Alright the Helo showed up today! As stated in prior posts I ended up swapping the seat for the old assault, pulled the lower versa button, and lastly I moved the cables to the outside of the platform. Ready to hunt weight with backpack straps, seat pad, and one cam strap is 9.6lb (personal scale NOT Certified).
The overall quality is great, it feels just as one would expect from a product made in USA. This stand is very hard to beat when you start looking at quality, size, and price. Maybe I am just living in the moment a little to much ?! I have a couple lwcg setups .5 being one of them which is absolutely killer! The Helo is gonna give them all a run for there money.
With that I would say Novix 90% nailed it. Only area of criticism I will give it that when you see this stand in person that seat doesn’t fit at all…. Just looks disproportionate to the platform.
I completely understand that is personal preference, for a bigger guy it might be on the money? For me and my style is much to big.
For anyone looking I’d tell you give this one a hard look.
I could see where guys would love this stand, especially using as a hybrid or shorter guys. I sat on mine in a normal position and only the heels of my feet touched the platform. No way I could hunt out of the Helo except in a saddle hybrid style. Now if only Novix would take the Echo and taper the rear of the stand like the Helo tapers, maybe shed a little width, but keep the length (for us taller guys) they would be on to something for me personally.
I'm going to try some foot rest if I can get my hands on some. I think that will make it doable for me. I don't mind the little stand for standing for the shot, just need to be able to relax a little in order to stay still and comfortable for any length of time.Hmmmm… I am 6“-4” and find it the perfect size. It’s a 1/2” longer than the assault 2…..
Then again I don’t mind the .5 for short sits either… that’s only 23” long.
So what is the weight of your .5 ready to hunt? straps, pad, etc. Wear a .5 and take the .5 off and immediately put on the Helo. Can you tell the difference in weight?
Is the platform same thickness all the way? Just from some of the picture, it seem like the border frame is thicker then the core webbing/netting/frame.....whatever, you know what I mean!
How loud is it compares to other stands? Like take a aluminum tubing and tap it against the .5 and the Helo.
Excellent pics and analysis. Thank you. Agreed about your Helo/1.0/Beast comparison.Ironically my .5 is 7.6lbs that includes slayer tape, seat pad, shoulder straps, and a small pouch under the seat. I used this setup all last season....
Imo when we start talking about weight sub 10lbs its likes weather temperature, its hard to tell the difference between 70 degrees and 73 degrees.
If I pick up the .5 to evaluate the stand set it down and immediately grab the Helo yes I can feel the difference... 2lbs is noticeable. However when I throw one or the other on my back both feel lite as hell and that 2lbs just disappears. Now I completely understand ounces lead to lbs and lbs lead to way to Heavy!
The Helo platform does have increased thickness along the outer edge however it's not a dramatic difference, I should also include the platform has the raised bumps for traction.
Noise factor that's subjective, I believe at this point everything needs some help with noise canceling however we have some great products on the market to lend a hand with that issue. Def wouldn't say one is worse than the other...
I think guys need to understand the Helo is more comparable to the LWCG 1.0, and the Beast stand. The LWCG .5 is in a whole different ball game. If you want the absolute lightest stand on the market? and you are willing to deal with a little loss of comfort possibly? the lwcg .5 is the only stand in the current times with all the innovation combined with the adjustability.
My .5 is 7lbs 2oz with strap, backpack straps and the new cushion they are sending out that I think I am going to cut down a bit.
The one I had last year registered 6.9lbs ready to go and 5.7 bare.
Is your current stand the newest model with the changes they've advertised at the road-show?
I haven't been following. What got updated?It’s the newest stand. I just got it yesterday.
There is no changes to the .5 but the seat.
1.0 got some updates. I am not sure if the .5 will be for 2021
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I haven't been following. What got updated?
Still sharp on the edges?It’s the newest stand. I just got it yesterday.
There is no changes to the .5 but the seat.
1.0 got some updates. I am not sure if the .5 will be for 2021
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I've seen several comments on various sites that claim they use a new process to improve this. I'm also very curious to get first hand confirmation that it actually is improved. First gen stories of fraying straps and clothing are no bueno.Still sharp on the edges?
Still sharp on the edges?
All these posts are making the new small tree stands seem super attractive but I haven't used my OG assault in 3 years now. Must refrain from buying more stuff.
Did they send any of the rubber tape with it for the back pack strap spots and ware the button is?Not as bad as the .5 I had last year but still quite sharp.