole or margin attack.
The big draw is the combination of a lightweight hydroformed aluminium frame and a full spread of useful extras. You get storage, a padded strap, cover, footplate and Mag-Lok expansion without having to build the box up from scratch.
Closer look
A tidy command centre for the bank
The Absolute D36 Mag Lok Station is built around a lightweight hydroformed aluminium frame and six telescopic 36mm legs. That gives you a solid footprint without the box feeling like an old-school metal safe. The removable screw caps protect the leg ends, while non-marking clamping blocks keep adjustments secure and kinder to the finish.
The storage layout is well judged. Two deep drawers handle bulkier tackle, the shallow drawer suits smaller items and the lidded 26mm tray keeps your most-used bits easy to grab. For match work, that means floats, hooklengths, feeders and hook boxes can each have their own home instead of becoming one big tackle jumble.
The stacker plate is Mag-Lok compatible, so Absolute and Inception trays and units can be added neatly. The footplate locks in two positions using spring-loaded pins, and the integrated spirit level helps you get the platform sitting properly before you settle in.
Worth knowing. The approximately 14kg weight is for the station itself. Once drawers, trays and tackle are loaded, the carry can become a proper lump. The padded shoulder strap helps, but a barrow or sensible carry route will still be your mate on longer walks.
Who it suits
Made for anglers who fish properly often
This is aimed squarely at the regular match angler who wants one dependable base for commercials, canals, lakes and natural venues. The broad 36mm legs suit awkward pegs, while the built-in drawers keep rig changes quick when the match is ticking away.
It’s also a strong choice if you’re already using Preston tackle or fancy building a Mag-Lok setup over time. You can start with the included storage, then add compatible trays or units as your approach changes. That’s handy when one week means shallow carp and the next means silvers on a canal.
For occasional pleasure fishing, though, the equation is different. A basic box or chair may be easier to carry and kinder to the wallet. The Absolute makes sense when stability, organisation and long-term expandability matter more than keeping the setup minimal.
FAQs in full
The bits anglers usually want to know
The six telescopic 36mm legs give it a broad, planted stance, while the spirit level helps you set it up square. You’ll still want to choose your peg sensibly, but the platform is designed for proper coarse and match conditions rather than a dead-flat patio.
It includes the key parts you need for a full station setup: storage drawers and tray, stacker plate, footplate, shoulder strap and cover. You can then organise the drawers around your rigs, feeders, floats and hooklengths before heading to the bank.
At approximately 14kg, it’s a manageable weight for a high-end six-leg station, but it won’t feel ultra-light once fully loaded. Plan your carry, use a barrow where possible and avoid filling every drawer with tackle you might not use.
The score
A premium station with very few shortcuts
The Absolute D36 Mag Lok Station scores highly because it combines a stable frame, useful storage and a proper expansion system in one package. Its main compromise is portability: this is built to be capable, not minimal.
On paper
Pros & cons
What we like
- Properly stable 36mm leg system with non-marking clamping blocks.
- Excellent built-in storage for match rigs and small terminal tackle.
- Mag-Lok compatibility makes future expansion neat and straightforward.
- Useful extras are included, including the cover, strap and footplate.
Worth knowing
- A premium purchase and likely overkill for occasional coarse fishing.
- At approximately 14kg, it’s not a featherweight once you add trays and tackle.
- The larger frame and six-leg layout need a bit more room than a basic seatbox.
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Your questions answered
What anglers want to know
The stuff you’d ask your mate on the next peg. Straight answers, no waffle.
01What does the Preston Absolute D36 Mag Lok Station come with?
What does the Preston Absolute D36 Mag Lok Station come with?
You get the six-leg seatbox station, Mag-Lok-compatible stacker plate, two deep drawers, one shallow drawer, a lidded 26mm shallow tray, footplate, padded shoulder strap and Absolute seatbox cover.
02Can you use Inception Mag-Lok units with it?
Can you use Inception Mag-Lok units with it?
Yes. The station is compatible with Absolute and Inception Mag-Lok trays and units, giving you a tidy route to add storage and accessories.
03Is the footplate adjustable?
Is the footplate adjustable?
Yes. It uses spring-loaded locking pins and locks in two positions, so you can set the fishing position to suit the bank and your preferred seating height.
What anglers say
The word from the bank
Our read: verdict. The strongest reasons to choose it are properly stable 36mm leg system with non-marking clamping blocks. and excellent built-in storage for match rigs and small terminal tackle.; the main trade-off is a premium purchase and likely overkill for occasional coarse fishing..
Our take on the feedback
Why it appeals
Checked Sept '26 — “Properly stable 36mm leg system with non-marking clamping blocks.”
Best fit
Checked Sept '26 — “Serious match anglers: It gives you a stable, organised base for pole, feeder and commercial work, with room to keep the important bits close.”
Worth knowing
Checked Sept '26 — “A premium purchase and likely overkill for occasional coarse fishing.”
Tackle Index’s take from the product details and fishing fit we checked. We haven’t found enough independent public feedback to call this an angler consensus yet.
Angler score
What our readers rate Preston Innovations Absolute D36 Mag Lok Station
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Owner reports
Own this? Help the next angler.
Quick multiple-choice reports from people who say they own the Preston Innovations Absolute D36 Mag Lok Station. Not verified purchases, and kept separate from our score.
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