advice on a climbing stand.
 

Its about time I buy a new climber, mine is on its last leg and I don't feel overly safe in it anymore.
What do you all recomend? My old one is a Summit and has been good, but all worn out and rickity now.
My buddy has a tree lunger, but looks awful awkward....

What do you all recomend for a large, sturdy comfortable bow hunting stand?
Thanks fellas.

RE: advice on a climbing stand.
 

the best thing is to go and look at assembled units. what may be comfortable for me may not be for you. My main thing is ease of use. I dont want to be fumbling around in the woods trying to hook one on a tree and end up scaring everything in 3 counties away.

RE: advice on a climbing stand.
 

I agree, I am looking for quiet, and easy to use. I am a normal size guy.... just wanting to hear what people have and what they really like.

RE: advice on a climbing stand.
 

Personally I too own a summit-viper. I used it least 7-8 yrs now. I absolutely love it. If I bought another I would stick with a summitt. I know they did change the foot holds to a plastic deal. Friend of mine bought one last yr.. He didn't like the foot hold design, but make a simple adjustment by sawing off a couple inches on the plastic foot holders. Now he too likes it alot.

RE: advice on a climbing stand.
 

Summit Viper for me. Have been using it for years. When its time to replace, Ill probably buy another one;)

RE: advice on a climbing stand.
 

i have a gorilla and the summit viper. To put it simple i never use my gorilla. The viper has been the easiest to use and very quiet

RE: advice on a climbing stand.
 

Anyone use the Summit Goliath? Looks like a pretty bug solid stand....

RE: advice on a climbing stand.
 

I have a gorilla permanent platform type stand but dont really have much the nerve to mount it... they kinda scare me. haha.

RE: advice on a climbing stand.
 

if you say what my grandfather taught me to hunt out of then you would have been scared ha ha. a very redneck type of a hang on stand with no seat and only a 16" platform made out of wood. but i also took my biggest buck out of on of these. so maybe i just need to quit whining.

RE: advice on a climbing stand.
 

I've also been looking at a new climber. My buddy just bought a Summit Razor, looks alot like the viper but has a fold-out-of-the-way rail. Can't decide between it, the Viper or .Ameristep's Hitman. Has anyone used the Hitman, it's cheaper andseems ok, but it's fairly new and I can't find much info on it.

RE: advice on a climbing stand.
 

first year hunting for me...been using my buddy's summit backpacker climber and its real easy to use (took me a couple of times to get used to the whole climbing thing, but now I'm up and down in no time). A little expensive, but nice and comfy, maybe a lil too comfy at times...

RE: advice on a climbing stand.
 

So does the rest on the Viper get in the way for bowhunting?

RE: advice on a climbing stand.
 

Actually, I didn't believe the hype everyone was spewing about the Viper until I bought one. It was cheap so I thought I'd try it out. I like the stirrups more than the regular bungeesfor the platform because they are easier for me to use. Downside, I've already noticed rust on it after two hunts in the rain. I also found out now that the rail around the front isof good use for something other than sitting while climbing. If I pull the seat all the way forward I can pin my knees in the corners of the rail and bundle up for a little more warmth. I also discovered that bundling up like this put me to sleep easier. I hunt in big woods with no defined trails the deer use on a consistant basis, so I have to watch for movement. It's hard to watch for movement when you're asleep for nearly an hour and a half.

RE: advice on a climbing stand.
 

get a summit yhe most comfortable stand i have ever owned

RE: advice on a climbing stand.
 

i have a BIG Game and gorilla climber treestands and i love them.

RE: advice on a climbing stand.
 

only in an extreme downward angle shot. But you can adjust the height of the seat to change where the rail sits. The summits are tough to beat, I've tried a bunch of different climbers,and they are tops.

The goliath is nothing but a viper, but with a wider seat section. I'm 5'10, 200, and actually wish I had a Goliath. Especially in colder weater with bulky clothes on. I may seriously consider that next year.....or...

....I've had my eye on the Equalizer now for some time, and I may pull the trigger on that purchase. A lot guys seem to like them.

RE: advice on a climbing stand.
 

I have a Goliath when I bought it I was 340, I was comfortable in it then. I'm 220 now and love it, very easy to use and quiet. I'll have no problem buying another when/if this one wears out.

RE: advice on a climbing stand.
 

i have a summit also and i'm 255 pounds. and ifell comfortable

RE: advice on a climbing stand.
 

feel

RE: advice on a climbing stand.
 

I absolutely love my Loggy. Here's the link:

http://www.loggybayou.net/2006pages/stalkerseries.htm

I don't care for the climbing aid. My friends and I prefer to use it as a one piece. It's small, compacted and secure. Once the seat is locked in, it can't move a bit. When your up 30' +, that's nice to know. It can also be a lock on and I have used it as such in a few areas.

RE: advice on a climbing stand.
 

The first and last climber I'll ever own is the Summit Viper. Absolutely awesome stand IMO.

I didnt' either. I was reading about everyone raving about their viper on here for years. Finally bought one and started using it. Everything that was said was true. Easy to use, quiet and it's almost too comfortable. The only thing I've ever found wrong with it is every so often when I'm walking with it on my back the teeth from the v of the foot platform will catch the back of my calf. Not sure how or why but it sucks when it happens.

RE: advice on a climbing stand.
 

I had a Summit Viper for my first climber. I now have a Summit Razor SS and like the Viper ( same thing basically with a bar you can move) is so comfortable its easy to sit on stand for alot of hours.

RE: advice on a climbing stand.
 

Stick with Summit and get either the Viper or 180....personally, I'd go with the 180 because it allows you to face the tree or away from the tree.

RE: advice on a climbing stand.
 

I have a Summit Goliath. I'm about 290 and very comfy in it. It's a great stand and I feel safe. That's coming from a guy who doesn't like heights. Of course, I climb with the safety belt attached to the tree.

RE: advice on a climbing stand.
 

Another vote for the viper.Great stand and is the most comfortable hunting platform Ive ever used.:D

RE: advice on a climbing stand.
 

Thanks Mikey. I appreciate that info. I am 5'10... and about 230... (I'm fatter than you) haha....
Sounds like I would be ok with either one then. I will go ahead and try another Summit.

RE: advice on a climbing stand.
 

Just got back from Bass Pro, yes I bought the Viper. Got a big hunt planned and can't wait to use it. Hope it's as comfortable as they claim, I'll need to be in the stand daylight to dark.

RE: advice on a climbing stand.
 

After buying my lone wolf lock-on tree stand with the climbing sticks, i will never again buy a climbing stand. This stand is so quiet, compact, and quicker to get up in the tree and can be adjusted to the angle of the tree, both the seat and the platform adjust. And can go on any size tree, instead of having to pick a tree that is able to accept a climber.

RE: advice on a climbing stand.
 

Get one that can be adjusted while climbing the tree. I have an API that is super comfortable but it uses the chain with a pin setup. Once you setthe chain lengthat the bottom of the tree you have to keep it there.

RE: advice on a climbing stand.
 

I have been using an Equalizer for 3 years now and love it. ASome say it's not quiet enough, but I don't happen to share that view. I had been in it for less than 5 minutes when my deer came in Sunday. If it were that loud there is no way that would have happened.

RE: advice on a climbing stand.
 

I second the equalizer. Very easy to use, and being able to adjust the level as you go up is awesome.

RE: advice on a climbing stand.
 

https://www.equalizertreestands.com/index.php

My brother has the Equalizer and loves it. I have an older version of the Magnum (Buckshot).
This stand is rock solid and very comfortable. I would recommend it to anyone.

RE: advice on a climbing stand.
 

I love the summit razor. Highly recommend it.