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Heads up on Hawk Apex Platforms [emoji20]

My first saddle experience was the complete Hawk kit. I bought it because it was available and my choice was backordered like 6 mos at that time. The ropes are garbage that come with the kit and I'm truly surprised someone hasn't been hurt and sued at this point. The saddle itself was functional but not very comfortable and no adjustments.

I'm 230# as well and didn't have any problems with the platform failing, I just had a problem getting it to bite and cam over. The teeth on it concave the wrong direction. I learned to stay put because you could not put a smidgeon of side pressure on it or it was kicking out. I replaced the teeth with a LW teeth and it still wouldn't take side pressure. Also, it did make a noise when I was really trying to cam it over tight. It didn't fail but did not give me the warm and fuzzies.
 
Hawk and the parent company GSM are trash. They absolutely do not care about quality control and care less about you. Glad you are okay but I would even consider a new platform. There are plenty of other companies that put out quality products.
 
Im just husky said:
I will say for sure that this puts a really bad taste in my mouth for getting out to try saddle hunting for the first time. I like the idea of Ring of Steps but also like the platform base as it allows straight feet underneath myself.

I am also looking to find a top step replacement for my muddy pro sticks to add a left step (right handed shooter) of my platform. Seems like a solid and good 360 setup.
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Buy once cry once. If you get one of the good ones, whatever "good one" is, you get the quality as well. My CRÜZR XC is going into its third hunting season. When you divide the cost by months of use, it gets really cheap over time. Same with my platform. Good hunting!
 
Che
Im just husky said:
I definitely posted my post to just let everyone know what I experienced. During my research I checked into reviews and found another post that someone else had experienced. I believe it was on an Amazon review potentially?

I’d say watch it close on yours is all. I’m not sure how one could reenforce it but If you can find a way to, it would help!
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Thanks
I might get something stronger for myself and use hawk for my 8 year old .
 
Im just husky said:
I recently purchased the Hawk Apex platform for my new Saddle setup as I found a good deal on it (sub $70) and now I know why.

I went to try it out after getting it and within the first 10 seconds, it completely folded on me. Luckily it was just in my backyard, trying to get a feel for it.

For everyone thinking I’m “too big” - My specs are 5’10”/230lb, so in the safe weight limit of 300lbs on this platform. Thank Goodness the reseller was good about returning it to get my money back. I did speak with Hawk about it, after being on hold for 50+ min, and said they would do a warranty claim for it if I wanted to…

Mostly I am disappointed as now I need to wait to get another platform solution before I can go hunt!

If you buy this one for yourself, please try it before you step into it at 20ft high…

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3d41b4d8c7f19b01a6c96ad7189dbbf8.jpg
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I just picked up this post from a different platform thread. DANG!! Glad you’re ok. I use and love that platform, but I’m bout to check it out real close! I used to toss my platform to the ground, but stopped doing that a while back.
Anywho, I brag on the platform cause is been great for me! But I’m about to go look at it right now!
Thanks for the heads up even if I am late to the party!
 
kiwi sika hunter said:
You have me worried now , I have the same platform.
I have only been on it twice with no problem, but am a big guy.
Has anyone else had this issue?
We are a bit limited in New Zealand for choice.
I went with what was available at short notice when I went down the rabbit hole.
Was going to purchase another platform for myself and use Hawk platform for 8 year old son.
May look at something else
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Yes, find an aluminum welder and definitely reinforce it!
The problem is that Hawk used to be good, but after the original owner sold it, they went to China and quality and prices went down to attract the potentially larger market of ppl who have less disposable income .
 
The design is alo flawed! The bar that holds all of the tension should span the width of the platform and be the strongest/thickest piece.
 
Samcirrus said:
The design is alo flawed! The bar that holds all of the tension should span the width of the platform and be the strongest/thickest piece.
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This ^^^ I just looked at mine and you sir are correct! I didn’t have my phone to get a picture, but to say it’s shoddy craftsmanship is being nice! I did notice ever so slight bowing but no cracks. THe plastic piece the bolt rests against(yes, it’s plastic) has been cracked at the top mounting screw for quite some time. I have put a lot of faith in this thing, but I may have my brother weld some reinforcement to it. I certainly don’t jump on it and never have, but I set it and use it as one more step up from the top of my stick…….I tried securing them at the same height but never worked right. I guess that would be the one pucker up moment during its use. I’ll keep using it, but will start checking it like my rope, which is after ever use!
 
A large company will wait and buy out a small company that has developed a good name for themselves and then the large company will take manufacturing overseas and hope that nobody notices. The quality usually goes does as well as the customer service.

Here is the company that owns "Hawk" and the other companies they now own as well.

GSM OUTDOORS

Stealth Cam
Walkers
Muddy
Hawk
Big Game
Birchwood Casey
SME
Viking Solutions
Tekmat
NAP
Bullseye
Coyote Light
Skull
G-Outdoors

Cyclops
Crossfire
Scent-A-Way
Boss Buck
Scent Slammer
Wayne Carlton's Calls
Buckbomb
American Hunter
Ammo Pal
Johnny Stewart
HME
Western Rivers
Down & Out Blinds
 
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katiesmom said:
Buy once cry once. If you get one of the good ones, whatever "good one" is, you get the quality as well. My CRÜZR XC is going into its third hunting season. When you divide the cost by months of use, it gets really cheap over time. Same with my platform. Good hunting!
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Same thing with my Cruzr Seeker. Thing is rock solid !
 
Halfstep said:
A large company will wait and buy out a small company that has developed a good name for themselves and then the large company will take manufacturing overseas and hope that nobody notices. The quality usually goes does as well as the customer service.

Here is the company that owns "Hawk" and the other companies they now own as well.

GSM OUTDOORS

Stealth Cam
Walkers
Muddy
Hawk
Big Game
Birchwood Casey
SME
Viking Solutions
Tekmat
NAP
Bullseye
Coyote Light
Skull
G-Outdoors

Cyclops
Crossfire
Scent-A-Way
Boss Buck
Scent Slammer
Wayne Carlton's Calls
Buckbomb
American Hunter
Ammo Pal
Johnny Stewart
HME
Western Rivers
Down & Out Blinds
Click to expand...

almost seems like a life cycle thing.....

develop a company, make it valuable, sell it so you can retire or do something else, buyer is likely to be one of these mega-corps that know nothing about the product, they run it into the ground, folks slowly realize it and stop buying from the company as much.....new companies come about due to new ideas or holes in the corporate structure left by these lumbering behemoths teetering....rinse and repeat

seeing it happen to hawk is one thing....but similar happened to Remington Arms and Gibson guitars.....screwing up a Gibson Les Paul is a special kind of stupid
 
Weldabeast said:
Every aluminum weld u see with a crater/dimple/divot at the end of it is suspectable to cracking....unfortunately for OP every weld on that thing is suspect
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Glad you pointed that out I'm only a amateur welder and I noticed the dimples in the welds
 
bfriendly said:
This ^^^ I just looked at mine and you sir are correct! I didn’t have my phone to get a picture, but to say it’s shoddy craftsmanship is being nice! I did notice ever so slight bowing but no cracks. THe plastic piece the bolt rests against(yes, it’s plastic) has been cracked at the top mounting screw for quite some time. I have put a lot of faith in this thing, but I may have my brother weld some reinforcement to it. I certainly don’t jump on it and never have, but I set it and use it as one more step up from the top of my stick…….I tried securing them at the same height but never worked right. I guess that would be the one pucker up moment during its use. I’ll keep using it, but will start checking it like my rope, which is after ever use!
Click to expand...

Not worth the risk, imo. I’d throw in the trash and get a different platform….


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
raisins said:
almost seems like a life cycle thing.....

develop a company, make it valuable, sell it so you can retire or do something else, buyer is likely to be one of these mega-corps that know nothing about the product, they run it into the ground, folks slowly realize it and stop buying from the company as much.....new companies come about due to new ideas or holes in the corporate structure left by these lumbering behemoths teetering....rinse and repeat

seeing it happen to hawk is one thing....but similar happened to Remington Arms and Gibson guitars.....screwing up a Gibson Les Paul is a special kind of stupid
Click to expand...

I do my best to stay with American companies for my hunting and archery supplies. It's getting more difficult as time goes by. The list I posted is just from one company, GMS Outdoors. I also have lists of small companies owned by Pradco Outdoors, Faradyne Outdoors, Escalade, The Outdoor Group and Vista Outdoor.
Guys would be shocked to find out that the products that were once USA made is now sold out and made overseas.
 
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