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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Hoyt on July 08, 2011, 05:27:00 PM
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I'm looking to buy either a Spirit, Limit or Windwalker Loc On stand. I've had a Super Spirit before and really liked it, but want to go as light as I can and still have a stand with room enough to at least be able to maneuver around for shots, etc.
Weight wise Windwalker 7-3/4lbs, 17"x20" Limit 8lbs, 17"x26" and regular Spirit ll.lbs, 19"x28" with rope attachment which I've never used (used chain before).
Anybody with any personal experience with any of these stand I would appreciate advice.
Thanks,
Hoyt
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I think the Loc-On spirit is the best stand ever made for all around use. Light enough to carry as far as you need too. I also have a windwalker when I really want to get out there or I'm combining scouting w/ hunting. I'm a big guy, 250ish so I'm maxing that one out I think but I've never felt like it wasn't strong enough. Too small to be comfortable for a long time. I miss the days when I used screw in steps. A spirit and 10 steps were a pretty awesome light weight setup.
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I have a Windwalker, Lem and two Sprits. Rock solid stands - you can straighten out the hook. I don't like them for these reasons. One all four of mine make noise when sitting. Since they started making stands the go on slanted trees I'd never buy one that only went on straight trees.
Bowmania
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I'm a big fan of my Windwalkers for hang-it-and-hunt-it situations. My favorite all around stand is the Climax, but those are too heavy and noisy for quick setups for my taste. The Windwalker fits that bill nicely. You might have to make some adjustments to the seat tension bolts or covering material (like slip a hanky in along the front rail) to quiet things abit (as Todd said, can squeek a little), but they are great otherwise. I've killed several good bucks out of quick setups to take advantage of a developing situation that I wasn't set up for and used Windwalkers for this application.
If you are cooney about heights you might find the Windwalker a bit small. I don't set up in single trunk trees without branches, so I have never felt queasy with the platform size.
Ryan
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My favorite is the Limit. Easy to set, solid and quiet. A little more foot room without much more weight than the Windwalker and a higher seat height. Spent many 12 hour days on stand in a Limit and was as comfortable as one could be sitting in a tree for 12 hours. My vote is for the Limit. Had two of them with API climbing sticks, about a half dozen rope on steps, and the backpack that Loc-On made to fit the Limit/Windwalker. No tree in the woods I couldn't conquer with that setup. Backed over one of my setups with my truck a few years back, that was a sad day, now I'm down to one :(
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Limit!
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Limit with a woodpecker drill and 10 bolts ... the ultimate in mobility
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I like all my windwalkers. They are lightweight and strong. And I can fit one right in my pack. I have also had to add some plastic to the front rail to quiet things. I also carry a small roll of carpet pad(18"x48"). I can't handle sitting too long without it. Gary
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I've had a limit for many years - love it. Only stand I ever use.
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Thanks for all the good info. I was pretty much decided on the Spirit, but since lightweight is my main goal, guess I'm leaning towards the Limit. Just hope it will go on trees as small around as my old Super Spirit would. It would work on a 6" dia. tree.
A lot of areas I hunt are thickets with only very small trees.
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They work in trees smaller than 6". I shot a bear out of a tree so small that I had to rap the cord around the tree twice to have the hole in the cord reach the hook. I was only about 6 or 7 feet up and the bear walked right under the tree. I didn't even look for fear of him hearing my head movement.
That Woodpecker drill and bolt system is the best climbing system I've ever saw or used.
Bowmania
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Awbowman and Bowmania both hit the nail on the head about the woodpecker drill climbing system. Sweet thing is if you climb that same tree next week all you gotta do is insert bolts on the way up.Sweet deal. I carry mine scouting sometimes and when I find a hot spot I go ahead and set a tree up for climbing.RC
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Now that we use a SOP harness ALL the time in hang on stands I have found I can use a much smaller platform and still be comfy and secure. In days of old without a harness I substituted a larger platform for my safety factor.... yes stupid and foolish !
I actually feel I have more shooting options with the smaller platform being that it is out of my way and directly under me.I am leaning toward a Gorilla Silverback hang on due to the awesome seat and light weight.These days the most important part of a hang on for me is the seat.When standing I can lean out using my harness to make more shots. Less chance of getting skylined as well. And yes Bowmania, the Woodpecker and bolts are awesome !!!
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I have several old Spirit models with the old seat. I have adapted new seats to them and really like em. I now use them a perm. stands and use the chain mount method. I have not seen that much of a "squeak" problem but then I have lubed them with silicone.
Great stand.... I do also use some stands with larger foot platforms... getting older and I like the space....
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Great stands! I have 2 of the Limts and wouldn't part with them. I have a few other hang on stands but I love these when I have to set up for one day or one hunt and then move.
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I have a handfull of spirits and lems, but I pretty much use them as permanent stands since I bought a couple lone wolfs. The lone wolfs are just so much more versatile and quiet for run and gun situations.
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Just got done looking at the Loc On website. Does anyone know where these stands are manufactured?
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I always thought they were made in N.C., but the website gives a location of Waterford, Ohio.
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Where can you get the woodpecker drills now? I have one that I have used since the late 80's - got it from Jerry. Replaced the bit several times and it is still good as ever.
I would like to get a new one for my boy. They are not listed on the Simmons web site...
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You can get the woodpecker drill here
http://www.woodyhunting.com/
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I have two lem's that I use. I like them for their lightweight and ease of putting up but you don't take a nap in them.
I call them "Postage Stamp" stands as they are small.
I can do about three hours and then I need to get down.
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Back in the early 60's the first store bought, non homemade...I guess, (if you could call it that, don't know where he made them) treestand I ever saw was one Dan Quillian made. Now that was a small loc-on. A little pc of aluminum with a length of chain and turned down edges and just big enough for your feet, it they weren't real big. No seat.
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I have a pair of Limits and I've used them for years. I like them on straight trees because they fit better on a straight trunk than on a slanted or curved section. I hang mine and then, while strapped to the tree, I lower the platform and jump on it hard a couple of times to set it. Then I lock it on with a chain and padlock.
The only thing I dislike about LocOn stands is the fold down seat with the thin canvas trampoline. Makes my butt hurt after an hour or so. I'd like LocOn to make the seat a little larger and in a different configuration.