I use the Goliath as I am a wide-body. The Goliath are the same stand, but the Goliath is 2 1/2" inches ( I believe that is the measurement) wider on the top section. The platforms are the same. My wife runs a Viper, and I have sat in hers, and they feel the same, just not as wide. Not sure why the weight difference in the rating, her platform felt the same as mine. With the Goliath you gain one pound in weight with that extra room. I have only bowhunted from mine and it is great. The front bar does not affect my shooting at all, as when you have it set to sit comfortably, when you stand it will be well out of the way to shoot. If you do any hunting where you are going to be wearing heavy clothes, I would go with teh Goliath just for the extra room.

I have a Viper and really like it. It is so comfortable I can sleep in it for hours LOL.

The only thing I don't like is that the cables stick down below you when carrying it and so climbing over downed logs or something can be a pain. If you kick your feet up behind you to high step something you will hit the cable and sometimes the "V" where it hits the tree and OUCH!!! So, it takes a while to get used to that. Once in the tree though it is more comfortable than any other stand I have used.

huntingson...i know the feeling!! i got some skin missing RIGHT at the top of my boots from hitting the stand while its on my back[:@] that hurts...alot of guys here actually pack theirs upside down by reversing the straps. seems that may cure our problem..i just havent gotten around to doing it! till then i just try to keep from screaming obscene words in the woods when i kick the back of my leg into my stand! lol just wanted to pass that idea on to you..i have a front pouch that may be a problem when packing upside down though..still going to give it a shot when i get around to it. i think it would make it quieter to pack..seems the cables grab anything and everything when walking in brush or undercover.

mauser, I cured it by doubling over and putting the padding for the seat and back rest against my back when carrying it. It pushes it far enough away that I don't cut myself anymore, but I still hit the cables now and then. I do it just by folding up the seat and securing it with the little bungy provided, and then sliding the base behind the padding and down into the upper half and securing it together with the strap provided. If that doesn't make any sense PM me and I will try to explain it better.

VIPER SS RULES THE ROOST

highly recommend summit climbers.....that's what I use, I actually have the buckmaster.....only thing is, it's almost impossible to climb a tree without sweating....

I've got a summit original, a viper, and a clear shot. I love my clear shot and original for bowhunting since neither have fronts on them and the seat will flip up out of the way.

I use to bow hunt out of my viper until I had a doe come in one afternoon and as I released my arrow the cam rolled over and hit the bar around the front causing the bottom limb to explode, bending the cam and causing the string to come off which of course smacked me across the face, arm and chest. Luckily I missed the doe b/c it was everything I could do to get out of the tree and make it to the truck. I was cover in blood by the time I got there. It popped me good and destroyed my bow.Ended up finding out that the riser was bent as well. Mathews hooked me up and replaced everything. It's still my go to rifle stand though.

As for you guys that are having problems with your cables.I fold mine a little and tie them up with the leashing strap. After I pull it tight I used the left over strapping to tie themup.I've neverhad a problem with going over logs or them catching my boot orlegssince. Let me know and I'll send a pic of what I'm talking about if you want me to.

Thanks for the advice fellas. The Viper sounds like the way to go. The front bar that you speak of worries me a little bit. Is it removable if you don't like it there?

Ken, where were you last year when I had 2 brand new in the box Goliath's and was trying to unload one? Hell, since I like you I would have given it to you for a hundred bucks or a hunt in your secrete hotspot. Anyway it's gone now and no, the bar does not come off but is not a factor in shooting a 34"-36" bow. I have used both the viper andGoliath andsettled on the Gioliath for more uptop room. You won't need one that big, the Viper will suit you fine.

Well, I just ordered a Summit Openshot. If it stinks, I'm hunting down all of you guys that like them and hitting you with a stick.

So there.