XOP Ultra Double Step Mini Stick - Unboxing Style Review - Wobbling Steps Discovered

[@galinswigart]

Loving the unbiased reviews man! Keep it up. The reviews you've mentioned completely glossed over these major design flaws.. It shouldn't even be called a review at that point. Yours are my go-to reviews for sticks! These seem like a solid first prototype of a stick, but that rocking will absolutely wear out the drilled holes over time and become completely unsafe, the step shape makes no sense, and the side-stacking method is a good idea, but need to be improved to be usable.

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

Thanks man, thats the whole point of my channel! I cant be bought with free crap! I like it this way better, I review what I want and say how I truly feel. I think in the long run guys will respect that. Thanks for being a part of my channel Galin!

[@randydunmire]

Thank you for the great review. I was wanting to learn how to stack all 4 of them and you answered my question

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

Thanks Randy!!

[@ridgeraisedoutdoors]

Awesome review brother! Rockin' like Motley Crue 🤣 100% real unbiased facts, love it!

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

Glad you enjoyed it HAHAHAH..... They fixed them tho!!

[@TooTallOutdoors]

The one thing I will say is at least in my experience XOP’s customer service is amazing. I bought a stand from an outdoors store and when I got it the platform had a huge scrape and what looks like a chipped metal as well as one straps stitching was very loose. I sent them pictures and told them about it and they responded on the same day and sent me a pack of repair straps as well as some better quality backpack straps apologizing about my experience. From what I experienced they definitely care about their customers and want their products to be the best they can be!

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

Thats good to know! Thanks for sharing your experience!!

[@Masonjar94]

Thank you for showing me the sliding feature I’m an idiot and didn’t notice that. This is my first year saddle hunting and bought these sticks. I shot a doe out of mine Sunday evening so the clanking didn’t bother em to much I guess

[@j.r.outdoors247]

Thanks for the honest review. I love honest reviews/not commercials. Keep up the great videos!

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

Thanks Jeremy!!

[@kylerayburn92]

Thanks for the review man. I almost pulled the trigger on some. Glad I didn’t now. Look like an awesome stick for sure when they get that issue taken care of.

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

100% its a little heavy but a solid option for guys not wanting to blow the bank on ultra premium sticks!

[@rylandrummonds]

Love the honest reviews, man. Keep em coming! Those sticks are definitely too loud for hunting. I’ll stick with Novix for around the same price range.

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

Thank you and yeah Novix wayyyyy better!

[@timweigel9542]

Any strong feelings on XOP vs Novix for a semi-permanent setup, likely the 3 step sticks? Just based on the web they look really similar. Thanks!

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

Id go Novix, prefer American made...

[@boatkid888]

I really appreciate your reviews. I'm currently running these XOPs, and love the standoff distance. I tried the hawk helium 3 step, but felt really unsafe compared to the standoff of the XOPs. I'd love to upgrade my sticks to something lighter, but still with a good standoff without breaking the bank. What stick would you recommend?

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

Them new xop sticks, the x2s

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

Thanks for the compliment too!!!!

[@boatkid888]

@@MichiganGreatOutdoors It looks like they are sold out. I'll keep an eye out to see if they get them back in stock. Much Appreciated!

[@boatkid888]

On second glance, it looks like they will be available in June.

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

@@boatkid888 yes, they are a new item for sale. Available in June

[@kirkloos8141]

I got a set also and have experienced the identical issue. Great review as always.

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

Send XOP an email. They said there gonna take care of it!! These videos should hold them accountable!

[@kirkloos8141]

@@MichiganGreatOutdoors I sent them an email. Hoping to hear back from them tomorrow. I really wanted to like these and they do bite extremely well but the rocking is unacceptable. Not really a fan of the downward angle of the steps either.

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

Nope, its a safety issue in my opinion. Will see how they respond to this!

[@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWX-du8vz]

Ordered a stand from them I once and had a big crack in it, they had me a new stand in a couple days. Excellent customer service.

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

Yes, they are a big player. Will absolutely replace anything broken.

[@themichiganmountainman751]

Great review keep em' coming always love your unbiased opinion good or bad! Headed to Jays this week to pick up my latitude method 2 xl saddle for this fall based of your review!!

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

Thats awesome man!! Love that saddle! Thanks for your feedback, always appreciated 👍

[@benclark5373]

Amazing video dude. You had me cracking up at parts lol

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

Lol, I was a little dumbfounded

[@ToddTheGunGuy]

Thx for sharing brother. That rocking scares the hell out of me.

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

Yeah bro, not good at all. We sounded off the alarms to the company!

[@jasoncampbell2559]

If these had caps on the ends of the main body, pour foam could be poured inside and I’m sure it would dramatically dampen the sound and have little to no added weight. Hollow metal is what I hear when you lock and unlock them

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

Yeah, thats a good idea.

[@craigholland2274]

Not sure if you did a video on this already what is your favorite reasonably priced stick? I hear good things about the ewo sticks but they seem pricey to me. Should I just bite the bullet and buy them you think?

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

EWO or Beast sticks or a little more affordable are the Novix

[@nickschlick63]

I've noticed with my double sticks, the side stacking function is much quieter when they're stacked with the straps on. I'll be taking advantage of the recent recall... other than the wobble, I love mine.

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

Good tip! Ill check it out

[@AaronTurnwald]

I called out that issue 6 months ago when they first started teasing pics of them. I said it would not work as good as the older style with the slot in the step to prevent rotation or rocking. I said the 2 small bolts wouldnt be as safe. I was laughed at. I work in advanced engineering in a multi billion dollar company.

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

Yeah I don't understand, all of the double step sticks on the market have the slot built into them. Makes no sense. Them laughing at that doesn't sit well with me. These companies need to listen to their customers. Probably why LWCG is so successful.

[@AaronTurnwald]

@@MichiganGreatOutdoors it wasnt them that i had talked to. I posted the comment i mentioned above on there facebook page photo when they first showed a teaser pic. A fan boy responded trying to support them going against my comment. He waited months for them to send him a high five in the mail and it never showed up. Now im laughing.

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

If it was me id go back and find that photo and drop this video. LOL

[@AaronTurnwald]

@@MichiganGreatOutdoors i just looked. On april 5 there was a post with pic saying "another" look at the new style stick. Implying there was a look at em before that. But no posts with pic before that. I beleive it was deleted.

[@n.s.8803]

Rocking on the step is a hard pass for me. That's BS.

[@toddgreen4040]

Thanks for the video. I ordered the same sticks and I’ve got the same problem. Tested them out and came to the Internet to see if anyone had a review on them yet with similar issues and now I can see this is widespread. I emailed customer service but haven’t heard back yet. Do you have any updates on what they’re doing to make this right?

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

Some people were having better luck if they called, they are either refunding the sticks or offering replacements in 6 weeks Ive heard.

[@jasonreis1974]

I like your reviews bit in regards to that noise. You run beast sticks they can make the same noises if your badging them together. that's a great idea they have. Take your time and you could muffle some of that. I bet you make more noise than you think you do

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

You would be suprized how quiet you can be with a lot of things if your slow and smooth.

[@jandblawncare8570]

Im about to buy a set of sticks and loved the longer stand off, any updates to the wobble issue?

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

It was solved, they sent me a new set. No wobbling

[@N64player1996]

It's easy enough to fix. I'm at the point where I'm not sending mine back. All you need to do is literally use a 1/2 wrench and 1/2 socket and just tighten it down. Problem solved.

[@joem6779]

Good review , hope they get them fixed up

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

Yeah me too, seems like Hawk is too unreliable for the price so this would've been a good option for guys who wanna go cheap but they gotta get it fixed first!

[@ChenagoOutdoors]

I was waiting for these but I bought the older sticks and put an after market double on the top. Really glad I went the route I did because those sticks are not up to my safety standard

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

Good choice, these are no good

[@raz_r_yaj8869]

Thanks for the honest review.

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

Any time! Thats how we roll over here.

[@awesomebillfromdawsonville8715]

Great review 👍 I'll keep saving for Beast Gear

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

Thats a good plan bud!!

[@TheJoeml85]

plus if u hve a xop stand buy a 5 inch j bolt and a wing nut u can turn ur seat into a shelf for 4.75 it works great!

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

Thanks for the tip!

[@chattahoocheeoutdoorsman4865]

I haven't been a big fan of XOP since I purchased my Tree Shadow hand climber. Yeah I saved a little money, but it was a bad trade off for the quality of the Lone Wolf Assault hand climber. I have looked at some of their stuff since then, but I always end up getting something else. Plenty of better options for the budget minded hunter. I'm just waiting on Novix to release a hand climber with the Helo platform.

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

Now thats an awesome idea!! Novix helo climber!! I want it

[@chattahoocheeoutdoorsman4865]

@@MichiganGreatOutdoors you and me both!

[@evroutdoors]

J, any update on what they are doing about the wobbles?

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

I heard they will be recalls, im guessing there super backed up with returns, might wanna call them.

[@randydunmire]

I just bought a set of these and they replaced the Allen head bolt with regular hex head bolts and my steps do not rock

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

yeah, they replaced everything for me a few months after I made the video.

[@randydunmire]

@@MichiganGreatOutdoors They need to change the slide lock with a more flexable material like a stiff rubber

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

I totally agree!!!

[@mrd4865]

A lot of positives, but the step itself is poorly designed. Should be cut out to fit the stick like novix/beast gear/etc. Flush face to face will wiggle no matter what you do. That will eventually enlarge the holes through the stick too. Glad I didn't get them. I had an offer from Cody for a real cheap set of these last year because I had issues with the original sticks. I had to buy sight unseen though, so I passed. Seeing this, I'm glad I did.

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

I 100% agree, why have a step angled down like that, I wish I could share photos here cause if you wobble the step all the way over the step becomes unsafe due to the angle. Muddy boot, inexperienced climber? Gone

[@jamesbarnes7689]

Good review. Have a couple XOP stands, happy with them. But don't use their sticks.

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

I keep saying im gonna try an XOP stand one of these days. Just to see

[@elizabethpherr]

Glad i went with the one steps

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

You made the right choice!

[@daltondriver3584]

Did xop get the wobbling fixed?

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

Yes, all fixed

[@daltondriver3584]

@@MichiganGreatOutdoors ok awesome. Love your videos. I was thinking of selling my hawk setup for a xop. Think they be a good upgrade without to much more cost

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

@@daltondriver3584 yeah, definitely would be an upgrade. The sticks are solid now.

[@daltondriver3584]

@@MichiganGreatOutdoors thank you I appreciate the help greatly.

[@MrHf4l]

Could a guy install larger diameter bolts to take up the slop/rocking?

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

The bolts holes on the tubes are tight so u have to drill out the tubes and the top bolt hole on the step.

[@anthonyisabella1412]

Did they come up with a fix for this?

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

yes, its all solved.

[@darrendenzine2768]

I received these sticks a couple days ago and when I tested them I found that the steps move as well.

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

Yeah, did you get a refund?

[@darrendenzine2768]

@@MichiganGreatOutdoors I did but it wasn’t the full amount as I had to complain about it and I still am missing about $3 but I don’t know if it’s the shipping protection or not as XOP has not responded in 3 days

[@22blockhead]

Do you have a review on the eastern woods EWO sticks?

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

Not yet but I have 3. Honestly there pretty awesome. Stacking isnt the best but there lightweight, sturdy and bite the tree really good!!

[@22blockhead]

@@MichiganGreatOutdoors awesome! Glad to hear they are pretty sweet before dropping the 💰💰💰 😂

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

@@22blockhead so far there awesome

[@jhuntley575]

The api hunting sticks rock back and fourth too. Cheap sticks low tolerances

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

Yeah but these with the downward step angle creates an unsafe situation IMO. An experienced climber with a muddy boot could slip off.

[@AERIALASSAULT1]

I've had both. Api feel 10x safer

[@Eaaatlife]

I got the single steps and they were heavy af, sold them and got the novix minis

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

Yeah pretty heavy! Heavier than advertised!

[@doncook3584]

Yikes I’m not liking the image of the fasteners moving. I ain’t flying in a Max 8 and ain’t leaving the ground on those

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

No, they recalled these sticks.

[@TheJoeml85]

u can use stealth strips to make it quit

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

good tip!

[@757outdoorsman]

½ inch is 13mm. I like your reviews though man

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

Thank you!!

[@AERIALASSAULT1]

Like you said, that shit ain't right!

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

no way JOSE!

[@ronin5979]

Dude, you're setting up a tree hunt, they know you are there long before you disengage your sticks. Let it go bud..

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

I dont understand what your saying here bud.

[@billh8355]

Those sticks are trash 🗑. I had a set and sent them right back to them

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

They updated them and are solid as a rock now. Just pretty heavy.

[@arthurcarstens]

remember, you get what you pay for

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

aint that the truth!!

[@arthurcarstens]

@@MichiganGreatOutdoors yes sir, how is your off season? been practicing climbing trees, I call it "pig hunting ", a reason to go to the woods, stay with it, have a great summer!!

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

@carstensxdm45 that sounds fun man! Id love to shoot some pigs! My off season is ok, just coming out of hibernation lol

[@arthurcarstens]

@@MichiganGreatOutdoors been so warm here the mosquitos are already bad, don't leave home without the Themocell

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

That blows, I hate them things!! Still cold here

[@BelowAverageRazzleDazzle]

Those sticks are some junk!!!

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

Yeah, It appears they are.

[@nickdedeluk8584]

Looks like they are GARBAGE to me!!!

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

Yup!

[@mr.skeptical3071]

Cheap ass stix

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

It seems so. I have the updated ones now. They are better.

[@TheJoeml85]

mybe if u guys wernt 350lbs lol

[@MichiganGreatOutdoors]

265, well under the 300 lb rating

[@reddawng43x91]

🤣