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XOP no longer selling platforms?

It would still be tough to weld your own (unless you were bacthing them) under the price point of a predator. I've ran some numbers myself, aluminum, gas, wire & time isn't cheap. I tried to build sticks and can't make them for the $75 I bought my api sticks for. I think a platform would be similar.

Right now I'm slumming with cheap api sticks, cheap primal steps as platform, and a cheap diy sit-n-frag with RH so my wife can sleep. That totals about $150 for climbing method, saddle, and platform.

One day I'd like to get a quicker, less bulky setup...
 
DanO, how far are you from Schupbachs in Jackson? They stock Lw replacement parts.

I use the xop beam and seat, works great. I might even order the $120 kit and build something using the cables. Lol would be funny if they stopped carrying those.
 
kenn1320 said:
DanO, how far are you from Schupbachs in Jackson? They stock Lw replacement parts.

I use the xop beam and seat, works great. I might even order the $120 kit and build something using the cables. Lol would be funny if they stopped carrying those.
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I'm an hour and 45 minutes from Jackson so not real close. My machinist is much closer and is almost ready to start producing the v-brackets for us.
 
DanO said:
I'm an hour and 45 minutes from Jackson so not real close. My machinist is much closer and is almost ready to start producing the v-brackets for us.
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Knock off, or new design?
 
kenn1320 said:
Knock off, or new design?
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It is a cross between the LW and XOP. Stands off away from tree more like XOP but uses a socket head bolt that recesses into the base. Will be a little beefier and made from 7075 aluminum. Also a little more aggressive pattern to bite better but not cut you.
 
In my opinion, the Predator has pretty much cancelled out the build your own XOP style platform. It cost me about $155 all in to build my own when you factor in aluminum tube, bolts, the seat, standoffs, strap, and shipping for everything. Not to mention you have to spend a couple hours building everything. The Predator is only a few bucks more and works much better than these old style DIY platforms. The Klemz is the best DIY alternative if you have a LW seat lying around. Other than that, you're better off with a Predator until DanO or someone else starts offering DIY kits.
 
g2outdoors said:
In my opinion, the Predator has pretty much cancelled out the build your own XOP style platform. It cost me about $155 all in to build my own when you factor in aluminum tube, bolts, the seat, standoffs, strap, and shipping for everything. Not to mention you have to spend a couple hours building everything. The Predator is only a few bucks more and works much better than these old style DIY platforms. The Klemz is the best DIY alternative if you have a LW seat lying around. Other than that, you're better off with a Predator until DanO or someone else starts offering DIY kits.
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Think you left out the one issue...availability. used gen1 are selling for more than new gen2 due to lack of availability. That's crazy.
 
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