Which Climbing treestand to buy?

[Muskeez]

I've never used a climbing treestand but want to hunt "deep" in some public ground this year. (one mile plus, walk) what would be a good climbing stand to buy that is fairly light and easy to use on different sized trees, and for someone that has never used one? THANKS!

[mazter]

I had a Summit Viper XLS Climber for 2 years, I have to tell you that out of all the stands I have ever sat in or packed around or even Climbed with. It was the Best in my Book, Never once felt unsafe in a tree, & I could always move around in the tree & on the tree with ease. It does take some Practice, But it was everything I ever wanted in a Stand. I sat in it for 8 hours at a time- ALL day hunts, and It packed up fast, got it on the tree fast and the Seat was awsome on it. It felt like a Recliner in the sky, It was that comfertable. I have used many stands in my life and that was the best one I ever used & owned. Im a Big guy too 6'3-230lbs & I never once had any problem using it anywhere.

I had to sell it due to Chronic Back Problem's, I sold it to a Member on here. gd357 came down & bought it a few years ago. He can tell you about that Stand too. I hated to get rid of it, But I could no longer use it at all.

Let us know what you get & how you like it. Good Luck Hunting too.;)

[Muskeez]

Thanks Mazter, I'll check that one out, should be able to find it at Cabelas or other outlet websites. I should also state that I don't want one with a big guard around it. I shoot a recurve, quite long, and some of the climbers look like they would work great for resting a rifle on but clumbsy to shoot a long bow from. any thoughts guys? thanks

[VarmintSniper]

I just bought a Summit Goliath the other week at Gander becuase It was on sale. I had a cheap walmart special climber and it was death waiting to happen. This new Summit Goliath is awsome, so quiet and sooo Confy. My old climber would squeek and make allot of noise if I stood up in it, not the new Summit now. I love it. I would reccomend a Summit to anyone.:D

[Rustywreck]

Lone Wolf Sit'n Climb.
It is the lightest climber I've seen, which makes for easier packing. The base is cast aluminum so it is very quiet. The new model has a redsigned seat - I have an older model. A friend bought a new model with the new seat. I had the chance to sit in it and it is all day comfortable (the old one is too, but the new model is even better).
There are very few things in which I am totally brand loyal, this is one of them.

[gd357]

Like Mazter said, the Viper is a great stand. I've had a few long walks in with the Summit, and I can't complain at all. easy to use, and a good stand. I've seen a few other good climbers, designed similarly. try a few out if possible, and see which one you feel the most comfortable with.

gd357

[Rimshot]

I too have a Summit Viper. I love it and have no complaints at all.
The new models have stirrups to slide your feet under instead of the straps. I bought a set of the stirrups for my older Viper and they are great. The Viper does have the gun rail that surrounds the stand and is also for stand up sit down climbing.

If I was going to buy a new stand with long bow hunting in mind, I would buy the Summit Cobra. My brother just bought one and it also has the foot stirrups included. It also has a front bar for stand up and sit down climbing but the bar pivots to where it is out of the way when you are in the hunting position.
For my money this is the stand I would buy if I were in the market for a new one. I think Summit is hard to beat and I have used several different climbers. The COBRA weighs about 17 lbs and sells for $219.00 at Cabela's.

For gun hunting, my favorite is still the Tree Lounge but I don't like it at all for bow hunting.

[jmarriott]

I got the Viper XLS and like most have said it nice and comfortable all day type of stand.


I got to get me some of those stirrups i got the straps and they are hard to get on with thick boots.

[bradj]

Although I don't own one and have never even used it, I would go with the Lone Wolf if you are having to walk alot.

[jmarriott]

I got to the point on public land that a deer hearse is the only way to go if you go deep into the woods.

You can pull it behind you and make normal walking time on trails and then offroad make sure you have big clearance on the wheels and the whole deal not much wider than yourself.

One thing to get into that 2 to 3 mile hike zone with a bow a pack and a stand. If you get one in late afternoon you still got that drag out. There are comercial models available but i made mine from 3/4 inch conduit and bmx bike wheels using a plan from a fellow southren Indiana hunter i meet a few years ago.

Now go can bring in a more comfortable stand. My friend uses a real heavy tree lounger.

I shot a nice respectable 8 point at dark in the hills of southren Indiana and arrived at the truck at 11.00 pm just looking like I had been the one who was dragged out.

[Muskeez]

Thanks for all the responses. I guess I'm leaning toward one of the Summit models, mainly because the Lone Wolf is another $100 more, even $220 is kinda crazy for a stand but I guess you gotta pay to play and I don't need to end up on my head on the ground either. The one thing I wonder about on the Summit models is the platform size. When looking at the pictures on Cabelas website it seems like the platforms are quite small, like plenty of platform under the seat area but not much beyond that. Any comments? Have you guys found them to be suffient size? I'm not a XL guy. Thanks for all your help.

[mazter]

The platform is great on them, Like i said im a big guy &I had plenty of foot room, I believe you can also buy one with the added foot rest on it. Im not sure as I havent looked at them for a while. You'll love the Summit's, I tried a few stands out before i bought the one I did. The comfort level and the ease of Climbing is what sold me on it, Plus is wasnt bad to carry at the time either. I would love to have the one I had or even be able to sit in a stand now. But im happy just to go out a few days a week now & hunt from the ground. But I loved the Summit I had.

Good luck

[Rimshot]

Muskeez,
I am a big guy, 6'3", 245lbs.
The platform size is plenty big for me on the Summit stands. It measures 36" x 20" which is about 6" longer (out from the tree) than the Lone Wolf stands.
As I said in my reply above, I have the Viper but I would buy the Summit Cobra X4 if I were buying a new stand. It comes equiped with the foot rest, rapid climb stirrups and full body harness.
My brother is using his and loves it.
I saw the Cobra X4 on sale for $189.95 in the October Natchez shooters supplies catalog I got last week. That's $30 off regular price and their shipping is not unreasonable.
Check them out on the web at www.natchezss.com

[Muskeez]

Thanks everyone. Rimshot please check your Private messages. Best of luck to all.

[Rimshot]

Muskeez,
Check you Private Messages.
Good Luck

[deadonat100yards]

go with a summit. i have a summit broadhead backpacker. it weighs about 10 pounds and it aint got no shootin rail to git in the way. i love it and i wont never git rid of it. plus the dern thing folds up flat!:cool: didnt cost but 175 bucks!:D

[AK NIMROD]

I HAVE A 4-5 YEAR OLD SUMMIT ? VIPER I REALLY LIKE ,A FRIEND HAS THE BROADHEAD BACKPACKER....I LIKE IT ALOT BETTER...FOLDS AND IS MORE COMPACT FOR CARRYING IN, SETS UP EASILY ....I WISH I I HAD THAT ONE AND MAY BUY ONE FOR MY ANNUAL TRIP SOUTH ....THIS YEAR WI.

[Steverino]

I just purchased a Lone Wolf Alpha Sit & Climb treestand after researching other manufactures offerings the past month. Should be getting it in a couple of days so I can play around with it and practice climbing and taking shots for a good month prior to the opening of bow season.

I would have probably gone with the Viper but I didn't like the fact that the front gun rail does not swing away or pivot-and for my style of bow hunting, that could spell a missed opportunity.

Considering the time spent in a stand-8 or more hours daily, it's money well spent. Yeah, it's expensive but I don't think most hunters seem to mind spending good money for a comfortable seat in the late waning afternoon hours on stand looking for Mr. Big.:D

I'll have to report back my findings.