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Post by switzerland on Oct 31, 2016 18:25:14 GMT -5
I have used an API bowhunter for YEARS and I've replaced the seat, chains, plastic slides (where the chains enter the stand), and backpack straps. It was a replacement for my old Loggy Bayou. Well, I never thought I would buy another stand because I've tried the Summit Viper, the Tree Lounge, and others until I started hunting with a buddy who has a Lone Wolf. He goes in twice a silent as I do without the sound of small metal clicks, or taps as I remove pins. I found an XOP Powerhouse XL the other day new. It's a remake of the lone wolf. I have to say, I hunted with it for the first time this past weekend and it's all it's cut out to be when it comes to silence. I've got some work to do when it comes to packing it up in the dark, but once I get the hang of this one I really think I'll be pleased.
Has anyone else changed climbers over the years? What seems to be the favorite and why? I know I went XOP over lone wolf due to cost, but after seeing my buddy's side by side with mine they are really the same stand.
Rod
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Post by greghopper on Oct 31, 2016 18:31:35 GMT -5
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Post by jackryan on Oct 31, 2016 18:43:12 GMT -5
Summit treestands all the way.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2016 18:53:15 GMT -5
Same deal- summit.
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Post by M4Madness on Oct 31, 2016 18:54:03 GMT -5
I don't remember the model of Summit I used once, but I remember it being heavy as a tank. Maybe the newer models are lighter.
I've owned quite a few different treestands years ago (anyone remember the Warren & Sweat brand), and even had an API Bowhunter like Switzerland. I'm still hunting with an API Grand Slam Lite that I bought probably 15 years ago. I replace the chain shrink tubing every other year, but that's the extent of it. Having a crossbar on the front of the seat section is a must for me, as I sometimes sit facing the tree if I have little cover. Does Lone Wolf make such a model?
Edit: It looks the Summit Viper SD is the only one that meets my weight requirement of under 21 pounds and has the crossbar.
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Post by raymar on Oct 31, 2016 19:15:22 GMT -5
I actually use a Warren and sweet. It has the crossbar and is extremely light. It has the wing nuts and bolts to adjust it with metal blade bars. I prefer it over my Ameristep non typical. I hate that stand unless an easy tree to climb. I actually dropped the bolt tonight and had to search for awhile. Noisy as heck but will climb a shagbark hickory I believe. To cheap to replace with a new one.
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Post by antiwheeze on Oct 31, 2016 19:17:50 GMT -5
Lone wolf is much quieter than viper. I have both. Lone wolf feels more secure to me. Viper is my sit all day stand because of comfort. LW is not a good sleeping stand. I also often mix climbers and platforms. My favorite for gun xbow shooting rail is an old man top and LW bottom.
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Post by steiny on Oct 31, 2016 19:35:56 GMT -5
You never see them around here, but I bought Treewalker brand based on some advice from a deer hunting forum several years ago. Best and lightest climber I've ever used, try one.
Note - Good idea replacing the climber after a bunch of use. It's seen a lot of metal fatigue, and you have a lot at risk, Cut it up so nobody else can use it and scrap it.
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Post by wesb81219 on Oct 31, 2016 20:59:54 GMT -5
I will soon enough be in the market for a climber. So far I like the summit viper crush series. Any suggestions this will be my first climber.
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Post by bill9068 on Oct 31, 2016 21:09:55 GMT -5
I only use climbers and have two summit climbers. I have the 180 and the viper classic. I think if you start with a certain brand and get used to it thats your favorite climber. If you have access to any climbers from friends try them out then make an informed decision. I think these days like most other gear they will be close in features and price.
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Post by ms660 on Oct 31, 2016 22:08:23 GMT -5
I love my old Baker, safe, comfortable, easy packing............Just kidding. Wonder how many deaths the Baker was accountable for. I know I took a few rides down some trees. I lost a lot of skin off my fingers and chest using the old Bakers
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Climbers
Oct 31, 2016 22:17:03 GMT -5
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Post by barnettbuckbuster on Oct 31, 2016 22:17:03 GMT -5
I love my old Baker, safe, comfortable, easy packing............Just kidding. Wonder how many deaths the Baker was accountable for. I know I took a few rides down some trees. I lost a lot of skin off my fingers and chest using the old Bakers I'm only 33 bit the first clombet I ever used was a $%&@ baker and boy do they suck usrf it 1 time and that wasore than enough!
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Post by jackryan on Oct 31, 2016 22:20:18 GMT -5
I will soon enough be in the market for a climber. So far I like the summit viper crush series. Any suggestions this will be my first climber. I started out building my own version of the old Baker climbing stands. Did that for several years with mods every year but the worst thing is they were all still made out of steel. Then I went to building my own lock ons of ALL variety. They are all a PITA to put up. Then I bought a couple Loggy Bayou stands. One because it was near free at a yard sale. They sucked. You need an extra piece that's good for absolutely nothing but climbing and making noise. It's slick on the tree unless you add some spike attachments to it to dig in to the tree rather than the rubber that contacts the tree other wise. With out the spikes they are flat out dangerous. I'll still use them but only as climbing lock ons. Once they are set on the tree, they are safe until you need to set it to climb up or down. Since then I've bought a few bargain sale lock ons to use close to home and places to far to carry it in twice a day. Then I bought a NEW Summit Viper with all the options for back then. Foot rest, wouldn't do with out it. Summit traded me a brand new model a few years later and threw in all the NEW options with it. Bags, covers, stuff like that. They also made an improvement in the angled arm rest design. With a slight S shape it eliminated the cable rattle when it's set up to carry. I also bought an open front Summit climber. Don't know the exact name but it looks just like my viper only an open front. It is definitely noticeably lighter to carry as well. I use it quite a lot during archery season. Far as I'm concerned, and my Summit is a few years old now, Summit is the best climbing tree stand there is. It's easy to add a bow holder that keeps you bow ready and near vertical right beside your left hand, for just the cost of a self tapping screw. Wind up my pull up cord on the front bar when I get down each time and I've got Ghilley suit type strings tied all over it with baling grass type string. Use the same strings to poke live foliage in if I cut any branches on the way up. I use Summit's bar bag on the front to pack all my possibles so I don't have to fill my pockets with calls, scents, release, range finder... If I need it to hunt and I have my stand, I have it all. I feel perfectly safe in that stand and I never use a safety harness with it. I've spent many days in that stand half asleep after working all night and got enough sleep to go straight back to work that night. Never the slightest twinge. EXCEPT! Except for I didn't use to ever use the string to tie the top and bottom together. Thought it was hilarious that any one would ever need that. Until I spent all after noon sitting on the bar of the top half one day when I was using the tree stand to trim trees. Now I do use the string to tie the bottom to the top in case it slips off my feet while climbing.
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Post by ms660 on Oct 31, 2016 22:55:08 GMT -5
Hey Jack put a retractable dog leash on the seat section of your climber. I zip tied mine on. It feeds out as you climb and retracts as you go down. The string never gets tangled up like a regular rope hanging down as you are coming down the tree. You can get a 25footer at Rural King for about 8 or nine bucks.
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Post by beermaker on Nov 1, 2016 4:44:15 GMT -5
Hey Jack put a retractable dog leash on the seat section of your climber. I zip tied mine on. It feeds out as you climb and retracts as you go down. The string never gets tangled up like a regular rope hanging down as you are coming down the tree. You can get a 25footer at Rural King for about 8 or nine bucks. Unbelievable! I have looked at BPS, Cabela's, and Rural King for a retractable gear hoist. Never thought about a simple dog leash. I hunted two weeks ago and the rope that I pull up my pack with tangled with the crossbow lift. Untangling that mess in the dark while trying to keep quiet was a major PITA. I have a Summit Viper and a Timber Tall w/Summit seat. I don't think the Timber Tall is made anymore, but it I like it more than the Viper. The original webbed seat was junk so I replaced it with a Summit. Nothing wrong with the Viper whatsoever, I just like a wider stand. If I were to buy another Summit, I would get a Goliath or Titan for the additional room. I don't move my stands often and don't pack in/out for one hunt, so the additional weight would not matter to me. If I had to buy another stand and money was not a consideration, I'd get the Lone Wolf sit & climb XL.
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Post by dbd870 on Nov 1, 2016 6:37:15 GMT -5
I had a Gorilla then went to a Summit - only changed once. I've never used a Lone Wolf; them and Summit seem to be the 2 favorites. The Gorilla actually bites better than the Summit - it's just very heavy.
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Post by parrothead on Nov 1, 2016 7:00:04 GMT -5
I have 6 Summit climbers and love them all.
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Post by 10point on Nov 1, 2016 7:40:45 GMT -5
I have a top portion to an API bowhunter stand if anyone needs one. It's just the metal part. No seat.
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Post by jackryan on Nov 1, 2016 9:50:22 GMT -5
Hey Jack put a retractable dog leash on the seat section of your climber. I zip tied mine on. It feeds out as you climb and retracts as you go down. The string never gets tangled up like a regular rope hanging down as you are coming down the tree. You can get a 25footer at Rural King for about 8 or nine bucks. With this in the way where would I put my purse? www.hollar.com/products/retractable-dog-leashI think I'll stick with a pull up rope. It's worked for 10,000 years. So simple a cave man can do it and what I like best is no snaps, hooks or plastic parts to break, clink, clank or let you down. If you can tie a knot, you know how to use it. When I get my bow up I can wrap it up and still use it to hang a cup on or hook my thermos in to. Handy as a shirt pocket.
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Post by waltzjc on Nov 2, 2016 0:25:21 GMT -5
I am a fairly small guy 5'8 160 and I love my summit viper sd with just the hammock seat. Not real big and total weight of like 12 pounds. Quick to set up quiet through the woods love it.
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