RE: Climbing Tree Stands
I've got both the Summit Viper (that's the one with the bar all the way around), and the Cobra XLS (without the bar), and I basically don't even use my Viper top anymore. I'm keeping it around so that I'll have it if I ever get to lazy to climb with the Cobra, though.
I'm planning on picking up an Open Shot top sometime, too. It has none of the frills of its stablemates, but it reduces the total carrying weight to 14 pounds, which is even 1/2 lb. lighter than Lone Wolf's hand climber.