I've had my 30" Helium's for over a year now with the HSP platform. This has been an awesome setup for use with my #JX3Hybrid. 1 inch wide 3M stair tape on the top is a must, otherwise when its wet, it's slicker than frog snot. Also, I added town extra holes underneath the existing holes and used 4 bolts. It doesn't move at all or make noise. I just got a set of 20 inch Helium's for setting up in two locations. Now to get the HSP platform and get it installed. One trick I learned since my vision is not great in the dark, I painted the top of the fold out steps white so they are visible in low light or a red light, and you can't see it from the ground. It's enough for me so I don't make a mis-step with my vision. Also, if you can stack your sticks the other way opposite of your video, all you have to do is open the top fold out steps to fit under the platform and it won't touch the other stick. Great video! Thanks!
The ideal set up for one sticking is a one stick with a ring of steps. This allows more solid maneuvering around the tree. When you shift your weight off the Hawk one stick platform to the ring of steps the stick is guaranteed to pull back up the tree and make noise. You can use multiple straps but it doesn’t totally solve the problem. It is best to buy a one stick with aggressive teeth at the back of the platform or a one stick that cams over. Serious stealthy saddle hunting will unfortunately always be about spending a chunk of money. I have been down the cheap road my beginning years and it did not work. I may experiment with cutting the brackets to form sharper horizontal teeth.
First, I used this setup all year this past year, as my one stick. Works awesome! Here's some suggestions: First, grip tape is a must. Second, stop the wobble by using the screws you took out of the top steps and fasten the platform with those screws. Really secures the platform. I'm a big guy, wear size 14 boots. Platform is a little small but even I manage long sits. LOOK FOR DEALS!!! I purchased this platform for $25 last year on sale. Got the Hawk Helium Hammock on sale as well for $79. The deals are out there. These deals I found with Midway USA. Hope this helps! Good luck and hunt safe!!! Craig
Thanks for watching and sharing your experience Craig. Using bolts instead of the pins is a good tips, especially if you don’t take the platform off the stick like myself 👍
I even drilled two more holes underneath the existing platform pin holes and used four bolts. It's even more solid! Yep, 3M 1 inch wide stair tape is the bomb...
I put the platform on the bottom of the stack. And the wiggle was fixed by swapping out the pins withbolts and lock nuts so it doesn't move and the sounds of the pins was fixed
I have this and use it with a hawk stick i cut down. Ive had no problems and it does what it should. Only issue i had was i had a sewn eye rope i put on button to wrap around and hold platform to tree. It stretched and came over button. I fell and platform went to ground. I was tied to tree but could have been much worse. I now have the rope girth hitched to the stick.
That is certainly a great option for those on a budget, you can usually get the Hawk stick for around $100 and add a platform for another $40. I was considering this platform but for my first 2 years I used the top part of my Lone Wolf hand climber and last year I found a good deal on the Hawk Helium Hammock ($79) I believe it is called, it has the ability to adjust. I honestly feel if someone wants to get into the saddle hunt for cheap just to see if it is their cup of tea Hawk products are the way to go, You can always upgrade each year if you wanted or just keep the set up you started with. Have a BLESSED day and keep SHARING your PASSION
Great review Dave! It looks like a good platform. I have always used a summit climbing stand. Seems like a lot of deer hunters are switching to saddle hunting. You are the Man!
Great review, Dave. Looks very durable and great price. I still prefer the comfort of a hunting watch or tree stand during bow season though! Thanks for sharing.
Good review, Dave. I think it is a nice inexpensive and lightweight option for sure. The other con you mentioned is that it doesn't allow for any pitch adjustments. A little movement is fine as long as it doesn't make any noise. Thanks for sharing. 👍🏼
I use the same sticks and platform, i also bolted my platform to the sticks it works well and worth the money. Midwayusa usually has good deals on this and other products. My saddle is an XOP renegade my sticks and platform are the hawk helium with platform great starter package. Thanks for the review happy hunting.
If you leave it on all the time (which I plan to do) why not just remove those pins and put bolts with lock nuts through the holes. that should help with a lot of the movement
I think that system makes alot of sense, if you have the hawk sticks. I've heard rumors that XOP is coming out with a climbing platform to be used in saddle hunting. That would completely eliminate the need for sticks. That's what I'm waiting for
I have it, I used it for a season. My mods were gator taped the top, electrical taped the rings, and then I always had the stick it was on as my BOTTOM stick and it never got in the way while stacking. I loved the price (39.99) and simplicity and weight but I HATED how small it is.
Pretty light setup for sure, I’m still on the fence about saddle vs climber….definitely more comfortable with my summit viper open shot currently but I’m slowly learning saddle setups. Great review but next time pick a tree without poison ivy vines!!!!! I probably got it from watching now😂
