I've been considering a new treestand for possibly this season. I have a very heavy buckshot big shot that weighs in at about 30lbs, without my pack. now it usually isn't a big issue, but putting it up can be, dependent on the day. my buddy suggested the summit 180. my question being a climber stand virgin before my buckshot is this (you can switch the seat around for climbing or sitting against the tree on my buckshot). where do you sit when you are actually climbing the tree with the summits? I suppose that I have been mildly spoiled with my buckshot because the seat is easily moved (albeit not very comfortable after a few hours). I also was considering the viper because altho the 180's seat is reversible, I would rarely use it unless that is what you plopped your butt on for climbing.

I personally have a summit viper. I have been extremely happy with the durability, comfort, and versatility of this stand. On the viper the seat has nylon straps that fit around the frame, the seat slides out of the way when you are climbing and then slides down on the frame for when you are sitting. As far as climbing, I stand on the platform and either sit on the front bar to pull my feet up or do like I'm doin a dip and pull my feet up. It sounds a little harder than it is. I put my girlfriend in it and she climbed the tree with no problems. I think you would be very happy with a summit stand. I've grown so fond of the comfort of my climber, that last year I found a gnarly looking tree that I wanted to hunt from. Due to the shape of the tree there was no way to climb it, so I put in tree steps and hung the stand like a regular lock on. It worked like a charm. Anyway, good luck with your decision.

I have been looking at the 180 also, to give me more options. So all of Summit climber are sit & stand type of climber?

I love my summit viper.. Just dont do what Rile1564 did and cut the string between the platforms. You dont want to be 20 feet up with your feet dangling!

I would highly recomment the viper. I bought one last year and it's very nice, durable, and very quiet. You would not be dissapointed.

I looked at the 180 in our store and just can't decide whether I like it or not. Probably not. I have used a Viper for a couple years now This year I took the foot straps off and installed a set of stirrups. Man, what a welcome change.

Wednesday eveing as I came back to mother earth I got to thinking. You know, this is the best stand I've ever had---and I've had a few. This thing is unbelievably stable on the tree. I feel so comfortable knowing it's not gonna shift on me.

The sit/climb is definitely the way to go. And you should have the seat and base corded together. As said, you don't want to be dangling with nothing under your feet in the event of some mishap.

Depending on your size you can get the same stand in a bigger size called the Goliath. It's rated for 350# and the seat portion is 2" wider. This might also be nice when cold weather gets here and you're wearing heavier clothes.

so basically, everyone uses the bar to sit on when climbing right? I suppose that was my main concern. thanks for the input. btw, I weigh a whopping 175 soaking wet, 5'11"

Thats the only thing I wish.. I should have got the Goliath.. But at the time and price I got my viper for.. i didnt have the extra 100 bucks to shell out.. I got my viper used at a steal... The guy didnt like it... I dont know what he didnt like about it.. One of the best stands I have ever owned. I might buy a goliath this year just so I can have 2 stands. Never know when my one cousin will come with and he has no stands.

Not all of the Summit stands are sit and climb. Some of there bow stands don't have the bar across the front. I personally prefer to sit facing away from the tree, so the 180 would be of no use to me. I have the Viper Classic which is steel instead of aluminum, about 26 lbs, but it is lighter than my old stand. If I was going to get a new one, I would go with the Goliath for the extra room (I'm 6'5", 290). I can't see where you would go wrong with any Summit stand.

I just got the viper X-5 and love it.
I have 5 stands and this is the most comftable.
The Instructions were so small and blury I couldent read them
The climbing part is no problemm
but the packing it together part was a PITA .
I think I have it right now?
Maybe one of you can get a couple pics of yours up.
The bigest problem was the straps for the packing....???