for you guys with climbers
#21
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 18

i started looking at the summit titan and the ultimate viper ss. i really like the size of the titan but i like all the accessories the ultimate viper comes with (the surrond seat,removable gun rest, drop down blind). for you viper guys do you feel you have enough room or should i go with the titan due to the fact im 6ft 200lbs
#22

I have the API Grand Slam Super Star. The bar you sit on to climb swings out of the way for an open front for bow hunting. It has a foot rest that can be flipped up for a rifle rest when gun hunting. It is pretty comfortable and secure. Easy to climb with too.
#24
Spike
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Louisa, Virginia
Posts: 64

Take a long, hard look at the Equalizer. I have one, and have hunted with it for about 5 years now. I also have an old iron Summit that I had from before the Equalizer. I haven't used it since .
The Equalizer is reasonibly comfortable and light to carry, and the backpack shoulder straps do not cut off your arm circulation. It is also a very easy stand to climb with. I don't end up sweating and spreading scent all over the place like I did with my summit.
The Equalizer can be very quiet to climb with, but if you get in a hurry it can be loud...if you bang the cables around putting it on the tree.
The leveling feature is outstanding. Simply outstanding.
The down side to the stand...the seat can get uncomfortable after a few hours sitting...but so can a lot of others. The shoulder straps broke on my stand after a few years at the point where they come together and attach to the loop that holds them to the lower foot section of the stand. I got my mom to sew it back up with heavy duty denim thread and haven't had problems since. Also, the rubber straps that hold the seat on can get cut if you stow the stand wrong, and the metal portions of these rubber straps can be noisy. To stop the noise, you can put some shrink tube over the metal portion...problem fixed. If the rubber breaks...you can buy a set from equalizer...or do what my brother did and sew up a few pieces of elastic material to replace the rubber straps. That stops the noise and the breakage problems.
The stand works great for a bow or gun. For rifles and muzzleloaders, invest in the shooting rail. (you can take it on and off) Take off the "back piece/rest", throw it away, and pad the metal bars with some foam piping insulation and some camo tape. Then you have one heck of a shooting rail when you want to install it.
Sorry for the long post, but I love this stand.
The Equalizer is reasonibly comfortable and light to carry, and the backpack shoulder straps do not cut off your arm circulation. It is also a very easy stand to climb with. I don't end up sweating and spreading scent all over the place like I did with my summit.
The Equalizer can be very quiet to climb with, but if you get in a hurry it can be loud...if you bang the cables around putting it on the tree.
The leveling feature is outstanding. Simply outstanding.
The down side to the stand...the seat can get uncomfortable after a few hours sitting...but so can a lot of others. The shoulder straps broke on my stand after a few years at the point where they come together and attach to the loop that holds them to the lower foot section of the stand. I got my mom to sew it back up with heavy duty denim thread and haven't had problems since. Also, the rubber straps that hold the seat on can get cut if you stow the stand wrong, and the metal portions of these rubber straps can be noisy. To stop the noise, you can put some shrink tube over the metal portion...problem fixed. If the rubber breaks...you can buy a set from equalizer...or do what my brother did and sew up a few pieces of elastic material to replace the rubber straps. That stops the noise and the breakage problems.
The stand works great for a bow or gun. For rifles and muzzleloaders, invest in the shooting rail. (you can take it on and off) Take off the "back piece/rest", throw it away, and pad the metal bars with some foam piping insulation and some camo tape. Then you have one heck of a shooting rail when you want to install it.
Sorry for the long post, but I love this stand.
Last edited by BowBuilder; 11-06-2009 at 10:58 AM.
#25

I can only tell you this...........I'm 48 years old, 6'3" tall and weigh 300 lbs. I started using a SUMMIT VIPER climbing treestand 2 years ago and it's the 2nd. best investment in hunting equipment (next to my bow) that I have ever purchased.
It's easy to used, built sturdy and very dependable.
It's easy to used, built sturdy and very dependable.