How difficult should a climber be?
10-16-2006, 08:01 AM
#11
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Norman OK USA
Posts: 3,318
RE: How difficult should a climber be?
ORIGINAL: kinny
I've used a Summit Viper for the last 4 years or so and I find it VERY hard to believe you guys are getting that thing off your back, around the tree (top and bottom) with trial and error to find the correctcable length, get your bow tied on, get your harnesssecured and tied to the tree, and then climb (with a harness ) 15 feet in a couple of minutes and do it quietly.Come on now! How about in the dark?
I would estimate a solid 20 minutes for myself. Those cables aren'tthat easy or quiet to use, you've got to make every move with those cables delibrately or your going to be banging away.
I've used a Summit Viper for the last 4 years or so and I find it VERY hard to believe you guys are getting that thing off your back, around the tree (top and bottom) with trial and error to find the correctcable length, get your bow tied on, get your harnesssecured and tied to the tree, and then climb (with a harness ) 15 feet in a couple of minutes and do it quietly.Come on now! How about in the dark?
I would estimate a solid 20 minutes for myself. Those cables aren'tthat easy or quiet to use, you've got to make every move with those cables delibrately or your going to be banging away.
10-16-2006, 08:22 AM
#12
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: PA
Posts: 9,085
RE: How difficult should a climber be?
i got a summit viper as well. im with dwd..if it takes me longer than 10 minutes i did something wrong. do it in the dark all the time. light enough...easy to pack and carry. easy to setup and use. comfy..feel secure..im satisfied!!
10-16-2006, 08:55 AM
#14
Typical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: New York
Posts: 939
RE: How difficult should a climber be?
i only have 1 problem with my summit...sometimes the bottom bites into the tree and it is very difficult to get down. One time a friend had to actually climb up and loosen the stand for me.. I recently tried by friend gorilla sit down stand up climber and i have to say i was impressed with this stand more than the summit
10-16-2006, 09:38 AM
#15
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location:
Posts: 111
RE: How difficult should a climber be?
I lile to go out and pick a tree ahea dof time and put the stand on it and have the cable length figured out prior to taking it hunting. If I do that I can get up the tree in less than 30 minutes. I always give myself plenty of time. But I love my climber!!
10-16-2006, 10:18 AM
#16
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Cenral Illinois
Posts: 3,180
RE: How difficult should a climber be?
I use the Summit Goliath and I am 350 pounds. The stand is awesome, completelysilent when climbing and taking the cables out is not noisy either. THere certainly are ways to make noise with them, but witha little caution, they are quiet. This is the first climber I have ever used, and I am very happy with it. As fas as time getting set up, it kinda depends on the person. I just put the side bags on and that has sped me up a little because everything I need is right in there, so no more backpack to mess with. Speed of climb is completely variable with the person doing the climbing. I am a fairly fast climber, mostly because I'm tall, so I can take a big swipe with each move. I use the climber as a genuine sit + climb, meaning the top section only goes as high as my butt. Another guy I know Can get about 4 feet per swipe because he is like an orangutan when he climbs, hanging from the top section then pulling his body up through the top and then bringing his legs all the way up, so his ascent is really fast. With 4/5 swipes he can be ready to hunt. I would recommend doing a little practice pre-season, or at least before you try and do it in the dark. SUmmit I would say are the best made, if for no other reason than they are welded so there are no parts to rattle. Also, for the people that say they dig in too far, with all the weight I put on it, I haven't had mine get stuck yet. Also, wouldn't rather have digging in be the problem, as opposed to not gripping?
10-16-2006, 12:18 PM
#17
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Ohio
Posts: 7,876
RE: How difficult should a climber be?
Any summit users who have a problem with them digging in can grind the teeth down some. I used a belt sander and it did make a difference, quieter too. If yours is already completly silent disreguard the advise. LOL
10-16-2006, 12:22 PM
#18
Fork Horn
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Saint Robert, MO
Posts: 496
RE: How difficult should a climber be?
I use a Gorilla. I am 30 and weigh 210. I can get set up with cable lengths, everything attached and up the tree, safety strapped, pull up bow and be ready to hunt in about 7 minutes. Shortcuts I take-
- Wear an LED head lamp when it is dark
- Put on your harness at home and wear it to the woods. It is much easier and quieter to put it on in the light at home. Once you get up the tree all you have to do is attach the tree loop and hook on.
- Have one of the cable sides in the center hole position so I only have toadjust one side to fit the tree (works for all medium size trees)
- I attach the foot portion first so I have something to rest the seat portion on while attaching the cables.
-Have your bow hoist (I have one of the self recovering ones) attached permenantly so all you have to do is attach your bow and climb.
-To make sure the stand is quiet make sure it is tight and not sagging. Sometimes this means it is a little too tight at the bottom and tilting up a little. I have adjusted my cables to tighten them whileup the tree too, just don't tell my wife or my mom LOL!!
- Wear an LED head lamp when it is dark
- Put on your harness at home and wear it to the woods. It is much easier and quieter to put it on in the light at home. Once you get up the tree all you have to do is attach the tree loop and hook on.
- Have one of the cable sides in the center hole position so I only have toadjust one side to fit the tree (works for all medium size trees)
- I attach the foot portion first so I have something to rest the seat portion on while attaching the cables.
-Have your bow hoist (I have one of the self recovering ones) attached permenantly so all you have to do is attach your bow and climb.
-To make sure the stand is quiet make sure it is tight and not sagging. Sometimes this means it is a little too tight at the bottom and tilting up a little. I have adjusted my cables to tighten them whileup the tree too, just don't tell my wife or my mom LOL!!
10-16-2006, 12:27 PM
#19
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location:
Posts: 1,118
RE: How difficult should a climber be?
ORIGINAL: BDC
I have two climbers, an API grand slam and a Summit Cobra XLS. I bought the Summit this year because I thought I could attach it to the tree faster than the API. I thought this would shorten set up time. I found that it is six in one hand and a half dozen in the other. It takes me about 20-30 minutes with both.
I dont like the API when it comes to attaching it to the tree. Its hard for me to align the pins through the plastic coated chains in the dark. I thought the cable system with the summit would be easier and it is. But the problem I encountered with the summit was with climbing. Once the API is on the tree I can shoot up the tree in no time. The summit however takes twice as long to climb. The cable on the bottom part of the stand bends too easy. It puts unecessary drag on the stand making it twice as hard to lift.
I find the seat too large. The seat is very comfortable once in position but is very uncomfortable while climbing. It pushes into my chest and abdomine forcing me away from the tree. This would not normally be a big deal but the stand only offers about two inches of grip since it has the open front.
I like the summit when it comes to attaching it to the tree. I like the API better when it comes to climbing. They are both even once I am at hunting height.
I have two climbers, an API grand slam and a Summit Cobra XLS. I bought the Summit this year because I thought I could attach it to the tree faster than the API. I thought this would shorten set up time. I found that it is six in one hand and a half dozen in the other. It takes me about 20-30 minutes with both.
I dont like the API when it comes to attaching it to the tree. Its hard for me to align the pins through the plastic coated chains in the dark. I thought the cable system with the summit would be easier and it is. But the problem I encountered with the summit was with climbing. Once the API is on the tree I can shoot up the tree in no time. The summit however takes twice as long to climb. The cable on the bottom part of the stand bends too easy. It puts unecessary drag on the stand making it twice as hard to lift.
I find the seat too large. The seat is very comfortable once in position but is very uncomfortable while climbing. It pushes into my chest and abdomine forcing me away from the tree. This would not normally be a big deal but the stand only offers about two inches of grip since it has the open front.
I like the summit when it comes to attaching it to the tree. I like the API better when it comes to climbing. They are both even once I am at hunting height.
takes me about ten-fifteen minutes to get completely setup
10-16-2006, 12:30 PM
#20
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Baileysville, WV
Posts: 2,925
RE: How difficult should a climber be?
I been using the Vipers since they came out in 96 (?) I think. I wouldnt trade them for anything. I bought a Goliath for this year just for the extra room (210 pounds here) and I have to say Im in love. This is my 4th new Summit and I think its the best yet IMO. As far as time needed to set up and climb it doesnt take but a few minutes from back to hunting. I been doing it long enough to do it with my eyes closed. The rapid climbers and new cable locks are a dream. Call me a very happy customer...again..lol.