Climbing Stands

[LT01]

Anyone have any experience with the API Grand Slam Extreme climbing stand? Thinking of going to a climbing stand but I have never used one.

[BradB]

I bought a Summit Viper X4 this season and it is one of the best pieces of hunting gear I've ever owned. It's light, quiet, easy to set up, and comfortable. It's actually quite a bit of fun to go up and down the trees with it. I was told by a reliable source that this was the best one to get, so I didn't really shop around. But I have not been disappointed.

[LT01]

BradB,

What store carries them?

[BradB]

I bought mine from Joe's Sporting Goods in Saint Paul, and it was the last one they had. The salesman told me that they sell them as soon as they get them in. You could try the usual online retailers as I'm sure they carry it. Also, check out their HSOforum to get a feel for what they have.

The Viper X4 weighs only 20 pounds and easily converts to a backpack. I was able to tie all my gear into the stand, carry it on my back, and move easily through the woods.

When you get to the tree you want, simply untie the two pieces and assemble them to the tree. Each part has a coated cable (for silence) that easily engages and disengages from the assembly. Disengage, wrap around the tree, and re-engage. Then I tie a rope between the two, climb in, and work my way up a tree. The bottom piece has foot holders that make it easy to pull it up when your weight is on the top part. I do bring a small saw to cut off branches (if necessary) and on most trees (popples, ash, etc., I can be 20 feet up about 10 minutes after I get there. I've actually fallen asleep in this stand, it is that comfortable and stable. The safety harness that comes with the stand is also very robust.

All in all, I found the design to be very well thought out. I think it is really a good product.

[Guest]

Bought a hunters view for 100 bucks at pamida last year. I woulndt give it up. Hunts as good as my friends 275 model. Easy to use,built like the 275 model, rated at 300#.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I too bought the Summit Viper X4 this year and have been as pleased as could be.. I cant believe how long I went without a climber stand. Soooooooo much more confortable than any strap on stand I have sat in.

[Guppy]

Question for you Summit Viper users. Do you use your stand for bow hunting? I'm wondering if the bar will interfere with bow movement when trying to take a shot. Wondering if maybe the Cobra X4 might be a better choice for this reason?

[BradB]

I don't bow hunt (not yet, anyway) and haven't used it as such. I can't see how the stand would interfere, however, especially if you are standing up to shoot. Even then, it doesn't seem to me that the stand would be in the way if you are sitting.

Another benefit of the Viper X4 is that you can sit in it backwards and look behind the tree. On several occasions this year I did just that, sitting on the shooting rail and looking at the swamp behind me. I didn't find it uncomfortable or unsafe to do so.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Guppy, I dont rifle hunt, and I have the Viper X4 for my climber. The seat is ajustable, so, that means if you would like you can have the seat lower and use the front bar as a gun rest.. Or have the seat so that its pretty high and then it only sits at about your knees. I put it so its somewhere between and use it to hold my bow. I have never had a problem drawing the bow with it there. However I am 6'3"...I would think it should be fine for everybody.

[jigglestick]

i also bought a hunters view climber. it is rated for 3 bills and with myself and gear, i closely approach that number. i wish it had a higher weight capacity, but i know it will hold me without any problem. has so far, and it is comfortable.

the problem i have run into with this stand, is that you need to strap your boots into this arrangement to climb and then again to decend. difficult at best. the part where you climb down is very awkward and down right dangerous!

i quit using it for that reason.

now i have remedied the situation.

the sole purpose for the straps, is to be able to lift and free the lower part of the stand from the tree to enable you to move it freely up or down the tree trunk. thus the old addage"necessity is the mother of invention" comes into play.

i designed a bar that lays flat on the lower platform when not in use, but is easily flipped up by a small rod extension when needed. this bar extends from side to side and is bent to fit inside the square tubing that the cables slide nito. i ground clean the surface, and welded (it is a steel stand)a sadle type tube on the top of the square tubing, position the tubing/bar assembly so the ballance of the bar location naturaly allowed the stand to tilt downward freeing it from the tree.

it is not as confusing as it may sound.

i see some of the newer stands now have plastic clip on stirrups instead of the straps. a grand improvement.

i would be happy to take pictures of it if anybody is in the same boat, and looking for a way to avoid using them blakity blank straps!

good hunting

[BradB]

My Viper X4 has the plastic clip you talk about. It is quite easy to put my feet (with big boots) in and out, and move about. It is also rated for 300#. I'm down about 105# since April of this year, so I didn't really have a problem.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Yep.. the plastic clips are called "rapid climb stirups".. if you have older summit stands I believe you can order or buy them.. very easy to use for sure. I feel very safe in mine.

[Buckslayer]

LT01, to answer you original question, I hunt out of Grand Slam and like it a lot. Works good for gun and bow. Nice and light and easy to set up. Climbers are definetely the way to go if you plan on sitting all day.

[orchdork]

LT01, I have an API GSX like you are looking at. Works great is very comfortable. Sat in permanent tree stands for 35 years until my daughter got me this for Christmas and now I wouldn't go back.

I agree with Jigglestick about the straps. I wouldn't mind if you posted a picture of the attachment that you made. I would modify mine for sure.

That's the only complaint.

[JustEnoughToEat]

Lt01- I have a Warren-Sweat from Cabellas. The best thing I have ever bought for hunting. I like the belt system for adjusting to the size of the tree, it adjusts in about quarter inch incraments and is very quiet. The absolute bomb in Ripley.

[DrKen]

I also have a climber and the one thing not mentioned here is the diameter of the tree needed to use it. Mine recommends a 12"tree and I have used it on trees down to 8-9" but the stability can be touchy. I also agree on the straps being a pain. The rapid climb stirrups sound great and I would be interested in the mod mentioned above for mine. They are comfy and nice way to hunt.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Here is a picture of the Rapid Climb stirups in case anybody is interested.

[jigglestick]

just email me and i will send interested parties the pictures of the modification