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RE: Share Your Summit Tree Stand Opinions
 

Ifferd

I have one that is about 7 yrs old and i never really liked it, I dont remember the name but it had a problem gripping to slick bark hardwoods, also fairly loud and not real comforttorable, i bought a API and sonce bought a second and love them, much quieter and more comfortorable, my 2 cents

RE: Share Your Summit Tree Stand Opinions
 

I've owned the Viper XLS for about a year now and it's nice but has its flaws. It's the older model (not the X4 series) and the foot straps are a pain. The climber portion cable also tends to clang on the way up the tree. Climbing trees hasn't been a problem, although I try to stay away from tulip trees and other slick hardwoods. Nothing grips better than the Tree Lounge I came off of, but nothing is heavier than the Lounge either.

The X4 series solves the problem of the cable clang and adds stirrups instead of foot "bungees". I plan to buy a new one eventually since I've been relatively happy with the old Viper despite these flaws.

RE: Share Your Summit Tree Stand Opinions
 

I have the Goliath that I bought last year and hunted all season with it. Previously I had used several ladder type stands.
At 280 lbs, I wouldn't climb in any of the lightweight modes.

I really like the Goliath. It is very comfortable to sit in for hours. Sets up easy and is fairly quiet if you are careful. Once in position, when you strap down the top portion it is rock stable. It is not lightweight but is fairly comfortable to carry and again it's quiet if you are carefull.

I wish there was an easy way to 'strap' down the foot portion but I have gotten use to it.

I would recommend it and my friends that use the XL Viper like their's also though I'm told the Goliath is more stable.

RE: Share Your Summit Tree Stand Opinions
 

I bought a Summit BushMaster a few years ago and I think that the quality is very good. The thing that I don't like about the stand is that it doesn't have a back rest or a shooting rail. At the time that I bought it, I just didn't do a whole lot of shopping around so I really didn't know which options I would want...
I would recommend a Summit treestand, but my advice would be to buy one that at least has a back rest.

RE: Share Your Summit Tree Stand Opinions
 

Which did/do you own? Bushmaster XLS and a Viper XLS

What do you think of them? I love them both. I feel rock solid hanign 30 feet up and don't have a bad thing to say about them. I've killed plenty of deer out of the Bushmaster and a couple from the Viper, but both are superb stands. I've only hade experience with two other manufactures( API and Warren & Sweat) and neither was as good a stand as Summit produces in my opinion.

Would you recommend them? Absolutely!;)

RE: Share Your Summit Tree Stand Opinions
 

I have the Viper XLS and thus far I like it. I am probably going to get another climber, but think I will get a Buckshot this time as a spare.

RE: Share Your Summit Tree Stand Opinions
 

I've used a ViperXLS for about 6 or 7 years. I spent alot of time reserching climbing stands when I bought this one and it seemed like the best at the time. The bungees that slip over your heels are a bit of a pain but other than that I don't have any complaints. The only other stand I considered was the Tree Lounge. While the Lounge was easier to climb with, and more comfortable to sit in, I didn't like the standing platform being as far away from the tree as it was. There was too much spring in the stand when I stood up and I like being closer to the tree when I stand than this stand allows. I spent a whole day in my Summit ( that is sun up to quitting time.) on many days and I have always felt secure and comfortable in it. I would reccommend this stand to anyone who asked.

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RE: Share Your Summit Tree Stand Opinions
 

I have owned a Cobra for 3 years and like it. As everyone else has said the bungess are a pain but I think I might buy the stirrups this year to cure that problem. I also think I might just buy the Viper XLS top piece from Summit so I can have a gun rest for gun season and a little more security with the bar around the front. I recommend Summit stands to anyone looking for a good climber.

RE: Share Your Summit Tree Stand Opinions
 

I ran into a guy a few years back that was hard up for cash, I ended up stealing an almost brand new Bushmaster for $60 from him. I love it, its light, stable, quiet, for the mobile hunter that likes to hike to places no one else wants to go, its a perfect stand. I have since bought a viper as well. Their customer service is great as well, they really back up their products if you ever have any trouble with them.

RE: Share Your Summit Tree Stand Opinions
 

Boy, it looks like the summit viper xls is the winner here today so far.....i love the viper, some guys say it has flaws with the bugee staps but i find them usefull, if your in good shape and dont have a belly to get in the way in bending down and strapping them over your feet you will be just fine. I have climbed some slick trees with it, and i even tried a telephone pole and it does the job!! Great stand.

RE: Share Your Summit Tree Stand Opinions
 

My brother owns a Revolution and when he trods off into the woods you can see how bulky it packs. He says it is quite comfortable and is happy with it. He likes my Ol Man treestand better for climbing and packability.

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RE: Share Your Summit Tree Stand Opinions
 

I just sold my Viper and ordered a new Goliath because of the upgrades already mentioned. What I did with the old style foot straps was use the bungle cords I held the stand together for transport with to pull up on the straps with the hook on the bungle cord and hook the strap behind your boots, you could do this while sitting on the climbing bar.

RE: Share Your Summit Tree Stand Opinions
 

i have a cobra xls ive had it for probably close to 5 years and its a great stand and id definatly reccomend it

RE: Share Your Summit Tree Stand Opinions
 

i have the viper xls and love it......summit is number one in stands...;)

RE: Share Your Summit Tree Stand Opinions
 

I like my Summit Viper better than my previous 2 climbers, which were an API Grand Slam Supreme and a Lone Wolf Sit & Climb. The rapid climb stirrups look to be a good upgrade and I should be receiving mine from Summit any day now.

RE: Share Your Summit Tree Stand Opinions
 

I bought a Viper back in 96 when they first came out...used it till 2002 killed around 35-40 deer out of with gun and bow. It was heavy but very solid and comfy. I sold it last year and bought a new lighter Viper XLS...I love it! Wouldnt have any other stand. Cant beat the service with Summitt either.....top notch. Going from around 32 pounds to 19 pounds in these hills was a blessing...lol.

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RE: Share Your Summit Tree Stand Opinions
 

I have a Summit that I have had for about 11 years. It would be the equivalent to the Bushmaster of today. After changing the seat out to one that fits the Cobra it is great. I also have a Headunter Lite which is a hang on stand. I absolutely love it. I recently bought a set of Bucksteps to go with it and IMO this is the perfect bowhunting setup.

I would definitely recommend any Summit product. As a bonus you get their Seat o the Pants safety harness with any stand purchase.

RE: Share Your Summit Tree Stand Opinions
 

I have the Viper. I like it.

RE: Share Your Summit Tree Stand Opinions
 

I have the Goliath and I like it a lot. The only thing I don't like about it are the foot straps because it's a pain to wrap the straps around your boots and then tighten down when you're getting ready to climb down. But I solved that problem. I took a 3-foot stick and screwed in a hook into one end. Now I just reach down with the stick, hook the strap, and pull it up over the back of my boots. Summit has come out with stirrups on their new stands that mount right to the frame. I tried these out at a sports and outdoor show in January and they're beautiful!! They are now available at Summit's website (summitstands.com) for $19.99 a pair.

RE: Share Your Summit Tree Stand Opinions
 

Viper XLS I love it.

RE: Share Your Summit Tree Stand Opinions
 

I've had the cobra, viper, and the goliath. I love the summits but if your weight puts you close to the limit on the vipers, I'd choose the goliath. I found out the hard way.

RE: Share Your Summit Tree Stand Opinions
 

I have owned a python xls for a little over 18 months. It is bulky and heavy, but it's rock solid and stable. I feel safer in it than my hang-ons. I do believe I will buy the stirrups as the current toe strap/bungee system can be a pain in the butt. The adjustability of the seat is awesome, and I like the footrest/gunrest. Summits can also be noisy when walking in as the cables flop around insided the frame. You also have to strap the two pieces together real tight when walking or it sounds like a one-man band.

Would I buy another? Yes, but I would get the "backpacker" or whatever the new one is called that collapses down flat with less bulk.

Bill

RE: Share Your Summit Tree Stand Opinions
 

Viper XLS all the way here, if there is a more secure and comfortable climber on the market I have'nt found it.

RE: Share Your Summit Tree Stand Opinions
 

I had a Summit Cobra XLS. It was secure in the tree but I hated the noise the cable made when attaching and during climbing. It was also very comfortable but the design puts you too near the edge IMO.

I've owned and used a Lone Wolf Sit-n-climb for 2 seasons..couldn't be happier. Adding the new seat and backrest soon.