Welp I guess since turkey season has finally came to a close here in PA, it's time to switch gears a little. I'm in the market to buy a new climbing treestand this summer and wanted to get everyone's opinion. I've hunted with my API for years and love it, but I want to upgrade to something that doesn't weigh as much and folds up flat. I've looked at the API Crusader which only weights 22lbs; has anyone used this stand before?
Thanks for any suggestions!
Don't bother looking at the Ol' Man stands. I had one of the Ol'Man CTS Grand climbers and used it twice. It started creaking with any movement after only 2 climbs. The "sling" seat was stretched so tight you could barely move it on the frame. I have switched to Muddy Hunter hang on stands and rapid rail climbing ladder sections.
I finally have access to private land and leave my hang on stands with a cable and lock attaching them.
Check out the older summit vipers. You can find them marked way down if you look hard enough.
Check out Timbertall stands. Unbelievable light and super solid on the tree.
I prefer summit
Ive got a summit viper a few yrs old and wouldnt trade it for a new climber of any other brand
have used my Summit Viper for a few years myself. I've dark to darked it many a days in it. I'd rather sit in it than my permanent stands. You won't be disappointed in it
Quote from: Okiehntr12 on June 03, 2013, 02:28:26 PM
Check out the older summit vipers. You can find them marked way down if you look hard enough.
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This!
Thanks for the resonses so far everyone! I also wanted to mention that this will be used for bow hunting only 99% of the time. Didn't know if that would change anyones opinion or not.
Thanks!
I have an older Lone Wolf that I really like. And hear only good things about the newer ones.
Timbertall...and made right in PA!!!
Quote from: seb5315 on June 03, 2013, 04:08:45 PM
Thanks for the resonses so far everyone! I also wanted to mention that this will be used for bow hunting only 99% of the time. Didn't know if that would change anyones opinion or not.
Thanks!
Mine is used for bowhunting 100% of the time, and I still wouldn't trade my summit for any other brand out there. I've used a few others, but only on a trial basis. Buy a summit and you'll own the best as far as climbers go!
You can't really go wrong with a summit
Lone wolf assault with 4 lone wolf climbing sticks.
We've got 5 vipers, 10 gorilla hang-ons, 4 API alumi-lok hang ons, several loc-ons, and 5 lone wolfs.
For bowhunting, the versatility offered by a hang-on far exceeds the utility of a climber. Our lone wolfs get hunted 10x more than any other stand. With lone wolfs, I get the silence of a climber, the security and sturdy grip on the tree of a climber, but I don't ever have to hunt for a tree that will accommodate my stand. With the offset batwing for crooked trees and platform leveler, I can get into almost any tree.
summit vipers
Lone wolf alpha hand climber. #17, folds flat, and has a bow holder casted in which will save even more weight.
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Just got back into climbing last year after a near death experience. I was very shaking about climbing again.
I got a summit blade sd. It is very similar to the viper but it collapses. This is perfect for me because i have a dodge neon and i can collapse the stand and put in in my back seat. I am 6'2-220 and i fit fine in this. The rails are angled for ease of using this stand with a bow. I never hit my bow off of the stand but I am shooting a 29.5" ata bow.
The sd line is very light but grips a tree very nice. Summit has the best waranty on the market. I ordered 2 of their bags and had the zippers fail due to my over stuffing them. I sent an inquiry to see if they could repair them. Well they are sending me brand new bags instead for free.
IMO you cant beat a summit, easy to climb, light, and very sturdy. I like the collapsable model but the viper has probably had more deer shot from it than any other stand. The SD i belive stands for sound dampening. THey put some sort of foam on the inside for noise reduction.
Before buying a viper I would makesure it is the viper sd and not the steel version. They are 6 pounds lighter and are more quiet.
My vote is summit no matter what. I think they came up with a newer stand for bowhunting that weighs 16 pounds. If you hunt public land PA like I do you know you have to hike deep to get where the deer are and every pound you can shed is worth it.
They don't fold flat and they a a bit "bibger" stand when your packing one in and out but give Treewalker a look. I've used one for the past couple of years and love it. They are light too. mine weighs around 17 lbs I think.
Quote from: VaTuRkStOmPeR on June 03, 2013, 11:29:01 PM
Lone wolf assault with 4 lone wolf climbing sticks.
We've got 5 vipers, 10 gorilla hang-ons, 4 API alumi-lok hang ons, several loc-ons, and 5 lone wolfs.
For bowhunting, the versatility offered by a hang-on far exceeds the utility of a climber. Our lone wolfs get hunted 10x more than any other stand. With lone wolfs, I get the silence of a climber, the security and sturdy grip on the tree of a climber, but I don't ever have to hunt for a tree that will accommodate my stand. With the offset batwing for crooked trees and platform leveler, I can get into almost any tree.
X2 the lone wolf alpha hang on with a set of their climbing sticks is way more versatile than a climber. Always seems as though the best tree in a funnel or other hotspot is always a gnarly, leaning, twisting thing that a climber can't be used on. With that said, for climbing stands summit is where its at, If you have lots of straight, limbless trees in your area.
Get ya a set of spikes and a saddle, kick up the tree, throw ya a rope around the tree, tie in and kick back...jk,
Im a climber for a tree service an ive found that leanin back in that saddle is more comfortable than than quite a few of my stands. Never hunted out of it before but I suspect I will spend some time in it this fall...
That aside, can't go wrong with summit.
For a climber a Lone Wolf Sit and Climb or Hand Climber is tough to beat.
How are the summit stands for climbing on smooth barked trees. I've heard mix opinions on that..
I like the summit as well. The open shot if your a bow hunter. I don't know what model mine is,it's an open model. I've had it for a few years with no complaints. Quiet and comfort.
:anim_25:
Quote from: seb5315 on June 05, 2013, 10:12:34 PM
How are the summit stands for climbing on smooth barked trees. I've heard mix opinions on that..
My Viper slipped a few times so I traded it towards a Lone Wolf Sit and Climb.
Summit goliath
Summit Viper
Summit 180. Love it. Allows you to face the tree for gun hunting.
Quote from: pcgobbler on June 08, 2013, 10:30:41 AM
Summit 180. Love it. Allows you to face the tree for gun hunting.
This stand is extremely comfy and easy to climb, not sure how it would be for archery.
I have slipped in my summit but you find the right tree for the job. I also did a mid climb adjustment and it was fine. nothing that would deter me from buying one though.
Quote from: seb5315 on June 05, 2013, 10:12:34 PM
How are the summit stands for climbing on smooth barked trees. I've heard mix opinions on that..
Better than some of the others I've used. I still steer clear if I can.
I use a API bow hunter,a summit 180 and a gorilla silverback and like all of them