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First Saddle setup

T

Tylerhorner33

Member
Joined
Dec 23, 2020
Messages
62
Ok so I think I have everything I need now for my full setup this year. Figured I’d list it off and see what you guys think. I’ve played around with it in my front yard a bit but the weather hasn’t been great to do a full test run. If there’s anything I’m missing or you would tweak I’m open to trying anything minding that my budget is pretty tight.

Tree hopper Recon
Hawk Helium 20” with 8mm climbing rope mod. With a 4’ 2 step diy aider made from Planning on one sticking.
40’ of 11mm static line
ATC for repelling.
HSS line for lineman’s belt with a ropeman 1
Gonna use my repel line as my tether with a prusik and tender to tie into my bridge. Also planned to slide this down and use it as my auto block for the ATC.
Have the stainless steel oval screw gate link with some gear ties to hold in place.
Gonna buy a ring of steps from Treehopper for my platform I think.

ive given this a few tries piece by piece and I think it should be pretty solid and lightweight for sure compared to my 20lbs of climbing sticks and 10lb stand I used last year
 
Tylerhorner33 said:
Tree hopper Recon
Hawk Helium 20” with 8mm climbing rope mod. With a 4’ 2 step diy aider made from Planning on one sticking.
40’ of 11mm static line
ATC for repelling.
HSS line for lineman’s belt with a ropeman 1
Gonna use my repel line as my tether with a prusik and tender to tie into my bridge. Also planned to slide this down and use it as my auto block for the ATC.
Have the stainless steel oval screw gate link with some gear ties to hold in place.
Gonna buy a ring of steps from Treehopper for my platform I think.

ive given this a few tries piece by piece and I think it should be pretty solid and lightweight for sure compared to my 20lbs of climbing sticks and 10lb stand I used last year
Click to expand...
Hey Newbie here. Just starting out with some You Tube Reviews on Equipment. Question - whats the deal with the ATC / rappelling line?
So far I've thought through the basic set up as:

Saddle w/ Lineman Rope & Tether: Trophy Line "Covert Lite Saddle Kit" $319
Climbing Sticks: Hawks Helium "4 Pack 20" or 3 Pack Climbing Sticks" $149.
Platform: Still Thinking

So far this is about where I thought the cost would be and I still haven't figured out the platform. I might be able to drop the "Saddle w/ Lineman Rope & Tether" by about $60 if I piecemeal the set. In any case looking at $550 startup cost. Would like to really bring that down. But as a basic setup, is there something missing?

Any Advice on what I'm looking at
 
IslandStorm62 said:
Hey Newbie here. Just starting out with some You Tube Reviews on Equipment. Question - whats the deal with the ATC / rappelling line?
So far I've thought through the basic set up as:

Saddle w/ Lineman Rope & Tether: Trophy Line "Covert Lite Saddle Kit" $319
Climbing Sticks: Hawks Helium "4 Pack 20" or 3 Pack Climbing Sticks" $149.
Platform: Still Thinking

So far this is about where I thought the cost would be and I still haven't figured out the platform. I might be able to drop the "Saddle w/ Lineman Rope & Tether" by about $60 if I piecemeal the set. In any case looking at $550 startup cost. Would like to really bring that down. But as a basic setup, is there something missing?

Any Advice on what I'm looking at
Click to expand...

If you have nothing against used equipment. I would look at the classified here or even ArcheryTalk. You can definitely save a lot of money. I would also piecemeal the rope and tether. Rope from Eastern Wood Outdoors are a great deal. $20 for enough to make both lines. Platform or ROS setup would cost around 60-100.

If you are planning to use multiple sticks, honestly you dont need to rappel. Its FUN and safer, but you can simply climb down the sticks.

If you want to spend the extra money, look at Kong Duck or Mad Rock Safe/life Guard to make things easier if you dont want to deal with ATC devices or different type of knots.
 
I agree, you have plenty of time before the season starts. Keep an eye on the Classifies for used stuff. I saved myself $200 doing it that way. I did buy new rope from Atlantic Rigging (Sterling HTP 9mm) and new carabiners.
 
IslandStorm62 said:
Hey Newbie here. Just starting out with some You Tube Reviews on Equipment. Question - whats the deal with the ATC / rappelling line?
So far I've thought through the basic set up as:

Saddle w/ Lineman Rope & Tether: Trophy Line "Covert Lite Saddle Kit" $319
Climbing Sticks: Hawks Helium "4 Pack 20" or 3 Pack Climbing Sticks" $149.
Platform: Still Thinking

So far this is about where I thought the cost would be and I still haven't figured out the platform. I might be able to drop the "Saddle w/ Lineman Rope & Tether" by about $60 if I piecemeal the set. In any case looking at $550 startup cost. Would like to really bring that down. But as a basic setup, is there something missing?

Any Advice on what I'm looking at
Click to expand...
The ATC is used to repel out of the tree after one-sticking so if you already have sticks you planned on using them you don’t have to worry about one. I would have actually liked to get a madrock but being 80-100 bucks compared to 15 for the ATC made the difference for me. I’ll probably switch in the next year or so but for now it will work.
 
HuumanCreed said:
If you have nothing against used equipment. I would look at the classified here or even ArcheryTalk. You can definitely save a lot of money. I would also piecemeal the rope and tether. Rope from Eastern Wood Outdoors are a great deal. $20 for enough to make both lines. Platform or ROS setup would cost around 60-100.

If you are planning to use multiple sticks, honestly you dont need to rappel. Its FUN and safer, but you can simply climb down the sticks.

If you want to spend the extra money, look at Kong Duck or Mad Rock Safe/life Guard to make things easier if you dont want to deal with ATC devices or different type of knots.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I just saw a vid on one stick climbimg...interesting. Nothing against used equipment. Just want to get my gear together quickly so I can start practicing / planning.
 
Hey All, trying to decide between the Hawks Helium 30" 3-Step Stick or the 20" Mini (2-Step) Stick. I'm leaning towards the 30" since the distance between steps is shorter 13" vs the mini, which supposedly has 18" between steps. It is hard to decide if that distance between steps could be problematic. On the other hand, it seems like there a lot of hunters that have cut down their 30" Hawks Helium sticks to 22", converting them into a 2-step climbing stick. I'm guessing this has to do with mobility through the woods.

Anyone been through...care to share your thoughts / experience?
 
IslandStorm62 said:
Hey All, trying to decide between the Hawks Helium 30" 3-Step Stick or the 20" Mini (2-Step) Stick. I'm leaning towards the 30" since the distance between steps is shorter 13" vs the mini, which supposedly has 18" between steps. It is hard to decide if that distance between steps could be problematic. On the other hand, it seems like there a lot of hunters that have cut down their 30" Hawks Helium sticks to 22", converting them into a 2-step climbing stick. I'm guessing this has to do with mobility through the woods.

Anyone been through...care to share your thoughts / experience?
Click to expand...
I debated the same thing before I got mine and decided that the step to step was going to be close to the same if I cut mine down so I’d rather just buy one straight from factory so I didn’t void any warranty or have to rely on my modifying skills.
 
Tylerhorner33 said:
I debated the same thing before I got mine and decided that the step to step was going to be close to the same if I cut mine down so I’d rather just buy one straight from factory so I didn’t void any warranty or have to rely on my modifying skills.
Click to expand...
So you went for the mini? That's the way I am leaning. If the steps are too long, I think I can shift the top step down 2" no cutting but, still have to drill new holes in what appears to be a safe area. wish I could see the steps to measure the space between the top step screws and the bumper cups.
Anyone got a set of minis they could measure and post a pic? Thanks
 
Hey hey, found the Hawks Helium 4-pack for $109 + free shipping. After Taxes - $120. Though not sure how long it will take with UPS ground.

Now for the stand. I want to wait for the Trophyline EDP pricing, but right now the cheapest (quality?) is Edge from XOP. Any thoughts on this?
 
IslandStorm62 said:
Hey hey, found the Hawks Helium 4-pack for $109 + free shipping. After Taxes - $120. Though not sure how long it will take with UPS ground.

Now for the stand. I want to wait for the Trophyline EDP pricing, but right now the cheapest (quality?) is Edge from XOP. Any thoughts on this?
Click to expand...
Ordered mine on the 11th and got them on the 15th through ups. Ordered through Amazon.
 
Ballsy I know but money is kinda tight so I wasn’t going to be able to afford a full set of sticks and the super lightweight aspect seemed too good to turn down
 
Not bashing you at all! I totally get it! I considered one sticking then just went cheaper on sticks. Plus a lot of my hunting is private land where I can use screw in pegs which I have a billion of
 
MA_PAdeerslayer said:
Not bashing you at all! I totally get it! I considered one sticking then just went cheaper on sticks. Plus a lot of my hunting is private land where I can use screw in pegs which I have a billion of
Click to expand...
I actually bought some old screw ins incase any of my door knocking pans out. Figured it wouldn’t be bad to have some presets to help speed things up for a shorter hunt. And I didn’t figure your we’re criticizing by any means.
 
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