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RE: Which Summit stand for bowhunting?
 

I use the Bushmaster but any of the Summit stands are excellent choices. I prefer the open front of the front of the Bushmaster for bowhunting and I like it for gun hunting as well.

RE: Which Summit stand for bowhunting?
 

I bought a Viper Extremem XL, and later bought the top 1/2 for the Cobra...now I sue the Cobra top for bowhunting, and the Viper top for gunhunting (got used 1 time last year:) )
[*]NRA Annual Member www.nra.org[*]TNUSA Annual Member www.tnugent.com[*]NAHC[*]GOA[*]IDPA

RE: Which Summit stand for bowhunting?
 

Most will probably recommend the cobra or bushmaster for bowhunting because those don't have the front bar to get in the way. I chose to go with the Viper because I like the little extra security that the front bar provides. I don't feel that the bar really interferes that much. Bottom line is you can't go wrong with any of these.

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RE: Which Summit stand for bowhunting?
 

I bowhunted for 2 years out of the viper. Before that, an old amacker deer thief (ouch!). I thought this year I'd try something different and got an API GS Bowhunter stand (without the front bar). Now that I got the API, I wish I'd got the cobra (for minor reasons only). I like being able to sit and shoot at something that is coming to me (easier). Summit are easy to carry, setup , and pack.

RE: Which Summit stand for bowhunting?
 

Viper XLS

RE: Which Summit stand for bowhunting?
 

For bowhunting the only way to go is with the COBRA. The padded back rest is worth the extra money I think. I got to try them all at the proshop and I think it is the best bowhunting stand out there.

The only problem I have had is the rubber is coming off the cables in places, but they can be replaced after a few years.

If your not very physical fit you may want to get a stand with the front bar like the Viper, they little easey to climb with.
good luck this season.

RE: Which Summit stand for bowhunting?
 

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
How much difference does the padded seat back make on the Cobra vs. the backless seat on the Bushmaster? Seems to me like you've already got a tree to lean against, and a cloth covered seat back is just more to brush against and make noise. Any experience?


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you'll make more noise brushing against the bark on a tree than against the back of the seat...my experience has been that most of my clothing snags on tree bark.

I've had zero problems with noise from my Cobra or Viper - IMO, the seat back is WELL worth it.

I didn't have any problems with the Viper, just that you have to stand up to shoot...with the Cobra, you can take a seated shot if you are able to

as far as feeling more secure with the bar of the Viper, when I wear that good 'ol Seat 'O' the Pants full-body harness (supplied with every Summit stand ) I could not feel safer..I have fallen asleep several times and have not even come close to falling out (If you thinkn about it, falling forward while sleeping in the seated postion is uncommon...you tend to try and go backwards, not frontwards)
[*]NRA Annual Member www.nra.org[*]TNUSA Annual Member www.tnugent.com[*]NAHC[*]GOA[*]IDPA

RE: Which Summit stand for bowhunting?
 

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...

RE: Which Summit stand for bowhunting?
 

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.

RE: Which Summit stand for bowhunting?
 

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.

RE: Which Summit stand for bowhunting?
 

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

RE: Which Summit stand for bowhunting?
 

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!!!

RE: Which Summit stand for bowhunting?
 

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.

RE: Which Summit stand for bowhunting?
 

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

RE: Which Summit stand for bowhunting?
 

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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RE: Which Summit stand for bowhunting?
 

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.

RE: Which Summit stand for bowhunting?
 

Wow, golly! Varmint, you've been given some excellent input from these great folks once again!

I, too, own the Viper XLS and the Cobra XLS top, so I can choose whichever one I want to use that given day. I'll tell you I only used the Viper top once or twice last year, and every other time I grabbed the Cobra top.

You definitely want the backrest; I've used fixed-position stands my whole life up until a couple years ago (where, like you said, I just used the tree for a backrest), and that padding back there makes a WORLD of difference in comfort! As noted, it also QUIETS the noise down, as you won't get your shirt or anything snagged on the bark.

Even though I prefer the Cobra XLS for bowhunting, I'll try to add one advantage which hasn't been mentioned previously. If you're using the Viper, you can lay your bow across the bar for easy access. Just kinda nice to have it that close and not have to turn around and reach for it off of a limb or screw-in hanger or something.

Bottom line is, you really can't go wrong with either. Even if you bought one and was still wondering about the other, you can do like BrianDamage and I did and get the other top; then you've got the ultimate in selection at your availability!

Discipline -- not desire -- determines destiny.