Buying my first climber

[midwesthunter]

I am looking at buying my first climber this summer for about $200 or less. Has anyone had any experience with the Summit Openshot or the Loggy Bayou Mega Transformer?

Also, how long does it take to set up the stand?

[jlm]

I have no personal experience with either, however, as far as set up goes, it depends. If you have a nice straight tree with no limbs, less than a couple of minutes. If you have a lot of cutting to do, it might take an hour. However, after the first set up, it should take less than a couple of minutes following. Climbers have some eal advantages when you have good trees. However, in some areas they are very limited. Get the most comfortable one you can afford. Be sure to account for bulky clothing when you try one out! Good luck!

[snapcrackpop]

What size are you? Are you hunting far from your vehicle?

I have the openshot and like it because it is light, 14 pounds. But my heavier buddies can't use it because they have a hard time lifting their legs while hanging from their forearms. They would do better with the Viper style.

[fishermn]

I have both a Viper and a Goliath. They are excellent units, and I think they are only 19 or 20 lbs. I would highly recommend either one, they are one of the best climbers on the market today.

[harvey lee]

Loggy Bayou makes some well built stands. I have seen some of the stands companies make and when you sit in them and move just a little, they squeak. If you have a chance, sit in one and shift your weight around to see how quite it is. One can take instant foam and spray it in the channels on the ones that squeak and it will take most if not all of the noise away.

[palisade1kid]

I use the API grand slam supreme magnum.

It's quite,has plenty of room and a seat for going up & down.Padded arms and a ton of back cushion.

A shooting rest that converts to a foot rest.

When bow hunting it opens up dropping the shooting rest & with my harness saftey strap on I can lean out for those wierd shots.

I've never had 1 mishap & they are quite.

They are a bit heavier ,but I'm into sitting all day & like the added comfort.

[FlatBottom]

I own a Summit. I really like it, very comfortable. As long as you have a fairly straight tree, setup is in minutes. I'd recommend doing some daylight scoutting for the tree you want to set up in, because trying to find a tree early morning can be a treat . I put one of those reflector pins on the tree so I can find it in the dark. You'll find that different trees the stand will be noisier than others. Once I get to the height I want, I rock back and forth to get the teeth to dig in a bit otherwise it'll sqeak.

[DRH1175]

I own the summit goliath spend the money it will be worth it. I hunted all year out of it and wonder how I did it without it in the past. Can sit for hours and get places I couldn't in the past. Very easy to carry a long ways.

[sportfish]

I have a gorilla sliver back maggnum got it at gander for $139. I think for the money its great roomy quite and solid. some of them cheep climber feel unsafe when up in a tree, so dont get to cheep..