I have to agree with Gibblet about this. The Viper is one with the bar the whole way around. Some worry about shooting over the bar and I do feel that it may indded cost me a shot one day, but the pro's far outweigh the cons on this. The bar makes the stand a sit-and-climb which is easier on the shoulders and makes the foot portion more manageable when climbing, meaning safer and more quiet.

When sitting I lay my bow right across the bar in front of me, meaning less movement to get my weapon as I stand for a shot. When standing I hang the bow on a hook. Also while standing I often have a knee against the bar as a Kind of reference for where I am on the stand and on windy days it gives a little more stability in that I'm moving with the stand instead of "who knows where".

For bow hunting I shorten the straps on the seat making it higher so there is less interference from the bar. For rifle hunting the seat can be lowered and use it as a sort of rifle or arm rest for shooting.

I've used a lot of stands over the years, most with an open front. They are a couple pounds lighter as a rule and maybe a little more convenient to shoot out of, but not near as comfortable after a couple of hours. And let's face it. You get uncomfortable and start fidgeting, meaning movement---you'll get busted. The other point is that soon you'll be on the ground back at your vehicle or camp, and you can't shoot that deer passing by if you aren't in the stand. The arm rests of the Viper make it more comfy, too. I've spent as mch as 12 hours a day in mine without feeling beat up when I get down. Tired? Yeh, 12 hours in anything isn't fun---even a recliner chair.

As for weight the Viper runs about 20#. The Bushmaster weighs about 17#. And if someday you get the itch to NOT have that bar in the front you can always take a hacksaw to it.

The stands themselves have the same base (foot portion). Only the seat is different. About as stable as you can find. In fact, I even ground the teeth down a little as they bit too deep into some tulip and poplar trees I climb and I couldn't get it loose. The other side of this coin is it's nice knowing that if you shift your weight the stand isn't going anywhere.