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Cable vs amsteel aider

Dressedtokill

Dressedtokill

Active Member
Joined
Jan 22, 2018
Messages
115
I searched and couldn’t find anything but I’m sure the question has been asked! Which do you prefer and y? One benefit I see is the wind won’t blow a cable aider like it would a amsteel and possibly spook deer! Anybody see that being an issue?


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Dressedtokill said:
I searched and couldn’t find anything but I’m sure the question has been asked! Which do you prefer and y? One benefit I see is the wind won’t blow a cable aider like it would a amsteel and possibly spook deer! Anybody see that being an issue?


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Check out the " climbing methods" and platform category.
Also anything one stick and climbing sticks you'll find helpful pics and feedback.

Sticks and Aiders - Use Both or Just sticks?

So what is the consensus on climbing sticks / aiders? Do most people use a combination of the two or do most of you just use sticks without aiders? I understand everyone is different but what has worked for you? I'm looking to stay reasonably light weight. I see Hawk sticks come in 30" and...
saddlehunter.com
 
Used both. I guess it depends on how you make them but I don't see the wind blowing them that much. If it's enough wind to blow them everything else would be blowing around too. Cable aiders are hands down easier to use, especially coming down. I could manage with the amsteel but it would get frustrating when I'd bump the aider with my foot pushing it away making it harder to get my foot into. Can be especially difficult late in the season with bigger boots on. I thought the amsteel aiders I made myself were the greatest thing since sliced bread, then the cable aiders came out. Now I'd never go back. To be clear though the only amsteel ones I've used were fixed to each stick, I haven't tried the one that stays attached to your foot that I've heard a lot of good things about on here. I'm just not big on having anything attached to my body while climbing.
 
BenG said:
Used both. I guess it depends on how you make them but I don't see the wind blowing them that much. If it's enough wind to blow them everything else would be blowing around too. Cable aiders are hands down easier to use, especially coming down. I could manage with the amsteel but it would get frustrating when I'd bump the aider with my foot pushing it away making it harder to get my foot into. Can be especially difficult late in the season with bigger boots on. I thought the amsteel aiders I made myself were the greatest thing since sliced bread, then the cable aiders came out. Now I'd never go back. To be clear though the only amsteel ones I've used were fixed to each stick, I haven't tried the one that stays attached to your foot that I've heard a lot of good things about on here. I'm just not big on having anything attached to my body while climbing.
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Thank you for that! Great info! I am new to the aider world been using K&S method on WE steps trying to change it up this year! Got four shikar mini sticks and trying to get the most out of this stick! Thanks J


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I read one fellow got a cable aider wedged in aggressive boot tread.
 
I think it depends on if you want more than one extra step. Cable aiders seem to be great for that one step but you need a different option for multi step.

If you are worried about the aider moving around you can use a carry as you go style multi step aider. Super easy to secure it to you so you don’t drop it too. Then at top step to stow it away if you would like.

This is still one of my favorite videos for climbing and setting up.
 
I actually prefer a webbing continuous loop. I find I can use a hand to move the aider to my foot versus having to get my foot in the aider (if that makes any sense). The cable aiders do have the benefit of less visibility and less likely to blow in the wind as you mentioned...
 
Cable aiders stay open and if you add 1/2 a twist to one end before bolting on, it will bow out away from the tree. Makes it real easy to find with your foot. My biggest issue with other aiders is that they hang too close to the tree and I can only get my toe in unless I kick it around and fight with it. With my cable aiders, I get the cable under the arch of my foot easily.
 
Dressedtokill said:
I searched and couldn’t find anything but I’m sure the question has been asked! Which do you prefer and y? One benefit I see is the wind won’t blow a cable aider like it would a amsteel and possibly spook deer! Anybody see that being an issue?


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Ive done both and went with the cable aiders hands down. Cable stores easy and no fishing for the amsteel aider thats blowing in the wind!!!! Less movement for deer to see.
 
What about packability of the cable aiders? My mini shikars are shorter that the aider!


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Dressedtokill said:
What about packability of the cable aiders? My mini shikars are shorter that the aider!


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I made my cable aider the same distance as my steps, 19”. So I just rotate them up on the bolt and it’s about the same length as my stick. I don’t know what you would do with the extra length of cable on an ultra mini stick. I don’t know if folding the extra cable back over itself will cause some memory. Or maybe if you fold it right, the memory will bend it out away from the tree which wouldn’t be a bad thing.
I guess rotate it up on the bolt, then fold the extra length back down and wrap your tree strap/rope around it to secure it. Try it and let us know.
 
another consideration is weight. cable aider will weigh more than amsteel. with three cable aiders, it added another pound over amsteel aiders for me.
 
I tried webbing and went with cable aiders because of the ease of getting my foot in them over the webbing.
 
What about a daisy chain aider that goes to versa button


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