Novix helo on sale

Great deal for the portable hunters. Best price I’ve seen. The echo is on sale as well.

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Great stand!
I have been using one for the past 3 years.
Sure there are lighter stands out there but either they cost 2 to 3 times that of a helo or they have a much shorter seat post or both.

Agree, I have the same one. Scheels has good deals on quite a few items right now. XOP x2 sticks for $135, set of 4 and latitude carbon SS sticks set of 3 for $185 which they come with aiders and the amsteel rope I believe.

If anybody needs cheap sticks I saw Midway USA has Hawk Helium 4 pack for $85. Coupon code “MUSA1024” is 20% off and covers shipping.

weedis wrote:

Agree, I have the same one. Scheels has good deals on quite a few items right now. XOP x2 sticks for $135, set of 4 and latitude carbon SS sticks set of 3 for $185 which they come with aiders and the amsteel rope I believe.

I ordered the xop x2s they are a pretty solid stick. I have 2 sets of lone wolf sticks that I use as well. So the xop ones will be a good back up.
I was able to recently sell my beast stand on archery talk and get most my money back. Awesome stand but the price tag wasn’t worth the product to me. Now I’ll try the helo. I also run 2 lw alphas that have given me alot of awesome use. Just a little big for the long hikes.

Reef W wrote:

If anybody needs cheap sticks I saw Midway USA has Hawk Helium 4 pack for $85. Coupon code “MUSA1024” is 20% off and covers shipping.

I would highly suggest not getting them and spend a little more on the xop sticks. I tried the hawk ones and they suck at best.

Bearcat89 wrote:

I would highly suggest not getting them and spend a little more on the xop sticks. I tried the hawk ones and they suck at best.

What don’t you like about them? I have Xop sticks and hangon already but was looking for a second cheaper setup for when I get bored of not seeing anything at my main spot.

Reef W wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Bearcat89 wrote:</div>
I would highly suggest not getting them and spend a little more on the xop sticks. I tried the hawk ones and they suck at best.

What don’t you like about them? I have Xop sticks and hangon already but was looking for a second cheaper setup.

Very cheaply made. Very squeaky, clunky, the connect system to carry them all together doesn’t work after about 3 uses and looking online i see lots of broken steps, that hasn’t happened to me but I retired them before it did. And the straps need replacing before you can feel safe using them.
I had the helium 20 inch sticks. I used them on a set stand. And the xop x2s will be replacing them. The lone wolfs i have are for my mobile set.

Thanks, good to know! Maybe cost me more to buy Xop again, maybe save me money because the longer I think about it why do I need a second set up anyways? We will see…

I have a set of beast sticks that I like a lot. They have the holes in them. Sone say they are quieter then without. They definitely are lighter then without the holes. I also wrapped them with stealth strips.

The alpha sticks I have are great but I hated the alternating steps. So on the top and bottom I replaced the singles with double steps. My lone wolf alpha and sticks only get used if I am on an out of state hunt and have a spot I want to hunt multiple times.

Reef W wrote:

Thanks, good to know! Maybe cost me more to buy Xop again, maybe save me money because the longer I think about it why do I need a second set up anyways? We will see…

Oh come on we all need 2nd 3rd 4th hell even 10th set ups lol.
I just wanted to warn you before you made the same purchase I did and then have to make another one for different sticks later on. I like to have a few portable sets just incase I want to leave one for multiple sits like the one I just sat my butt in. It’s nice to always have my lone wolf set up in what I consider a meat spot, where does always seem to be. And then I can keep another set or to for portable reasons.

Full draw wrote:

I have a set of beast sticks that I like a lot. They have the holes in them. Sone say they are quieter then without. They definitely are lighter then without the holes. I also wrapped them with stealth strips.

The alpha sticks I have are great but I hated the alternating steps. So on the top and bottom I replaced the singles with double steps. My lone wolf alpha and sticks only get used if I am on an out of state hunt and have a spot I want to hunt multiple times.

The beast sticks are awesome, the stand was the best stand I owned. But I’ve had buyers remorse since I spent the money on it. Now that it’s sold i can fund a helo and a echo and have some change to spare. I don’t mind the lone wolf single steps but I hate mine have no connection carry system I have to use gear ties and it tends to be loud. Hoping the xop sticks will take care of that. I should have just bought the novix sticks and I’m sure I will when they hit black Friday sale or something

XOP makes that J hook for connecting sticks to stands, looked pretty slick on my buddies setup who just got the X2s himself. Two sticks connect side x side and the j hook keeps them connected to stand, a set on each side. They are pretty much flat when hauling.

I’m going back and forth between those and the carbon SS. Carbon SS are a little over 4lbs total but only three. I was looking at reviews/videos though and people say they can get 15 plus ft with just three using the aiders. Do wonder how they would hold up over time too because I’m guessing it’s not 100% carbon material.

Main reason looking for another set, as bc and Michael brought up, I’m not a huge fan of the single step lone wolfs and they are a little bulky when carrying.

Those j hooks look slick i seen them yesterday and figured I’d try them instead of gear ties. Hopefully they are as easy as they look

The beast stand only has a rating of 275 lbs. most stands are 350 or 300 lbs.
I have heard there is a lot of flex in the beast stand. I am guessing the thinner material to make it light affects the weight rating as will cause it to flex under load.

I don’t know how you guys can sit in those little things for more than an hour or two lol

I’ve had the sit and climb and hand climber for my Lone Wolf for 20(?)years, the hand climber is torture for comfort (looks almost identical to the seat in the stand pictured).

I know saddles are the “new rave,” but I’ve been there-done-that with my OG Trophy Line Tree Saddle. I just can’t sit still for very long and would never be able to do a dark-to-dark hunt in one.

I still use it for setting stands up though, works great for that.

I have a couple seasons on Helium 20″ sticks and would buy them again for sure. Not saying they’re great but for half price the other brands they’re a solid low budget option. No squeaks or failures at all, but I’m not a heavy guy. They did have a “click” sound when opening steps that was easily fixed with a little cloth tape. The straps seem fine to me(??) I also have a single step aider on each stick.

The connection system was a complete joke and got removed before I ever used them.

tswoboda wrote:

I have a couple seasons on Helium 20″ sticks and would buy them again for sure. Not saying they’re great but for half price the other brands they’re a solid low budget option. No squeaks or failures at all, but I’m not a heavy guy. They did have a “click” sound when opening steps that was easily fixed with a little cloth tape. The straps seem fine to me(??) I also have a single step aider on each stick.

The connection system was a complete joke and got removed before I ever used them.

I never had the click noise that I remember. And absolutely they will work if you want them to work. My straps created permanent creases after being used the first time and that creates weak points, I haven’t had other brand straps do that. I don’t want any weak points going up or down a tree. So I personally opt to for out 30 or 40 more for my cheap set of sticks. I totally get not every one wants to do that.

B-man wrote:

I don’t know how you guys can sit in those little things for more than an hour or two lol

I’ve had the sit and climb and hand climber for my Lone Wolf for 20(?)years, the hand climber is torture for comfort (looks almost identical to the seat in the stand pictured).

I know saddles are the “new rave,” but I’ve been there-done-that with my OG Trophy Line Tree Saddle. I just can’t sit still for very long and would never be able to do a dark-to-dark hunt in one.

I still use it for setting stands up though, works great for that.

I can’t get my self to buy a saddle, but I do like little platforms. Up until a couple years ago I only really ground hunted. Now I am liking light weight mobile sets like the novix I pictured. When I do all day sits, my morning and evening spots are usually different so easy tree changes are important. And small platforms make that do able for me

I think the longest I have ever sat in my helo has been 4 hours. I don’t use it for an all day sit in a rut funnel.
I have used my lone wolf Alpha for all day sits. It does ok. I have a half dozen stands I leave in trees year round down in NE that I will sit in all day. They are all Big Foot XL stands with 20’ ladder sticks.
Just bring in a really good cushion and good to go.

Bearcat89 wrote:

I can’t get my self to buy a saddle, but I do like little platforms.

Its a different deal no doubt. I love mine. A lot of times i setup my platform like its a small treestand instead of a saddle platform and just stand against the tree.

B-man wrote:

I don’t know how you guys can sit in those little things for more than an hour or two lol

I usually can only make it 3 maybe 4 hours tops but it’s usually because it’s too cold or boring. I stand up quite a bit since the seats aren’t that great. I just use my hang-on as a fixed stand mostly, I might move it during the week I hunt but I’m not out there messing with it in the dark each morning. That’s why I’m thinking of getting more, just so I can pre-set additional spots.

Full draw wrote:

I have a half dozen stands I leave in trees year round down in NE that I will sit in all day.

How long do straps last? I assumed they would rot if they were left out all year. Sounds scary but I barely trust the things when they are new…

How long do straps last? I assumed they would rot if they were left out all year. Sounds scary but I barely trust the things when they are new…
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On my out all year spots i use nice ratchet straps and they last a few years. Unless a squirrel gets to them

How long do straps last? I assumed they would rot if they were left out all year. Sounds scary but I barely trust the things when they are new…
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The thing that is the hardest on the straps is the tree growing. It puts added stress on the strap and they snap.
Every year I release the pressure and then tighten them back up on the ladder stick.
On the stands I put new straps on the top every year and move the old top strap to the bottom of the stand.

Just got home and the helo and x2 sticks were on my porch. Might go do a quick sit this evening to try them out.

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Well post a pic of the deer you arrow tonight out of that

How are you guys carrying your sticks/stand in your mobile setups? With a mountain pack?

ganderpike wrote:

How are you guys carrying your sticks/stand in your mobile setups? With a mountain pack?

No, connected to the stand. I got just J hooks for this set. My lone wolf set i use gear ties. Then back pack straps. And I then strap my actual back pack to the stand on the seat.
The backpack straps on the stand are a must for me.

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Pretty much sounds like the same way I carry mine as BC, connected to stand. It is nice having descent backpack straps, more comfortable when walking. I did pick up the XOP gamma ts, it’s a pack that attaches to your stand with but also has the waist belt. Which is nice as with any packing it’s nice having the weight around your waist. Only used it once so far but I liked it. With a lite setup, can’t tell is t really on your back. Wish the waist pads were a bit bigger but they do have a pocket on each side. Since it stays connected to your stand, I could possibly see the straps dangling beneath the stand as an issue, something deer could pick up.

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I run the bottom pic as a early/mid season setup. Left pouch has release/range finder. Mid pouch holds a water bottle. Right pouch holds kill kit. Knife, tags, zipties etc. in late season i just attach that to a backpack and put layers in the backpack top pic.

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