new xop sticks

[raisins]

They both use a round tube, and they are both climbing sticks that's where the similarities seem to end for me. Hope they come out at a decent enough weight to give the third some competition, I don't think anyone needs me to repeat my opinion on that POS company.

integrated step/standoff with the tube going through is the same and I think only sticks on the market like that

 

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

Looks like there is a recess to click the tube into right in the step. Sorry for the bad picture

I can’t get it outta my head lol. This may be the best stacking system since the locking system XOP uses on their long sticks. Freaking sweet actually. As a short guy who hates 2-step mini sticks, I might have to revise my opinion if I get a chance to hike around and climb on these for a spell. I think the two “-ackings” (stacking, packing) are the key to a great climbing stick (aside from actual climbability), and very few have been able to address these two issues as well as XOP. Basically, Cody D and his homies over there know how to design a damn climbing stick. Of course, that’s not to discount the DIY sticks on here and the cool options others companies have come up with as far as stacking and packing, but XOP is the topic at-hand and has always had their finger on the pulse of those issues in the commercial realm IMO. Out-of-box useable stuff. I don’t have much money or time to tinker, I need workhorses in my hunting stable and others need not apply. Stacking and packing (then hopefully whacking and stacking ).

 

[woodsdog2]

IMHO, the original saddle platform and climbing saddle platform for that matter was developed in the mid 1990's but the fella who developed the OG Tree Suit and the OG Tree Suit Platform. I know because I own/owned them. I still have the climbing tree suit platform. No way did LW develop the first saddle platform.

 

[raisins]

Yep. And the original “saddle platform” was actually the Lone Wolf Assassin designed as far as I know by LWCG’s Brad Kuhnert (and now manufactured by Novix as the Trophyline Mission after a little sexy upgrading), which they stopped making for a number of years leading to homies cutting seats off their Lone Wolf stands to try and replicate the vibe of the Assassin. The Predator is basically a Lone Wolf seat with some edges and teeth.
My own history may be a bit off…there’s also an old 90-degree tree seat I’ve seen @Nutterbuster messing with, dunno the name of top of my head or if it was originally for saddle use but guys here like it for nostalgia.
Don’t get me wrong: I own a Gen2 Predator that I like fairly well, I use Tethrd accessories because I really like some of their designs and weight reduction options, and overall I think their hearts were in the right places to start out. But In a nutshell, the Predator was innovated after much innovation. Can’t give Tethrd all the credit for that, although they deserve plenty for reinvigorating the market. And innovation does not excuse recalls for literally every version of their hardware since the Gen1 Predator. Kinda taints the innovative spirit if you’re always in product trials and using your customers as chum.

That's the Tree Suit, now made by Tree Hopper.

It's a great platform but it isn't angle adjustable and you can't fully stand. It is like 1.5 lbs and is solid.

I wish they made a version big enough to fully stand on. I emailed Tree Hopper and they said maybe one day.

 

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

IMHO, the original saddle platform and climbing saddle platform for that matter was developed in the mid 1990's but the fella who developed the OG Tree Suit and the OG Tree Suit Platform. I know because I own/owned them. I still have the climbing tree suit platform. No way did LW develop the first saddle platform.

Tree suit! I mentioned that in my post, I couldn’t remember the name. Didn’t know it was technically intended as a “saddle platform”, but I thought it was more of a “tree seat”. I stand corrected. But as far as I know, LW Assassin was next?

 

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

That's the Tree Suit, now made by Tree Hopper.

It's a great platform but it isn't angle adjustable and you can't fully stand. It is like 1.5 lbs and is solid.

I wish they made a version big enough to fully stand on. I emailed Tree Hopper and they said maybe one day.

Didn’t know they still made it. Thanks!

 

[GeoFish]

I don't care for the combo step standoff on a stick. When I use a stick I like to use the step as a hand hold. But I have a bad knee.

 

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

I don't care for the combo step standoff on a stick. When I use a stick I like to use the step as a hand hold. But I have a bad knee.

I generally agree. I even prefer a single step over a double step. But if I found myself needing to go with a short stick this would be a great option compared to some other double-steps that hang out and poke your head or whatever.

 

[raisins]

I don't care for the combo step standoff on a stick. When I use a stick I like to use the step as a hand hold. But I have a bad knee.

I like the lightness of the One stick, but I agree that if someone could capture the same weight/stiffness in a traditional looking stick (even if only single step), then I would've wanted it instead. Closest seem to be Tree Ninja carbons, but they are heavier, the square tube flexes, and the steps are polymer and move around (just reviews of others, never held one).

Ultimate for me would be a 1 pound or less stick with folding single steps and easier ability to attach various aiders. I've been experimenting/thinking/bugging people here for a while to make the ideal (for me) CAYG aider for a One stick.

 

[John 35]

That's the Tree Suit, now made by Tree Hopper.

It's a great platform but it isn't angle adjustable and you can't fully stand. It is like 1.5 lbs and is solid.

I wish they made a version big enough to fully stand on. I emailed Tree Hopper and they said maybe one day.

My thoughts as well. I liked running a few steps and the platform on the same strap and having them all at the same level.

 

[Abishai]

Any idea on when these sticks release and what the price point is? I saw the video, but couldn't find anymore information.

 

[kyler1945]

Has anyone solved the storage, packing up, carrying to tree, taking pack off, unpacking sticks, putting pack on, taking pack off, packing up sticks, putting pack on, carrying back to truck part of climbing sticks?

If not, it’s my humble opinion that the distinctions between all sticks don’t make a material difference. At least not one that merits a 200.00-300.00 premium over the cheapest ones.

Make me a stick that loads and unloads from a quiver I can access while on my back, without noise or catching on anything, and load them back into it with ease. Make ‘em weigh less than 1.5lbs per 18” of step spacing. I’m all ears at that point.

 

[raisins]

Has anyone solved the storage, packing up, carrying to tree, taking pack off, unpacking sticks, putting pack on, taking pack off, packing up sticks, putting pack on, carrying back to truck part of climbing sticks?

If not, it’s my humble opinion that the distinctions between all sticks don’t make a material difference. At least not one that merits a 200.00-300.00 premium over the cheapest ones.

Make me a stick that loads and unloads from a quiver I can access while on my back, without noise or catching on anything, and load them back into it with ease. Make ‘em weigh less than 1.5lbs per 18” of step spacing. I’m all ears at that point.

I have this figured out for platforms, but not yet for sticks. The secret sauce are bungee cord ball thingies attached in the right location so that you can grab the item with one hand and pop the ball from the bungee with the other. I could probably take the sticks like this from the bottom of the pack.

 

[kyler1945]

I have this figured out for platforms, but not yet for sticks. The secret sauce are bungee cord ball thingies attached in the right location so that you can grab the item with one hand and pop the ball from the bungee with the other. I could probably take the sticks like this from the bottom of the pack.

Can you put them back on your pack behind you with one hand?

 

[raisins]

Can you put them back on your pack behind you with one hand?

not sticks, haven't figured any of that yet

platform no also, i can remove with 2 hands (using lineman's lanyard) but to put back i load the pack with my gear, put pack on, step off platform, remove pack and place platform back, then climb down

the closest you might be able to get for now if easy ability to remove sticks from pack at base of tree and clip to saddle (making that a 30 second secure and quiet ordeal)

the limiting factors are human flexibility behind your back and the pack pushing away from your pack which exacerbates trying to reach even more

 

[Cbigbear]

Has anyone solved the storage, packing up, carrying to tree, taking pack off, unpacking sticks, putting pack on, taking pack off, packing up sticks, putting pack on, carrying back to truck part of climbing sticks?

If not, it’s my humble opinion that the distinctions between all sticks don’t make a material difference. At least not one that merits a 200.00-300.00 premium over the cheapest ones.

Make me a stick that loads and unloads from a quiver I can access while on my back, without noise or catching on anything, and load them back into it with ease. Make ‘em weigh less than 1.5lbs per 18” of step spacing. I’m all ears at that point.

My setup pulls from back as I climb, but I pack everything back up on the ground after the hunt. Pack up takes 2mins.

 

[JBDaddy]

Has anyone solved the storage, packing up, carrying to tree, taking pack off, unpacking sticks, putting pack on, taking pack off, packing up sticks, putting pack on, carrying back to truck part of climbing sticks?

If not, it’s my humble opinion that the distinctions between all sticks don’t make a material difference. At least not one that merits a 200.00-300.00 premium over the cheapest ones.

Make me a stick that loads and unloads from a quiver I can access while on my back, without noise or catching on anything, and load them back into it with ease. Make ‘em weigh less than 1.5lbs per 18” of step spacing. I’m all ears at that point.

The 2TC guys would like your attention.

 

[Horn]

Has anyone solved the storage, packing up, carrying to tree, taking pack off, unpacking sticks, putting pack on, taking pack off, packing up sticks, putting pack on, carrying back to truck part of climbing sticks?

If not, it’s my humble opinion that the distinctions between all sticks don’t make a material difference. At least not one that merits a 200.00-300.00 premium over the cheapest ones.

Make me a stick that loads and unloads from a quiver I can access while on my back, without noise or catching on anything, and load them back into it with ease. Make ‘em weigh less than 1.5lbs per 18” of step spacing. I’m all ears at that point.

Does a jx3 have a solid bar across the top when it's on your back? Like a traditional fold in the back lawn chair would have?

 

[kyler1945]

Does a jx3 have a solid bar across the top when it's on your back? Like a traditional fold in the back lawn chair would have?

Nope

 

[kyler1945]

My setup pulls from back as I climb, but I pack everything back up on the ground after the hunt. Pack up takes 2mins.

do you have to prep it to climb, or when you leave your access point/truck you’re ready to climb?