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Best ring of steps??

Here is another source for the pro series kwik lock ocb:





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@onestringer I haven’t ever had it be a problem but I also position the buckle away from where I plan to hunt. The steps themselves I’ve wrapped in vet wrap but nothing on the buckle. I did manage to open the buckle one time this year while moving around the tree. I was using spurs so after falling one inch toward imminent death I was able to put them back on and set them back up. Had I been using another climbing method I would have had to shimmy down the tree a couple feet.

Since it’s unanimous squirrel steps are the best I am gonna hijack this thread for a minute. Here is a pick of how I have been setting my ROS in relation to my stick. I use the stick in conjunction with my ROS. I like having the stick at my “6” o’clock position.

c4457a10a0941c3e4fc4eb0c4c467333.jpg



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I left the ratchet strap version for a Dan O OCB. I'm still amazed at how tight it is. My ameristeps never budge even a little.
 
Since it’s unanimous squirrel steps are the best I am gonna hijack this thread for a minute. Here is a pick of how I have been setting my ROS in relation to my stick. I use the stick in conjunction with my ROS. I like having the stick at my “6” o’clock position.

c4457a10a0941c3e4fc4eb0c4c467333.jpg



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Yep. I do the same. Very effective!
 
How does the ocb buckle hold up for big guys 300lbs?? Are you going to feel like the steps are slipping? New to ocb buckle and use to hd ratchet strap on bullman silent approach ROS, looking to lighten my load, so any help is appreciated!
I weigh 220# plus gear & clothes. I've had no issues w/ @DanO's OCB buckle on my Cranford scaffolds. They hold really tight and is easier to set up than my ratchet strap. I got fairly decent with my ratchet strap, but OCB is so much lighter. I'm strongly considered getting some SS this off season.
 
I weigh 220# plus gear & clothes. I've had no issues w/ @DanO's OCB buckle on my Cranford scaffolds. They hold really tight and is easier to set up than my ratchet strap. I got fairly decent with my ratchet strap, but OCB is so much lighter. I'm strongly considered getting some SS this off season.

thanks for your help.
 
Anybody here try the new treehopper steps yet? They look lighter, quieter, and cheaper, but a little bulkier than squirrel steps. Supposedly they nest together to be more compact than other plastic steps. It looks like that wouldn't really work if they are rigged up on a strap, though. Anyone have experience with them? Any other observations on them?
 
Anybody here try the new treehopper steps yet? They look lighter, quieter, and cheaper, but a little bulkier than squirrel steps. Supposedly they nest together to be more compact than other plastic steps. It looks like that wouldn't really work if they are rigged up on a strap, though. Anyone have experience with them? Any other observations on them?

cheaper will be the only thing they do better than SS’s.
 
Anybody here try the new treehopper steps yet? They look lighter, quieter, and cheaper, but a little bulkier than squirrel steps. Supposedly they nest together to be more compact than other plastic steps. It looks like that wouldn't really work if they are rigged up on a strap, though. Anyone have experience with them? Any other observations on them?
@vtbowhunt has them on a ROS I believe.
 
I had the ocd buckle break while caming it over

the actual boat buckle with the gray lever is much better
 
I prefer the ameristep over the squirrel steps, but the squirrels pack much more compact
 
Bigger don’t have to tape them up I wore vet tape out to fast just my preference
 
I like having the stick at my “6” o’clock position.

c4457a10a0941c3e4fc4eb0c4c467333.jpg

I've been debating what I wanted to do, spend the 70 on a stick top platform or take the plunge and start building my squirrel step ROS a few at a time. I figured I could start with 2 and get 2 at a time till I have about 6. Was kinda worried, thinking 2 of them would kind of be worthless by themselves, but this maybe the ticket right there.
 
What can you folks tell me about the Bullman steps? Probably lighter and quieter than (unwrapped) squirrel steps. What are the drawbacks?
 
What can you folks tell me about the Bullman steps? Probably lighter and quieter than (unwrapped) squirrel steps. What are the drawbacks?

Great ROS just bulkier steps and the big ratchet strap, compared to the Squirrel Steps , but then everything is! I used them for a while, and for the price they are great. I sold them thinking I would get the cranford or treehopper steps, but I believe I am just going to run a 3 bolt system as my platform, I am already carrying the bolts, so instead of spending more money on a ROS, and having the extra weight, just use what I have. Really only takes about 20 sec. for each bolt to be placed. Pros for bolts are they handle side pressure like a champ, are comfortable to me, if you change from lean to sit. The bullman steps are good, I do recommend them.
 
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Great ROS just bulkier compared to the Squirrel Steps , but then everything is! I used them for a while, and for the price they are great. I sold them thinking I would get the cranford or treehopper steps, but I believe I am just going to run a 3 bolt system as my platform, I am already carrying the bolts, so instead of spending more money on a ROS, and having the extra weight, just what I have. Really only takes about 20 sec. for each bolt to be placed. Pros for bolts are they handle side pressure like a champ, are comfortable to me if you change from lean to sit.
Thanks for the thoughts. I used a combination of bolts and screw-in Ameristeps (round rod) this year for both climbing and for my ROS. I found them uncomfortable for the ROS after an hour or so unless I put in enough steps, close enough together to bridge two steps with each foot. All that "screwing around" while perched on my top step became frustrating and sometimes painful on my feet. That convinced me to try a strap-on ROS. I'm hoping that it will be quicker, easier, and more comfy, at the acknowledged expense of additional bulk.
 
What can you folks tell me about the Bullman steps? Probably lighter and quieter than (unwrapped) squirrel steps. What are the drawbacks?
I had the Bullman ROS and when my boots were muddy my feet slipped off them really easily. I bought some old plastic Ameristeps and they don't slip off. I'd assume the new Treehopper design and the squirrel steps have the slipping problem solved as well.
 
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