RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

Jeff, I've been using these stands for 6 years. I have bought 3 of them, had one stolen.[:@][>:][>:]I have a Sit and Climb, and an Assault now. I've been more than honest about these stands, and said that they are not comfy (without help). Other than that,they are truely the best overall stand out there. Bar none. If this stand isn't the holy grail, then what stand is? Is there such a thing?:D

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

OK Chris....here's the skinny (literally;)). EI....if you don't like this review....do your own, please. I promise I won't post on it.

Stand pack like a dream. "As advertised"! It's a neat little package that only took me a couple times to figure out the "system" to get everything back together. A+

Getting it on the tree. Let's be honest here, guys....you have to unlatch one side....and put the traction belt in the other side. It's not "better" than the Summit. It just isn't. Is it OK? Yeah. It's fine.

Ascending.......

OK....the thing that makes this stand so appealingto many is a PAIN IN THE ASS in that upper/climbing portion of the stand is so light. I had to CONSTANTLY worry about it falling as I'd reach up to slide my tether up the tree. This aspect is disappointing. I'm gonna need to hear some others tell me how they thwart this.....(ifthey're ascending, tied off;)). D-

Getting set at your apex.

OK....I'll admit I almost fell, once. I was stepping over the sit/climb bar.....and almost teetered off. The problem at this point is......THAT FREAKIN LIGHT UPPER!! You can't cinch your straps tight (upper to platform) because you need to be able to step over the bar.....and you can't lower the upper without it being unmanageable (hard to hold onto). This part's gotta change. What I'll probably find myself not using the climbing bar and using the stand as a hand climber.

Once you get over the climbing bar......you get the seat set to the desired height....and cinch the straps connecting the upper to the lower. NOW it's ROCK SOLID! Fairly comfortable, too. Not a Summit....but not bad. Here's where it ROCKS! I can shoot sitting down, now....and I LOVE the freedom the missing rail gives me. This part is awesome.

Descending.....

I went down the tree as a hand climber would. No problem. That's how I'll do it. Nuff said.

Packing up.....

Awesome. Took me just a couple times to come up with my own little system, The saddlebag is great for storing tethers and a haul line.

Great stand......but if you're a big guy.......I'm gonna say this one ISN'T for you. I'm 6'1" and 200#'s. I wouldn't suggest it for people any larger than me......but that's just me.

Chris, buddy....don't know how big you are.....but take everything I said as an honest assessment. I love my summit. And I'll probably grow to love this one. It'll take a little times, though.

Jeff

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

Glad you finally got a LW Jeff.;)Your assessment reeks inexperience though. You'll get better with it, and enjoy it more.Oh yea, take that tether off going up you pansy.:D:D:D:D:D:D

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

No offense, EI....but either address the "inexperience" specifically, or keep your thoughts to yourself. What do you do to thwart the "issues" I addressed....to make it "better"? YOUR assessments of this stand "reek" "fanboy".

Also.....I'll just come right out and say it.....

If you go up a tree with that (or any) stand....and don't tie off to the tree.......YOU ARE AN IDIOT.

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

How can it be possible that there are still people not using safety harness for the entire climb/descent? How canthis be? Early, isthisa 'joke'. It's hard to tell over theinternet despite the smilies.

Jeff - Sorry for the hijack rant.

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

I purchased one of these last yearand promptly returned it ... there was not enough room for me I am 6'3" and about 220lb

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

Specifically, that seat section requires pressure on it to keep it from slipping down. I've mentioned this in the past. You taking your hands/arms off of it to move your girly mantether:D (I guess I'm an idiot;))up allows it to drop down. Again, as I've said in the past,it willbehoove you to put a screw hook behind/under the traction belt of the seat portion so it CAN'T slip down if you go to stand up.
Also, what stand do you not have todisconnect something to attachit to a tree? I haven't seen one yet. Eventually, you'll admit it's the best stand you've ever had.;):D

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

Forgot to mention.....

I need to probably go ahead and get the xtra long traction belts.

This is goingto be an expensive stand when it's all said and done.:D

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I feel Ol'man makes the best climber bar none.

I've tried several and it's the easiest to use, fold, carry, comfortable and quiet.

My exwife, 4'11 110lbs used it with ease. She couldn't use a Summit nor a LW.

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

I "choose" not to use one while going up. No joke.

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

The LW isn't for everyone. I can't see too many women using it, either. Most I know wouldn't be strong enough.

It's also not an "all day sitter" in my book. What I willl use it for.....is certain spots where I'll likely be evening hunting.........and getting into some tight spots (Where I might not see deer coming from a ways off....and might get caught sitting down).

It'll have its' place.

I love to hunt a lock-on......love to climb....and they all have their advantages and disadvantages. How much does that ol man weigh, Rob? Isn't it steel?

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

Jeff, you need to be careful when using those extra long traction belts (I have them), because with my older stand at least, the tree has to be of a certain largerdiameter, or else the belts won't adjust in enough to secure the stand.They will bottom out, so to speak, before the stand is snug to the tree. Like I say, this happens with an older stand. It may be the same with yours. Bring the smaller ones with you in your day pack/bag just in case.

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

What makes it better thanthe summit in this department IMO is that it is infinitely more adjustable. On the Summit you can only adjust every 6 inches or so. On the LW you can adjust it every inch. Also, the traction beltsnot havingthe lugs which can and will clang against the stand at times like on the summit.

Even if you tried to be noisy attaching the traction belts on the LW you would be hard pressed to make any noise.

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

I hear ya Scott....but in3 yrs using the summit....the amt of adjustability just never was an issue. Also....unless you're just a total shleprock....the shrink wrap tubing over thesummit cables makes them pretty silent (especiallyif you take your time).

Again....ALL I'm saying is...."I"don't find one to be "better". I'm not touting one over the other. I'm gonna get good use out of both.

Buckeye....did you order the xtra long traction belts? $40 + shipping is kinda steep! (about now, anyways....lol). I'm gonna get pissed, though.....if I can't get up the tree I want. So I'll bit the bullet.

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

Great thread, GMMAT. I've been considering a LW for several years, but haven't executed the purchase yet.

I'm always a bit put off by how many times I've read comments on this forum about how the LW is less comfortable than the Summit.

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

vc1111.....it IS more uncomfrotable than the Summit....but it's not touted for its comfort. DOn't get me wrong....if it was awful....I'd tell ya. It's not.

Ya know, Scott.....by the time I finish...I'm gonna have as much in mine as you do yours.

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

My straps were $30, I ordered them thru a local shop, so I didn't have to pay shipping. I haven't picked them up yet though.

Did you never have any trouble with the shrink tubing wearing off on the lugs? I had to replace the shrink tube a few times on mine. It sucked to... They say to use a hair dryer... Our hair dryer did nothing at all to shrink the stuff, I mean nothing.... I ended up boiling water and holding the cables over the steam to get the tubing to shrink.

Don't forget the foot rests :D;)

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

Jeff - Sounds like you're happy w/ it, thats great!

One comment, you dont need to step over the rail. Just angle it down. You can still shoot sitting down, just push it down below your knees. Then when you stand to shoot you have that rail to stabilize your legs against and give you a better shot.

As for the having the top slip down, I've never really found it to be too bad. I usually put all my weight on it to get it to "bite" in on the tree. If that doesnt work you could try to lean on it to put some weight on it. Or lastly you could put the seat bungee around the tree to hold it in.

I'll be getting mine in a week or so!

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

Good question, Scott. To be honest...I was gonna take the cables out of my other summit and put them in the one I use a lot, this year.....but I sold the extra summit. So I'm in that boat, RIGHT NOW. Between you and me......the cables have been on my vier for 3 seasons....and they do need replacing. If I thought I could get 3 yrs out of th enext ones (which I will....since I'll be using it less)....I'll probably do the fiscally irresponsible thing and just order new cables, altogether. I'd keep the ones I have as backups.

Never changed the tubing.....and probably never will (just being honest).

Good stuff, there, Ed. Thanks. I'll try that!

SCOTT:

Forgot about the footrests. Do you REALLY like those? I was gonna try and hold off.....because they "appear" as though they may ge tin the way if you were standing. Let me know how it goes with them.

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

Thanks for the review Jeff. I think I will let you get a few more sits and ask you again as you get more familiar with it. I have plenty of climbers but was just wanting a new one. I hardly ever sit so the seat comfort means little to me. Chris

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

Chris:

Letme climb a few more times.....but I'm thinking you might prefer the hand climber, then.

It's different than climbing with a summit. You're closer to the tree....if that makes any sense. It's just "different". Really light, though....and really easy to climb with, though.

The top portion is gonna have to get better, though. Thats a PITA.

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

THere are a couple things I especially like about the Lone Wolf Hand climber model.........(I used one last weekend in the mountains with a buddy setting treestands)

*For one it is absolutely going to be quieter climbing than a Summit in it's HAND climber configuration or using the Sit and Climb top as a hand climber.
If you can sit on the rail of a Summit Viper or the bar on the LW Sit and Climb model you can take care with how you manipulate the platform section and climb quietly.
With a hand climber or open faced Summit like a Cobra you don't have the same ease and control over your feet to quietly slip the platform up the tree. You also can't LOOK DOWN at what you are doing to avoid contact like you can when you are sitting on a bar.
This is where the LW will really shine in climbing...........you don't get that clanky scraping sound if you get sloppy dragging it up. If you have never used a Summit hand climber style like a Cobra then you can't make the comparison until you have.

So in climbing.........LW vs Summit in a sit and stand climb style is pretty much a wash for noise if you take care but the LW is easier to be sloppy with and still be quiet........... but in a HAND climber configuration the LW is a MUCH quieter stand to use.

* Like Jeff said actually setting the LW up is about the same as a Summit in function but IMO the LW style with the belt makes it much easier to BE QUIET while doing it. You CAN set up a Summit quietly (Trust me I know I've been using them for more than 10yrs) but the LW allows you to be "heavy handed" with the attachments in the dark without fear of the dreaded CLANK! [:o]

* PAcking the HAnd climber LW is about as stupidly simple as it gets. The simple bungee and criss crossed tethers hold the 2 flat sections together simply and quietly. I could pack up a Summit prety easily too but it required doing it JUST RIGHT and is obviously bulkier. It was easy to get the "Walking Clanks" where you would have to stop and reposition something that was making a crappy noise to the cadence of your walking.

* I personally LOVE the high bench seat that the hand climber has. (Like I loved the original Summit Bushmaster and sort of the new Summit "Open shot" tops.
I don't care if the top is Lazy Boy comfy , what I want is the high seat that sits level with the frame. That was mypersonal pet peeve withthe Summit Cobra and why I wouldn't use the LW Sit and Climb model either. I don't want to be suspended in the seat with the frame sitting up high where it can get in the way of steep side angled shots. This has happened on numerous occasions and I have had to let deer walk because I couldn't get the pin on them.
I like being up high and able to shoot straight down left or right without fear of hitting that frame almost like sitting on a stool.
I alternate between sitting and standing and that style seat works perfectly for me. I loved the comfort of my Summit Cobra top but the seat section in the heat of battle caused me undue stress thinking about it being in the way.

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

Very useful info, Matt/PA. I have the Summt Bushmaster and I can relate to what you're saying.

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

In addition to keeping the platform from possibly falling away during climbing, I thought that the tether straps that you cinch down on either side after you set the seat height pull the seat front down snugly providing pressure which keeps it from falling down? Almost like someone sort of always sitting on it?

Or am I not understanding it's function correctly?:eek:

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

You are correct Matt but Early's stand doesn't have the straps, it is a newer feature than his stand has I believe.

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

Yes, mine's the older version, and doesn't have those straps. My stand just has the "sling" type seat.

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

It's a simple thing with me, If I pay top dollar I expect my butt to be wiped. I don't expect a disertation on how to wipe it. Why you guys pay for this stand is beyond me.

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

I initially purchased the LW Hand Climber. While I loved the packability and lightweight, the "hand climb" method was much too gymnastic for me and the seat was torture, even for a 3-4 hour sit. I developed another method for climbing (the new hand climbers have a strap that you sit on so that it almost becomes a sit-n-climb method) and added padding to the seat to make the seat almost bearable. I used this rig for two years, but preferred to use a ladder stand when possible to avoid the discomfort.

Last year I purchased the Sit-n-Climb seat to use with my LW platform. Slightly more weight, but still very portable and packable. I have no problem with the "bar" for climbing nor do I have a problem fitting into the seat (I am 5' 11" and 200#). The seat is entirely acceptable: in fact, I can sometimes nod off in the stand (an indication of the comfort). Having the seat hang below the rails allows the rails to serve as arm rests (better comfort), but they also interfere with most seated shots (unlike the hand climber seat where there is nothing to interfere). Istand duringthe higher probability times and plan to stand before taking a shot at the other times.

Before purchasing the LW I purchased a Summit Viper and then immediately returned it: far too bulky and cumbersome to carry through the woods.

I am thoroughly pleased with the LW. I may still use the Hand Climber seat occasionally (if I buy or make a sit-n-climb type strap to use with it), but I used the LW Sit-n-Climb all last year and like it very much.

Regarding the problem with the seat falling, I do not find this to be a problem once I begin to climb for one simple reason: I move my safety strap up the tree BEFORE I raise the seat. Each time you sit on the climbing rail the seat portion bites into the tree and remains stable. If you raise the seat first and then try to raise the safety strap, there is no bite to keep the seat in position and the seat may fall. However, raising the strap and then raising the seat just before I sit on the rail solves the problem. I have dropped the seat several times just after putting the stand on the tree, but I don't believe that I have ever dropped the seat once I started up the tree.

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

Seriously function is where it's at. Light, strong, quiet setup. Who cares about how it looks, looks are for mall dwellers not hunters.

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

I was wrong, I also paid $40 for the XL traction belts. My mistake.

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

I don't plan on sitting on the rail.

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

You are sitting on the rail each time you pull the bottom platform up aren't you?

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

That's what I was thinking.[8D]

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

It doesn't sound like you are using it right. If you are not sitting on the bar then the top doesn't have a chance to bite into the tree as well.

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

If you use this stand as a hand climber.....why would you sit on the rail?

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

Maybe because it's a sit and climb? Just a thought.:eek::D:D:D You should have just bought the LW Alpha Hand Climber if you're going to use it like that.;)

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

You're making fun of me....and I'm RIGHT, EI?

LOL....:D

If I was such acompleteidiot as to climb without being tied off.....I'd get inside the rail, too;)

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

Whatever Jeff. At least this idiot doesn't have problems with something as basic as a sit and climb.:D

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

i wish they made a bar to sit on and climb like the summit, one that does not swing and force your knees into the tree.

RE: First 30 minites with the LW sit and climb
 

Jeff, before I bought my first Lone Wolf climbing stand I found a local pro shop who was the only dealer carrying them at the time(7-9 yrs. ago). The shop owners wife proceeded to take her Lone Wolf hand climbing model to some nearby trees and demonstrated the use of one. She is 5'6" and 125 lbs. .....a real looker I might add;). No problem for her at all. After I tried it a couple of times I bought my first Lone Wolf climber. By the way I bought mine from an HNI member.

I also love lock ons and the ability to use them in places where its almost impossible to use a climber. Thus, my purchase of the Assault last season.

As for not liking or using the sitnclimb bar, to each his own but I find using the bar as intended and sitting/climbing to be much easier. Personally I've never had a problem of the upper portion falling. Before the attaching straps were in production I simply attached a bungi cord around the belt and tree and never had any problems while sitting/standing after reaching my desired height.

No its not the Holy Grail, no stand is. Its just personal preference in what stand a person uses.