You know...I would rather pay, Sophia at Areohunter, Matt at OOOL, tethered or even trophyline for the work that's been done. After hearing about Hawk copying the predator (have you seen their version--and hopefully the final product is better made), seeing brand new steps bend on the hawk sticks. Seeing the cups on the hawk sticks coming to customers broken and then the icing on the cake...the customer service being so horrible...I'll pay more to the ones above. I had concerns with my flex fraying when I first got it...contacted Sophia and she told me to take pictures of the issue. I did and she told me to send it back. She made me a new one without that material and I used it all last year. Great service!! I had a small hiccup with OOOL and contacted Matt...I had the bolts to make my shikars permanent within 4 days of requesting help. Tethered has been quick to help with advice and even told me to return the product if I did not feel comfortable. Trophyline gave me my discount after I bought and paid for the mission...days later. They didn't have to do that and I've had other companies state that I should have requested a discount when ordering. My fault, but I've never returned to those companies.
I have several hawk products--hawk deer cart, hawk bow hangers, and so far they've held up. However my contention is that I heard from people both here and on Archerytalk show pictures of equipment failure that would result in injury or even worse. Those same individuals would then talk about the runaround that they were getting with Hawk and some even reported how Hawk told them they were on their own. No Thanks!!
Seeing how they jumped on the bandwagon getting with saddle hunting...I'd be very concerned about going the cheap route...cause we know that they outsource their products from China and China has done enough to us.
Just my .02 worth. I'll send more money to the owners of those above for items that I'm depending my life on.