Considering a new climber this year.
Looking in Cabelas archery catalog...they have a stand called the Viper Ultra @ $229, and also one called the Viper SS @ $259. Looking at those stands, they appear to basically be the exact same stand, with the exception of foot rest &gun rest on the Ultra....and climbing stirrups on the SS.

Any advice on these? My gut is telling me...I can get the Ultra for less, and if I want the stirrups buythem later and end up paying the same price--but get the shooting rest and footrest if I choose to use them.

I'd appreciate any input on these stands, and the differences if any.

Thanks!

I think the ultra is a heavier steel version with a few goodies like a foot rest and a gun rest. The SS is the aluminum version with the summit skin sticker. I think the stirrups are very helpful. I wouldn't go without the stirrups.

I have one of the old Viper stands...metal and very heavy. I am 6-6 and 250 and it fits me well, is very comfortableand rock solid so I have put offbuying a new one just for the weight reduction. The new Vipers look just like mine except they are much lighter. I use it strictly for bowhunting and when I get into position I set the top (seat) section slightly closer to the bottom section than I would if I were gun hunting so that the bar does not interfer with the bottom limb of my bow even though I tend to lean out over the bar. Mine did not come with the stirrups; just the boot straps with the small bungee cords to hold your feet in. All the places I hunt don't require a long walk so taking it into the woods is not all that difficult. I will probably continue using it for a while yet.
For me, the foot rest is not all that important because I stand up most of the time anyway.

the only vipers i see on cabelas website is the SS and the "ultimate SS" the ss is 259 and the ultimate is 339 or something.

i know the SS is alumanum and a nice stand. i own and use one. not overly heavy, comfy, packs easy, comfy, and did i mention comfy? i really like mine. i like the from bar. makes me feel secure and gives me somewhere handy to lay my bow with a nocked arrow. naps? no problem. i feel safe and secure and am comfy when i need to catch a few Zs. i like mine.

the ultimate seems to be the SS with a couple accessories. probably cheaper to buy it than the stand and the accessories...but the only accessories i put on mine was the front storage bag. i like it to keep my binocs, drink, stand accessories(like pull up rope, tie off rope etc it..) i like the drink and binocs and calls and such in it so its handy and i dont have to move to get them as i would if they were in a backpack or something...

i have 2 lock ons dad told me i need to use this year...i want to use them. make it nice to sneak in and out of stands i hunt a couple times a year and that...but man...wont be comfy at all, wont feel as safe without the bars around me, nowhere to rest the bow, no pouch to store stuff...yep...thats the stand i will kill deer from...they will be in the best spots and will be easy to sneak into and i will be alert...but i love my summit....i could use a nap in one right now! lol...

I saw both of these at the Alabama Deer & Turkey classic over the weekend in Birmingham.

The Ultimate is the deluxe version of the Viper, and comes with the new Surround Seat, including side padding and storage pouches, drop-down blind, gun rest bar, comfort mat and Summit Skin.

I was wrong. The one you are referring to is not the steel one. It's an 04 or 05 Viper with the rest and gun rest. I would get that one then get the stirrups just like you suggested. I hated bending down and putting my feet into those straps. The stirrups help a ton.

WV,
Glad you brought the vipers up! I am going to buy one pretty soon. I borrowed the SS from my buddy last year when we went to Shawnee. 06 is right, they are comfy. I like the rest in front also to lay my bow on! Felt very safe and secure. I will make sure I get the feet stirrups
Crutch

Go with the SS

Thanks for all the replies. I haveheard alot of good things about these stands (though unfortunately never used one), and was trying to figure out whether the Ultra was actually a different stand than the SS. It appears to be exactly the same. It is aluminum, same dimensions, and looks exactly the same....yet it's $30 cheaper with a few different accessories. It's actually listed as "Cabelas Mega Bucks Series Viper Ultra" in the catalog and on the website. If anyone knows for sure, please let me know.

Thanks!