Hawk helium mods

[IkemanTX]

just weighed a single aider on a kitchen scale. 0.66 lbs a piece

 

[IkemanTX]

Ikeman I find it hard to believe that slot milling drops that much weight. Wow. As I stated, the milled slots are not in a good location for shortening sticks. I had to compromise as Im sure Red did as well to position things where the slots wouldnt interfere. You could always drill holes to lighten yours.

I had to re-weigh myself a few times to verify. I am using a bathroom scale with me+sticks and then me-sticks.
But full length sticks, 10' accessory cord each, a 2-step aider each, and 2 gear ties to hold it together came consistently to 11.2lbs

I weigh everything on a digital shipping scale, so some of yours might be off due to the scale. Well that or your ties and those pipes weigh more than ya think. :lol: The rope can add weight, especially with the figure 8 knot on the end. Im going to upgrade to the amsteel, way lighter. I just wonder how easy it flings around a tree?

I will eventually upgrade to amsteel as well, but at 5 times the cost of the PMI I can't justify it right now.

 

[g2outdoors]

pics

What are the advantages of your modified Helium sticks over Muddy sticks? They seem to be about the same size. Is there a big cost/weight savings?

 

[IkemanTX]

pics

What are the advantages of your modified Helium sticks over Muddy sticks? They seem to be about the same size. Is there a big cost/weight savings?

Mine aren't true heliums. They were made before hawk bought the design and further reduced the weight. I view the benefits to be pretty big, for actual heliums these are my top reasons.

1. unmodified, they are competitive on weight, but offer a double step at each level with GREAT traction.

2. They convert to a versa button with no machining required (at least mine did)

3. They are billet I beam instead of tubular aluminum, less susceptible to bending damage and collapse. Because of this, I feel more comfortable moving hardware to more comfortable/effecient spacings.

4. If you cut down a set of 3 Heliums to 2 step minis, you have enough steps and bar left over to do Redsquirrel's new strap on step mod with 6 steps. essentially getting a full set of sticks AND a platform for the same price. (seen here viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1084)

If you buy sticks to use as-is, they arent all that much better (minus the double steps). But for those of us who love to modify, they are MUCH more adaptable.

 

[g2outdoors]

Mine aren't true heliums. They were made before hawk bought the design and further reduced the weight. I view the benefits to be pretty big, for actual heliums these are my top reasons.

1. unmodified, they are competitive on weight, but offer a double step at each level with GREAT traction. Muddy sticks have double steps as well.

2. They convert to a versa button with no machining required (at least mine did). I have LoneWolf sticks and Muddy sticks and I think Muddy's cam buckle is as good as, if not better than, the versa-button.

3. They are billet I beam instead of tubular aluminum, less susceptible to bending damage and collapse. Because of this, I feel more comfortable moving hardware to more comfortable/effecient spacings.

4. If you cut down a set of 3 Heliums to 2 step minis, you have enough steps and bar left over to do Redsquirrel's new strap on step mod with 6 steps. essentially getting a full set of sticks AND a platform for the same price. To me this is the real benefit of the modified Helium sticks over Muddy sticks. And it could very well seal the deal for those in the market for some climbing sticks. Excellent info.

 

[g2outdoors]

You guys should really consider adding another step or two to your aiders. I hunted most of this past season with 3-step aiders and found them to be the perfect addition to my three modified LW sticks.

 

[IkemanTX]

I get to feeling wobbly with more than 2 aider steps. I don't know that I would ever go higher than that. I will be putting together a DaveT1963 platform later this year, and may hang another 2 step aider from that though. But then I am getting higher than I have good trees for in most places anyways.

 

[g2outdoors]

I get to feeling wobbly with more than 2 aider steps. I don't know that I would ever go higher than that. I will be putting together a DaveT1963 platform later this year, and may hang another 2 step aider from that though. But then I am getting higher than I have good trees for in most places anyways.

I have 3 step aiders and was definitely a little cautious at first. After hunting with them several times I felt very safe. They're not for everyone though. I'm pretty light and compact at 5'7" and 160ish pounds. I think the bigger, less nimble dudes could have more of an issue with the aiders.

 

[IkemanTX]

We're the same height and weight (now that my wife made me get a personal trainer and eat better... Darn cholesterol). I just am not as nimble with all that gear on.


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[kenn1320]

I get to feeling wobbly with more than 2 aider steps. I don't know that I would ever go higher than that. I will be putting together a DaveT1963 platform later this year, and may hang another 2 step aider from that though. But then I am getting higher than I have good trees for in most places anyways.

I have 3 step aiders and was definitely a little cautious at first. After hunting with them several times I felt very safe. They're not for everyone though. I'm pretty light and compact at 5'7" and 160ish pounds. I think the bigger, less nimble dudes could have more of an issue with the aiders.

Do you use your toe against the tree, or side of foot for stability? Kick outs seem very easy and unexpectedly in my experience. Would be interesting to see a video of you or someone climbing a 3+ step aider. The height thing could also be a factor. The taller you are, the more weight you have above the pivot point of the aider.

 

[IkemanTX]

I kind of quarter my feet away half way between those two positions. My feet naturally pronate anyways, so it is a very natural position for my knees/hips

 

[g2outdoors]

I try to keep my toes perpendicular to the tree. Don't get me wrong, it does take practice and I have to really pay attention to my feet, but I feel very comfortable with the aiders after practicing quite a bit. I've even installed my platform while standing with both feet in the aider.

 

[Erniepower]

I use a 5 step aider on my muddy sticks. I put my toes on the tree and rarely kick out. But if I do, I have a line mans belt on and a good hold on the muddy stick so I usually don't go far. With 3 sticks I can easily get the top step over 20 feet. My only limitation is that being only 5'6" I can't reach that high to set each stick. A taller guy could obviously get higher. The original post I learned from claims to be able to get up 17 feet with only 2.

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[g2outdoors]

Ernie I'm in the same boat as you. I use 3 LW sticks with 3 step aiders on each stick. I had to modify my lone wolf's with a double top step so I could max out my aiders. With a shorter Muddy stick I think 4 steps would be my max. Are you able to use the 5th step on your aider?

 

[redsquirrel]

Go put on one of your amsteel slings and see if it still works with the shortened button.

It will work but it is tougher to get on than the long wolf strap. The strap is also a little easier to use so I am going with that. Its easy to make things work in the garage or backyard but I need to have 100% confidence in the field.

 

[redsquirrel]

pics

What are the advantages of your modified Helium sticks over Muddy sticks? They seem to be about the same size. Is there a big cost/weight savings?

I don't have any experience with muddy sticks so I can't answer that. I do think I like these better than the lone wolfs though. After I put my stealth strips on I always had to fiddle with the lone wolfs to get them to sit together properly. Other than that though the lone wolfs are still great sticks.

 

[g2outdoors]

Thanks for the info, Red. If I ever need to buy more sticks, I'm going to strongly consider the Hawk sticks. Right now I've got 3 Muddy and 3 LW sticks so I'm not sure I'll be buying any more mobile setups in the near future.

 

[redsquirrel]

Thanks for the info, Red. If I ever need to buy more sticks, I'm going to strongly consider the Hawk sticks. Right now I've got 3 Muddy and 3 LW sticks so I'm not sure I'll be buying any more mobile setups in the near future.

I only used mine once so I'm still working my system out, but I think it is going to end up pretty nice. The thing I love most is how compact they are. I think I will be able to strap them to the bottom of a pack.

 

[kenn1320]

Go put on one of your amsteel slings and see if it still works with the shortened button.

It will work but it is tougher to get on than the long wolf strap. The strap is also a little easier to use so I am going with that. Its easy to make things work in the garage or backyard but I need to have 100% confidence in the field.

Guess I dont understand why its tougher? Dont whoopie it pursay, just put the main loop on, and run the typical rope over the button and back and half hitch. Super easy.

 

[Erniepower]

Re: RE: Re: Hawk helium mods

Ernie I'm in the same boat as you. I use 3 LW sticks with 3 step aiders on each stick. I had to modify my lone wolf's with a double top step so I could max out my aiders. With a shorter Muddy stick I think 4 steps would be my max. Are you able to use the 5th step on your aider?

Not really. If I could hang the stick higher maybe, but generally it is just a few inches above the top of the previous muddy.

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