I still stand by 99% of my original review.
HOWEVER, In light of the recent issues of difficulty removing the bit after drilling the tree, I feel this needs cleared-up, or rectified before I can recommend buying one.
I am confident that Mark will resolve this problem.
My original review:
There has been many hundreds of posts about the pros and cons and questions about tree bolts. I won't get into much of the "whys" of bolts. If you don't know about bolts, just do a search and be prepared to do a lot of reading.
Treehopper ownership has changed hand several times over the decades and the current owner is Mark Cama. Mark is quite interested and responsive to the needs of us tree climbers. His new release of the Treehopper hand drill is a work of art. There's nothing to gripe about. It's much higher quality than the current competitor and it's the same price. $59.95. It's smooth and quiet...doesn't rattle in the pack like the old Woodpecker design. It drills a 3/8" hole in about a minute. I love mine.
However, I did have questions for Mark about the handle design. I asked him about the long stick-style as opposed to a knob style handle that my Woodpecker has. Mark has sent me a shorter version of the current handle and he plans to make that size available. He also intends to offer a knob-style handle, which I prefer. The knob offers a better grip and control, also more options on exactly what hand position you grab it with, and more clearance in tight spaces. Mark is currently working on offering a knob style handle.
Another thing Mark is working on is a slightly different style drill body that will accommodate both 3/8" and 1/2" bits in the same body. It's still in the design phase but if the concept works out as imagined, one body will accommodate both size bits, (not at the same time, one bit will need removed to mount the other). I know some guys are using carbon rods and are apprehensive about the strength of 3/8". I'm sure Treehopper will not be advocating carbon use, but for you guys wanting a drill that handles 1/2", Treehopper will most likely offer that. And you won't need 2 different drill bodies if you also use 3/8"...just pop the pin from the drill and switch bits.
I'm working on a small field-kit that can hold a spare bit and a couple extra parts. It won't be much larger than a single bolt. IMO, being able to change a bit in the field is huge. Being a mile from your vehicle or camp and want/need to change a bit would suck if you don't have the ability to do so. I bought a spare bit and it won't do me much good unless I have it with me when I need it. I intend on carrying it and being able to change it in the field.
Treehopper has also developed a no-slip coating for their grade 8 cap screws. It will be available in 2 different colors...gray and black. The gray looks great and are easier to see in low light when climbing down. The coating is quieter than uncoated bolts, but not as quiet as marine grade shrink tube. But the coating is less slippy than the shrink tube so the coating safer than the shrink tube.
I hunt private land and have used screw-in steps for 40 years. I've always liked the EZ Climb Deluxe screw-in but they are expensive and not always easy to install or remove on really hard trees. Plus they are 2 piece (the step and the lag) so they are not bomb-proof. I did have a step break off from the lag several years ago. Luckily, I was at ground level.
Ameristep screw-in are reasonably priced but they absolutely suck for installing, removing, and carrying. I hate them with a passion. Bolts are the way to go and the Treehopper drill is top shelf.
HOWEVER, In light of the recent issues of difficulty removing the bit after drilling the tree, I feel this needs cleared-up, or rectified before I can recommend buying one.
I am confident that Mark will resolve this problem.
My original review:
There has been many hundreds of posts about the pros and cons and questions about tree bolts. I won't get into much of the "whys" of bolts. If you don't know about bolts, just do a search and be prepared to do a lot of reading.
Treehopper ownership has changed hand several times over the decades and the current owner is Mark Cama. Mark is quite interested and responsive to the needs of us tree climbers. His new release of the Treehopper hand drill is a work of art. There's nothing to gripe about. It's much higher quality than the current competitor and it's the same price. $59.95. It's smooth and quiet...doesn't rattle in the pack like the old Woodpecker design. It drills a 3/8" hole in about a minute. I love mine.
However, I did have questions for Mark about the handle design. I asked him about the long stick-style as opposed to a knob style handle that my Woodpecker has. Mark has sent me a shorter version of the current handle and he plans to make that size available. He also intends to offer a knob-style handle, which I prefer. The knob offers a better grip and control, also more options on exactly what hand position you grab it with, and more clearance in tight spaces. Mark is currently working on offering a knob style handle.
Another thing Mark is working on is a slightly different style drill body that will accommodate both 3/8" and 1/2" bits in the same body. It's still in the design phase but if the concept works out as imagined, one body will accommodate both size bits, (not at the same time, one bit will need removed to mount the other). I know some guys are using carbon rods and are apprehensive about the strength of 3/8". I'm sure Treehopper will not be advocating carbon use, but for you guys wanting a drill that handles 1/2", Treehopper will most likely offer that. And you won't need 2 different drill bodies if you also use 3/8"...just pop the pin from the drill and switch bits.
I'm working on a small field-kit that can hold a spare bit and a couple extra parts. It won't be much larger than a single bolt. IMO, being able to change a bit in the field is huge. Being a mile from your vehicle or camp and want/need to change a bit would suck if you don't have the ability to do so. I bought a spare bit and it won't do me much good unless I have it with me when I need it. I intend on carrying it and being able to change it in the field.
Treehopper has also developed a no-slip coating for their grade 8 cap screws. It will be available in 2 different colors...gray and black. The gray looks great and are easier to see in low light when climbing down. The coating is quieter than uncoated bolts, but not as quiet as marine grade shrink tube. But the coating is less slippy than the shrink tube so the coating safer than the shrink tube.
I hunt private land and have used screw-in steps for 40 years. I've always liked the EZ Climb Deluxe screw-in but they are expensive and not always easy to install or remove on really hard trees. Plus they are 2 piece (the step and the lag) so they are not bomb-proof. I did have a step break off from the lag several years ago. Luckily, I was at ground level.
Ameristep screw-in are reasonably priced but they absolutely suck for installing, removing, and carrying. I hate them with a passion. Bolts are the way to go and the Treehopper drill is top shelf.
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