I like both the XOP and LW. The fold flatter, and are lighter. Now some will say, that a hand climber is hard to use. I say they are not, most use the climber wrong, so they struggle. The trick to a hand climber, is after you lift the bottom up, and secure, step back on the stand, to simply move up the seat/top, than reposition your feet, for your next move with the bottom section.......
Yesterday I looked at the lightest stand, is was the Xstand, climber, aluminum, and it came in at 12 lbs. What I did not like about it, was that the tree straps, stick out too far and would catch on a lot of stuff, in the woods, that I hunt.............
all climbers, like all stands, will make noise, anywhere there is metal to metal contact. I recommend Stealth strips, to quiet any metal area. I have also used moleskin and pipe insulation.....
Also get from 3rd Hand, stabilizer straps, they make the whole world of climbers a lot easier, and to me they are a must.......................
I use other methods, hang on etc, but I believe that a quality climber is the safest way to climb a tree. along with your safety harness, you are always attached to that tree.....
again I am coming from a mobile hunters point of view......... good luck
