Funny you ask, I have been watching that video for a week. The only thing stopping me has been the price. But, I think I'm gonna bite the bullet andorder one! I know that I'll use it enough to make it worth it.

Cougar, that BIG PAD is the SEAT. THe way you're looking at it is facing the tree to sit down. You want your back to the tree the seat moves to the rear. It's held in place with a couple pieces of rubber tubing. It's really quite comfortable. This one looks to be the same as the old buckshot. BUCKSHOT is GONE. Someone must have carried this design to a new place. The stand is not made by "BUCKSHOT", but maybe a former owner/partner/employee or subcontractor. At any rate, Buckshot is caput.

I think PRICE was the problem Buckshot had. The stands have always been very expensive compared to the rest of the market. Admittedly this Equalizer has a bunch more moving parts and cost, but they have to beable to compete. At these prices it's going to be tough. They should be willing to start with a lot less profit if they expect to get this thing off the ground. Frankly, the same stand under a different name didn't make it before, why should it succeed now at the highest prices in town. If it were idiot proof maybe... but it's not. If it were close to the major competitors maybe.... but it's really not at these prices. Great stand, comfy as all get out, works almost exactly as advertised, but just a tad too expensive. AND... their chinsey website that advertises a FREE VIDEO wouldn't accept my information. Bogus. Maybe I'll buy Len's old one if he really likes the new one.

Davidmil, it is the same exact people that were "BuckShot". The first year this stand was out, it was in fact called the "Buckshot Equalizer Stand". They have since changed their name to just "Equalizer Stands" since this is the only model they now make, other than the Magnum. It was a marketing decision to promote the leveling feature of their unique stand design feature- not that they went out of business. Give 'em a call and ask; that is what they have told me just moments ago.

I think they are competing just fine - this stand has been around for a few years and they're still making it. Actually, the cheapest place I've found it is on their own sight for $270 plus shipping (which may put you to $300). I just quickly checked the Cabela's website and it shows this to be pretty much the same as most climbers of the same quality - and most of them don't have the leveling feature. Heck a Lone Wold Alpha sit and climb is retailing at $359 and a Summit Goliath SS is at $279. A little bit of research shows these to have pretty comparable specs as well.

Cougar, I think what you are actually describing might be the optional safety bar that acts as a back rest or gun rest. That is a add on that you can get if you prefer to face the tree and lean back on it. The main seat moves to the front or back so you can utilize this feature if you like.

They are also offering a sling seat now for $15 that is not shown on their site, but you can see it in the video.

It would have been nice if they kept the old ones as far as repair parts go. All of us that have 2 year old Buckshots can't get parts. I think they're a lot heavier than some stands but they're great if you don't mind carrying and extra 3 or 4 pounds. I've taken their seat and put it on my
API. Works great. I also bought a couple sets of the back pack straps to put on one of my heavier hangons and my API climber. They have a great backpacking strap with a chest strap. Makes humping a stand a whole lot easier.

You might check for parts here is it matches your stand:

http://www.sbtoutdoors.com/buckshot_products.html

Just curious, but have you tried calling Equalizer to see if you can still get parts for the old stands?