I am interested in your opinions about climbing tree stands. Mine was stolen last year and i need to replace it before season starts.
I am seriously considering Loggy Bayou Megatransformer, Summit viper x5 or api grand slam extreme.

Does anyone have experience, comfort , ease of use, quietness, weight, backpacking ect....

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but do a search for those stands and you'll get all the information you could want. This topic comes up about a dozen times every year.

Personally, I have the Summit Viper X5 and I like it OK, but not as much as many people on this site. It is definitely safe and comfortable. I personally think it is large and awkward and not as quiet climbing or packing as others that I have used. The teeth that grip the tree work almost too well when your climbing and descending with it, especially descending, in that I have a hard time getting them to 'let go' of the tree. I struggle with it nearly everytime, yanking and shaking it with my legs just to get it to let go. There are a lot of straps and bungees that seem to get caught and tangled on everything and some hunters on here even suggest using more to help keep it quiet while packing it in and out of your site.

That's just my 2 cents. I have an old Loggy from 1989 that I like abit more, but itdoes not feel as safe, and definitely isn't as comfortable as the Viper. But for hunts of 3-4 hours, which is what most of my hunts are outside of the rut, I try to stand the whole time anyway, so the comfortable seat doesn't matter.

by23856

Thats exactly the type of info I looking for...thanks

Anyone else!

Summit! Great stand, very sturdy.

I hunted only three time last year, my first season, the stand I used was a Wally world special... spent a lot of time worried about falling out of the darn tree, no matter how steep an angle I used at the bottom of the tree my level was never comfortable...did A LOT of research during the off season and yes I spent the $350 and got the Buckshot Equalizer, I will never use any other stand! Quick and quiet to set up and the 12" leveling adjustment is the S***.

Bo

I haven't tried the X5 version of the Viper but have used past Viper models as well as other models from Summit. Great stands...easy to use, quiet, comfy and very safe. Packability is marginal as previously stated.

I don't know if you have a Galyan's, or Dicks Sporting Goods in your area, but if you do, they're selling a Summit Cobra, which might be a line specific to their store, for $179. It's kind of like the Viper but it's got an open front.

I would have to say Ol'Man if they were still around I still have a Ol'Man climber w/ a carbon floorI love it !!! It's really lightweight and sits really well

My next choice would have to be the Summits...They make a excellent climbing stand

i think my next climber will be summit's bushmaster or open shot tree stand they are both very light and the way u adjust the cables around the tree is very easy. Lone wolf makes a good and light climber. too bad the price isnt so light. lol

First off let me say that Loggy Bayou is not the loggy bayou of years past, they have new ownership and management and are putting out a QUALITY product, especially in that mega transformer. I just bought one and I am sure that I made the right decision over the summit. It would be comparable to the broadhead backpacker, the cable system is about the same..........same may like the summit system better, I like the loggy system better but they are VERY close in design. The loggy is lighter, has removeable front bar that you can use to climb in a sit down/stand up fashion then remove it for bowhunting, it also has two positions so that you can slide it out more forward it that suits you, also that bar IS padded although I haven't seen an advertised picture like that..........miine came padded, its a little cheaper, I got mine for $215 at sportsmans headquarters, and it also has a removeable full back cushion. Thats quite a few features that it has over the summit. In the summits defense the stirrup design may be better, but the mega transformer has a bunji cord crossing through one of the straps and makes it so you never have to reach down to adjust them and get your feet in. The carrying straps appear to be better on the summit, but I'm fine with the ones on the loggy, even in just a t-shirt its not uncomfortable. They both fold up just as flat and secure together well, they both fold and lock into position in the same fashion, neither is more quit than the other, and to me (but I'm a pretty heavy guy) the loggy feels slightly more stable.


My vote goes to the mega transformer