Need recommendation on light climber
 

Im about to buy another climber, I've already got a summit but it is a little heavy (21lbs.) when I hunt some places where I have to walk in a long ways. Im 6'4, 220 lbs so I need one that will accomadate a tall person.

Im looking at two currently, the Summit Openshot which weighs 14lbs.

http://www.summitstands.com/catalog.aspx?catid=OpenShot

and this one by Woods and Water that weighs 11.5 lbs. -

http://www.woodsandwatersystems.com/36ssc.html

Im sure the Summit is good, the Woods and water I dont know anything about, I assume the seat can be placed against the back.

Number one on my list of must is portability, light weight and stacks together fairly flat. Of course I want it as comfortable as possible but I realize most light weight climbers are not the most comfortable either.

I realize the seat and platform will be smaller on these too, but thats OK. The Summit is a hand climber, I've never used a hand climber. How are they.

Any other stands I might consider?

Thanks for any help with this tough decision.

RE: Need recommendation on light climber
 

I certainly like my Summit, but either would be good.

RE: Need recommendation on light climber
 

6'4" 220 lbs!

If I were you, I'd just pretend to be the tree, heck with climbing it...

Better yet, just strap the stand around your chest. Then the deer would see that it is empty and come right on through! Might want to get a small one for that tactic though, big one could be hell on your back after a long day...

RE: Need recommendation on light climber
 

i like my summit also.

RE: Need recommendation on light climber
 

I would get the summit. The other one doesnt look very comfy. With the summit you can at least rest your back on the tree. Or can you move the seat with the woods and water? To me it looks like you sit facing the tree. I would sacrifice 3 lbs for a little more comfort. JMO

RE: Need recommendation on light climber
 

Hi, All-

New to the forums...hope you don't mind me chiming in.

I own two of the Woods and Waters tree climbers. Overall, I really like them. I got rid of my Lone Wolf hand climber once I tried the W & W...I don't regret my decision at all.

The only thing I didn't like about them is the seat construction. It is a cushion with a plywood base. The previous version had a rubberized seat that was much, much better. The great thing about this seat is that you can fold it up against the tree when you want it out of your way as it's hinged.

BTW, I'm 6'2" and 225...my buddy is 6'4" and 245....we have the same stand and really like 'em.

If you need any info on them feel free to let me know...I'd be glad to answer any questions if I'm capable.

Good luck and good hunting!

Marko

RE: Need recommendation on light climber
 

Loggy quit looking!

RE: Need recommendation on light climber
 

hillbilly archer, you need to read the specs again. That 11.5 lb. model W & W you are looking at is just the climbing aid! Put that together with one of the platforms and you are carrying either 24 lbs. or 22 lbs. depending on the model!!!!


My preferences :
Lone Wolf Sitnclimb
Summit
Loggy Bayou Stalker XL(untalked about but very underrated IMO)

RE: Need recommendation on light climber
 

You may want to look at the Gorilla series. They are not as light as some, but the hammock net seat is the most comfortable I have ever used. My theory is " Yes I may have to carry a little more weight walking in and out but that is a short term issue " I may be sitting/standing in that stand for anywhere from 4 to 10 hours and what is most important to me is comfort. Because IF I am not comfortable, I am not sitting still and get fidgety "
Just me .02 something to take a look at.

RE: Need recommendation on light climber
 

Yep.

RE: Need recommendation on light climber
 

Way to be heads up! (can never find that thumbs up thing whenI want it).

6/4 220. Come on man, bear down.:D I took the one I wanted and striped it down to only what I needed. Nothing says you have to use it the way it comes.As long as it's safe. I cut off 2/3 of the seat, various straps and buckles and may cut some of the webbing out of the base. I added an ergo mat so it's possible to do. Keeps my feet warm and quiet. It's just like a mouse pad but bigger and thicker. I could always have some thing welded back in. I'm sure you could lighten up the one you have now. Grind some teeth off the summit, cut the seat back. You were enough close for a back rest. Start hacking:D

RE: Need recommendation on light climber
 

That summit looks pretty nice. I have a Lone Wolf and it is really light and compact. Its pretty comfotable too...

RE: Need recommendation on light climber
 

I went with an Ameristep Non-Typical this year and it's pretty nice. It only weighs 21lbs and it's not to bad to walk with.It does seem a littlelarge in overall size though. All in all I have been happy with it and I know it won't be stollen since I can't leave it.

RE: Need recommendation on light climber
 

look at timbertall stands

RE: Need recommendation on light climber
 

Gorilla, light and very comfortable. It is very compact as well!

RE: Need recommendation on light climber
 

I have API Grandslam and Summit Viper climbers, both weigh about the same here are some differences:

API packs much smaller
Summit is more comfy
API platform "seems" larger
Summit is super solid in the tree

I like them both but only the API goes on the 1 mile+ hikes. I am 6'1" 190lbs (I used to be 220lbs).

Jim

RE: Need recommendation on light climber
 

I have the Summit Openshot.

It's very light and easy to carry. It climbs pretty easy and is rock solid. I wouldn't recommend it for someone with a big beer belly or really out of shape as it's a hand climber. ;)

I will also adviseagainst backing over it with a 3/4 ton truck. [:-]

Here I am striking a pose with it. [8D]


The Lone Wolf Climber is an awesome stand too.Almost as light, quieter and packs down smaller, but I was too cheap to buy one.

RE: Need recommendation on light climber
 

I see they still don't pack very flat and those cables look like a real joy going down a steep ridge. Ya got some strap thing happen'n as well. (your straps showing):D

RE: Need recommendation on light climber
 

Lone Wolf...thats all you need to know

RE: Need recommendation on light climber
 

You could try the truck thing if you want it flatter. [8D]

I'm only 5'4" so for 'normal' sized hunters the stand is fairy small. I haven't had any trouble with the cables snagging up on stuff. It could be due to my gazelle like grace while moving through the woods. (hahahahaah... oh, I kill me)

I did slip on a hillside and landed on my butt and the treestand sort of stuck me into place. Kept me from ending up in the bottom of the ravine. ;)

The stand is also slightly wider than me so sometimes I get stuck trying to pass between two saplings that I could normally squeeze through. (nothin' but grace I tell you) I've about got that one figured out. :eek:

I do think that the Lone Wolf climber is the best but this stand is lighter (a tiny bit) and 130.00 cheaper.

RE: Need recommendation on light climber
 

:D

RE: Need recommendation on light climber
 

the summit open shot is a nice stand but is a little more difficult to climb than your average climber.

RE: Need recommendation on light climber
 

I have a summit viper and I really like how stable of a stand it is and how comfortable it is when sitting for long periods of time. What I didn't like was the way it packed . Summit makes great stands but they failed when they put those uncomfortable straps on it. I purchased a millitary (Mollie) shoulder and waist stap system off ebay and it makes packing the viper a breeze.

RE: Need recommendation on light climber
 

Well i have the open shot and i love it. I have pretty much hunted out of it every time this year and (not bragging) but i havce hunted alot this year. Its very light and easy to carry.
I have not had any trouble with the cables or straps getting stuck.
its VERY quite and i think easy to climb with.
Also its easy to pack up.

Like it takes me 15 minutes to leave the woods

Thats lowering my bow
unscrewing my hook
undoing my strap that holds me to the tree
unstarpping the top part of the stand from the tree
climbing down
packing up the stand
wind up my rope
get my stand on my back
grab my bow and start walking

now that might be a long time to do all that but i think 15 minutes is pretty good.

But i HIGHLY recomend the OPENSHOT!!!!!!!

RE: Need recommendation on light climber
 

Thank you guys so much. It sounds like the Openshot may be my best bet. I dont have a big beer belly so I should be OK, :D(maybe just a little). Anyway my current climber isn't a sit and stand style, it like the openshot but the top piece has the bar all the way around it. I should be in shape enough to climb with it. Im just afraid at 6'4" it may be a little to small for me.

Just so ya'll know- when I say pack it in, I mean I will be walking a while, not 1/2mile. Probably will be carried in well over a mile on many occasions in the warm Arkansas archery season.

I will also look into the other stands, however Im not really considering anything close to 20 lbs. cause my current one is a really good stand just a little heavy on those long walks. I was in mine today and was actually thinking about cutting the front out of the top section making it open in the front, my legs are almost too long for it. It kinda gets in the way of my knees sometimes.

Anyway, thanks again for the help.