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Post by gillgrabber on Sept 9, 2010 20:08:47 GMT -5
I haven't used a climber since around 1980 and that was an old Baker. I know they've improved a lot since then so I bought a Summit. I'll be using it for the first time next month but I'm a little hesitant since I'm not as young, thin, or flexible as I was 30 years ago. Do they go up easily? I remember the Baker didn't "bite" the tree as much as I would have liked and I'd sometimes slide short distances back down the tree while climbing. From you guys who use them, any advice before I take it out?
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tskin
Full Member
Posts: 62
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Post by tskin on Sept 9, 2010 20:17:36 GMT -5
Anytime I've ever gotten a new climber, I go out in the yard to a straight tree & check it out. That way you won't be screwing with things in the woods & you'll know how good it bites. I had one a few years ago that I took back before I ever even took it in the woods - it didn't bite into the tree at all & as a big guy- I had no knee room while climbing. Go practice for a little bit first. Also wear a safety harness, we need all the responsible hunters we can get!
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Post by Ahawkeye on Sept 9, 2010 20:23:28 GMT -5
Practice with it a bit and you'll get the hang of it. If you can wear boots that are not bulky and DO NOT CLIMB HICKORY TREES! You'll know what I mean if you ever try. Summit sometimes comes with a pair of hooks to help climb with you kind of hook your boots in them and you don't have to try to get your boots in that bungie thing on the bottom. If yours didn't come with this I'd look them up they might call them stirups?  not sure about that. Good luck and enjoy! they are very cmfortable! Last thing WEAR A SAFTY HARNESS!! |
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Post by george0493 on Sept 9, 2010 23:17:52 GMT -5
Climbers absolutely rock! However, be very careful not to select a tree that is too thin. Make sure it sustains its girth 15-20 feet up. If you find yourself with too small of a trunk it can spell trouble in an instant.
I cannot say enough positives about the summit viper stands. I would not trust another.
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Post by JBDiNos on Sept 9, 2010 23:33:43 GMT -5
Yes, I have a Summit stand and I'm gonna buy the stirrups for it. The old model is a pain in the butt trying to get your feet into the little bungy cords. The stirrups looks easy to use. I have used several different brands of climbers and will say Summit is the best.
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Post by turkeyscout on Sept 10, 2010 6:37:08 GMT -5
i have been useing a Summit Viper for a long time... i would use the bungy with the stirrups, also tie a rope between the two sections, you don't want to lose the bottom platform....best investment i ever bought was a Hunter Safety System Harnest and use it with every hunt. most trees are bigger at the bottom, so start out with you Summit tilted and it will level out as you climb. .............good luck...very comfortable stand!!!!!......   .......turkey scout |
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Post by hunter7x on Sept 10, 2010 7:20:41 GMT -5
I was VERY hesitant to buy another climber after coming within a couple of inches of losing a couple of things I'm very fond of when a cheap climber I was using slipped while I was going up a tree. got a nice gash in my VERY upper inner thigh when I slid back down and over a small limb I had cut on my way up.
Upon recommendation from a good friend I bought a Summit also and love it and have not had any slippage issues with it. It also it by far the most comfortable stand I own.
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Post by gillgrabber on Sept 10, 2010 7:45:59 GMT -5
Thanks for the replies. The only stands I've used were ladder stands or Hang-ons which always had hard seats covered with a small cushion. They always feel comfortable in the store but that small seat becomes hard to sit on after a while. I'm really looking forward to the seat on this Summit along with the safety/shooting rail. I shot a deer last year year with my muzzleloader from about 90 yards out and had an awful time trying to steady the rifle with nothing to rest it on.
It's almost going to seem like cheating if I get too comfortable, but I guess I deserve that now that I'm in my 50s!
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Post by huxbux on Sept 10, 2010 12:40:28 GMT -5
Summit stands don't really "bite" into the tree. Your weight out on the end of the seat and platform at work with the cables and wedges is what anchors the stand to the tree. I think a lot of people tend to hug the tree as they go up or come down the tree with a climber ( this is when most injuries occur) I suppose it's a natural reaction to think the closer to the tree one is, the safer they will be. Nothing is further from the truth. Keep your weight on the seat and platform as far away from the tree as possible as you climb.
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Post by LawrenceCoBowhunter on Sept 10, 2010 13:56:50 GMT -5
I have a summit goliath and I wouldn't take anything for it,It's the most comfortable stand I have ever had,lots of room.I also just bought a new ladderstand at bass pro last weekend to replace my old big game stand,it's an ameristep buck buster.It has a nice sling seat too,and is really comfy.About the only thing I don't like about it is the narrow ladder,but I'll get used to after a few times climbing it.
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Post by sleepergsx on Sept 10, 2010 19:34:36 GMT -5
Climbers absolutely rock! However, be very careful not to select a tree that is too thin. Make sure it sustains its girth 15-20 feet up. If you find yourself with too small of a trunk it can spell trouble in an instant. I cannot say enough positives about the summit viper stands. I would not trust another. Hmmm...I guess that would depend on your objective....i personally wouldn't hunt out of one again...they are bulky to carry in, NOISY to climb with, you cant put them in very many trees( seriously, how many trees that are in a perfect spot are straight and free of bracnches?), umm, what else...NOISY, a lot of them aren't safe in my opinion, and NOISY! trust me, thats how I catch a lot of poachers, ;D on a still morning you can hear a climber going up a tree 100 yards away, what do you think the deer hear? |
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Post by jgrimm on Sept 10, 2010 20:25:17 GMT -5
I have a summit and have never had a problem. I always put a ratchet strap aroud the tree just for peace of mind.
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Post by jajwrigh on Sept 10, 2010 22:43:22 GMT -5
I have a Summit Viper and an Ole Man and I prefer the Summit by far. It is a great climber and don't forget your Hunter Safety System harness.
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Post by dead-eye on Sept 11, 2010 8:42:43 GMT -5
 on the summit viper i have used a few others and it is in a league of its own!!! |
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Post by huxbux on Sept 11, 2010 16:46:04 GMT -5
Climbers absolutely rock! However, be very careful not to select a tree that is too thin. Make sure it sustains its girth 15-20 feet up. If you find yourself with too small of a trunk it can spell trouble in an instant. I cannot say enough positives about the summit viper stands. I would not trust another. Hmmm...I guess that would depend on your objective....i personally wouldn't hunt out of one again...they are bulky to carry in, NOISY to climb with, you cant put them in very many trees( seriously, how many trees that are in a perfect spot are straight and free of bracnches?), umm, what else...NOISY, a lot of them aren't safe in my opinion, and NOISY! trust me, thats how I catch a lot of poachers, ;D on a still morning you can hear a climber going up a tree 100 yards away, what do you think the deer hear? Nothing noisy about a Summit. I have had deer walk past me well within 100 yds as I was climbing. They never knew I was there. |
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Post by george0493 on Sept 11, 2010 20:00:54 GMT -5
Hmmm...I guess that would depend on your objective....i personally wouldn't hunt out of one again...they are bulky to carry in, NOISY to climb with, you cant put them in very many trees( seriously, how many trees that are in a perfect spot are straight and free of bracnches?), umm, what else...NOISY, a lot of them aren't safe in my opinion, and NOISY! trust me, thats how I catch a lot of poachers, ;D on a still morning you can hear a climber going up a tree 100 yards away, what do you think the deer hear? Nothing noisy about a Summit. I have had deer walk past me well within 100 yds as I was climbing. They never knew I was there. Huxbux Sleepergsx - I couldn't disagree with you more. Honestly, i think you may have had some bad experiences that aren't the norm. If your being that noisy in a climber it is more user error than anything, not the climber itself. I would also submit that if you've ever humped a ruck sack over distance you sure as heck wouldn't call a summit viper "bulky". I guess they are just not a fit for some guys. |
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Post by dbd870 on Sept 12, 2010 2:53:05 GMT -5
I was climbing down and had a doe walk by me; field edge I was 15-20 yds into the woods. I stopped and watched her - she never knew I was there. Just after legal shooting hours. I don't own a fixed stand. My Viper has been the most comfortable and nicest to carry climber I have used. Oh, I 2nd Hux on how to use one.
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Post by huntinfool on Sept 12, 2010 14:54:34 GMT -5
I'll just second what the majority here said, the Summit stands are second to none and their customer service is excellent too. I had a little paint chipping off of the front of the bottom platform on my new Viper and when I called Summit about it they sent me a large can of touch up paint and a pack of Summit skins. I had the paint and skins within a week of calling and all free of charge to boot!
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Post by gambler on Sept 12, 2010 15:58:08 GMT -5
I love my Summit stand. I usually hunt out of Popular, White Oak and Pin Oak trees with no problems whatsoever. It's quite, easy to climb with and I feel very safe in it from 25ft off the ground. I always wear a safety device when going up and down the tree and wouldn't climb without it. My stand weighs roughly 20 lbs. and isn't hard to carry in the woods. Someone mentioned the climbing stirrups. I don't know how you would climb without them. It would have to be a difficult task to say the least. When I'm climbing, I sit on the wrap around bar each time I move upwards with the base of the stand and I've never had any problems with it slipping on the trees I mentioned at the beginning of the post. Hope you enjoy the stand, but remember to ALWAYS wear some sort of safety harness for your protection. It only takes a few seconds to attach it and that few seconds could be a lifesaver.
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Post by Russ Koon on Sept 12, 2010 16:44:31 GMT -5
I'm another very happy Summit user and agree with all the positive comments about them above.
I also agree with the recommendation to pratice before going out opening morning if at all possible. For one thing, you'll need to judge how much angle to start out with on the base portion in order to compensate for the amount of taper in the trunk, or you can end up at the height you want with the base at a very uncomfortable angle.
I would also suggest that if you plan to carry the stand a good distance, say a mile or better, you may want to fit it with a padded waist belt to take the weight off the shoulders and put it on the hips where it carries much easier and with more stability. They can be found at places that specialize in backpacking supplies, and they make a lot of difference in the comfort after a half mile or so.
And always stay connected with your safety harness all the way from ground to ground. It takes very little more time, and the security is well worth it!
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not sure about that. Good luck and enjoy! they are very cmfortable! Last thing WEAR A SAFTY HARNESS!!
.......turkey scout
