RE: advice on a climbing stand.
Personally I too own a summit-viper. I used it least 7-8 yrs now. I absolutely love it. If I bought another I would stick with a summitt. I know they did change the foot holds to a plastic deal. Friend of mine bought one last yr.. He didn't like the foot hold design, but make a simple adjustment by sawing off a couple inches on the plastic foot holders. Now he too likes it alot.