I'm looking for a new open front climbing tree stand. I like the Lone Wolf Alpha because of the large 19.5" X 30" platform. I was just wondering if the seat will fold up when standing? The Summits seem to have a lot smaller platform. I'm looking for something very light weight. The LW is 15 pounds! Any other suggestions? Thanks.
I like my lone wolf a lot. Have used some summits in the past and they are good stands - but I feel the lone wolf is in a class by itself - super quiet - and the seat can be set away (into the tree) using a bungee cord - easy to stand straight up next to the trunk - although I would say to never get your feet next to the tree on any climber - keep em out just a little. For bowhunters Lone Wolfs are the only stand we recommend.
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Sold my summit for a LW and wouldn't go back. yeah its a little heavier, but folds nearly completely flat and interlocks for carrying (I've got the sit-n-climb), is easy to attach my fanny pack to...and is BY FAR the quietest stand I have ever used.
I use the locking straps (that lock the seat to the platform, and when I stand, the cusioned sling seat slides back quietly to the tree....using my hamstrings to push it back as i stand).
my ONLY complaint with the LW is I wish the seat section was a little bit wider...sometimes with my 38" waist and a couple layers plus wool it can get a little snug left to right.
My question was specifically about the hand climber model. You guys have any experience with them?
I am talking about the hand climber.
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I have been using a Summit Open Shot for a couple of years. Heard so much about LW stands that I bought one this year. I like that the LW folds flat, but it is heavier. It is more of an elbow climber that a hand climber. The Summit does not fold flat, but that has not created much of a problem for me. It is lighter. They are both quiet while climbing, and they are both stable once up a tree. I will be selling the LW. Guess it is just a personal preference.
I thought the LW was 15 pounds and the Summit 16 pounds?
You should add about 2 lbs to LW's stated weights.
Yes - heavier ---- I don't know why - mine is old and when I bought it - it was sold as 14# or something - and I think mine is 20# - feels like it -- but it does travel well - low profile - very functional and all that.
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Sold my Summit went with LW. Summit was noisier though a bit easier to climb with. You really can't go wrong with either but I love those sinching straps on the LW. A really solid feeling stand.
I like my LW, don't use it all that much. The seat does not fold up when I stand but there is enough room to stand. It is the most silent hand climber I have seen. Mine is several years old and is only 14#'s.
The platform depth is 24 3/4" for the summit and 30 for the LW. That's a no brainer for me. Do they measure them the same. What do you think Cory? Thanks to all so far.
Platform is larger than most - 30 inches sounds correct - but I don't have it in front of me - hunted it yesterday afternoon and Yes - no doubt "more" room than most stands of equal weight. When I am seated I tend to put my heels on each outer corner - resting my feet "off" the stand - but there is plenty of room to hold my feet and stance when standing - even with the seats set to sit - My 18 inch lacrosse are size 11 and can climb this stand easily ------------ The platform (for me) is enough to get around quietly - moving when needed - and shooting behind the tree if needed - at least most of behind the tree - obviously there is a blind spot - this with the seat "up" used set as Knee High - which is comfortable for me - Thighs level to the ground when sitting. Clarification on the seat folding - I mean I can fold mine (seat flipped up) - against the tree - OR - set it to sit - I do one or the other - depending on time of day - and the other option is to just hang the seat/climber section - way high and to the back - if you know you want to stay standing with everything "out" of your way.
I really like this lone wolf for afternoon hunts - I change trees constantly - deer almost never pick me out - entry is quiet enough - no noisier than squirrels - and I have no scent left on steps ever.
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I you go with the i would get the sit an climb the seats more comfortable an climbs better. i have both hand an sit climb lonewolf an a summit. The summit is my all day stand cuz its the most comfortable buy far but does not carry as easy. hope this helps
I have the alpha hand climber and like it for the most part. Mine weighs right at 15# and packs like a dream. The seat can be rigged to fold up when you stand by using the supplied bungee, but it is a hassle. I usually don't worry about the seat since the platform is large enough to stand on. I've used about every type of climber made and this stand wins hands down. That being said I'm spoiled to using my lock-ons that have been pre-positioned when possible.
I had one...hopefully they have updated the seat since a couple years ago. I sold it after 3 hunts. The seat went well past uncomfortable in the the downright painful range. :eek: :eek: I only have a 34 inch waist, so I know it is not because I am too big for it. I am currently spoiled by my Equalizer for hunting in Fl and the Summit Goliath (oh so comfy!) for hunting up North.
BTW: this was the sit & climb model
Love mine. I can have it set up, strappd to the tree and climbed in about 5 minutes. It is plenty comfortable for 2-4 hours, can be a little rough going all day, but I've done many times. I actually like sit and climb type climbers better, but for lightness, compactness and quietness you can't beat it.
Buy the Lone Wolf Alpha, you will not regret it. I have 2, a 1999 model and a 2006 model. I prefer the 99 as the climber will just slide into the base and you can get out of the woods quick and quiet. The seat can fold up, but you should use a bungee on the seat if you atempt it. I have never had the seat get in the way, and I am in my 9th season with the alpha.
I have the sit and climb and love it. I bought mine last year and the old style seat wasn't very comfortable. I put Summit seat on it and love it. Hopefully the new style seat is better.
One thing I really like about the sit and climb is having the ability to adjust the belts as I climb. While facing the tree and sitting on the bar, you can pick up the base with the stabilizing straps and wrap your legs around the outside to hold it up. Then you can lean over and adjust the belt. Of course my harness is hooked up when I do that.
The LW is slightly heavy, but is worth it. I have a 13 lb Timbertall that stays home.
For my hunting style my lone wolf climber is perfect. The seat wont get in the way. You won't be disappointed.
Jason
I use mine just like Cory does...have since the first year they came out with the traction band. As a matter of fact mine was converted from the original v-bar climber.
I still use it how the used to recommend with the bungie with the hook on it so it can be flipped up when you stand.
I love it and wouldn't change a thing about it!
The new ones have tension straps so when you get to were you need to be you just tighten up an everything stays in place, an the base cant get a way from ya while climbing
Cory's comments are my sentiments exactly. The Lone Wolf climber is my favorite stand. I like a climber cause I'm always hunting different spots and I can be strapped in to my safety belt from the ground up which is the safest way to climb.
Very quiet to climb with. You will need to use it a few times to learn how 'tight' to put the stand at the base of the tree so its angled correctly when you get to the height you want to hunt, but it won't take you long to figure that one out.
Seat comfort is determined by how high you set the seat and also at what angle. Again, you'll quickly learn whats most comfortable for you.....
Buy one, you won't be disappointed...
I'm with Wally - I have the older style nylon "hammock" seat, and so long as you get the height and the angle on the top half right you can sit in it all day. That being said, if you get it wrong it can be very uncomfortable. I like to have mine just a bit below parallel with the ground - that way you just ease out of the stand and the seat simply slides quietly out of the way. It doesn't kill your hamstrings either. My buddy bought a new one last year with the two-piece foam cushion seat, but you end up with the top portion a lot higher up to get the same seat height. I like my seat better, I just wish I could have found an ol-man replacement web seat when they were still in business. That would make my stand pretty much perfect for me.
I have a LW and love it, very stealthy. Tie down straps aren't worth a darn neither is shoulder straps, must upgrade over time. Had a summit viper with sitting rail, very comfortable. Rail got in the way for my bow limbs, and seat was hard to get up out of without to much movement, pant legs always got hung up as I carried it.
The LW hand climber is the bomb. I'm not a fan of heights, but even I don't need to fold the seat up (though I did a bit initially) as the platform is plenty big.
It's a great stand.
I've hunted with the sit and climb for about 5 years now and loved it. But this year I got the hand climber and actually like it alot more. I personally wouldn't hunt out of any other climber!
I use the bunge cord and some small screw in bow holder hooks under the seat strap. Hang a fanny pack and back quiver and keeps the seat steady when I fold it up when I stand. (Alpha)
I was checking out the LW website and noticed the strap that you can get to convert the hand climber to a sit and climb. Is it worth it? Anybody use one?
OK measured mine this morning - 30 X 19 1/2 --- but the actual platform you use is 27 X 19 1/2 - those extra inches go back along the sides that hug the tree 3 inches on each side - not actual foot placement inches - but helpful in the design for steadiness inches. Small item - but since measurement deck is important to you - I checked. Hey Ya'll another thing about these stands - and I prefer Chippewas in place for most morning hunts - and on ragged hardwoods on some afternoon hunts - but it is amazing how effective these lone wolfs are - we take a TON of deer out of em - even thow we use them only about a 1/3 of the time we hunt stands. They are deadly!
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John, If you want to make a sit and climb out of it, it works fine. But personally I think it's just as easy to hand climb it.
I have the hand climber and it works well.It carrys real good for the longer walks.It does not climb as easy as some stands but once up it is perfect for bow hunting.Don't pay any attention to the advertised 14lb thing.That is bogus to sell them.They weigh just over 17lbs.
The hand climer seat is Great. It folds up flat against the tree very quietly with a bungie to keep it from falling. I have no problem with comfort plus I keep the seat fairly high so standing up has very little movement. I even purchased a 2nd seat that goes on out of state hunts with me in my duffle, that way I can convert anybody's climber stand base to a Hand Climber.
Also I have size 14-15 boots. Even pack boots work for the climbing base...Doc
A little hharder to climb with but I like the shot opportunities. I had a Summit Viper and bought the LW handclimber. I use the Summit base and the LW handclimber. It wont fold up to the tree(unless you strap it) but you can swing it around the tree and out of your way. I like the set-up thus far. The LW is not near as comfortable as the Summit IMO.
Mike
Well guys, I ended up going with something a little cheaper. I was looking at $250-260 for a used one, and then would have to pay shipping. I think the packability would have been really nice, but decided to go with one I thought would be more comfortable. I bought a Summit Razor SS. It has a nice looking sling seat that pushes out of the way when needing the room. It has a sit/climb bar that folds underneath and out of the way for a fully open front. It doesn't fold flat, and weighs a little more, but I think I will be able to spend more time in this one. Thanks for all the help.
So many stands, so little time....
(Lone Wolf all the way. best money I have spent, besides my bow)
one of my biggest complaints about the summit was the cable & steel block assmebly being inserted into the hollow tube always made noise no matter how quiet and how much care I took. the belt on the LW is way quieter. (Also brush whacking off the hollow tube made a heck of a racket.)
I have had several Occasions with the LW where I got up the tree only to discover a bedded deer nearby. they never happened with the summit.
Ditto what hickstick said!