I want to preface this by saying that I really liked the fast (3 day) delivery of the product, and I'm very impressed with the overall build quality. While I love my 3 EZ-Kut drills, this is undoubtedly a sturdier tool. It's also quieter and way easier to open.
But there is one pretty major problem. It is very difficult to extract the bit from the hole. I didn't hunt with it this weekend, because I could barely extract it with both feet on terra firma, and can't imagine drilling 12 holes with it up a tree. It also seems to get more difficult to turn the handle as the drill begins to reach maximum depth. Much more so than with the EZ-Kut.
Has anybody else had this problem, and if so, have you been able to remedy it? As much as I want to like it, mine is pretty much a paperweight right now. None of the three EZ-Kuts have this problem.
UPDATE
Myself and several other forum members have had multiple conversations with Mark, the owner of treehopper. I have to say that I've been blown away with his responsiveness and commitment to "getting it right." After taking a week to really put the new bit he sent me through its paces, I can honestly say that the treehopper is in every way superior to the ez-kut I've been using, and that's saying something since I've loved it for 2 seasons.
Below is an updated video review comparing the two drills side-by-side. I think anybody looking for a lightweight, packable, safe, and silent way up a tree would be very well served by the treehopper and a set of bolts. If legal, this is hands-down my favorite way to climb, and I've tried various sticks, wild edges steps, aiders, spurs, and rope/strap steps. The new treehopper seems built to last a lifetime, and makes drilling bama-fan simple.
But there is one pretty major problem. It is very difficult to extract the bit from the hole. I didn't hunt with it this weekend, because I could barely extract it with both feet on terra firma, and can't imagine drilling 12 holes with it up a tree. It also seems to get more difficult to turn the handle as the drill begins to reach maximum depth. Much more so than with the EZ-Kut.
Has anybody else had this problem, and if so, have you been able to remedy it? As much as I want to like it, mine is pretty much a paperweight right now. None of the three EZ-Kuts have this problem.
UPDATE
Myself and several other forum members have had multiple conversations with Mark, the owner of treehopper. I have to say that I've been blown away with his responsiveness and commitment to "getting it right." After taking a week to really put the new bit he sent me through its paces, I can honestly say that the treehopper is in every way superior to the ez-kut I've been using, and that's saying something since I've loved it for 2 seasons.
Below is an updated video review comparing the two drills side-by-side. I think anybody looking for a lightweight, packable, safe, and silent way up a tree would be very well served by the treehopper and a set of bolts. If legal, this is hands-down my favorite way to climb, and I've tried various sticks, wild edges steps, aiders, spurs, and rope/strap steps. The new treehopper seems built to last a lifetime, and makes drilling bama-fan simple.
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