climbing stands?
Pennsylvania
Contributors to this thread:
Anybody using the summit viper? Ive been hunting out of hang ons all year. I was planning on buying another one but the people at the store had screwed the order up Long story short they offered me any stand they had at half price and said the viper sd was highly recommended. Just looking to see if anyone has any experience with them.
Possibly the most durable, comfortable, packable stand that you can buy for under 300 dollars. I have two of them now. The original Viper and a Viper SD. They can take a ton of abuse. Lock tight to the tree, I've never had one slip. I have never heard of one breaking. Lots of guys like the Lone Wolf. I won't own one, but everyone is different.
Don't forget your harness. May I recommend a Summit's Seat of the pants harness. Very versatile harness. Great to use with a climber.
Ive got the muddy safe gaurd harness now that I like. I have a cheap climber I got last yr and hate it. Its too same heavy to lug around. The pins for the cables suck. And its just loud. I hate it so much I has just planned on never using a climber but since the store is offering it to me at half price im considering it since I mainly hunt public land and locks are getting expensive for the lock on stands. Reviews on line seem good for it but I'd rather hear from people that really use them. Thanks for the input so far
Bought a Summit Goliath stand years ago like it alot good sturdy stand, quiet, good stand for all day sits. believe viper is same just smaller platform.
After having seen so many Summits that broke while climbing, I'd never own another. The Lone Wolf is casted and a far better choice in my opinion. It is the only stand I trusted with my life when I climbed trees.
I figured someone would come here and say summits break. Well if what Roger states is true everyone send me your Summit stands they're junk, I'll take everyone I can get!
Matt just so you know I am a 210lb man. With my gear much heavier. I have put summit stand through hell. Never had one slip of break. I own three summit stands. Two climbers and one lock on. Excellent products.
Matt take a good look at the lone wolf sit and climb stand. The summit is a solid weld stand. LW has nuts and bolts that hold it together. I doubt the casted platform will ever break. Nuts and bolts, no thanks. I'll take the solid weld.
Agree with Flatlander, I have API climbers, all my buddy's have Summits, and we use them, they don't sit in the garage. Never heard of one or seen either break, I also have a LW climber, it's nice and light, quiet, not an all dayer if you know what I mean, the seat would kill you plus there are no arm rests to "hold" you in there. Each has their place but if I were you I wouldn't turn the Summit down, it's a real nice quality stand. I have seen a pic of a broken LW, broke right at the platform.
Is it bulky when its packed? Just still trying to decide if packing a climber every time will be for me. Anyone use the open shot or any climber thats open? Are they difficult to climb with? Looked at the specialist sd today. Like the fact that its lighter but have never seen one being climbed with. Im mainly looking at summit for the fact that this place is offering them to me at half price. I'd like a LW but too expensive for me right now. This is all because my wife ordered me a new hang on and they can't get the stand to us for some reason. So they offered her any of the ones they have for half off...
Is it bulky when its packed? Just still trying to decide if packing a climber every time will be for me. Anyone use the open shot or any climber thats open? Are they difficult to climb with? Looked at the specialist sd today. Like the fact that its lighter but have never seen one being climbed with. Im mainly looking at summit for the fact that this place is offering them to me at half price. I'd like a LW but too expensive for me right now. This is all because my wife ordered me a new hang on and they can't get the stand to us for some reason. So they offered her any of the ones they have for half off...
All of my climbers are open front and they are not hard to climb with, very easy in fact, I'm 18-20' up in 5 minutes if that, obviously the slower you go the quieter you can be, also depending on what kind of tree you climb will make a difference on noise. Cherry is noisy, elm, oak quiet.As far as carrying in, I put my pack on the stand and off I go, I do like my API backstraps better than the Summits backstraps. My LW is ok, it also folds flat which my API doesn't, nor do the Summits.
I've never seen a Summit break!And I don't know of anyone who has.I had my last Summit Viper for almost 20 years with no problems,and I would still be using it if it wasn't stolen last year!
Bob
Matt, I have a Summit openshot and have been using it for years. Its the only stand that I use. I bought it because of the light weight and portability since I hike in to some spots quite a ways. Any stand will take some getting used to, but once you use it for a bit it becomes second nature. I stopped using hang on stands years ago because I strictly hunt state land.
Summit Viper is the easiest stand I have ever used. I have two API'S, used a lone wolf once, a open shot summit once, also loggy bayou. I like the rail for many reasons. Usually I sit or lean on it. great for climbing, and I have been known to snooze in my Viper. Never in the API's. I think the openshot packs better than the viper, but less comfortable. Like I said. Toss the backstraps, get a frame pack put your gear in the pack. Strap the stand to the pack. Hell I could carry anything miles in this manor. Like Harv I can't count the hours me and buddies put in the stand yearly. We have put just about every stand you can buy through cabales to the test over the years. We are all summit fans. Our stands get used, and abused. I am also interested in the Summit specialist but will wait till I can buy one used.
+1 tobywon. I have an open shot that I love as well. It is my primary stand, and I like to have a minimal protrusion in a tree. No extra rails for me especially when I take the stick bow. My open shot is snake locked in the bed of my truck from Sept, on. I still use my original seat of the pants harness that goes on like a glove, even in the dark. I have a brand new one in the bag in case I ever wear out the old one.
I too have never heard of a Summit breaking, and know of a lot of guys who use them. I know the Rut Nut tried my open shot and liked it, and ended up picking one up from someone on here. I'll prolly pick up a second open shot in the off season. Good luck....
Made a mistake above. I don't own a summit lock on stand. It's a gorilla!
Been watching some reviews n stuff on YouTube tonight and really starting to like the way they look. Think I was just hesitant from the get go because the other climber I have sucks. Guess ill take a ride n go check it out in the store. Thanks guys
Matt-
I tried my brother-in-law's Summit Viper about 15 years ago and fell in love with it! He let me use it that year because he hurt his knee. I swore I would not hunt the following year w/out one. Got a good deal on one in the off season and been using Summit ever since.
As Bowjo said, I tried the open shot and was even more impressed. Is a bit smaller and lighter than the viper and nests together a bit easier, and of course the open front is a big plus. I ended up buying Burbonator's open shot and liked it so much, I sold my Viper.
No issues at all with climbing, in fact I think it is actually easier(and faster) to climb with the Open SHot as you can separate the sections further when climbing, than with the sit and stand climber(Viper).
I've owned summits.They're comfortable and easy to climb with but they're bulky and noisy in my experience.Nothing beats a Lone wolf in my opinion.
I have a summit open shot. The only problem is that I am getting too old to use it. LOL.
Well, you can probably sell it to Bowjo then, Art! ;-)
Dougell, which summit was it that you had that was noisy, or noisier than a lone wolf. I can't see how one could make more noise than another. If you take your time with a summit it can be almost silent.
" If you take your time with a summit it can be almost silent. "
I agree with Chuck. My Summits are all really quiet.
It's me that makes the noise.
I have the same problem as Art with those summit open shots. My "old man abs" just ain't up to all those crunches.
I'm betting if he and I were setting up in the same neck of the woods, we'd sound like a couple of bucks doing battle - grunting and snorting our way up the tree. :^)
I have a Summit and a Lone Wolf climber. I like the Lone Wolf for how quiet they are but I like the Summit for comfort.
I had a cobra.It was similar to the viper but had an open front.I didn't think it was terribly noisy while climbing but if you banged against it,hollow aluminum is noisy.I also felt my rubber boots squeaked on the platform when wet.I'm not busting on the Summits.They make a nice comfortable stand but I'll take a LW any day of the week.
The LW's are pricey and they don't come perfect.I have about every top and platform made.For normal sits,I usually use the smaller assault platform.Sometimes I use the handcimber top and sometimes I use the sit and climb top with a hazmore net seat.It weighs between 15-16lbs depending on the top.The sit and climb top is easier to climb with and more comfortable but takes a little more time to set up.I use one of those combos the most because I shoot most of my deer while sitting and I don't like a rail.I also have a regular platform with a wide sit and climb top.I put a Summit seat on that top and use it for all day type hunts.It weighs more but it's comfortable and quiet.With a Lone wolf,I can be at 20ft within five minutes from the time I get to my tree and not make a sound setting up or climbing.Once set,there's no shooting restrictions,squeaks or bangs.
still using and liking my old loggy bayou. metal band with the fold up step over seat. anybody wants rid of any old ones let me know
jd
Jd, I had that loggy stand! I use it for a hang on stand now.
You ever have problems on a smooth bark tree when they are wet? I was up about 20 feet one time and was just getting ready to pull the seat up with my boot when it, and me slid down the tree. I bear hugged the tree and was at the bottom in about 2 seconds!! Ripped my camo on both arms and tore some skin off, I got reall lucky that day!
It is a comfortable stand, and I still hang it every year but I have steps going up to it now:)
Chuck, what I said is true. When I worked at the shop we sold hundreds of them and I got to see all the returns......It wasn't pretty. Sometimes we have a tendency to use our experiences as a gauge for quality/safety and that can lead to bad decisions.
Loggy bayou had a good concept.Unfortunately,rubber on wet bark makes about as much sense as whizzing into the wind.I bought a safety belt strap from the old Bowhunter's discount warehouse years ago.You just looped it around the tree,wrapped it around you hands and pulled yourself up,all the while connected by your waste lol.I think it actually came with a bar that you put through a loop.It was kinda like doing a pull-up.It worked good.It was better than hugging the tree and better than lugging that stupid climbing aid in with you.It worked great with that stand but once in a while you were bound to make a rapid descent for a few feet.Once you got locked in,you wee good to go.
Ben,that's a fair comparison.Just pick up a Summit seat for 39 bucks and use it on the LW.Best of both worlds.Summit does make the best seat.
Ya horsy, LMK, I still have a few good years...
Been my experience that LW stands break. Seen more of them busted than Summits. That tends to make me use a summit. So what exactly was breaking on the summits and how long ago was this??
The welds, just about everywhere on them. It happened over a number of years, but I've been out of the shop 4 or 5 seasons now.
Good to know Rodger. Still not convinced LW is superior product. I'll stick with my summit s.
I have never used a summit but I heard a guy using one in Missouri last year. that was a lot of racket but also could have been him. I like my Lone Wolf.
Flatlander,stands can be a personal thing without a doubt.Summit makes a very comfortable,sturdy stand.I just found them bulky to pack and noisy to set up.Lone wolfs just fit my style of hunting better.I have a tendancy to travel a fair distance and none of the areas I hunt are flat or open.I like being able to walk in without getting hung up on brush and have deer hear me walking in or setting up.I'm willing to sacrifice a little comfort for that.The traction belt system on the LW is very easy to use and completely silent when getting set up.It also has more finite adjustment to it.On the regular sit and climb model,I've found the hazmore net seat to be a great,inexpensive up grade.It's comfortable enough to sit for hours but it doesn't get in my way if I stand to shoot.It also sits me high enough on the frame to allow me to shoot while sitting.When I do position myself for a shot,it makes no noise.To me,that trumps just about any other stand out there.Another thing I like about the LW is that the angle of the traction belt allows you to set the stand at the base of the tree with very little angle.I've yet to find a perfect stand but the LW is as close as I've come.
I dont use climbers much, sometimes in winter for pushes or on MD for sika's. I like my Lone wolf when I do for the reasons mentioned above. Flat, quiet etc.. But, I have the sit and climb, great for climbing, very comfortable but in the way come shooting time. When its time, I'll take the seat and move it around to the other side of the tree, its a pain and then I dont have a seat.
Doug, interested in the summit seat, can you post a picture.
Bill V.
It's just the regular seat that they put on summit stands.It works better on the wide top.I like the hazmore net seat on the regulay sit and climb top.It's comfortable enough and it doesn't get in your way.
http://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0LEVifswKJUrTMAMTQPxQt.;_ylu=X3oDMTByMG04Z2o2BHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA2JmMQR2dGlkAw--/RV=2/RE=1419981165/RO=10/RU=http%3a%2f%2fwww.hazmore.net%2f/RK=0/RS=MzwDHdTTRc36OjHBysiUyOqhkIY-
http://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0LEV7.9waJU2B8Ad50PxQt.;_ylu=X3oDMTByMG04Z2o2BHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA2JmMQR2dGlkAw--/RV=2/RE=1419981374/RO=10/RU=http%3a%2f%2fwww.hazmore.net%2f/RK=0/RS=fWajYWpxqb6d4Uf6wRDzPaLVSKA-
Not sure I can't get that to work.Just put hazmore net seat in your search engine and it should pop right up.
I'll agree the seat gets in the way sometimes on a summit, but it is comfortable. No stand is perfect. I've learned to love the rail. I sit on it, lean against it, use it when I hunt with a gun, etc. No issues with backing. yes it does hang up on brush somewhat but I think any stand will do that. I don't think that many have considered different ways of carrying it.
My brother purchased a new open shot and the seat now flips up out of the way. Im not sure if that is on every model now, but it is a pretty neat improvement.
I always wondered about the stress on the welds over time on any stand. I never had a problem with the two summits that I have owned for years. The older one I dont use much anymore because I am spoiled with the smaller open shot. I try to inspect on a regular basis but you may not be able to see what is happening below the painted surface. I assume that the paint would chip or crack as well. I am interested in seeing some failures, but I dont know anyone that has had one fail.
There seems to be at least 2 different seats to the open shot. I have the sling style seat(like the viper seat, but no back, just the bottom portion. I like the sling style better. After awhile you get used to pushing the seat back towards the tree with your leg. o me the comfort of the sling style trumps the convenience of the flip away seat.
No idea where that pic came from lol
Hunt off the ground for pity sakes...
My lone wolf seat broke on me in October while climbing down. Called LW they shipped out a new one no questions asked for free. He said the tree I was in May have been to small in diameter. It was a smaller diamiter tree but not to small that I thought it would not be safe, but it was probably the smallest diameter tree I ever climbed with my LW. I'll go with larger diamiter trees from now on. The stand was bought in 2007 and gets a lot of use all season because I hunt a lot of public land and sit dark till dark for two weeks every year. I love the LW and will contribute to use it. It does not get caught up on brush and I strap my pack to the outside and have no problems carring in and out. It's quiet and quick while climbing. The comfort of the seat does not bother me much because I spend most of the day standing. Just sit short spurts. It's real thick where I hunt and if your not ready your screwed.
Mike
My God Mike, At my age hunting with a guy like you would be the equivalent of Navy Seal training. No wonder you get so many nice bucks! They simply surrender! Seriously though, you earn every one of the bucks you take!
I'm still hunting out of my old gray loggy bayou climber. I just added the luxury of a hand climbing aid to it a few years ago.
Very hard to teach an old dog new tricks!
Holy smokes mike. How do you climb with that seat? I have a sit down climbing seat on my LW.
On another note: I've had conversations with guys that say thier safety belt is not around the tree when they climb. Thats a good example why it should be.
Bill V
Mike That ain't the first LW I've seen like that, matter of fact I've seen several in that condition. I've never seen a broken summit. Maybe that is why LW cost so much because they know that replacement is imminent.
Picked up the viper today. Gonna give it a shot tomorrow and see how it works out
Bill LW replaced the seat for me.
Mike
HAVE 4 API CLIMBERS ,HAVE THEM OVER 20 YEARS NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THEM.HAVE THEM IN THE WOODS ALL SEASON
HEY RON THAT'S GREAT! HAVE YOU EVER TRIED A SUMMIT? I have a few API bowhunters. Not as comfortable as a viper
I have a viper but use my open shot more during archery.
PMcGee, great photo, btw.
Used it this afternoon.what a difference compared to that cheap one I had. Seems like it will work out pretty good.
PM that is the only way to carry a stand. I use a similar set up.
Since you already bought, my opinion won't mean much but, I think you made a good choice. I have a Summit Bushmaster (precursor to Open Shot) and absolutely love it. It is going on 12 or 13 yrs old now and I still have the original cables. Should probably replace them at this point as the camo duct tape doesn't last on them an entire season anymore! That will be the noisiest part of the Summit; attaching the cables when the plastic coating wears off eventually.
I like the open front and the comfy seat. If I set up the seat section just right on the right tree, it feels like a recliner...
As far as welds breaking, anything welded or cast can break from fatigue over time, especially if you exceed the weight limits posted for that stand. Even though I am about 220#, I know I am pushing the wt. rating of 250# on the Bushmaster with all my other gear and clothes, etc. Now, I know many guys are much "beefier" than I and if they are exceeding the wt. ratings of their stands, they will eventually crack the alum. welds due to fatigue stress.
Also, if you don't get the angle on the stands correct, you add WAY more stress to the stand. You never want one of the climbers platforms to be sloping away from the tree when at hunting height. This increases the load quite a bit on the welds and tubes. On some trees that reduce diameter quickly, it can be tough to judge and get it right (unless it is a tree you climb all the time). Better to climb back down and make adjustments so it is correct when at height.
My only complaint with the Summit is the length the cables stick out when packed all the way up. They still snag on brush or my calves when hiking in rough terrain but, I think I would have problems with most stands in some of the places I venture with my gear.
Wear that harness because you will find yourself dozing in your Summit after a couple consecutive days of early AM sits!
Justgrad25,
You can get replacement shrink tube for the Summits. Less than $20 will have your cables looking brand new.
You may want to examine the cables really close given they're 12-13 years old, but if they look OK after removing all of the worn duct tape, etc. I'd simply install new shrink tube.
As far as the angle of the stand. It's pretty easy to adjust when you're in the tree. You just pick up on the stand with the back of your feet. Just make sure you have the platform and seat tied together.
Got my first bow kill this morning with it. A nice fat old doe. Glad to put some meat in the freezer
That's awesome, Matt, congrats! Any pictures?
I'm with Doug, have an open shot, like it, solid treestand, just like my LW better, more quiet! I hunt close to bedding areas as possible on public ground, quietness is essential.
Pat
Yep,nothing wrong with a Summit but nothing beats a LW for the way I hunt.
I've used a Summit Bushmaster for years. Very happy with it. It's an older one, a little heavier than the new ones but very comfortable.
Yea Roger ive got a couple pics just gotta sit down n figure out how to get them on here. For all the lone wolf guys, I would like to try one out one day. Just want in the budget for me right now Only reason the summit was is because it was 50% off... unhappy with it so far even tho ive only used it a few times. Might head back out Saturday with it one last time for the yr n see if I can fill a buck tag
My son's future fatherinlaw's summit broke .Welds broke.Called summit they gave him a $100.00 toward a new one. It was 10 years old.Not bad. I use nothing but lonewolf but most of the stands made today are good. Whatever you feel comfortable with use.