RE: I' ve decided on a summit - but which one?
 

Go with the Viper Classic from Wing Supply.com. $199.00 It is durable and light.
Anything hits off it while packing it in will say HERE I AM to the split-hooves!

RE: I' ve decided on a summit - but which one?
 

$199 for a Viper Classic is too much.........I' ve seen them as low as $150- $180 shop around.

The Classic is a metal stand, not aluminum..........I bought my son one. It' s great!

RE: I' ve decided on a summit - but which one?
 

The Classic although a great value would not be the choice for anyone who has to pack in a bit. This stand alone weighs 29 lbs. I would pay the extra money for a bit lighter stand that is also easier to climb with. There is no difference between the new Vipers and the Classic just the materials used in construction. But use what you like that is what it' s all about.

RE: I' ve decided on a summit - but which one?
 

Hoytshooter is right. We have the Viper Classic on sale at Gander Mt. for $150. Good price but as stated, it is made of steel and is heavy. The box says 27 lbs. I opted for the Viper XLS for $229 ( my price is a bit less with employee discount). I' ve only had it on the tree three times and can say it is most likely the best stand I' ve used in my 30 years of playing monkey. At 19 lbs it' s still a bit heavy, but Summit adds one feature that noone else offers; the SOP safety harness. This is one item that should be used religiously by all who venture into the treetops.

RE: I' ve decided on a summit - but which one?
 

Another Viper XLS fan here, or if you want the foot rest and rifle rest go with the Viper Ultra, that is the only difference.

RE: I' ve decided on a summit - but which one?
 

Good post and I agree about the safety harness...use it.

Anyway, one stand that does not get much mention these days is the Summit Bushmaster XLS...one of their lightest climbers, if not THE lightest climber they make at about 19 lbs.

The Viper XLS is also a fine stand but weighs in a few pounds heavier. Because of the " gun rest" style bar that it has, I' d say its probably safer, but I' ve never needed the bar and I am funny about the extra weight.

I hual binos and calls and a few things that add a few pounds to the stand so I' m glad I bought the lighter Bushmaster XLS.

I would definitely not buy the steel version of their stands though. Your adding about 6 pounds of weight just to save a few bucks on a stand that you' re going to be hauling around the woods for many years. Six pounds doesn' t sound like much till your humping to your favorite ridgetop.

RE: I' ve decided on a summit - but which one?
 

I thought about the Python. It has a bar that can be positioned down and be used as a footrest for bowhunting or up to be used as a gun rest.

RE: I' ve decided on a summit - but which one?
 

I currently own a Cobra XLS and love it, It is light at 17 lbs and easy to setup and quiet. Very comfortable with the very thick padding in the seat. I only wish it had a footrest and the platform was a little bigger, but that is just my personal preference due to me being a bigger guy at 6' 1" and 240lbs. But it is a great stand. I would deffinitly buy another stand from summit. You wont go wrong with any of their stands but it does seem to me that most people own the Viper.

RE: I' ve decided on a summit - but which one?
 

Nbadger, the reason its cheaper is because it weighs about 5 or 6 pounds heavier then the newer model. I do not have to walk more then a half mile to get to my farthest location so I didnt see the need to pay the extra money.

RE: I' ve decided on a summit - but which one?
 

Thanks for all the good information everyone - I think my choices are probably down to the the viper xls (not sure on the ultra yet or not) or the bullet backpacker. The post about the bullet' s squeaking did concern me a bit - I' ll have to see if I can find some more information about that. Now it' s time to go shopping and hope to find some good prices - thanks!