Summit climbers?
 

What's the best Summit climber out there? Is the only difference between the Goliath and Viper the size of the platform? Which one is best suited for bowhunting? Thanks.

RE: Summit climbers?
 

I use the viper for bow hunting. It is my favorite stand to sit in. I would imagine that the goliath would be just as good.

RE: Summit climbers?
 

The Viper is rated to 300 lbs and the Goliath 350 lbs

RE: Summit climbers?
 

They share a common platform, the top section is what separates them.
The Razor or older Cobra series stands are actually better suited for bowhunting due to the open or potential for an open front but require significantly more effort to climb with.

The Viper and Goliath are however excellent bowhunting stands provided you learn the proper way to set seat and bar height.
If you aren't a wide body the Viper is plenty and will allow easier shooting over and around the bar, and either are a breeze to climb with and as secure as they come in the tree.

WATCH THE DVD that comes with the stand if you get one.

RE: Summit climbers?
 

Well i got the open shot just because i have to walk really far where i hunt and it only weighs 14 pounds. So its perfect for me and its great to bow hunt out of.

RE: Summit climbers?
 

Because I got concerns about height and falling..I got the Bullet Backpacker. It 's got a nice bar across the front to keep me in my seat when I fall asleep and also is a nice rifle rest . I'm right at 300 but plan to be 280 by the end of Nov. I got money on it.

The platform is very steady and bites into the tree really good. My friend in Missouri has the viper and llikes mine better. His is very bulky when transporting.Mine folds up to about 6" Also...my cables lock in better than the older Viper model.
c7

RE: Summit climbers?
 

i got a viper SS. i love it. simple to use. easy to pack and carries nice. quiet, comfy as can be. i like the bar. makes climbing super easy. it also makes me feel safe and i rest my bow on it so its always ready. no hanging it in a tree or anything. the bar doesnt get in the way either. cant really shoot sitting down but if you stand up your good.

RE: Summit climbers?
 

NYBH,

The Summit Viper and Goliath are pretty much the same thing. The platform is the same. The Goliath has just a little bit bigger seat section, and it's built to hold 350#'s, but that's all.

For bowhunting, you just raise the seat a little, so the bar is at or around your knees. Your gun hunting, lower it and you might be able to use the bar as a shooting rail.

But for open bowhunting, the "Open Shot"Summit stand is really cool. But for me, I'd get kind of freaky without having that added "security" of a bar in front. ...but that's just me.

www.summitstands.com

Butch A.

RE: Summit climbers?
 

Well like i said i LOVE the open shot and feel totaly safe in it!! And so far have takin 3 deer out of it with no problems at all, I HIGHLY recomend it!!

RE: Summit climbers?
 

I bought a summit cobra xls (aluminum) at dicks for an unbeatble price a month ago and i am loving it. its an open front, which was strange at first, but this year i am actually wearing my safety harness (included in box) as opposed to last year, when i figured the bar on my old junky stand was good enough. THe Cobra XLS is only 17 lbs or so and the most comfortable stand i have been in and quiet as ever. i HIGHLY recommend the cobra xls if its in your weight range.

RE: Summit climbers?
 

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.

RE: Summit climbers?
 

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.

RE: Summit climbers?
 

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.

RE: Summit climbers?
 

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.

RE: Summit climbers?
 

VIPER SS RULES THE ROOST:eek:

RE: Summit climbers?
 

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....

RE: Summit climbers?
 

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.

RE: Summit climbers?
 

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?

RE: Summit climbers?
 

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:D. 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.

RE: Summit climbers?
 

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. :D

RE: Summit climbers?
 

I also got the summit cobra xls from Dicks. Great price, great quality and a great stand. I don't think you can go wrong with a summit!

RE: Summit climbers?
 

I've got a Cobra XLS and a Viper XLS top to go along with it; that way, I've got the best of both worlds. I will say that 99.9% of the time, I take my Cobra top along. Really, the only reason the Viper top sees any use any more is if my father comes along with me; I like to let him use that top so he can just sit on the bar and stand up during his ascent. Like Matt pointed out, it's much easier to climb with due to that aspect. The Cobra requires leaning in and placing all your weight on your forearms -- no problem for me, but Dad's over 60 now and hasn't done much of anything physically exertive in a long time.

RE: Summit climbers?
 

I bought a Summit Razor SS this year and I love it. It is very comfortable to sit in all day. Plus I can either have the front of the top section open or closed. Nice Stand

RE: Summit climbers?
 

Dang it!! A day late and a dollar short as usual. Your more than welcome to the hot spot if you ever get around to NY. Hey maybe you could drag that bald headed, crotchety, blue underwearing guy along with you.:D[8D]

RE: Summit climbers?
 

NYBH- I have the Summit Viper SS and like others have said, the bar is really a non issue if you raise the seat so that it's closer to the bar. The only thing is that you can't shoot sitting down, which I would never do anyway. By the way, the bar is not removable because it's a solid piece.

The stand is definitely light weight which makes it easy to carry, and it's super comfortable. I love mine.

RE: Summit climbers?
 

I can also add that I can't imagine a stand being able to bite into a tree more solidly... There's several times I have to actually yank the platform free -- even when climbing or descending, which means I obviously haven't had time to put that much pressure on it to sink it in; it just bites that well.

Absolutely rock solid.

RE: Summit climbers?
 

Hey folks,
I haven't heard any comments about the Summit Bullet Backpacker.;)Is that not a good model?? I love mine.

RE: Summit climbers?
 

Glad to see a post like this and hear all positives!!!!!!

Im ordering a Summit Viper SS tommorow morning. I got one heck of a price on one so I cant pass it up.


Will be off from Nov 3rd to the 12th and will be giving it a workout here in Illinois!!!!!!!!!!


Don