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Hawk helium mini sticks straps...defective??

So what’s the verdict here are these straps bad? If they are weaved correct through the cam there is no other explanation yes? Mine appear to be thin compared to my lone wolfs.
 
Other than the slag rattle which was an easy fix I like mine, they bite and hold well, my straps haven’t slipped.
 
Topdog said:
Other than the slag rattle which was an easy fix I like mine, they bite and hold well, my straps haven’t slipped.
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I put a couple of mine on a slick bark water oak and had no slippage at all. Figured that tree would give me a good idea of how well the straps held and the feet would grab the tree. I havent tried all of them though. Glad your ok.
 
Yup I’m good mine don’t slip, I like mine, the OPs slipped, I have a painted power pole in my yard thats hard as a rock and mine bite real good on that, I was actually impressed.
 
Update: Sorry this took a while...my internet crashed for most of the day. Yesterday I only went up the tree for two sticks before retreating! Yesterday, both cams slipped. Today, I went out into the yard and put all four on a tree and weighted them with a little bounce test. One cam definitely slipped. I was unable to replicate the same slip with the other three. So now I am inclined to consider this a case of quality control/bad batch on the cams. Since I am working on a one step aider system there will be more hang time in the near future. I'll update if things change with respect to cam performance.

And since I have your attention, has anyone used the wire aiders from Eastern Wood Outdoors? They look like a good idea but seem to use the bolt that holds the lower offset. Is there enough length in the bolt to handle the additional spacing from the eyelets on the wires?
 
I think he includes a new longer bolt with the aider, I was going to order some to try this weekend but they were out of stock.
 
Topdog said:
Yup I’m good mine don’t slip, I like mine, the OPs slipped, I have a painted power pole in my yard thats hard as a rock and mine bite real good on that, I was actually impressed.
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Thanks Topdog for pointing this out. To be clear to everyone, the stick itself isn't what slipped...it was the brass colored cam slipping on the webbing.
 
My sticks from mack's had slag and problems with cups. Trimmed with razor knife and 2 steps ware not flat had to file to mach the rest of them. Changed out straps with LW straps. Happy with them now!
 
I also have a buckle that slips, I have to manually push it up to get it to lock. Weak spring? I've made zero modifications to mine.
 
Gordy77 said:
I also have a buckle that slips, I have to manually push it up to get it to lock. Weak spring? I've made zero modifications to mine.
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OK, so I'm not crazy. I've been using sticks since LW first came out with them and never had this problem, even with earlier Hawks. Think I will buy some LWCG straps and worry about other things! Great forum, great community. Thanks everyone.
 
Gordy77 said:
I also have a buckle that slips, I have to manually push it up to get it to lock. Weak spring? I've made zero modifications to mine.
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Shortdraw said:
OK, so I'm not crazy. I've been using sticks since LW first came out with them and never had this problem, even with earlier Hawks. Think I will buy some LWCG straps and worry about other things! Great forum, great community. Thanks everyone.
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You guys are not alone. In the referenced thread the poster found that one of his sticks had the strap routed wrong through the buckle from the factory. Not saying that is what is happening with you but I wanted to copy it here so that anyone searching in the future on this topic might find it.

New Saddlehunter! I have a question about my Hawk Helium sticks.

Hi, Everyone. All of your forum posts led me down the path of purchasing a Tethrd Phantom and some Hawk Helium climbing sticks to give hunting from a saddle a go Forgive me for my ignorance, as all of the deer hunting I have ever done is either from a fixed ladder stand or ground blind, so I...
saddlehunter.com
 
Bought mine on camo fire. One stick had corroded screws/nuts. A few were pocked and white, one was rusted and orange. I sent an email Friday no response. I called them Friday they said They would call Me Monday but haven’t called yet. I just want replacement screws so it’s safe. I bought 30”, haven’t used straps yet.
 
Tr33_n1nj@ said:
Mine are from Camofire. Slag, holes drilled wrong on 2 steps, hard suction cups, buttons with hang nails (instead of being slick, get hung up on Amsteel fibers). Never even unpacked the straps.

But at 2 lbs and $25 a stick, it still beats everything else on the market.
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Also bought mine from Camofire, had a tiny bit of slag that I was able to shake out before attaching the stand offs; 4 of the steps had the holes drilled wrong but I just moved them around to match each other on one stick. Did rope mod with 8mm so also did not unpack the straps but they appeared to be the same as the Hawk tree seat I use as my platform, which uses a ratchet strap so no cam slippage.

I'm just happy I got a hold a of a lighter and quieter set of sticks. I lugged around steel Field and Stream sticks last year, which was also my first season deer and saddle hunting. Lots of lessons learned, not least of which is weight and bulk matter.
 
Im done knocking these sticks, I think for the price, and with these aiders there real hard to beat. I’m gonna put them through he## this season and reassess after and then decide if I need to upgrade.
 
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