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XOP RETROGRADE

I’ve conceded that I can’t fold the rest back flat so without to much fiddle so lm leaving them stowed like this
 
Stand strapped to the EXO K3 1800. Pack was empty so it’s a tad loose on the fitment but works quite well.
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Black Titan said:
Nice! Looks like it fits very well.

BT
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It fit really well. Pretty much the same profile of the pack frame. One would have to figure out how to attach sticks/stick if not using the XOP sticks. I did not try to strap my one-stick down along with the stand.


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Lowg08 said:
Well I can tell you that grit is really nice in the rain, snow and sleet.
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I guess it’s not a complaint when it’s OOAL or EWO applying grit to their finish. The more grit, the better in my opinion, even more so with a stand vs platform/one stick.


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Estrn_hntr said:
I guess it’s not a complaint when it’s OOAL or EWO applying grit to their finish. The more grit, the better in my opinion, even more so with a stand vs platform/one stick.


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Bear in mind they are only the same style of finish, not the same finish.

These other companies’ textured finishes are not nearly as aggressive as what XOP uses. Hence, nobody is complaining about them. Whereas folks have complained that they have cut their hands on the XOP finish.

Sounds like the texture can be nocked down some. When the early LWCG edges weren’t chamfered, you needed to soften them. It was worth the effort, but they soon fixed that. Maybe future iterations of XOP will have a more moderate finish.

With the traction LWCG machines into their stands, a bed liner type finish is unnecessary. It’s a better approach, imo. But if the Retrograde is your jam, nock that finish down and enjoy.
 
The ooal finish is grippy but won't ruin your stuff. I had to wrap my bottom step on my xop x2 stick so it wouldn't shred my webbing aider. I certainly wouldn't want a stand with that finish rubbing on my hunting clothes. 1 of a few reasons I haven't bought a retrograde
 
The ceramic grit seems like it just soaked up all the paint that it was mixed with… anybody tried rattle canning the whole thing? Wonder if that would moderate the texture some.
 
I would assume the whole thing is grippy? Not just the surface where you stand? Maybe just knocking it back some on the underside and edges would help. If that's the same finish that my x2 sticks had, that stuff is ROUGH.

BT
 
I mean yes, but I wouldn’t want to expose my leather gloves to this stuff. Forget every piece of expensive gear that might brush against it. I can cut through a zip tie on it in seconds, and webbing in under a minute. So then I have the issue of trusting my gear to even make it into the woods.
Edit: to be clear, I like this stand and plan to find a way to make it work for me, but the finish is obnoxious, it would have saved a lot of work if they left it bare aluminum.
 
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Estrn_hntr said:
Stand strapped to the EXO K3 1800. Pack was empty so it’s a tad loose on the fitment but works quite well.
c53c7f09cb0fc678013a624eac371c4c.jpg

b040719cab6b1cb3ae04577b8b2141cd.jpg

78d7bbf9750c4363709148c6ed5add9c.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

So you don’t run it on the frame then?
 
Plebe said:
So you don’t run it on the frame then?
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This was just showing it attached to the pack for the question above. I will be packing the stand with TX5 suspension system and BWMG hitch hiker strapped to the stand.


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Do u guys really think u need that robust of carrying method ? Sticks and stand is like 12 pounds. I’ve been using cheap Allen gunslings for years…. Am I missing something
 
Anobody said:
Do u guys really think u need that robust of carrying method ? Sticks and stand is like 12 pounds. I’ve been using cheap Allen gunslings for years…. Am I missing something
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I have packed out deer in regular old packs with no waist belt or frame and it sucked. Not as bad as dragging but close. Packed out a bunch of critters in the venture which has a good belt and frame sheet. That pack works really well esp. if you arent packing a critter much over a mile. A legit frame pack makes life monumentally better if you are packing big weight and/or long distance. I wont say perfect but an optimal whitetail specific pack hasnt been built yet imo. If you never pack a deer or legally cant quarter and pack them, then absolutely no, a frame pack is not needed.
 
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