W. Dale

I love my Summit Viper for Bowhunting......I like the security of the front bar.......It's true that the front bar may prevent a front sitting shot, but I have no trouble standing to shoot over the front bar.....Any of the Summit stands will be a good choice...

Ricky hess

I stand shoot when I am bow hunting anyway so the bar is no big deal. The bar is nice to rest your bow on.

Straightarrow

I use the Cobra and it is great. No noise from the seat back. I don't recommend any model with a bar in front, unless you don't mind having some shots you will not be able to take. I've had lots of shots where I couldn't stand.

Strut&Rut

I chose the Viper, and actually wanted the bar...for those pesky bucks that always seem to come in from BEHIND you. The bar is sturdy enough to sit on...hence, you can sit on the bar and shoot behind the tree, or rest the back of your legs on the bar and not worry about stepping off the platform.

As already mentioned, it also works great to rest your bow or gun on.
I also tested several models, and could set up the Viper much quieter than the Cobra/BM. The advantage of sitting on the bar allows for greater control raising/lowering the foot platform, thereby you can control the amount of cable touching on the back of the tree---that's what causes noise on a climber.

Also, for example I had a nice buck sneak into a pasture after shooting hours the other night, and he never heard me while I was climbing down---I only saw him (~60 yards away) after I was down to 8 feet above the ground. By sitting on the bar, I was able to sit comfortably in that exact position until he meandered off back through the hemlocks he apparently came out of---undetected. With a hand climber, I probably wouldn't have seen him at all, and he probably would have detected me climbing out of the tree.

Just some thoughts/points to choose the Viper. However, if you are very comfortable with sit-down shots, I would probably choose the Cobra. Definitely spend the extra $$ for the back cushion though...definitely!!!

S&R

wilk

viper all the way!!!!!<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> <img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle>

Hunting with a bow brings about a different challenge on every hunt!!!

NJ_Bowhntr

I have about 30 of the hang-on stands, and have never been a fan of climbers. However, this year, a friend of mine got the Viper XLS and it looked very nice. I mentioned to my girlfriend how much I liked the looks of his new stand, and that it came with a full harness instead of just a belt. Well, don't you know she went and bought me one for a surprise present. Gotta love that kind of girl. Anyway, I used the stand for the first time the other day and it is very secure and comfortable. Was also easy for a first time climber user to handle. I think I'm going to really like that stand.

parker1

I like the bushmaster. The simpler the better...

5 shot

It really boils down to what you want. The viper is the most comfortable, the cobra is comfortable and is a little easier to shoot out of. The bushmaster is the best when it comes to shoting from, but is also the &quot;least&quot; comfortable. I am not saying it is uncomfortable, but it doesn't have arm rests, or a back pad. My new favorite is the goliath. It is basicaly a viper with a larger upper half. You just about have to stand to shoot, but the xtra comfort and safe feeling I get when I am in it is well worth it to me.

TAKE YOUR KIDS HUNTING AND YOU WON'T BE HUNTING FOR YOUR KIDS

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schlich92

I have the Goliath, my wife was nice to me! She suprised me and I have only been able to use it a couple of times, but so far I absolutely love the treestand. I am pretty happy my wife thought enough of me and my hunting to take care of me! I have to say the harness system is a great safety item. I am a 300lb.+ guy so that is why I went with the Goliath.