Hawk helium mini sticks straps...defective??

[HeavyD]

I had my cam buckle slip on me today. I took one stick to set my trail cam high to deter theft and couldn’t get the cams teeth to cinch down on the wedding. I’m waiting on my saddle so I have only throw a stick or two on a tree.

I thought it was the release button hitting the side initially, but after slightly prying it with a flat head it still doesn’t have that snap back feeling of the spring. I send Hawk an email, but not expecting much. Might buy one from someone who changed out the straps. I have a photo but the file is too large.

 

[stevethebreeze]

I went through each of mine ( bought 2 sets of four from Macks) and all my straps were correct and the buckles seated well on the webbing. But there have been other issues along with the strap being installed from the factory incorrectly as well.
Lots of metal shavings rattling around inside and some guys had to take them completely apart to get them out
Some have had step issues where the steps didnt fold down horizontal completely
Several of us including myself had to do some trimming on the male and female ends of the suction cups just to be able to pull them apart without cutting our fingers on the metal. A bunch of us have written to Hawk with absolutely zero response. And I was nice about it! But no responses that I have heard.
I did write to Macks Prairie WIngs (where I bought mine) and they were AWESOME. They said they are having alot of issues with Hawk support. And they are sending me new cups, no charge. I told them it wasnt their responsibility but they insisted.
I LOVE my 20" Heliums but Hawk needs to get their crap straight or they will be out of business in a couple years.
All these issues are very fixable for them but the strap issue is a lawsuit waiting to happen.

 

[KYhunter66]

I went through each of mine ( bought 2 sets of four from Macks) and all my straps were correct and the buckles seated well on the webbing. But there have been other issues along with the strap being installed from the factory incorrectly as well.
Lots of metal shavings rattling around inside and some guys had to take them completely apart to get them out
Some have had step issues where the steps didnt fold down horizontal completely
Several of us including myself had to do some trimming on the male and female ends of the suction cups just to be able to pull them apart without cutting our fingers on the metal. A bunch of us have written to Hawk with absolutely zero response. And I was nice about it! But no responses that I have heard.
I did write to Macks Prairie WIngs (where I bought mine) and they were AWESOME. They said they are having alot of issues with Hawk support. And they are sending me new cups, no charge. I told them it wasnt their responsibility but they insisted.
I LOVE my 20" Heliums but Hawk needs to get their crap straight or they will be out of business in a couple years.
All these issues are very fixable for them but the strap issue is a lawsuit waiting to happen.

I sold my sticks after fixing all the problems and bought novix mini sticks I'm buying USA from now on!!

 

[HeavyD]

I did just reach out to Macks after hearing they are supportive. That’s good to hear. Yeah the hawks have some issues for sure, but for 1/3 or 1/4 of the price of other sticks it’s hard to beat even with some issues. I ponied up for a predator and a cruzr. I couldn’t justify it for the sticks.

Also my predator cam strap is made in China. Can’t have it all I guess.

 

[Murph4028]

Sucks your dealing with this issue with a brand new product. If you like the sticks there are endless other safe attachment methods out there. If I were you I'd get some webbing or some amsteel and try the buckleless method. Easy to do, safe if done right, and no noise.

 

[Bdwilliams]

I agree. Try the buckleless attachment method using the straps you have if you don't trust the buckles. I haven't had issues with my straps (2019 full size heliums) but I think I'm going buckleless this season anyways.

 

[HeavyD]

I’ll wait to see if I get some kind of response. If not I’ll either buy someone’s cam buckles or order some amsteel. The one plus right off the rip with amsteel is having it longer to get around some of these oaks.

 

[stevethebreeze]

I bought daisy chains from @DanO to replace the straps. Even though my straps were fine after checking them, the buckles are so shiny and reflective I didnt want to use them anyway.

 

[KYhunter66]

I use stelth buckle silencers on all my straps

 

[stevethebreeze]

I use stelth buckle silencers on all my straps

I need to look into that. The other reason I switched to the daisy was they are easy to use, quiet, and lightweight straps. But I have various stands that use straps so this intrigues me.

 

[KYhunter66]

I need to look into that. The other reason I switched to the daisy was they are easy to use, quiet, and lightweight straps. But I have various stands that use straps so this intrigues me.

I was using yak grips cut in half works great! But stelth buckle are easy to put on.

 

[stevethebreeze]

I'm loving this website. Sorry to get off topic. Was researching those stealth buckles

HOOKS | Duraflex USA

 

[HeavyD]

Mack's has great customer service, they replied back to my email within one day and are taking care of me! Still no word from Hawk, which is a shame because I Iike the sticks.

 

[BuffaloBill]

I sold my sticks after fixing all the problems and bought novix mini sticks I'm buying USA from now on!!

I just ordered some of their mini sticks myself. Had issues with Hawk when I bought my Helium sticks last year. They're not getting another dime from me. Four of the Novix mini sticks and possibly aiders should get me plenty high and have a lot smaller profile. I looked at the XOP mini sticks but they're heavier and there's like an extra five inches of unused length due to the locking feature. Not to mention they come from China.

 

[stevethebreeze]

How much do the Novix weigh per stick?

 

[BuffaloBill]

How much do the Novix weigh per stick?

I've seen pics of them on a scale with straps and buckles and they are 6lbs 11oz all together. So roughly 1.5lbs with straps. So pretty close to the 1.4lb advertised weights.

 

[Shortdraw]

Just returned from a week out of town to find my four LWCG cam straps waiting for me. The quality difference is night and day. Those Hawk cam straps are going into the trash. After six decades on the planet you'd think I'd learn that you get what you pay for. And these are my second set of Hawk products!

 

[Shakeandbake]

I'm not 100% certain on this but it seems to me that every issue with these sticks I've heard about was bought from Macks (slipping strap, slag, steps being drilled incorrectly). Has anyone had any of these issues with Helium sticks bought elsewhere?

I just received a set from Black Ovis. Looks like a 5 year old packed them in the box. Loose/missing hardware, tape all over the place and the instructions were smashed in the bottom. Sharp edges on the sticks where they cut them. That’s the kind of QC you can expect from $125 China sticks I guess.

 

[BuffaloBill]

I just received a set from Black Ovis. Looks like a 5 year old packed them in the box. Loose/missing hardware, tape all over the place and the instructions were smashed in the bottom. Sharp edges on the sticks where they cut them. That’s the kind of QC you can expect from $125 China sticks I guess.

Yeah their packaging and QC are garbage. My sticks last year had like three of the suction cup parts broken. Took two phone calls to get enough replacements. Replacing them with Novix mini sticks.

 

[swamp_possum]

I just received a set from Black Ovis. Looks like a 5 year old packed them in the box. Loose/missing hardware, tape all over the place and the instructions were smashed in the bottom. Sharp edges on the sticks where they cut them. That’s the kind of QC you can expect from $125 China sticks I guess.

Mine were like that but everything was in there and accounted for. A little rattle but they function just fine.