Originally Posted by
buckwild41
If light weight and packablity is paramount you will have to look toward Lonewolf,, however they aren't cheap.
If you want the next best thing but not as costly look toward the summit series. However the most packable model is no longer in production but can be occasionally found used on line. They are called the "Backpacker" model and fold flat, weigh the same as the standard but collapse.
I have hunted both the LW and the Backpacker. LW is about 4-5#s lighter, folds slightly flatter, but isn't as comfortable as the Summit once on the tree.
If you check out stand reviews which there are plenty on all the sites you will find LW or Summit leading the way. I recently spoke with the folks at Summit regarding the no longer produced Backpacker and they are apparently preparing to release and competely new model in 2010. He wouldn't give details but is sounds like LW's packablity and lite weight may have company comming.
Actually the Summit Viper SS and the Lone Wolf Sit & Climb both weigh in at 20 lbs, according to their repective websites. The Summit Open Shot is only 15 lbs, which is 2.5 lbs lighter than the Lone Wolf Alpha Hand Climber.
I do admit the Lone Wolf's ability to fold flat does make it feel, IMO a little less cumbersome.