I've been hunting with some guys this year that their climbers are about 8 years old and they weigh 5 lbs more than my Summit Viper 04 model. The technology in their older climbers is unsafe compared to my 04 model. Technology is improving but I think it's toward ease of use, quiet functionand safety - not in weight or size yet. Email the Summit lab guy with your suggestions see what he has to say. They have answered my emails in the past.

I see your point. But take me for example, I loved my Lone Wolf Sitnclimb climbing stand but sold it during the offseason to help pay for a new bow. But I have really missed that stand this season. So I bought a new Lone Wolf Alpha hang on stand that I have yet to use[&:], simply cannot decide whether to sell it and buy another LW climber or purchase the sticks and use it with the hang on. I don't need both because either would serve my purpose of moving to different areas, and not having to worry about it getting stolen. I also have some other hangons, but I do move them now and then according to deer movement. Dang, I am getting tired of using those screwin steps.

Has anyone figured out if the "new" ole mans are being made here or overseas?
I figured since they "came back" after being gone they set up a new factory elsewhere. Has anyone purchased a new ole man and seen the beautiful "Made in USA" on the box?

I agree that climbers could be improved somewhat.

I weigh 150 lbs. The stand I use is rated for 300, if I recall correctly (Summit Bushmaster XLS...great stand). I sometimes wonder why no one builds a stand with a smaller platform and seat to save weight.

Its easy to imagine that they're perhaps over-engineered to prevent lawsuits. If so, that's a shame.

I'd also like a lighter climber.

DaveC,

I could not find the reference to the country of manufacture on their website, http://www.olmanoutdoors.com/, so I sent them an e-mail asking that exact question. I will come back here and post the answer, if and when I get it.

Thanks Micheal, I sent that very e-mail to another stand manufacturer was interested in and never recieved a reply (northstar I believe) that told me answer[8D].

I'll be looking for your reply (it might not be until Monday though)

hey guys lone wolf has a climber for about 340.00$ that weighs 141/2 lbs and works great from what im told thats over 6# lighter than my summit

I have one of the Old Man hang ons with the CF platform. Great stand
My wife bought it for me about 4 or 5 years ago.
It was kind of pricey but I guess I'm worth it
I leave it out all season, pulling it during shotgun season and then put it right back up.
I have shot at least 5 or 6 deer out of it.
Might even hunt it tomorrow if the wind is right.
It is, by far, my best stand.
I am thinking of getting some climbing sticks though.
I too am tired of the screw in steps.

IMHO, it'll always come down to economics. Suppose Summit manufactures and sells 10,000 climbing stands (4 different models with many common elements) that retail under $250, Lone Wolf, sells 1500 climbers that retail for $350.

How many $500 or $600 10lb stands do you think would be sold?

There will always be a small portion of the market that insists on the latest, greatest, and best. I believe maybe 1800 sold the first 2 years and then perhaps 500 a year after that. The revenue needed to recover R&D, tooling, Marketing, Profit, and Warranty costs and reserves are difficult squeeze out of such a small number of units.

All companies try to maximize return to risk, all the while the law of diminishing returns tells us while the 6lb difference between the summit and the Lone Wolf seems to be worth $120 to 1500 buyers/yr, fewer buyers will find value in an extra $150-$250 for a stand 4lbs lighter than the Lone Wolf.

Just my $0.02, all numbers are fictious and used for example purpose only.

Jim

ct hunter, I know Lone Wolf has that stand. But did ya see the seat on it? Looks like a board would be just as comfortable.