Wow - I can't believe Amacker is still around. No joke - my dad still, to this day, hunts out of Amacker hang-ons that are probably 20 years old. Half the sling seats have rotted away, but they stands themselves are in great shape. Too bad they weigh half a ton!

yeah you will have to see which stands have the weight limit you need then you make the decision

I have used many different manufacturers treestands. By FAR, the worst I have ever dealt with is API. I've hunted on 3 different stands and two of the three screeched every time you moved![:@]

I am planning to give them away if you want them.

Maybe I got lucky. I agree, dealing with the pins in the dark can be a pain, and getting the foot rest in place can make a little noise, but once attached to the tree my API is as quiet as anything. Comfortable too. Its a grand slam super star model, but I don't think there's a high weight limit.

I don't know how you can get through the woods with one of those things on you're back?

I have the original API bowhunter,I prchased it the first year the came out over 10 years ago.I have never had a complaint about this stand,with noise.I've shot several deer while climbing up the tree and being surprised to find them entering my set up before I was ready.Noise has never been an issue for me with this stand,climbing or set up.I would agree there are newer stands that most likely are more comfortable,being the new technologies and cushioned materials used today.I paid about $180 or so for mine back then and has been one of the best investments I ever made.Would I buy the same stand today new? No, I believe there are better stands out there for your money today.At its inception it was a great stand,and API was considered one of the best manufacturers out there.Things have changed,bowhunters want all the bells and whistles and comforts.Heck we use to climb trees and sit on limbs all day back when I started bowhunting,Now we want foot rest,padded seats,etc.Not that that is a bad thing,but in my day we just wanted lighter weight,quit and sturdy,and an easier set up.The API bowhunter was leaps and bounds ahead of the rest back then.

The api stands are as strong if not stronger than the competition i use one.Look at the chains they use on the climbers,as compared to the wires on the summits etc...That should tell you something.

Three years ago my wife bought me a Summit Goliath stand for christmas all I can say is it's rated for 350 lb. and so far its been quite as a church mouse and rock solid when put on a good tree. Plus I can carry it all day if need be it weighs 21 lb. Only draw back is it's too much like my Lazyboy.I'M sure there are others that are good but I guess i'm partial to Summit,also they provide you with a full body harness. I would highly recommend using one at all times to anyone in any treestand because it isn't worth the risk going without one.

I bought a Baby Grand 5 years ago to replace my old Amacker. I liked the T screw that Amacker had to hang the stand onso the Baby Grand was a no-brainer. Well, the T screw for the Baby Grand is too short to stay in the tree when I hang the stand on it. The weight of the stand is too much for the screw at the depth I have it in the tree. So now I just hang the stand on a tree step then belt it to the tree. I called them thinking they had longer T screws, but they sent me the identical size.

Those are cables not wires; I believe they are rated at 15,000 pounds or something ungodly high like that.
HCH[/align]