Cables or Chains on Climber Stand....Does it Make a Difference??

[Nala]

Hey all,

For the first time in my life I am seriously thinking about getting a climbing tree stand.  I've never been up in one.  So I asked my hunting buddy I've known all my life for advice and he told me to make sure that whichever one I get make sure it has CHAINS and not cables that go around the tree.  I didn't ask him why.  He then sent me a message telling me API is the one to get.

I then asked about tree stands for a newbie on another TRAD forum and almost all told me about SUMMIT tree stands.

Now one is the same as the other to me, I don't know.  I looked them up and the API has rubber coated CHAINS and the Summit has cables.

All I'm interested in is having one that is EASY and SAFE.  SAFE being the MOST IMPORTANT QUALITY for me.

I'd like to know whether the chains or cables means anything in regards to the safety or ease of use.  Also I am planning on going NO HIGHER than 10 feet up, I'm scared of heights.  I will also not step a foot on it without a harness in place.

Can you give me some advice here?

Thank you.

Nalajr

I have had both API and Summit climbing stands. Either is reliable and SAFE if you do your part and use your stand properly. I would vote for cables, since all the climbing stands I've had have had them. Most are rated to 250 or 300lbs. I have replaced cables after several years because the rubber coating can wear off from use and then they are noisier. I have had some hang-on stands with chains. They added weight and noise but little security to the whole thing IMHO.

[RedShaft]

Had API, summit and now a lone wolf. Summits are great n comfy. Lone wolfs have trap type hing with steel cables inside. Super quiet n strong. I don't agree with the chains only idea.
Maybe on a hang on but not on a climber.

[RedShaft]

As far as safety. It be hart to beat a summit viper with the bar around the from ESP if you are scared of heights. That's the way to go if u can get used to shooting trad bow from it

[Mr. fingers]

Lone wolf gets my vote lighter
Packs flat smaller profile on your back very quiet and as far as trad shooting you will have more clearance to your sidea  and behind you . Summits are more comfortable but a bigger pain to haul. There are trade offs.

[Rustic]

I never heard of a climber with chains but my "Myles Keller Chain On" worked good for a fixed treestand. I loved that treestand till it was stolen. Bought a "Summit Cobra climber" and used that for 10 yrs. I was very happy with that but had a close call climbing down and decided I was too old for climbimg trees. Just remember, "safety comes first". jmho

[Deeter]

Summit Viper here and I love it.

[bamboo]

if your afraid of heights don't waste your money!
you probably won't use it--or worse hurt yourself--
my advise would be-
buy a good stool or tree seat and get sneaky!!

or--start with a ladder stand if your hunting somewhere you can leave it for the season--
good luck either way!!

[babs]

I've had summit, Api, and lone wolf all are very good stands. The api and summit are more comfortable than lone wolf. The lone wolf is lighter and folds down flatter than the rest. The api was the heaviest. If I had to choose just one I would choose my summit bushmaster it only weighs like 17 lbs and since I put my hazmore seat on it, its the most comfotable and the climbing stirups makes it a breeze to climb. If u have big feet like I do my winter boots won't fit under the foot bar on my lone wolf.and the lone wolf was the hardest to climb with. All stands have good points and some drawbacks just my opinion. . Brad

[Gator1]

I have a summit Goliath and it is fantastic.

[cahaba]

Before I quit climbing I had a Summit RazorSS. It had cables and was rated at 300 lbs. I liked it because the rail could be folded down and out of the way. It made shooting longbows a bit easier.

[bamboo]

if your going for the climber---

LONE WOLF--- Made in USA.
Platform size: 30" x 19-1/2".
Weight: 17-1/2 lbs.
Weight capacity: up to 350 lbs.
Camo pattern: Realtree AP™

SUMMIT OPEN SHOT--Seat size: 18" x 12".
Platform size: 20" x 24-3/4".
Weight: 15 lbs.
Weight capacity: 300 lbs.
 Camo pattern

api--Seat: 17"x 11"x 2". Backrest: 11"x 17"x 2". Inside climber: 19"x 20". Platform: 20"x 28". Weight: 23 lbs. Maximum weight capacity: 300

[gvdocholiday]

I've been a summit man for the last 10 years.  Always putting down the lonewolfs because I felt the summit was the most comfortable stands available.  

Well, I felt I should give a lonewolf a try for the season so I'm not totally biased.  

Picked up a lonewolf wide sit and climb before the season started.  Took it out of the box, wrapped it around the tree, then immediately tried to pack it together and put it back in the box.  I felt vindicated...like everything I had pushed online was true.  

I just couldn't let it go...too many people love the LW stands.  So I got onto the LW website and opened up all of the videos pertaining to the sit and climb.  

Watched them religiously.  Turns out...there's almost as much tuning required with the fit of the lonewolf as there is with a bow.  It requires some tailoring.  Spent an hour working on the seat sag and getting the tension to match up with the sit bar.  

Saw how to buckle the seat out of the way when climbing and descending...and learned the proper way to wedge my feet into the side angle supports for maneuvering the platform.  Well...After 6weeks of using this stand religuously, I have to say that when fitted properly, this stand is the most comfortable stand I have ever used...and it's simplistic approach to using the support rungs of the stand rather than additional straps to maneuver the platform is just ingenious.  

Once properly fitted, when standing, the seat folds back and holds, and the seat section, secured with the tension straps simply can't move.  It's solid.  It's a great comfortable stand for hunting with a longbow/recurve.  I've completed three all day sits and managed a few naps....ok quite a few.  

I got the foot rests and also the shooting rail for the stand as well.  Though the shooting rail is still in the box...won't bring that out until blackpowder season.  

If asked now...I will tell people that the LW sit and climb is the best stand I have ever used.  I also tell them that it takes some fitting.  Lots of adjustment...but once set...it's set.  It packs flat, it's light, grips smooth bark trees very well, and of course...it really is the silent partner.  I drag this stand up and down the tree trying to see how loud I can be...and it's just a dull drag.  No hollow metal clanking sound.  

No cables...no chains.

[Nala]

I just checked out the Sit-N-Climb and it is a great looking piece of gear, nice and SIMPLE.  The video was informative too.  It has rubber looking straps that keep it in position.  What surprises me is that there APPEARS to be very little holding it to the tree, no ratchet straps or anything like that.  I guess the way it is designed, none of that is needed.  Once again, I have never been in a tree stand before.

Those Sit-N-Climb stands have a lot of positive qualities, but one negative I can clearly see is PRICE.  They are really expensive.  That one comes in at $429, which is a lot of cash for something I wouldn't use THAT much, you know?  The Summit can be had USED for 1/3 of that and less, depending on how much you want to barter on Craigslist.

Also I guess I picked the wrong time to find "DEALS" on Tree Stands, right at the start of Deer Season when the rut will be starting very soon.  No one is going to want to deal on a stand right now.  I should've had this idea 6 months ago when you could probably find them all over the place for sale at great prices.

One more thing, I was at Academy Sports the other day and they too have Climbers.  They look good and are less expensive that all the others that I have seen.  Anyone ever used or owned one from Game Winner?

Thanks everyone.

Nalajr

[CoilSpring]

Nala,
Another Gang member posted this link the other day for a VERY afordable API.  Light weight, and folds down flat.  It's designed like the old O'l Man Tree Stands.  Better call em before they're gone...

  http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/api-outdoors-aluminum-marksman-climber-tree-stand.aspx?a=1332952

[ALwoodsman]

I have used a Summit Open Shot for a few years now.  You can find them for $200.  It is a great stand for bowhunting.  It is not as comfortable as the larger Summits but is a lot lighter and does not have the large armrests to get in the way of your bow.