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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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!!

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.