I'm totally naive about treehopper. What advantages or differences from screw in steps to these bolts?
Bolts...
Very affordable. You can prep many trees for a lot less money. Bolts pack much better than screw in...they take up much less space for transport.
The other consideration for comparison is what kind of screw in are you comparing to? The 1 piece style Ameristep type steps absolutely suck. They suck in the pack, they suck to start, they suck to completely screw all the way in, and the suck to remove. Did I mention they suck?
Cranford EZ Climb style screw in are much better for a screw in but they can still be difficult on some species of trees. But they don't pack as well as bolts. They are 2 piece (the step and the lag) so they can fail. I had one break at ground level one time.
Bolts require a drill. Pre prep trees are sometimes done with battery drills. Its fast and easy.
Hand drills like Treehopper are also used. A hole takes less than a minute to drill. Once the hole is bored, bolts are lightning fast to place and remove. Grade 8 bolts are what is used....strong and dependable.
I've used screw ins for over 30 years. I learned about bolts last season. I am selling several dozen Ameristep. I will never use them again. They suck. Try bolts, you won't be sorry.
2 new gear systems for me last year...tree saddle and bolts. Fantastic way to be in a tree.
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