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XOP packer platform concept

T

Thedevine

Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2015
Messages
87
This xop "packer" concept is something I have been thinking about over this last season after using my current xop platform and decided to make a mock-up out of cardboard to show and get some feedback. Its basically a simple 1.5"x1.5" (3 sided) 8" metal base (could be aluminum or steel) with a versa button and teeth cut on the tree contact side. With a 1.5" width you could use much thinner washers. Steel may be heavier for this concept although you are eliminating the xop brackets and bolts weight compared to the other popular version on this site and you wouldnt have to attach any steel contact point for the xop seat like on the other as well. The metal base on this concept simply flips all the way around so that it can be packed down to a smaller package. The jagged teeth I cut may be a bit aggressive but again this is just a mock-up. In the pics I used a lone wolf strap but the amsteel version would obviously cut more weight. My only concerns would be shifting when standing on the ends but I would think adding an amsteel strap around the tree to the ears would eliminate this. Any input welcome!
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Interesting concept! Only one way to find out if it works. Make it!! that would pack nice for sure, as long as it can handle side pressure.


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Thinking about this a little more....I think a problem you will have is getting it tight enough with the strap/versus button setup. You could always mount the seat lower on the tube and use the amsteel whoopie sling or Stepp knot and cam lock it to the tree like we already do with the XOP platforms. I also was thinking a 1" aluminum tube with with steel plates with the teeth in them mounted on each side of the tube would work the same and maybe cut weight

Here's a real quick sketch of what I'm saying
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I luvs this :)

I guess just build it and see if it work with the side loading, eh?
 
My concerns would be getting the strap tight enough to keep the post from prying out away from the tree or having kick out on hard, deep grooved bark. One of the reasons the posts work well with batwings is that the rope is between two attachment points. You get some of that action if the rope in you're design has teeth above and below it, but you'll get best contact on soft, smooth barked trees I believe.

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I am no expert but having the entire beam lined with teeth may be the biggest obsticle. That would mean you would have to find a tree that is a bit smoother or flat at your hunting height. When I hang a stand/platform I am always moving it up or down a little so that it can straddle a hump or bulge in the tree. Only having 2 contact points (top bracket and bottom bracket) allows the stand to find 2 points of contact that work together and not a complete straight line of contact that works.
(I hope that makes sence.)
I like the idea, but maybe if you cut it back in the middle so you only had top and bottom teeth. (If the material is strong enough and you would essentially have built in the brackets.

This is just my thought... but then again, I have been wrong many times before. (Just ask my wife.)
 
I think this idea has some promise. @flinginairos makes a good point and suggestion about the plates. However, if you add the steel plates, you'll give up all the weight loss you achieved by eliminating the bat wings.

I also concur with the inability to get it tight enough on the tree. However, you can remedy this by using the cam over method with rope (or even the LW strap attached directly to the platform).

I think it could be worth fabricating and testing for sure.
 
Thanks for all the great input everyone. Sorry for the late response as its the holidays! I guess like some said the only way to test it is to make it. I like the idea of removing teeth in the center of the base and could really probably remove all except the two contact points on the top and bottom. This would also remove allot more the the metal reducing more weight. And also adding another whoopy sling to the seat itself for stability is something i will try when testing. I will have more time this spring to tinker with it. Thanks again
 
I like the whole concept.

I have several ideas. If none of this makes since I am sorry. Fresh off of major hip surgery pretty on the up side of the meds. So grain of salt.

1. I would like to see one of these platforms with two versa button strap systems. same total setup minus the woompie sling. One versa on the bottom and one on the top locking the whole bar in place.

** my concern is the side to side swing that could happen with the platform set not being tethered to the tree. I don't think the aluminum bar would sway but the XOP seat might.

I have personally been thinking of the making of the whole set up with two versa buttons and straps. As long as there is no creep in the XOP platform. I would use it. I have a loc on limit tree stand that when I use it i stomp on the back side of the stand locking it into place. It would be some of the same concepts.

I would want the versa button straps going in opposite directions so it pulls against each other
 
Saddle9 said:
I like the whole concept.

I have several ideas. If none of this makes since I am sorry. Fresh off of major hip surgery pretty on the up side of the meds. So grain of salt.

1. I would like to see one of these platforms with two versa button strap systems. same total setup minus the woompie sling. One versa on the bottom and one on the top locking the whole bar in place.

** my concern is the side to side swing that could happen with the platform set not being tethered to the tree. I don't think the aluminum bar would sway but the XOP seat might.

I have personally been thinking of the making of the whole set up with two versa buttons and straps. As long as there is no creep in the XOP platform. I would use it. I have a loc on limit tree stand that when I use it i stomp on the back side of the stand locking it into place. It would be some of the same concepts.

I would want the versa button straps going in opposite directions so it pulls against each other
Click to expand...

Have you tried the whoopie sling on one? It locks itself INSANELY tight to the tree. Not knocking your idea at all. Just not sure how a double strap would be better if it's not cam locked to the tree. Maybe I am thinking about it wrong.


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Flinginairos and g2outdoors you both helped me build the platform I have I spent time either messaging you or on the phone talking with you during the process in fact the day I finalized the build of mine I drove down state and harvested a good 8 point that G2outdoors has pics of from the saddle platform set up.
 
Saddle9 said:
Flinginairos and g2outdoors you both helped me build the platform I have I spent time either messaging you or on the phone talking with you during the process in fact the day I finalized the build of mine I drove down state and harvested a good 8 point that G2outdoors has pics of from the saddle platform set up.
Click to expand...

Awesome man! Sorry I didn't remember ya, I have lots of guys send me messages and I can't keep the names straight sometimes LOL. Congrats on your buck!
 
Saddle9 said:
Flinginairos and g2outdoors you both helped me build the platform I have I spent time either messaging you or on the phone talking with you during the process in fact the day I finalized the build of mine I drove down state and harvested a good 8 point that G2outdoors has pics of from the saddle platform set up.
Click to expand...
Oh yes I remember!
 
I'll be interested in hearing how your idea works.
 
Im thinking it went take a side load very well, but you want know till you try it. Ive had my share of trial and error, so give it a go. Im using 2 bat wings and most of the time Im riding on just the center 2 points, which aren't real far apart.
 
kenn1320 said:
Im thinking it went take a side load very well, but you want know till you try it. Ive had my share of trial and error, so give it a go. Im using 2 bat wings and most of the time Im riding on just the center 2 points, which aren't real far apart.
Click to expand...

I noticed the same thing in that most of the time I was also primarily only using the two center spikes on the xop brackets which are 1.75" apart from each other. So will 1.5" work? we will see....
 
kenn1320 said:
Im thinking it went take a side load very well, but you want know till you try it. Ive had my share of trial and error, so give it a go. Im using 2 bat wings and most of the time Im riding on just the center 2 points, which aren't real far apart.
Click to expand...

I noticed the same thing on mine. Very little of the bracket hits the tree and it's rock solid. Thought about trimming them down a little lol. I know as soon as I do that it won't hold :D
 
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