Whats in a good Climber?

[HootTooten]

Newbee here!!!! Great forums! I have been a secret shopper of this site for a year now and can say enought good things about the information and knowlege that you all posses. That being said; I have been bowhunting for 10+ years and am now looking at buying a new climberstand. The one I bought in 1996 is no longer as "hightech" today as it was back then. I'm looking for everyones advice on whats outthere now. The main useage will be hikeing it into the woods so portability is high on the NEEDS TO HAVE list. Not looking to take out a second mortgage either. $200.00 range.

Thanks for letting me join the HSO crew.

Good hunting!

[Deitz Dittrich]

Hoot- its great to have you with us.. welcome, and please do check in often! I look forward to reading your posts and learning from your 10+ years exp!.

As for climbing stands.. I have a Summit Viper.. Love the thing.. cant get enough of it. If I am in an area that I can use my climber, I do it.. As I can sit in that thing about twice as long as I can any of my hang ons because its so comfortable. I do think you are going to have a tough time finding a quality product that you trust for under your $200... The viper that I have I think retails for about that $250ish maybe a little more.

I just looked on Cabelas site, and didn't even see a climber listed under $200

[snapcrackpop]

I have the Summit Openshot (14 pounds) $199 or the Bushmaster (18 pounds) for $169.

But you have to hang on with your arms/hands as you climb.

Otherwise the Viper is a little more, but has the bar in front to "sit and climb".

Oh, and use the "search" tab up above now that you are registered.

[HootTooten]

Thanks for the greetings! $200.00 might be a little low. I can live off of noodles and Tang for a while i guess. Sounds like $250-300 is more of a ballpark. Do you know of anywhere that allows you to sit in them and climb before you buy?

[CROPDUSTER56386]

I have the API Grand slam bowhunter, i like it there is lots of room on the platform,the seat is very comfortable,its easy to use,very quiet. I dont know if they make that model any more i bought it 7 years ago but there must be something like it out there. I think that i paid $250.00 for it and it was the best money i have spent in a long time

[harvey lee]

Many different companies to choose from. I have used Summit and they work well. Some of the less expensive ones do make noise when you shift your body in the stand to shoot. We still use them but we took some foam in a can and filled the channels of the tubing to quiet the stands. Hands down these climbers are the quietest stands to hunt out of and the most comfortable. Many good stands in the $220-$250 range for you to look at.

Another stand that has not been mentioned and is as far as I'm concerned the caddy of climbers is the Lone Wolf climbers. They are simply the best I have ever used. Yes, they are a little spendy at $360 each but I wouldnt purchase another model other than the Lone Wolf again. One might need to save somewhat longer for this stand but I do feel its worth the wait.

I would also like to welcome you to Fishing Minnesota and Hot Spot Outdoors. We do look forward to your posts and are glad you are with us.

Good luck this fall.

[Tenpoint]

I know it's tough to spend the money, but your stand is not the place to try to skimp by. Buy the best you can afford. You want a stand to be quiet and comfortable. You will spend more time in it, and be more successful. You will sit for hours/days in your stand, you only shoot your bow seconds.

[harvey lee]

I forgot about one more very,very important issue with the tree stands. Do your family a favor and purchase a good tree safety harness. I purchased my son one of the newer style vest harness that is like a life jacket. he said it is very cool, fits well and doesnt restrict his shooting. Also very easy to get in and out of.

A good extra to purchase.

[tealitup]

I did a search on hsolist for Summit Viper stands. One is being sold "now" for $250 and there is one on auction with one day left standing at $157.

Can't hurt to give it a shot

[HootTooten]

Good stuff! This is why I like this site so much...foam in the tubes. It sounds like theres realy no place to try out the stands before you buy so all your feed back is actualy like me trying them out in the store. Thanks guys I will post a pick of my 30pointer and my new treestand later this year. Back to work....

[harvey lee]

Sit in the climber you are going to buy first. If you are a bigger guy, make sure you can sit in it and then stand without your hips touching the sides. If your hips touch the sides, the top part of the stand will want to follow you up and create some noise which could cause that deer to bolt away.

[rippinlips]

Good point Harvey just want to add to it that remember that you will also be wearing more clothes when you out hunting as the season gets cooler so make sure you will have room for the extra clothes. There nothing worse then out smarting a deer and spooking them away do to stand noise.

[HootTooten]

Has anyone used the Goliath by summit? In the photos on the HSOforum the hunter has no problem standing/possing with the stand on his back, but in reallife I need to be walking around. Does it pack well?

[bigbucks]

A good hunter...

Sorry I couldn't help myself.

[DRH1175]

Spend the money on a summit climber and you won't be sorry nor look back. I bought a Summit Goliath last year. Spent a little more that I wanted but was glad I did

[snapcrackpop]

I don't know of any place that allows you to try them out.

Anyone else....?

Hoot,

What size are you?

Can't beat 14 pounds for "portability" as you stated.

But if you are built like a football player then anything under 30 pounds shouldn't be a problem for you.

[fivebucks]

I have the summit backpacker and it is very comfortable and breaks down flat which makes it a little easier to squeeze between trees on the way in. It is not real light, I think 23 lbs or so. Just another option for you.

[HootTooten]

I'm 6'1 200lbs. I dont think that 30lbs is to heavy for a stand. It's more how the stand fits on one's back that is a issue. Five...do you notice any added noice with the joints on your Backpacker? That looks like a great stand. Besides spraying WD40 on the joints and letting all the noses in the woods know you are there, as anyone found a product that is sent free and lubes well? Keep it clean guy's!!!

[Gus]

Dry silicon lube should work good as a preventor. If something squeeks when I'm out in the woods I just spit on it. Anything to get the noise to quit.

[fivebucks]

Hoot,

If you put it together slow and careful there is no added noise. The top cable piece spreads out from the main piece and is secured by a nut encased in plastic so it goes on easy. The pieces have plastic washers where there is movement and it is quiet. I have more problems making metal contact noises by accidentally banging items into my stand and actual climbing. I am 20 lbs heavier than you and this stand works great for me.

[DooWap]

I have the Summit Razor, same as the Viper except the bar folds under the seat when you're done using it for climbing. If you're looking for mobility the difference between a steel climber weighing around 35 lbs and an aluminum weighing 20 lbs can be a huge difference. Also that extra weight can wear on you when you have to climb 20-30 ft up a tree. The only beef I have with the Summit is that it's so comfortable I just want to sit back and take a nap while I'm hunting

[fishermn]

I have both a Goliath and a Viper. The Goliath is plenty roomy for someone your size. I am a fair bit bigger and I find my Goliath roomy even in December when I am wearing heavy cold weather clothing. As for the weight, I think my Goliath is roughly 22lbs. Really, its hardly noticeable unless you are really hiking a long distance. Its an extremely solid stand, and I would definitely recommend any of the Summit stands. They also come packaged with a pretty good safety harness.

[surewood]

I have the summit viper. I've used the Lone Wolf and it was'nt nearly as comfortable. I'm 6'0" 200 lbs and have no problems with the viper. It cost a bit more than people want to spend but it gives you so many options versus built or hang on stands.

[maros91]

I purchased the Lone Wolf a couple of weeks ago for $350. 14lbs and you can carry on your back and you don't even know it's there. Tried it on a tree and i was 15 ft high in about 2 minutes. Sat and moved around and didn't make a noise. Like HL said this is the Caddy of climbers and well worth the price. probably will never have to buy another climber again.

[harvey lee]

Bill

I am glad you are happy with the Lone Wolf, they are simply one awesome climber.