Contemplating canceling my lwcg order to buy some shikars instead. I love the packability of the lwcg minis. Single step really doesn't bother me, why are the shikars so much better?
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LWCG Minis vs. Shikar sticks
- Thread starter SETXsportsman6
- Start date
I love the minis and well with the wait. Their company in Michigan they use to machine the sticks is making safety equipment now to help with COVID 19. They still are making the LWCG equipment, but due to the virus the have changed priorities. I commend LWCG and their manufacturers on doing this.
I don't have the Shikar sticks but I have others and all i can say is the LWCG Minis with the Aiders are amazing.
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You can customize the shikars and have single step on top, bottom or both.
I have the 17-1/8” shikars with double steps on top and bottom.
For those who are OK with single steps, it would be nice to see a pic of lwcg minis against 17-1/8” single step on bottom and top shikars.
I mean if I went with shikars I would definitely go double steps. However, just for pure packability I chose lwcg. 3/4" profile per stick is crazy.
Are they better? I've never used either but I've been in similar "the grass is greener in the next pasture" state of mind. In the end they get you up the tree all the same, and it looks like they both pack equally well.
The LWCG Minis are so compact it is crazy and very light weight. Love them
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Idk, I'm going to put my eyes on a set of shikars here in a little bit. I'll report back when I see them. I know lwcg isn't shipping anything out for another couple days. Hopefully I can make a decision before then.
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Regardless, either set will beat the crap out of my old lone wolf sticks!
You can stack 4. However i don't think you can without them being deployed and I'm not sure if he had to do anything to accomplish this.
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You can stack 4. However i don't think you can without them being deployed and I'm not sure if he had to do anything to accomplish this.
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Keep in mind those sticks were modified. He ground the standoff to be able to stack them that tightly. Otherwise there would be about 1/2” gap between sticks.
I see. I'm going to get a feel for them today along with the scout. I think I'm going to just keep my lwcg stick order, and if I fall in love with the shikars I'll order them later on and compare them side by side. Idk. This stuff is getting too expensive. I may just quit saddle hunting. Lmao.
Cut em down, doublesteps from DanO (eastern woods outdoors), versa aider and whoopsie Daisy from Mike Isbell, stealth strips from Uncle Lou (or EWO). Unless you just want to spend the money! Heard nothing but great things about the shikars tho!
I have owned LWCG minis twice and 17” and 22” Shikars. My list of pros and cons of each
LWCG:
Pro’s-
*with cable aiders they are pretty sweet.
*compact, can stack a bunch sideways, even better without the grommets
*they seem very sturdy not much flex if any at all
*matched with the LWCG stand or ambush the packability is unbeatable.
Con’s-
*single step (some don’t mind but I do)
*ugly, let’s face it the waterjetting is sloppy and the finish is mediocre. New manufacturer may be better.
*heavier than advertised
*they don’t pack well with the straps attached
Shikars:
Pro’s-
*quality is second to none
*they pack extremely low profile in pairs
*they grip the tree like none other
Con’s
*the fiddle factor, it sucks
*very long folded which hurts packability 17s are 26.5” long and the 22” are over 31”
*flex, they flex especially the 22s, pretty substantially. They spring back so it’s not an issue but definitely something to note
*I think the stand off should had been notched to lock them in when deployed. When pulling down and weighting the stick on the tree the standoff will turn and loosen the step. Turning the step 45 and then turning it when the thumb screw is tight helps on the pull down but when weighted they will still turn and loosen the step. It’s an annoyance and I don’t like the step wobbling under foot.
*the are designed to pack in pairs.
LWCG:
Pro’s-
*with cable aiders they are pretty sweet.
*compact, can stack a bunch sideways, even better without the grommets
*they seem very sturdy not much flex if any at all
*matched with the LWCG stand or ambush the packability is unbeatable.
Con’s-
*single step (some don’t mind but I do)
*ugly, let’s face it the waterjetting is sloppy and the finish is mediocre. New manufacturer may be better.
*heavier than advertised
*they don’t pack well with the straps attached
Shikars:
Pro’s-
*quality is second to none
*they pack extremely low profile in pairs
*they grip the tree like none other
Con’s
*the fiddle factor, it sucks
*very long folded which hurts packability 17s are 26.5” long and the 22” are over 31”
*flex, they flex especially the 22s, pretty substantially. They spring back so it’s not an issue but definitely something to note
*I think the stand off should had been notched to lock them in when deployed. When pulling down and weighting the stick on the tree the standoff will turn and loosen the step. Turning the step 45 and then turning it when the thumb screw is tight helps on the pull down but when weighted they will still turn and loosen the step. It’s an annoyance and I don’t like the step wobbling under foot.
*the are designed to pack in pairs.
Thanks for the list! I didn't realize that the shikars standoffs weren't notched. That might be a deal breaker for me.
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Really? That is going to piss people off that are stuck with all the hodge podge waterjet versions.
How do the minis stack with cable aiders? That's the route I'd like to go but if the cable aiders add a lot of bulk I may just try the versa aider.
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