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Bullman Apex 2.0 for climbing

I tried it and hated it. Had a bad kick out when I was stepping into the aider. I’ve come to seriously dislike aiders of any kind and I don’t use them past the bottom stick anymore.
I understand, but if I put my toe into the tree I wobble. If I put my foot sideways it works good for me.
 
Sorry if I came across the wrong way. I was just trying to give a different option that has worked for me.
Didn’t come across the wrong way at all, just saying it’s all personal preference.
 
The ratchet strap is for the ring of steps which i have but use an OCB, just curious about new amsteel attachment for climbing.
 
The ratchet strap is for the ring of steps which i have but use an OCB, just curious about new amsteel attachment for climbing.
Yea the cam straps were ok, but I still prefer a ratchet strap for those particular steps.
the amsteel attachment was more difficult to get it to seat tightly, in my opinion. I’d try daisy chain amsteel instead and use a modified truckers hitch. I believe it would bite Down tighter.
 
OK, I caved and ordered 6 steps without attachment. Going to try the Amsteel daisy with @raisins truckers hitch since I already have them.
Will save me 12oz, and pack down better.
Ive been dragging my feet on picking up a few as well.
He is offering a cam to flat hook now, which is how I climbed with pioneers. The grey strap and durability looks promising vs the black straps I was using.
 
OK, I caved and ordered 6 steps without attachment. Going to try the Amsteel daisy with @raisins truckers hitch since I already have them.
Will save me 12oz, and pack down better.


I was just pondering this.....I think you could anchor the daisy chain tag end by going over the top of the step and under the lower support several times....this would hold pretty tight with friction when stepping down.

Let us know how it works.

Are these lighter (bare steps) than the tree hoppers?
 
My Treehoppers weigh 5oz on my scale. The Apex are advertised at 3oz.
Edit: I like the way that the Treehoppers are solid on the tree.
I do not like all the sharp edges. That can be fixed with a small file. I did have one that was 40% under weight.
Should they have a date code if they have to do a recall?
 
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I got my Apex steps in. You can see from the picture I have tried just about every public land legal step I can find. The Treehoppers were the most solid until now.
Since my left foot is in a boot, fractured, I cannot really climb on them. But I hung a platform, tied on one Apex and stood on it with my right foot. The step seemed solid. The step set, slid down like a climbing stick, was tight to the tree. I did not experience any pull away. So I think these may work well.
I did send a list of questions to Bullman. When I get some answers I will post it here.
The Apex have a larger foot area then the Treehoppers. Also since the Apex are parallel to the ground, see pictue they are more comfortable. Because of the steep angle on the Treehopper it is hard to use all of the step area.
The Apex pack much smaller and 6 steps weigh 1lb 12oz ready to hunt.
The Apex steps seem to be made from a different material then the Treehopper and this was one of my questions to Bullman. I also asked if the steps were tested in cold weather.

Screenshot_20230420_143417_Gallery.jpgScreenshot_20230420_143357_Gallery.jpgScreenshot_20230420_143328_Gallery.jpg
 
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I got my Apex steps in. You can see from the picture I have tried just about every public land legal step I can find. The Treehoppers were the most solid until now.
Since my left foot is in a boot, fractured, I cannot really climb on them. But I hung a platform, tied on one Apex and stood on it with my right foot. The step seemed solid. The step set, slid down like a climbing stick, was tight to the tree. I did nor experience any pull away. So I think these may work well.
I did send a list of questions to Bullman. When I get some answers I will post it here.
The Apex have a larger foot area then the Treehoppers. Also since the Apex are parallel to the ground, see pictue they are more comfortable. Because of the steep angle on the Treehopper it is hard to use all of the step ares.
The Apex pack much smaller and 6 steps weigh 1lb 12oz ready to hunt.
The Apex steps seem to be made from a different material then the Treehopper and this was one of my questions to Bullman. I also asked if the steps were tested in cold weather.

View attachment 84002View attachment 84003View attachment 84004

What's your method for tying on? I see metal triglides. Are you doing a trucker's hitch and then terminating on the triglide?
 
I got my Apex steps in. You can see from the picture I have tried just about every public land legal step I can find. The Treehoppers were the most solid until now.
Since my left foot is in a boot, fractured, I cannot really climb on them. But I hung a platform, tied on one Apex and stood on it with my right foot. The step seemed solid. The step set, slid down like a climbing stick, was tight to the tree. I did nor experience any pull away. So I think these may work well.
I did send a list of questions to Bullman. When I get some answers I will post it here.
The Apex have a larger foot area then the Treehoppers. Also since the Apex are parallel to the ground, see pictue they are more comfortable. Because of the steep angle on the Treehopper it is hard to use all of the step ares.
The Apex pack much smaller and 6 steps weigh 1lb 12oz ready to hunt.
The Apex steps seem to be made from a different material then the Treehopper and this was one of my questions to Bullman. I also asked if the steps were tested in cold weather.

View attachment 84002View attachment 84003View attachment 84004
I thought you’d like the 2.0’s
 
FYI, I sent these questions to Bullman Outdoors.

1. What material are they made from? Is it the same as the Treehopper or old Ameristep's?
2. You list a rate rating of 300 lbs. Can you explain the test method?
3. Have you done any weight testing at extreme cold temperatures. Example, do they get brittle at 0F?
4. If you dropped one while climbing and it fell on a rock say from 12 feet, will that hurt the step.?

These are the answers I received.

"As far as the material it is a proprietary blend devised from a friend in the plastic industry.
The base was from an industry that required the plastic to perform at very cold temperatures and has a brittleness rating of 100 below !
So it is made for the cold to answer a later question.
The testing is to ASTM/TMA standards.
A 300 lb rating gets 10,000 compressions at 300lbs as well as holds 2X desired weight rating ( 600lbs) for 2 mins without signs of breakage or distortion.
These tests are performed by a 3rd party ASTM certified testing facility.
We beat the steps with a sledge hammer and have issues getting them to break. I don't think the step would even notice being droped on a rock."

I asked these questions before i receved the steps. You can tell that the material of the Apex is different than the Treehopper.
 
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FYI, I sent these questions to Bullman Outdoors.

1. What material are they made from? Is it the same as the Treehopper or old Ameristep's?
2. You list a rate rating of 300 lbs. Can you explain the test method?
3. Have you done any weight testing at extreme cold temperatures. Example, do they get brittle at 0F?
4. If you dropped one while climbing and it fell on a rock say from 12 feet, will that hurt the step.?

These are the answers I received.

"As far as the material it is a proprietary blend devised from a friend in the plastic industry.
The base was from an industry that required the plastic to perform at very cold temperatures and has a brittleness rating of 100 below !
So it is made for the cold to answer a later question.
The testing is to ASTM/TMA standards.
A 300 lb rating gets 10,000 compressions at 300lbs as well as holds 2X desired weight rating ( 600lbs) for 2 mins without signs of breakage or distortion.
These tests are performed by a 3rd party ASTM certified testing facility.
We beat the steps with a sledge hammer and have issues getting them to break. I don't think the step would even notice being droped on a rock."

I asked these questions before i receved the steps. You can tell that the material of the Apex is different than the Treehopper.
I can also verify the information Shawn gave you is true. I wish he had been able to attend the meet up so that he could have showed off some of the steps in person
 
Thanks @boyne bowhunter for the post on the Timber hitch. I just tried it on the Apex steps. I do have a problem, what am I going to do with all these daisy chains, LOL.


Screenshot_20230423_105940_Gallery.jpg
 
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