I like the weight and design on the lone wolf, but I need some advice from anyone who owns The new ones with the rubber cables, not the older model with screw. Can I install them on a tree at night without light?
I noticed that the alpha hand climber combo has a small seat. is the climber harder to use with a smaller seat? Any goods or bads, please let me know

Thanks

I've got the Alpha hand climber and it's great. The seat is plenty large for your butt (assuming you make the 300lb weight limit). No hand rails or anything to rest on so an all day stay is not going to include a nap, but then again it only weighs 15lbs. The locking mechanisms for the belt that goes around the tree are very easy to feel even with gloves on and you can set it up without a light. I'd give it a couple practice tries with your eyes closed first though. The climber is easy to use. I rest my elbows and forearms on the seat pad and pull my feet up. It's easy climbing because the stand is so light on your feet. To me, this is the perfect stand for a bow hunter. I have an API that I put up and leave up (as a backup location) cause bringing it in and out is a pain but the Lone Wolf can go anywhere with me. Hope this helps.


Cargo

Cargo summed it up pretty well. They are nice <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> I just got mine this year and have been very pleased. Its easy to pack and its quick and easy to attach to a tree and get up it. If your a bowhunter like me you won't regret getting one.

Have any of you guys tried out the mini red led lights that are on the market? I found some at a flyfish show that weigh under an ounce, clip to the hat brim (or have a velcro band for around the finger) and they throw enough light to get in and out of you spot/stand without giving you the night blindness (red does not dialate the pupil) They run about 18 hours continous on 2 gpa76 batteries (1.5V camera style) I have been using mine for a few years now and it is great. I had on trip in where a doe stood on the snowmobile trail and watched me walk to within 20' trying to figure out what the heck it was with 1 eye. It sure is alot safer to trust your eyes that can see vs your touch and memory which with my memory (over 40) I dont trust much to anymore.

10 Pointers

I've never tried one of those Lone Wolf stands but they sure do seem proud of them when it comes to price. Maybe some of you guys who have one can convince me their worth the money.

For instance I'm looking at the hang-on stand in the Cabela's archery catalog. It's got a 19.5&quot; x 30&quot; platform, 300 lb. weight capacity, foam seat pad, weighhs only 10.5 lbs and costs $160.

On the opposite page is a Northstarr hang on stand. It's got a 19.5&quot; x 30&quot; platform, 300 lb. weight capacity, foam seat pad, weighhs only 13.5 lbs and costs $50.

Are you telling me that for $110 dollars you can't haul an extra 3 lbs up the tree to hang it? Is a 10.5 lb stand going to feel light as a feather packing in and out but a 13.5 lb stand be too burdensome to carry? Seriously, I'm not trying to bash Lone Wolf stands but what gives? There are lots of other really good hang-ons out there for way less than $160.

I have the Lone Wolf Alpha Sit-n-Climb and I also had the hand climber with seat as an extra. The Lone Wolf is easy to pack and carry, the cam locking mechanism is strong and secure with ease of use. I don't care much for the strap nylon seat so I have an Ol Man net seat coming and will be putting it on. As far as gripping, you can't beat Lone Wolf climbers! The lugged belt is fantastic! The only problem is Lone Wolf changed the amount of angle somewhat in relation of the belt to the base and if you start out with a severe angle(say a large trunk at the bottom), it is harder to climb at first until you get a few feet up where it then gets easier. Also I have found if you climb trees that have small or tiny limbs, tear or saw them at the base of the trunk because the belt can catch on them. This is due to the lugged belt that flexes somewhat but I would not trade the belt design for any cable, chain, or v-bar. I have tried almost all the major climbing stands and the Lone Wolf grips better than any I tried. I added footstraps........it is much easier.

I climbed a telephone pole with the Lone Wolf as soon as I got it just to see how it would do, It did great and I would not climb a pole with most if not any other stand.

Nobody going to step up and defend the price of these things?

So everybody else agrees that they are way overpriced?

I agree Lone Wolf is way over priced. I got the W&S Monarch climber this year with the belt and cam system for a $100 bucks cheaper than what the Lone Wolf costs. I had tried out the Bear River Nomad with the belt last year and fell in love with the belt and cam attachment.A couple of years ago I paid $200 dollars for my summit. Most of the companies out there are selling quality stands for a$100 bucks less than Lone Wolf. My W&S Monarch and Summit has a much more comfortable seat.

As far as the belt goes it looks to be similar in design but my stand shows that the belt and cam system is patented by Warren and Sweat, and has it marked on the belt.
It looks to me that Lone Wolf's design infringes on the Warren and Sweat's patent. If Lone Wolf has to take the belt design off due to infringing then they will not sell as many stands if they have to go back and put a cable or V blade attachment. Lone Wolf is way over hyped and over priced. I am not to crazy about the fact about having bolts tied to the platform to the arms. I prefer the all welded platforms with no bolts.. Lone Wolf will have to drop its price if it is going to stay competitive. If any of you Lone Wolf guys want to pay more . I will sell you a dozen of &quot;Lone Wolf&quot; carbon arrows with &quot;Lone Wolf&quot; Broad heads for $250 a dozen. to go with the high priced Lone Wolf stand. They are guaranteed that you &quot;might&quot; kill a world record big buck just send me your money.

I think the way they are constructed will have a lot to do with the price. The best way would be a side by side comparison.

I don't know if it is the primary factor in the cost differential, but Lone Wolf is the ONLY manufacturer that uses one piece cast aluminum platforms.