This is something I posted on a different thread but it relates:
This stand has been a great investment for me. I've been very pleased with it:
Have you considered a Viper Summit climber?
I had a GanderMTN hang on tree stand that broke on me (as I was testing it like I do before each hunt the clip broke and down we went (fortunately I had my harness and was facing the tree)) and I took it back to Gander and without much fuss on my part they gave me 50% off a new stand of my choosing.
I figured I would get another hang on (but NOT a gander product) and once I started looking I decided heck, why not, and sprung for the Summit Viper SS.
To this day I consider it one of the better hunting purchases I have made (nothing will EVER top my first 870). Heres what I like about it:
1. It is quiet. Both when Im in it and when I carry it in
2. It is light. MUCH lighter than my considerably smaller Hang on
3. It is SUPER comfortable. I can and do sit in it for full days
4. It has a "swing like" seat so its almost like being in a hammock. No hard platform to sit on
5. It is very sturdy. I would have no problem taking this stand 20 or more ft up (though I don't). It has teeth that dig into the tree when you stand on it so even if the cables were to slide the stand would not
6. The teeth also prevent it from squeeking against the tree when you move around
7. It has a nice ring or rail around the front to hold you in which doubles as a way to hang camo burlap as a curtain of sorts (which allows you to move your feet without being seen)
8. The seat height is adjustable which is great for those of us who bow hunt and rifle hunt because you can raise it up for bow hunting and lower it and use the rail around you as an arm rest for your rifle
You can get them for $280 new and they come with a comfortable harness. I HIGHLY recommend them.
Here's a link to them:
http://www.gandermountain.com/modper...summit%20viper
However, don't forget to support your local hunting store. A few extra dollars that will stay in the local area is money well spent.
As a once marketing major in college (thank god I changed majors) you learn that at the very ends of the pricing spectrum (both high and low) the seller is normally using price point selling tactics. Basically, that is, they know people will buy their product because it is the most expensive or the cheapest. More so at the high end, the most expensive items are not much better and if you do get any added benefit for the extra money spent its from stuff you dont need (e.g. lone wolf stands have that funny looking zig zag pattern on the platforms). What it boils down to is they know they want to have a very high priced product and they have to find ways to "justify" that price.
Typically the best thing you can do is purchase at the high end of the middle of the spectrum. You get all the same benefits without paying for the added frizz and promotion. These items are normally in a more mature stage in the product life cycle and are selling based on reputation and product quality not promotion and price point.
Using this logic you'll probably find yourself looking at the Summit stuff.
Anyways thats my 2 cents. Best of luck with your endeavors
bowhunting climber
