I tried my hunting partner's LW sit and climb this evening. I must say, I was thoroughly disappointed. It was very difficult to get the lower platform level once 20 feet in the air. The seat was quite narrow as well. I think if I had a layer or two under my KOM hillbillies I may still be out there-STUCK!
Now my reel beef with this stand. I was wearing a pair of Danner Canadians this evening and I had trouble keeping my feet under the foot bar as I climbed and descended. What gives?? Please tell me I am missing something here. :rolleyes:
I will give credit in one dept.--It is very quiet while climbing.
As far as the platform level.....you kinda have to get the knack for estimating how much the tree thins out where you want to climb to, and start out with the appropriate tilt up at the start.....At least that's how I've done it for about 12 yrs. with my hand climber version.....
When climbing, I stick the toe of my boots into the side "tri-angle" created by the side rail and the locking hinge as they come off the platform....much easier way to climb and control the platform! I've tried the other way, didn't like it....
Yep. A lot of folks think you're supposed to put your feet under the crossbar. Not so. Just about impossible and quite dangerous to do it that way. Supposed to put the front part of your foot/feet in the triangle formed by the vertical brace and the diagonal bar that holds the cable.
Wouldn't hurt to check out LWs website. They explain how to use the stands there.
What Curt said... It takes some practice....
Can't wait to try my new LW hand climber later this week!
What Curt said....plus I use a bungee cord around my heels to keep my platform from falling out from under me.
And like Curt said...it take a knack for getting the tilt right....and at times I've had to climb back down and change it as I don't like the front tilting down...a little up is ok, but not down at all.
Yeah, the seat is a little small, but I stand most of the time with the seat rotated around the tree and rotate it back around if I want to take a seat break.
they do sell a "wide" version as well. im a big guy and if i decide to buy one, thats the one to get. i think its another 3" wider.
gaff
I was gonna buy the seat climber model, but thankfully the young man I was buying it from warned me about the seat being too narrow for a big guy. I bought the hand climber version and I really don't know how anyone can climb without adding strap to sit on. It works well for me with it. I also sit on the strap and adjust the stand if I'm climbing a tree that tapers severely. I wear a safety vest going up and down.
You guys that are having trouble climbing with the hand climber....
How do you climb with it?
Do you rest your elbows on the seat and pull up your legs/stand?
Or do you use the climber above your head and do it "pull-up style".....because the latter is tough for anyonethat's not in tip-top shape.
Climbing with your elbows rested on the seat/climber and pulling up your feet couldn't be any easier....
They now make a sling aid for the hand version...just seen it on the website.
The tilt problem is there with any treestand, not a lone wolf problem. My size 10.5 mucker boots, which are big fit in the designated spot just fine, and as far as the seat too narrow, you can either buy the wide seat, or lose some of that big butt !
Guru, I can't get both elbows on the seat its too narrow. I have used hand climbers on other stands without any problem. Thats why I added the web strap, now Lone Wolf offers one so I guess I must not be the only guy with the problem. Love it with the strap though. :)
Got to practice getting the platform level set up prior to climbing. This true with any climber though. Ditto to what was said above as far as foot placement, toes out at an angle. I have the hand climber and like Guru said, I rest my elbows on the platform.
I'm 6'5" 275 pounds size 13 boot- I have no problem using my LW hand climber at all, the more you use it the more you will like it! I use my elbows and drag my log legs up etc... the starting angle is a little tricky but you will get used to it. I've had a lot of stands and this is a good one as far as climbers go, wouldn't mind trying the sit strap although I would think I could cover more tree with less caterpilling motion standing rather than sitting. Good luck!
I bring the climber way up till the strap is under my backside, then rest my weight on the strap and lift the platform with my legs not too much sitting. Right Trail how do you place your elbows on the climber??
Well, I grab the belt with my hands and tuck in my elbows on the seat, grunt a little and pull my legs up! I suppose I use my forearms more than anything else. I always wonder what the deer think when they see me climbing up a tree- hah lol, last time out I was about half way up and a deer spooked ran around about 20 yards or so and just looked at me like, what in the hell is that thing doing?
I put a strap across like the older Summits used to have and use the bungees for my heels. I also climb using the pull up method since it is much quicker and quieter. I can get up over 2ft each pull. I usually keep one side locked and only adjust size on the opposite side. If it is a tree I have set up in prior, I take a girls hair thing with beads and wrap on the belt to act as a stop. I think it is the bigger seats and huge penthouse looking treestands that will get deer to look up in trees constantly. The hand climber from Lone Wolf is not for everyone especially those who want living room comfort.
I think you should hang tite and practice with that LW. I've tried a bunch and LW is the best. It's light fast and easy to use once you get it down. They never make a peep unlike some creekers out there. I have size 13 EE shoes and they fit in the triangle so any boot should go. Good Luck
I didn't care for the bottom platform so I use a Summit base and a LW top. I rest my elbows on the seat and climb.
It's actually pretty easy to adjust the belt length on the platform with the hand climber. If I get up a tree and need to shorten the strap I just set the seat pretty low (around chin height) and sit on it facing the tree. Then you can easily put your feet in the triangle and reach down and adjust the strap. Don't know how easy it would be with the sit and climb though.
Leatherneck,
You have hit the nail on the head. I will be using my API base in conjunction with the LW top next hunt. In fact, before I thought about trying the LW sit and climb I was on there web site looking at just the new wide LW top. Seemed like a good combo.
Thanks to all for providing some insight. I am typically open minded about things but this had me frustrated from the start. I watched part of the video prior to going out but then was ousted from my Mac because my daughter had homework so I could not watch the rest! I will check the rest of it out, I am curious about the foot triangle.
Compared to many other climbers the LW is just not as good when it comes to going up and down a tree.It does have many good qualities and I like mine for those reasons but I have had many other climbers that climb a lot better.jmo
In my opinion the LW hand climber isn't near as easy as the other's out there...I have wide shoulders and bringing my elbows in to get them on the seat is very uncomfortable indeed...my summit hand climber (cobra) is much wider for my arms and much, much more comfortable to climb with and sit in. LW has their redeeming qualities in the weight, and packability but flat out do NOT compare in comfort to some of the other brands. My .02 anyhow. Good luck with whatever stand you choose - be safe!
Cook
Great thread. I have learned some good techniques. However, the most important thing I've learned is when I am in or going thru Nebraska, I want RightTrailWrongTime on MY side!!! :archer:
I think the lone wolf is the best by far.But i sewed the seat up on the sit and climb to be level with the frame.So a big guy doesnt get stuck. :biglaugh:
I think it's very quite and well made stand but the design needs some work even the big sit and climb you still sit a little to close to the tree when climbing I guess it works ok if your 5'6"
Love my LW climber - not much more can be elaborated on that has been said. Just takes getting used to.
J
Love mine. I can have it on the tree, up to height and be all buckled in, in just a few minutes. I have the hand climber and it took a few times when I first got it to get used to it, but I can go up and down a tree easily now. I kinda use a combo of my stomach and elbows when I climb. I can tell when I have been using it a lot because my fat stomach muscles are sore.
I used to go back and forth between an old loggy Bayou and the LW, now I use the LW most of the time. I took a carabiner and a big strip of seat belt type material and attached it to the front corners of the hand climber as a step through butt strap and sit and climb. I put an extra foam pad on top of the old one to make the seat thicker. Across the seat I strap a short bungee and after I place the seat I bungee in the rubber belt so the seat can't slip. I also bought a cheap backpack with a waist belt and tie wrapped that to the bottom of the stand for a better cary strap. I mount the teeth down instead of up like it came so if I fall they don't hit the back of my head. The more I use it the more I like it. The quietest stand I have ever used.
I have used a few different climbers, and have settled on one called "The Equalizer". It has a screw device that levels the platforms. I found it to be sturdy, lightweight, and easy to use. Just my 2c worth. Ben
Well I must be one of the few that places the hand climber over my head. I let my upper body hang and then just pull my feet behind me. I tried using my elbows but that felt really awkward and kind of scary to me. I may revisit that style in the future or perhaps get me a sit and climb top half.
I get upto where I want the stand thensit in the seat and wrap my legs around the base platform. tilt it up while holding with your legs undo one side of the traction belt and adjust as needed. Takes some practice but it can be done. Dont forget to safety strap in while adjusting. I've got mine for sale becauseof the weight issues of dragging thatt thing around. Irish has convinced me to hunt on the ground this yearand it isn't going too badly.
"Tilt problem"
I bought a Equalizer this summer and used it for the first time this past week. When the stand starts to tilt all you have to do is crank it level again.
Slickest thing I have seen in treestand design and am absolutely happy with mine.
Yeah Curt....I put it over my head as I can get up faster by making large gains upward that way.
Although...if you climb twice a day for 3 days, the joints in my fingers get to aching...so I use some pipe insulation.
Lots of remarks here about the hand climber are a little on the negative side regarding comfort and ease of climb. I have used this stand exclusively and found it to be much easier to set up and climb with than any others I have used. As I have stated earlier, the addition of a strap closer to the middle of the stand where you have better platform balancing seems to make climbing quicker and quieter than as shipped. I do 8 pull ups and I am about 20 ft up. Anyone wish to sell me one cheap?
I have had a Lone Wolf sit and climb for many years. Just updated to a new one last year. I am able to level the stand after climbing if needed by sitting on the climbing bar and pulling the lower part up within reach with the side straps. Then I hold the lower part between my knees while I shorten or lengthen the toothed belt. This is pretty easy to do.
Thanks Bill, I will give that a try.
I appreciate everyone's insight both negative and positive. The information that is offered here is priceless regardless of the topic! What a great place to be apart of :)
Here's another neat trick. Get some 1/2" wide banding material the length of the exposed part of the belt when the stand is packed up. Get a piece of shrink tubeing and stretch it over the exposed belt. Slide the banding material between the shrink tubeing and the back side (opposite side of the knobs or tree side of the belt). Then heat the tubeing up and shrink it. This stiffens the belt a little, adds practically no weight, and makes it climbs a little easier by "getting out of the tree" easier. I hope this makes some sort of sense, but it really helps and I only do this to my platform strap. If anyone is interested I can probably get some pics.
Pics please Ethan. I keep watching the video on LW web site. It sure is simple to go up a telephone pole that is uni-formally shaped from bottom up. Anyway, I am interested in trying the hand climber now. I like the NEW sit and climb strap that they have added. Anyone care to comment on how comfy the seat is on the hand climber? I sit probably 25% of the time while hunting. Again--Thanks!
The Timbertall is adjustable to level out the seat and or platform once you get to the right height in the tree, No guessing what will be level 10-15 feet up the tree. and weighing 12- 14.5#. You don't mind scouting a bigger area and putting up the stand when you find something that looks interesting.I have a baby lite and a Brute lite should be here Monday.
Bob,
How does it digest a 62" Longbow? Or a 62 curve for that matter. Is it trick to draw down on a whitetail? I assume not since you are recommending it, just curious though. Thanks.
Kevin, The only Modification I do on the Timbertall is I move the seat to the top rails on the top unit, so my knees are above even with the top rail. I also use 2 stabilizing straps between top and bottom units, But I do this on all climbing stands, I just feel more secure.
QuoteCompared to many other climbers the LW is just not as good when it comes to going up and down a tree.It does have many good qualities and I like mine for those reasons but I have had many other climbers that climb a lot better.jmo
If there's a better climber out there....I haven't seen or heard of it. I walk sometimes a mi. to stand....and the way this thing packs is worth a LOT.
Setting the platform? Easy at any height. I actually set mine level to begin with (makes it easier to climb) then adjust it when I get close to or at height. Sit on the climb bar (facing the tree) place a foot on each side of the platform, reach down and release the cam and there ya go. Simple.
I climb, "almost" exclusively. I bought my sit and climb last year....and I've been up in it approx. 130X, already. It took me 10-15 times to work out a "system" that works, though. Now? I wouldn't dream of switching. I DID order the hand climber upper for it, yesterday, though. I think it'll give me more clearance to shoot my recurve. If I still shot a compound, I'd never dream of changing uppers. No need to.
If your feet are under the straight portion of the bar as you climb.....you're doing it wrong. I wear 11's and I have NO ISSUES with mine. I typically climb with the sit and climb like I "thought" most did with the hand climber. I use my hands on the sides and push myself up with my forearms. I can get to height in less "bites" this way. Coming down? I'm not above placing the upper over my head and descending that way. I do this if I'm trying to get out in a hurry (if I think the deer I'm hunting hasn't gotten to my spot, yet....and it's dark).
I do ALL of this while connected to the tree, also. If I only climbed a few times a season.....I'd use my Summit. It's a lounge chair compared to the LW. But I rarely sit when I bowhunt....and the LW stands suit my needs just fine. If something happened to mine, today....I'd have another one ordered in a flash.
Thanks for the input Jeff. I am going to give this LW another try and apply the techniques that have been offered here. I think it deserves another shot!
I have to second Bob's vote for the Timbertall. I have two of them and have used them for 4 years. The Baby Lite I have weighs just 12 pounds and is the easiest stand to carry in I have ever used. While my buddies are struggling with their heavy Summit's, I'm walking easy. You simply can't beat the ability to level both the seating portion and the foot portion. I am pretty good at guessing the taper of a tree from the ground, but for those times when I don't get it right, it really makes the sit comfortable when I can just level the thing out.
Like many have said, you can adjust the hand climber while in the air. However, make sure your buckles for the seat and platform are snapped together. Otherwise, if the platform slips away from you it could fall to the ground! Don't ask me how I know this. Also, it's a good idea to double check your harness first and cinch yourself tight to the tree.
Limbow, thanks for posting this, Lots of good ideas.
Brent, I know how you know this :eek: I sell LW and TT. I used the LW sit and climb for several years and knew all the little trick to get it level, very exciting every once in a while. At my age I don't need that type of excitement, I have to save it all for a good buck. Packing in and out 3-4 pounds make a difference. From actual and advertized weight, TT is lighter and easier in everyway....
Bob,
On the baby lite, it says waist up to 38". I am at
the 38" waist. What about heavy hunting cloths??
I sure like the 12.5 lbs vs 14.5 on the 42". What is your thought??? Thanks! I am currently using an Ol Man Elite, suppose to weight 18 lbs, seems more, however, a great stand. I also have a LW climber.
Craig
Craig, The baby lite for me (34") is a little tite but dueable. I ordered the Brute lite today and at 14.5# is still lighter than any other stands I have tried over the years. it is 2" wider and 2" longer and will be more than enough room and more comfortable at 2hrs +...
If that TT is hollow tubing construction....(and it appears it is)....I'd be concerned with noise. I have the Summit, also...and the fact that the LW is MUCH quieter shouldn't be overlooked. I will NOT give up stealth for weight....and I climb a LOT (80+X in '08 and over 50X so far, this season).
Just my .02.
Hi Jeff, I know what your saying about the Summit. One time I climbed a tree and made so much noise that one I reached the height I wanted I came right back down and when home. I sold the summit to my neighbor and he loves it. I'm not sure why but the TT is not noisy at all, I may have used exspandable foam on it, can remember. LW is the quietest stand out there while climbing. The LW sit and climb is heavier than the TT Brute lite. I like climbing and setting in the TT better than any...
Bob,
Thanks for the info. I was worried the baby lite would be too tight for me. Sounds like the brute lite is the way to go for me.
Craig
I use the Lone Wolf sit and climb with an Ol man net seat on it instead of the Lone Wolf seat. I also used the Equalizer for a couple hunts. I did not like the noise of the cable on the Equalizer but the stand was rock solid and easy to use. I also removed the front bar on the sit and climb. I now have a light stand with a dry seat that just slides out of the way when I stand. I don't think there is a stand out there that climbs and sets up as quiet as a Lone Wolf. On a tree and in place in under 3 minutes for me. I painted the platform brown, gray, black, and tan on the ribs from one end to the other and cannot find it in the tree some mornings. Leveling any treestand other than the self adjusting ones takes practice to get the proper angle. Adjustment to the platform can be made by sitting down on the seat where you can comfortably reach the cam latches and tightening the stabiliing straps. You can then unlock and adjust the belt. It is always better to not adjust while in a tree. You are probably safer to climb down and do your adjustments. We have to remember when these stands were smaller and weighed 30 plus pounds to really appreciate the 15- 17 pounders available now.
Three arrows, my dad does the same thing, except he says it's a "lone old wolf". He also extended the tubing out about 6"'s to accept all of the net from the Ol'man stand.
I have had the alpha climber since 99 (I have a 99 and a 04) I hung an old seat belt off the front of the hand climber years ago and it works pretty slick as a sit and climb. I have sat all day and is not bad, not great but not bad. I really like my older one as the hand climber just sets into the top of the base and off you go.
Mike
Here is a net seat for the Sit & Climb you all might be interested in:
http://hazmore.net/cart/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=7&ccSIDa6e70b027d696f1d3afe13fa71f85b8e=f848579ff0cb773750cca51e0a46ce52
I had an early climbing tree stand about 17 years ago and hated it. I didn't feel safe in that thing at all. Well with time most things improve and tree stands have improved no doubt about it. Today was the first time I have used a climber in 17 years. I got the EQUALIZER and WOW is about all I can say, it works slick. It does have one negitive and that is it weights 20 lbs. and I know some are as light as 12 to 14 lbs. But if you don't mind the extra weight this stand might be the one for you.
I mentioned a few weeks back that I was having trouble with the width of the seat, and climbing with my forearms. I just bought the sit strap,and will try it this week. If that doesn't work, I'll use my Summit hand climber and LW base.
Or buy a Summit Viper and never hunt out of another brand climber again :rolleyes:
I use a tree saddle most of the time now but after trying something like 9 different climbers (both lone wolfs included), I found the Summit far superior. I don't know which one you climbed in Bob but the one I used last year was absolutely silent. YMMV...
I've had a Sit & Climb for 3 years and like it alot. Steve O, that net seat looks handy for its 'see through' feature...would make it easier to see your feet and set the base into the tree when climbing. But $20+ for a little piece of netting is pricey so will have to think about a DIY version. Being able to remove the rail to free up shooting room would also be nice, but that rail sure does work well for easy climbing.
My only complaint about this stand is the stabilizer straps are flimsy...the plastic 'buckles' on mine both cracked after a short time. I now use a heavy bungie cord for 'hooking' the top and bottom sections together after reaching final height. It's not as tight or convenient to use as the straps were (need to bend over to hook them) but at least its reliable.
Have never had a problem with the heavier lower section loosening or dropping...its the superlight upper section that tends to loosen unless tension is kept.
The stand is so quiet that on several occasions I've had deer within 60 yards of my tree, while climbing, without spooking them. Try that with a tube stand.