Xop Vs Hawk, Tree Stand Review

After a great season and alot of time spend in both stands, I decided to do a Comparison video due to how often these two stands (Xop Vanish and Hawk Helium XL) are compared to each other. If you have any additional questions drop them bad boys in the comments!
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[@manvsdeer]

Thanks for watching guys! Tons more review content like this on the channel Also, be sure to check out my shop (link in the Description), any purchases help keep new content coming to the channel🤘

[@voxpopuli905]

Ya know it’s funny you mention this. Cuz I got both. I got the XOP vanish and the Helium ultra light. I love the XOP sticks when they’re set up but I hate packing them. The tolerances are real tight and it’s such a hassle having to pull out a wad of straps, assemble them and start setting up the sticks. I find myself going back to the hawk sticks. And I had to purchase a separate single 30” making it a 4pack. This summer I plan to get out the XOP stick system again and do some drills and get it dialed in. It’s prolly on me, cuz I got them a cpl weeks before the archery season opened. And I needed more time for tinkering. I just fully expected they would be easier to work with out of the box and that wasn’t the case. Idk if I got an old design or not. But when you lock them all together, the straps gotta come off. Either that, or I’m doing something wrong and was impatient cuz the season was already starting. All I know is, it’s January and I’m already getting pumped for september

[@user-vj2wf4ek5o]

The way the stand clamps on the tree the XOP cast aluminum teeth far better then the 2 metal ends

[@manvsdeer]

Agreed!

[@BryonSweno1]

Nice job dude!! I know nothing about tree stands and you made it pretty clear to me the pros and cons! Haha

[@manvsdeer]

Bryon Sweno thanks man, now ya know haha

[@dandenzine1145]

Thanks for the comparison - I have been a summit climber guy for years. Just bought a Helium set - but may also buy an XOP 🙂

[@captaincool9118]

Would love to see a video of packing the helium sticks with the vanish. This is gonna be my set up I believe.

[@manvsdeer]

Cory Cool I’ve had a few requests for that so I’ll be uploading that video Friday (hopefully) It’s a hard setup to beat and packs well

[@captaincool9118]

I already hawk regular and mini hawk sticks to use with a saddle but would like to get a mobile stand stick option as well

[@manvsdeer]

Packing video is now live on the channel

[@toddlemasters3567]

Awesome. Running the same setup this year.

[@manvsdeer]

Todd LeMasters thanks for watching- hope it treats you as well as mine has 🤘

[@bowtac16]

Just looking at both these stands, appreciate the content

[@manvsdeer]

Bowtac thanks for watching man!

[@whitetailpoet4243]

Same setup here. After alot of research I went with the XOP Vanish and Hawk Helium sticks too. Great combo.

[@manvsdeer]

Whitetail Poet thanks for watching! Make sure to check out the xop and hawk packing video as well

[@whitetailpoet4243]

@@manvsdeer will do. I have a clean carry in system as well. I lay my 3 sticks sideways and set them the long, vertical, way over the seat which is laid flat and a fanny pack at the top that holds my climbing rope at a few other items. Than I use one fabric cinch strap to secure the sticks to the stand at mid-point. For cold weather I throw a backpack with gear over my sticks. It's very solid and fast. I carry the original stand carry straps to convert my setup into a shelf mod for packing meat. The fun part is styling a mobile setup for personal preference. Take care.

[@zb5715]

Lone wolf Alpha with Helium sticks, can’t beat it

[@manvsdeer]

Z Bob very similar to my setup, haven’t beat it yet!

[@davidrussell631]

Or the Novix Echo, the same full size cast stand for less $ but made by the same folks who cast the Lone Wolf. And yeah, you can’t beat the Helium sticks, especially for the money. Running cable aiders from Double Step I can get 20 ft with only three sticks.

[@reddawng43x91]

Lone wolf with muddy pro sticks

[@zb5715]

Just upgraded my sticks to the LWCG doubles with cable aiders.. feels like I’ll never need another setup for the rest of my life lol

[@StraightWayOutdoors]

Not bad. I run the XOP Vanish. XOP offers a quick connect bracket that allows for very easy hanging, particularly if you have a pre-hung location. I actually have 1-3 rehung locations that I use, plus the ability to be mobile, all with the same stand. Of course at added cost, you can get a “deluxe” seat cushion for the XOP.

[@manvsdeer]

planopurist i need to get a new pad for mine this year put alot of miles on the other one 😂

[@TNOutdoorsFanatic]

Nice review! Very informative.

[@manvsdeer]

Thanks for watching! Hopefully more of these coming soon

[@davidrussell631]

Went full circle back to a cast stand, the Novix Echo, which is the same stand as the Lone Wolf Alpha without the litigious brand and Wolf design in the middle of the platform. I hunted from LW stands years ago, but after a hiatus from hunting for a while used a Summit climber and a couple of those Hawk HP stands. I actually don’t care for the thick and squishy seats, and found the Hawk Helium stand much noisier to cam than my old Lone Wolfs. Oh, and when it’s time to take it down, that strap buckle design can be a royal PITA to get loose. The XOP is a good stand from what I can tell. Love my Novix Echo and Hawk Helium sticks. A 4 direction leveling, cast platform like the Novix, Lone Wolf, or XOP is what you want for a mobile hang and hunt stand.

[@superbowhunter92]

Could you comment on your backpack straps? They look super durable and comfortable... Thanks and great review!! DW

[@manvsdeer]

They are called Molle straps and can be purchased on Amazon. I’m still rocking the same pair, for the money they are hard to beat

[@paulnacknouck3984]

Hey, I'm considering these 2 stands for this fall and I really appreciate the direct comparison. Can you comment on how handy you find the ability to adjust the platform level? Ill be shooting a bow so I imagine a level platform would be nice to have.

[@manvsdeer]

Yes it is a great feature. We have a lot of leaning trees in my area especially around river bottoms, it makes all the difference