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Hawk helium mini sticks straps...defective??

I bought two sets of these sticks and both boxes had bad buckles inside for a total of 3 of 8 having binding issues. I took a video showing them binding up and the straps moving freely.
 
mineral4x said:
I bought two sets of these sticks and both boxes had bad buckles inside for a total of 3 of 8 having binding issues. I took a video showing them binding up and the straps moving freely.
Click to expand...


I see how the button seems to stick in the open position and the potential for disaster, but when properly routed, the strap would be folded back under itself not pulling back and fourth through the teeth as you show at the end of video. I'm not skilled enough to describe what I am talking about maybe someone else could chime in with a photo or video? I will try to post a pic to show what I mean.
 
So I just opened on of my new buckles to show what I am talking about and I noticed immediately the buckle is of much lower quality. Button runs against the side of buckle and just has an overall cheaper feel than the ones I got last year.
 

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Coathanger15 said:
I see how the button seems to stick in the open position and the potential for disaster, but when properly routed, the strap would be folded back under itself not pulling back and fourth through the teeth as you show at the end of video. I'm not skilled enough to describe what I am talking about maybe someone else could chime in with a photo or video? I will try to post a pic to show what I mean.
Click to expand...

I do get that the strap doubles back under the body of the buckle in real practice so the force isn't lateral as I showed pulling on it. The looped end attaches to the button, then loose end goes under the buckle body(between tree and buckle backside) before changing directions and going back through the buckle trap lever.

Certainly, the force of the buckle against the tree will not hold body weight. I guess you are saying that the angle created by the strap doubling back might be enough to bump the bound lever up into the holding position as I demonstrated with my thumb after showing it stick? That could be possible, but I'm not willing to bet my safety on it.
 
mineral4x said:
I do get that the strap doubles back under the body of the buckle in real practice so the force isn't lateral as I showed pulling on it. The looped end attaches to the button, then loose end goes under the buckle body(between tree and buckle backside) before changing directions and going back through the buckle trap lever.

Certainly, the force of the buckle against the tree will not hold body weight. I guess you are saying that the angle created by the strap doubling back might be enough to bump the bound lever up into the holding position as I demonstrated with my thumb after showing it stick? That could be possible, but I'm not willing to bet my safety on it.
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I definitely would not use that buckle. Sorry, if i was not clear on that. I do have a couple buckles that can slip laterally a bit but when routed properly do not slip. I am going to inspect all of my new hawk buckles and report back. I was planning on offering them up as a pay it forward but now it seems like they will end up in the trash.
 
Coathanger15 said:
I definitely would not use that buckle. Sorry, if i was not clear on that. I do have a couple buckles that can slip laterally a bit but when routed properly do not slip. I am going to inspect all of my new hawk buckles and report back. I was planning on offering them up as a pay it forward but now it seems like they will end up in the trash.
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No problem. I will not. I was just providing video evidence of my sample of defective strap buckle since I didn't see anyone with visual illustration of the problem yet in the thread. Even routed straight across, a few pounds of force from my hand should not pull the strap through. The other non-defective buckle levers come all the way up without the need for additional pull on the lever to seat/bite the strap. With my example, it is very clear when the lever is bound up early in it's action and will not hold. If the lever is bound up closer to the seated position on the strap it will be more deceptive. One might think its fully seated/biting with a full hold but then give way which sounds like was the situation of others earlier in the thread.
 
I know this is an old post but this happened to me today with my minis. Got up to the 4th stick and buckle would not catch the strap. After standing on my 3rd stick and reading this post, the buckle definitely needed to be “pressed” down to lock in place. I’ll be replacing all of my straps and buckles with LWCG after today.


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I purchased a set (the longer three step version) last fall, assembled the bracket's to the stick's, and that's as far as I got, guess I need to open the straps and take a peek.
 
tmattson said:
I purchased a set (the longer three step version) last fall, assembled the bracket's to the stick's, and that's as far as I got, guess I need to open the straps and take a peek.
Click to expand...

I would. I actually bought poly daisy chains from EWO and they were good quality, no weight issues, but they would kick out and I was always between loops so I decided to just use the cam buckle straps.. I just need these to last this season, I’ll be upgrading next year.


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I bought 2 sets of Heliums in the summer of 2019 and the buckles work OK. Maybe the later manufactured ones are having trouble. Did you try lubrication?
 
I just set a stand today using my sticks and the buckles were all fine. This is my 4th set of these sticks. Two packs last year of the full length and two packs of minis this year. I’ve had no problems out of any of them


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bj139 said:
I bought 2 sets of Heliums in the summer of 2019 and the buckles work OK. Maybe the later manufactured ones are having trouble. Did you try lubrication?
Click to expand...

I have lubricated since but I have not tried them again yet


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When I received mine I tried stock buckle straps and several of them slipped and I replaced them all with Amsteel rope mods now they are super solid.
 
I just revisited this thread. Glad to hear a lot of you are finding acceptable alternatives to the stock straps. I find the stock straps to be just inconsistent...some work and some do not. I'm using LWCG straps. Now my sticks are almost as good as.....my lone wolfs :smirk:
 
Topdog said:
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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I am curious how they held up this year and what you think after using them for a season? Will you be upgrading?
 
Chase_moyer10 said:
I am curious how they held up this year and what you think after using them for a season? Will you be upgrading?
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I didn’t end up using them, what happened was I bought a Mission platform and the Novix Minis packed so nice with the Mission I ended up selling the Hawk minis and using Novix sticks, I still think the Hawk minis are good for the money, good first sticks.
 
Chase_moyer10 said:
I am curious how they held up this year and what you think after using them for a season? Will you be upgrading?
Click to expand...



I used these sticks all last season and have had zero issues. I’m a fully mobile hunter and used them a lot. I ditched those metal buckle straps the day I got the sticks in the mail.

I found a guy in here that made me amsteel daisy chains with 1.5” (maybe a hair smaller) loops. I then sanded down the stock versa button to 1” in size. Now I have zero metal clanking around and since I made my versa button small and the daisy chain loops small, I rarely have that horrible sag everyone gets with the giant daisy chain loops.

I mostly use 2 sticks with a moveable 5 step aider. I can get my platform height around 17-18’

Two sticks with the Amsteel daisy chains are 2.1lbs. 4.2lbs to get 17-18’

$100 for the sticks
$13 for the custom 1.5” daisy chains.

I would bet this setup is the best out there for the money.
 
Backstrap Assassin said:
I used these sticks all last season and have had zero issues. I’m a fully mobile hunter and used them a lot. I ditched those metal buckle straps the day I got the sticks in the mail.

I found a guy in here that made me amsteel daisy chains with 1.5” (maybe a hair smaller) loops. I then sanded down the stock versa button to 1” in size. Now I have zero metal clanking around and since I made my versa button small and the daisy chain loops small, I rarely have that horrible sag everyone gets with the giant daisy chain loops.

I mostly use 2 sticks with a moveable 5 step aider. I can get my platform height around 17-18’

Two sticks with the Amsteel daisy chains are 2.1lbs. 4.2lbs to get 17-18’

$100 for the sticks
$13 for the custom 1.5” daisy chains.

I would bet this setup is the best out there for the money.
Click to expand...
Glad you said this because I have been considering buying 2 beast sticks (the OB ones on sale for $75) and using a 5 step moveable aider. Which aider do you use?
 
Chase_moyer10 said:
Glad you said this because I have been considering buying 2 beast sticks (the OB ones on sale for $75) and using a 5 step moveable aider. Which aider do you use?
Click to expand...

I’m using the diamond 5 step aider. It’s okay and works but I do feel like backwoods mobile gear multi step aider is better. The one that looks like a ladder. I think this style is a little more stable and won’t feel like it’s going to kick out as much.

www.backwoodsmobilegear.com

Multi-Step Aider — BackWoods Mobile Gear

Our Multi-Step Aiders are custom made . They come in either a moveable or fixed style and enough options to get you however far off the ground you want to go!
www.backwoodsmobilegear.com www.backwoodsmobilegear.com

Also, I’m 6’ tall so I don’t think I need the 5 steps. I think I could use the same length aider that’s 3 steps.
 
I have a set of 4 and one of the strap just stopped holding. When I Tight it up and then pull on the stick to make it tight it keeps slipping. Where can I order different straps to replace these with?
Thanks in advance.


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