I am signing on my first lease tomorrow and I got everything I need except the tree stand. I am weighing all options and I think a climber might be what I want. I think I am sold on a Summit Viper. My question is due to the fact that I have never used a climbing stand before. How noisy are they and how early do you have to get up in the tree to allow the critters to settle down and go on as usual? Or should I just set up a ladder stand and be done with it?

Climbers are so nice because you can move around and hunt several areas with just the one stand. So from a price stand point, climbers are really cheaper than 4 or 5 ladder stands. So I would suggest going with the climber, no questions. The Viper is a good one also, so no worries there. As far as how noisy are they. You may bang around and make a little more noise that normal when you first start, but once you get to "know" your stand, you will be flying up the tree, making almost no noise at all. In fact, I think I get in a tree quieter with my climber than I do with a ladder stand. As far as how early do you need to start climbing. Well that depends on where you are hunting, type of habitat, and the schedule of the deer you are hunting. Like I said, once you have gotten to "know" your stand and learned how to climber quick and quiet, there is no need to get up the tree any earlier than you would get in the same tree if it had a ladder stand. Practice climbing this summer, but fall you will be ready to go.

You'll learn the ins and outs of your stand in about half a season. You'll get your own "methods" down, pat. I use the same stand....it it can be used quietly, safely and expeditiously.

You'll learn some trees are quieter to climb than others. Some size trees are easier to climb. NOW.....I can be up a tree (quietly) to 23' in less than 10 minutes....from the time I arrive, unpack and ascend. I rarely go fast in doing this, though....opting to just get there a little earlier (or a LOT in my case, sometimes) and go very slowly. There are some items on the stand that will make noise if you don't watch them. The biggest being the s-hooks on the bungee that wraps around the tree to hold your seat back up. They will hit EVERYTHING metal if you're not careful.

You'll get it down after several trips....and have your own little system of packing this stand.....and how to attach everything to haul it up. DO NOT forget to get the climbing stirrups. They're golden!

Good luck.

They aren't noisey unless you the climber drops onto the platform.

How early? I can usually get 25-30ft up a tree in less than 15 minutes. It takes me at least that long after I get up there to get settled in. I try to get to the tree at least 45 minutes before the sun comes up and I'm not talking about sun up either.

get it now and start practicing in a normal "game time" situation in your hunting gear. then the first few times you use it hunting, get to the tree an hour earlier than you would if you were using a ladder stand, just to be sure. you'll get the feel for it after those first few actual hunts, and the time will be much shorter.

Summit's a great choice. They are very quiet as long as you don't try to climb a shagbark hickory. Once you get some experience with it you'll be glad you went with a climber.

Being quiet is a loaded question...
Ever have a heavy footed person walk into the room, kind of the same thing?
It really depends on how quiet "you" can be??? I like to add the felt camo tape, on areas that I could clank as it helps muffle the sounds.
Climbers are great, and the Summit is what I use, you won't be sorry.
Once at my tree I can be up 20' in less than 5 minutes.
However, for the same $200-250 you could buy 4 or 5 cheap hang on stands and not have to hassle with a climber?
Depends on how much land you have on this lease and how little disturbence you can create with a climber.

If you go with the climber, I would suggest trying it in your yard at least a dozen times.
Going through each step, each time, to help alleviate any hang-ups in the field.
It's way easier to do during daylight hours verses in the dark on opening morning!

practice before season with it!

I never seemed to have a problem getting up in a climber. Just to be safe practice and youll be fine for game time! Good Luck man

I really dont like the climber, in early season i gotta take it slow or else i start sweating and then i start to stink... I'll stick with my portable and ladder stands...Good luck man