Climber treestands

[Terry Lightle]

Thinking about a climber.Looking for feedback good or bad on brands and styles.

[PaulDeadringer29]

For me, the only negative is being able to only climb relatively straight trees with no big limbs.

[sheepdogreno]

Used one only once. Never again. Climbed 20 ft and top section hadnt sunk in properly. Sat down,boooom, top section gives way folding me up. I was lucky I didn't fall. Now this was yrs ago with a gorilla brand cheaper climber.I've heard great things about summit vipers. For me I'd rather hunt the ground wherever I want. Lot less to carry

[md126]

Summit or Loggy Bayou are very stable and well made stands. I personally have the Summit and I use it 95% of the time. It's a phenomenal stand. Where I hunt finding a good tree in a good location is not usually a problem.

neg- tree selection (not a Prob for me) and takes a little extra time to set up.

Positives- versatility and no one knows where you hunt and/or can steal it

[jamesh76]

I really like the hand climb models.   For me it takes a little more effort from my core muscles and arms to climb VS a sit down model.  But once you get up there you are wide open to shoot.

I have used the Summit and it works well for me.
I believe Lone Wolf makes one which is around 12 lbs.

[Chuck Jones]

I have been using a Lone Wolf sit & climb, this season. I can't imagine another brand that is as quiet, solid, and easy to use, as this stand. They are expensive. However, Lone wolf stands are made in the USA in Illinois.

I'm over 60 years old, but have no trouble packing the stand in, setting it up on the tree, and climbing. I wear a harness, and keep hooked up while climbing and sitting.

Using a climber can really be an advantage for hunting deer. It doesn't take long for them to pattern a more permanent stand. I scout for suitable trees, and can set the stand according to deer movements, wind, thermals, etc.

[md126]

Sorry I meant Lone Wolf, not Loggy Bayou (although they are probably ok too)

[dbd870]

I have a Viper and I picked up a good trick on here; adjust the seat so it is level with frame and then put the seat and foot parts closer to each other - helps with longer lengths of traditional bows.

[Biggamefish]

For bow hunting look at the summit open shot or the lone wolf models.  The Lone wolfs fold up really nice but are expensive.  The summit open shot isn't cheap but not on the high end.  I have it I and it is very comfortable and light weight.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I have a Lone wolf. traded for it from a guy who prefers his summit Open shot.  I love the Lone wolf but finding a good tree can sometimes be an issue without being in the wide  open.

I was busted by 4 deer in one morning this year because i looked like a giant blob on a tree in the open. I have since adjusted my tree to sit in, in that area.

[freedomhunter]

I have a summit open shot.  It's nice to sit in, but where I live I am finding it hard to set up quietly as I walk through the thick stuff with it.  That's not just this stand but any stand.  I also find the foot base a little small for my liking, but I hate heights.  

Good stand and all I just think I am getting out of the climbing tree game.

[Gordon Jabben]

Terry I really like the Lone Wolf hand climber also.  I use it about 90% of the time.  It works well on the post oak in our area.

[Possum Head]

The Summit Open shot and Specialist are light and bow friendly but you would have to look far and wide for a louder material. This aluminum is said to possess Summit's SD technology. If there's a funnier joke I aint heard it. I bought the 16 lb Specialist last year because I cycle a good piece through the woods to get away from the yuppies. I dont miss the weight of my Ole Man Vision but the comfort and quietness is hard to beat. I dont think the aluminum on the Lone Wolfs has the ring you get with the Summits.

[stykshooter]

I've got the Lone Wolf very stable & I like the Loggy Bayou but heavy

[Mr. fingers]

Lone wolf hand climber combo. The Best!!
Folds flat,very light, for,stealthy approaches to your huntimg area. Also it's the quietest. Cast aluminim platform. No welds or seams to creak or pop in the cold and no square tubing to tink and bing.
Expensive yes but worth every penny I have had mine for ten years. And would buy another in a heartbeat if anything happened to mine.

[CDorton]

I have the summit specialist. I like it, but kinda wish I would have spent the extra for a lone wolf. My specialist is really comfortable, light, and easy to use. But, as possum head said above, it is noisy if you bang the top and bottom together. I can set up silently if I'm careful, but I'm guessing the lone wolf would be more quiet. That, and I really wish my summit would fold flat like the lone wolfs do.

[freedomhunter]

Open shot is the same way I guess as the specialist, because even putting the rubber coated metal straps around the tree still clank really loud when snapping them into place.  I thought it was me that could not get into my stand without it sounding like someone was installing a metal roof.

[fujimo]

heres a link to a thread i started a week or so ago
   http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=141205#000000\\  

i will be buying a LW hand climber.
from what i see- u tube etc- this is what i like about it:
1.simplicity
2.light weight
3.strength to weight ratio
4.quiet
5.easy to pack in.
6.quick, easyand simple to use
7. and what i really like , is that i could probably even use it as a packboard to get the deer out.
8. i might have to upgrade the shoulder straps and put a proper waistband on it, to achieve  the above point
9. i can use the seat part of the stand as a torges style seat.
10.i will build some bags that clip on easy to the footstand(pack board) part- so i can carry some gear with me- or even backpack overnight hunts.
cheers
wayne

[kiamichi kid]

I borrowed a summit with the open front for my hunt at MCAAP this year. I loved it. Most comfortable stand i have sat in to date and was able to easily get off a shot sitting down with my 62" longbow. I'm sure the Lone wolf would be easier to set up and carry in but the factor draws me to the summit is the "hanging" seat....just doesn't get much for comfortable for a long hunt.

[South MS Bowhunter]

I have the Lone Wolf hand climber I brought off of the classifies here a couple years back love it!

I can't think of a better option then this stand or company. Yea I'm a fan boy    but when a product shines it worth telling others about it.

As others have already stated ease of operation, pack-ability, QUIET, open with nothing in the way of your limb are it's strong suits.

If there is a negatives it is in the area of comfort, this is not the lazy boy and can be hard on the bottom especially if your light in that area  

I added some military pack straps and lumbar support to make it easier to pack and it made a world of difference.