What climbing stand would be best suited for traditional archery? Most that I see have bars that I would think would get in the way. What do you all use and what are the pros and cons?
May want to look at the Lone Wolf Hand Climber (not the sit and climb) or Summit Open Shot
I just bought a used Summit Open Shot climber to use with my recurve this for this upcoming deer season.
No reviews yet on it, since I've yet to practice out of it. Plan on climbing a tree this weekend and flinging some arrows to see how it is.
TreeWalker Look it up Great climber
and made in USA
I am a BIG fan of API stands. lock-on and climbing. for a traditional bow climbimg stand I prefer my API BowHunter. I had the top section on mine made wider at a machine shop and it is VERY, VERY comfortable. go figure after I did that they introduced a new wider model. oh well'
lot's of good stands out there. look at as many as you can and if possible sit in (or even climb) as many as you can. you'll find the open front models are more suited to our way of hunting.
Bucky I would like a review on the open shot as i was looking at it as well. How comfortable is the api bowhunter SSWV? The treewalker looks good as well, but what about comfort with it?
hey okcaveman! my API bowhunter is VERY, VERY comfortable. I can actually stay in it from daylight to dark. Like I stated above, I had the top section made wider and man did it make a difference. My son has an API Grand Slam Supreme that a fellow can actually catch a long nap in with a secure feel of not falling. VERY stable in a tree and super easy to climb with.
QuoteOriginally posted by sswv:
I am a BIG fan of API stands. lock-on and climbing. for a traditional bow climbimg stand I prefer my API BowHunter. I had the top section on mine made wider at a machine shop and it is VERY, VERY comfortable. go figure after I did that they introduced a new wider model. oh well'
lot's of good stands out there. look at as many as you can and if possible sit in (or even climb) as many as you can. you'll find the open front models are more suited to our way of hunting.
I'm actually a huge fan of API's climbers. I own 3 API Grand Slams. I was looking into buying the open front version, but the deal with Summit came along and it was too good to pass up!
I've sat in my API's all day on numerous occasions. Fantastic climber. All of mine were made back in 2000.
I've shot many deer with a wheelie bow out of my API Grand Slams. Just didn't think the rail in front on those models would be a good idea hunting with my new recurve.
QuoteOriginally posted by okcaveman:
Bucky I would like a review on the open shot as i was looking at it as well. How comfortable is the api bowhunter SSWV? The treewalker looks good as well, but what about comfort with it?
You bet caveman!
I'll let you know something this weekend.
I have a loggy stalker pro staff climber. No bar in the way and locks to tree when in place. 17lbs. and comfortable. I don't think they make them anymore but I have seen a bunch on the net. great stand. Rob
I own a API bowhunter and back in May picked up a Summit open shot. I have three seasons with the API and made only one modification to it. I cut the backrest off only because of noise, extra weight and something else to fasten to the tree. It climbs very well and is quiet and comfortable for a half day hunt. With shooting a 62" recurve I found the climber handles getting in the way a few times. The stand weighs in at 20 pounds. The open shot is a smaller stand and takes some getting used to as far as climbing. You grab the arms of the climber and place your elbows on the seat area. Because the platform is 4 inches shorter then the API(25" vs. 29") it climbs pretty well. Summit has filled some of the stand with a sound reducing material and as a result this stand is really quiet. The fold up seat is a big help when you stand to stretch or get into position for a shot. The back side of the seat has foam that cushions your hip or backside when folded against the tree. I thought I would really miss the bigger platform but, for the most part I am looking forward to hunting from this stand this fall. I have only practiced from it a few times. The open shot weighs in at 15 pounds, this is the best part if you hunt public property and need to get away from the crowd.
I've been using a summit bushmaster for many years.It only ways 16 lbs & is very similar to the open shot This stand is easy to put on a tree & climb with & it really grips the tree well.
Lone Wolf Hand Climber. 14 lbs. (I think) Folds almost flat. Easy to carry. Quiet. You get what you pay for.
Good luck,
Kyle
hey Running Buck! I actually shortened those climbing handles on mine after I had the top widened. I also got rid of that back rest for the same reasons as you.
LOT'S of good stands out there. I'd like to be able to try each one. Be neat to have'em all set-up at one place to try.
I`ll probably be using the Lone Wolf this year. I found one used for 200 bucks in new condition.RC
wich ever you choose just make sure to keep the climbing section(seat section) low , i broke my bow when the bottom limb hit, and the shock cracked my bow through the riser and shelf. boy was i bummmed.
wont do that again..
i have the summit bushwacker, and api babygrand supreme, like them both, just wish tey would make them to go on bigger trees, 30" or so.
I have been very happy with the Lone Wolf hand climber.
I highly recommend the Millennium M1 Climber. I've had 4 other types of climbers but the Millenium is by far the best I've owned. It's a little heavier than the average climber but it's comfort level is hard to beat. One drawback is that it's really easy to fall asleep in!
I have a Loggy bottom with a Lone Wolf hand climber top,it works great.
I dont think you can improve on the Lone Wolf handclimber, its not cheap but spread the price over a whole bunch of seasons and its well worth it. 14 lbs, packs nearly flat, dead quiet assembly and climbing. I think its about perfect!
Well I always seem to be in the minority here but I love my tree lounge with the bowhunting adapter. It is a lot heavier than many of the stands mentioned but personally I have never found another stand that came close to it for comfort and it is the only stand I have ever owned or used that I could stay in all day! I also like that once I am standing I am away from the free and everything is out of my way for shooting. I do know the distance from the tree does make a lot of folks uneasy though. I have also heard others complain that they were noisy but I can attach in the dark and climb very quietly. I use a small penlight with a red lense when attaching and removing in low light.
I do also have a summit that I use for really long treks in the mountains where the treelounge would just be too much to hike in but it has to be really far back. I have hiked my TL in over a mile before on public land but only if hunting a long weekend where I was going to get several days from the spot.
if i was going to buy a new stand it would be the summit open shot. very light weight, seats comfortable and price isnt to bad compared to others. no bars so cant sleep in this one which is a good thing. i have a hard time staying awake in my viper, just to comfortable haha.
anyways i tried shooting my 66" longbow out of my sumit viper and had no issues at all even at 8 yds. im only 5' 8". just have to set the seat higher and lower platform a little higher.
I have an old Summit that looks like the new Dagger (open in front with short rails) another Summit Viper (rails go all the way around) and a Summit Open Shot (no rails). Have an Equalizer (rails go all the way around), an old API Shoot'n Star that has rails that slope down towards my feet for a foot rest and a Lone Wolf Hand Climber (no rails).
I like the Lone Wolf Hand Climber best for shooting out of, climbing, carrying and using in small dia. trees. It won't fit on big dia. trees even with the big belt and especially cypress trees with real big trunks at bottom that get small quick. Next I like the Summit Open Shot..it won't fit on small dia. trees.
I use a 64" recurve and don't like shooting it out of any of the others due to rails. However, to get more room I pull the seat's adjustable straps tight so the seats are up high and even with the strap attachment bar and it gives me a little more room. Also have to set the top section way down almost on top of the bottom and still can't get bottom limb clearance without having to lean way out over the rails. Just my opinion with the stands and bow I have.
I have an original USA made Ole Man and I'm satisfied.
Open Shot
Id go with the Summit. VERY comfortable.
Lone Wolf hand climber for me too. Great stand although there are probably stands that are more comfortable. I'll sacrifice a little comfort for the stability, versatility, quietness and packability of the LW. I skip the straps between the top and bottom and use a rope to prevent the possibility of dropping the bottom part. This lets me use a bungie on the seat so I can fold it up or down against the tree silently. I stand up a lot and want to be able to get the seat out of the way yet keep it in place.
I have owned Loggy, Summit, Loc-On, Lone Wolf and now Timber Tall. The Timber Tall is the lightest and most adjustable of all. I bought mine at Bowhunters Super Store but there may be other suppliers. There is also the factory. I did get a set of the Lone Wolf straps that connect the base to the climber and put them on my Timber Tall.
QuoteOriginally posted by okcaveman:
Bucky I would like a review on the open shot as i was looking at it as well. How comfortable is the api bowhunter SSWV? The treewalker looks good as well, but what about comfort with it?
Okcaveman,
Here's my review for the Summit Openshot.
My stand is 3 yrs old.
The only complaint I have is the hand climber. I've got pretty long arms. 6'3" arm span. I think the rails on the hand climber could be a little longer, but I was able to climb the tree with no problem.
Comfort: I give this stand an A+ It has a very plush, thick seat, and it's quite nice. Much nicer than my lock on's I own. I can see myself sitting in it for long hours with no problems.
Dependability: This summit really bites well into the tree. Well, at least it bites well into a white oak! It held firm when it locked down on to the bark.
My recurve is a 62". I shot it well standing up and sitting down. No issues with it hitting the side of the stand. I was shooting at a target 17yds away, slightly downhill. Fairly steep angle.
All in all, I think I made a good investment on a used stand in excellent condition.
QuoteOriginally posted by BowHunterGA:
Well I always seem to be in the minority here but I love my tree lounge with the bowhunting adapter. It is a lot heavier than many of the stands mentioned but personally I have never found another stand that came close to it for comfort and it is the only stand I have ever owned or used that I could stay in all day! I also like that once I am standing I am away from the free and everything is out of my way for shooting. I do know the distance from the tree does make a lot of folks uneasy though. I have also heard others complain that they were noisy but I can attach in the dark and climb very quietly. I use a small penlight with a red lense when attaching and removing in low light.
I do also have a summit that I use for really long treks in the mountains where the treelounge would just be too much to hike in but it has to be really far back. I have hiked my TL in over a mile before on public land but only if hunting a long weekend where I was going to get several days from the spot.
You are RIGHT on the money. I am only 25, but I do EVERYTHING for comfort rather than 'cool'. I have a gigantic 10 inch thick cushy seat on my Harley Davidson, and when I saw a Tree Lounger Bow Hunter version for sale last year used for $150, I had to have it. (Normally $400)
I actually put it in a tree adjacent to my front porch and would sit and drink beer in it while my buddies were over.
MOST comfortable stand hands DOWN!! I also own an API Grand Slam 2500 Big Guy version (up to 400 lbs.), and the Tree Lounger SMOKES it!
The stand is heavy, but about 6 weeks prior to the season starting I will take it to the woods with a friend, climb it about 18 feet up and then have him come up behind me with screw in tree steps. Then I lock the stand to the tree, and climb down the steps and leave it like that for the rest of the season.
I
another fan of the API Grand Slam here. I like the wraparound bar, makes it easier to ratchet up the tree and gives a sense of security when you are standing up. has never interfered with a canted bow for either standing or sitting shots. plus I can lay the bow across it and kick back and relax. mine is an older model without the backrest and it still works great after all these years.
I had a Summit viper and it was a quality stand in every respect and rock solid in a tree, but I was so used to the API that I always felt a little cramped in the Summit.
Lone Wolf Alpha Hand Climber
I have used it with my compound and my recurve. I would agree that I cannot set in it all day but I can't set in any stand all day! It get to antsey. The best part of the lone wolf is it packs flat and sets up quickly. You can even attach items to the back like a back pack if you need too. It is light enough that you can easily shoot your bow while walking in if needed. It is dead quiet and very solid when you pull the straps tight. I paid the price years ago and it has paid off every time I use it or hike across a ridge line and not be out of breath. And even though it is years old it still looks brand new. You are supposed to change the straps every three or five years but that is a minimal cost.
Good Luck
QuoteOriginally posted by USN_Sam1385:
QuoteOriginally posted by BowHunterGA:
Well I always seem to be in the minority here but I love my tree lounge with the bowhunting adapter. It is a lot heavier than many of the stands mentioned but personally I have never found another stand that came close to it for comfort and it is the only stand I have ever owned or used that I could stay in all day! I also like that once I am standing I am away from the free and everything is out of my way for shooting. I do know the distance from the tree does make a lot of folks uneasy though. I have also heard others complain that they were noisy but I can attach in the dark and climb very quietly. I use a small penlight with a red lense when attaching and removing in low light.
I do also have a summit that I use for really long treks in the mountains where the treelounge would just be too much to hike in but it has to be really far back. I have hiked my TL in over a mile before on public land but only if hunting a long weekend where I was going to get several days from the spot.
You are RIGHT on the money. I am only 25, but I do EVERYTHING for comfort rather than 'cool'. I have a gigantic 10 inch thick cushy seat on my Harley Davidson, and when I saw a Tree Lounger Bow Hunter version for sale last year used for $150, I had to have it. (Normally $400)
I actually put it in a tree adjacent to my front porch and would sit and drink beer in it while my buddies were over.
MOST comfortable stand hands DOWN!! I also own an API Grand Slam 2500 Big Guy version (up to 400 lbs.), and the Tree Lounger SMOKES it!
The stand is heavy, but about 6 weeks prior to the season starting I will take it to the woods with a friend, climb it about 18 feet up and then have him come up behind me with screw in tree steps. Then I lock the stand to the tree, and climb down the steps and leave it like that for the rest of the season.
I [/b]
So I have to be totally honest....I have taken some of the best mid day naps one could ever imagine about 30 feet off the ground in my tree lounge. Only stand I have ever tried that I could stay in all day and be comfortable.
I have seen people put the thick Gorilla seats on their Lone Wolf Assault loc-ons. If the hand climber has the same dimensions, put a Gorilla seat on the hand climber and sit all day if you want! I'll tell you, used ones don't come up for sale often either which should tell you something.
Lone Wolf
I personally have decided that I don't have much use for a climbing stand. A year or two ago, I bought the lone wolf hand climber to give it a try. I even did a review on it here:
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=31;t=000735
Really, I just I don't much care for the whole concept of hand climbers and don't like how they don't lock to the tree once up. My hang on with rapid rails is about as quick and is rock solid. I will say the quality of the lone wolf was top notch but it was too limiting as to what tree I could put it in and I was never comfortable using it so I sold it.
I will be trying the new Ol' Man grand vision aluminum climber this year. In fact it is on a UPS truck out for delivery as we speak and I will be trying it out tonite!! I had a Lone Wolf hand climber but I thought it was a pain in the butt to climb with, so I sold it. Will let you guys know how the O'l Man is.
I worked at Summit Treestands up until about 2 years ago. I pieced together my own "custom" stand while I was there that would be lighter and smaller since I ride a bicycle to my huntin' holes. The top is an Openshot which is basically just a padded spot to sit on, and the bottom is from a Broadhead model. The uprights on the platform fold flat so the whole stand will pack nearly flat to my back. The whole get-up weighs about 14 pounds. It's definitely the most minimalist setup but it works great for me. They don't sell this combo, but if you called and asked politely they may sell you a top and bottom from their "scratch and dent" pile. Of course mine was nearly free, but they are good people and would probably help you out on one with a paint defect or somethin.
Treewalker gets my vote hands down.
Timber Tall.
I have used on Ol Man and loved it for all day comfort but the bar in the front does limit shots with longer bows somewhat even when turned down to a footrest. My favorite is Lone Wolf sit and climb. Very comfortable with the sling style seat and very solid. With the climbing bar folded under the seat there is nothing to impede the shot. I just ordered a wide sit and climb seat for a little more room and comfort.
QuoteOriginally posted by Flingblade:
... With the climbing bar folded under the seat there is nothing to impede the shot.
I agree!
QuoteOriginally posted by Flingblade:
... I just ordered a wide sit and climb seat for a little more room and comfort.
Last year I sold my API sit & climb as well as my Lone Wolf sit & climb and got the WIDE Lone Wolf Sit & Climb too... much more comfortable for this middle age butt! :bigsmyl:
QuoteOriginally posted by BuckyT:
QuoteOriginally posted by okcaveman:
Bucky I would like a review on the open shot as i was looking at it as well. How comfortable is the api bowhunter SSWV? The treewalker looks good as well, but what about comfort with it?
Okcaveman,
Here's my review for the Summit Openshot.
My stand is 3 yrs old.
The only complaint I have is the hand climber. I've got pretty long arms. 6'3" arm span. I think the rails on the hand climber could be a little longer, but I was able to climb the tree with no problem.
Comfort: I give this stand an A+ It has a very plush, thick seat, and it's quite nice. Much nicer than my lock on's I own. I can see myself sitting in it for long hours with no problems.
Dependability: This summit really bites well into the tree. Well, at least it bites well into a white oak! It held firm when it locked down on to the bark.
My recurve is a 62". I shot it well standing up and sitting down. No issues with it hitting the side of the stand. I was shooting at a target 17yds away, slightly downhill. Fairly steep angle.
All in all, I think I made a good investment on a used stand in excellent condition. [/b]
Thanks for the review man. and thanks to everybody else for your replies. Ill be hitting BPS this weekend and just see what speaks to me. definately be looking at the openshot and the api bowhunter
http://www.summitstands.com/climbing-treestands/razor-ss/razor-sd-climbing-treestand
I have a Summit Razor SS (SD now) that works well for me. A little narrow in the seat ifin you are xxl. It is very quiet and I can sit in it a long time. Bar folds down and out of the way. I really prefer a hang on for my LBs.
Once you use a Lone Wolf, nothing compares.
No climber. Climbing sticks and a hang on stand. Way more versatile and can be bought for the same price as a climber. With the sticks and hang on stand, you can get in better trees in the transition zones and ravines.
Another Openshot vote. Been using a Viper for a while and really like it - stable and comfortable, but got the Openshot top direct from Summit for this year. The openshot bottom is about 2" shorter than the other bottoms.
But have not used LW climber, only the Alpha.
QuoteOriginally posted by LimBender:
The openshot bottom is about 2" shorter than the other bottoms.
This is correct! I forgot to mention that. They are kinda spooky to me when I get all excited when i stand up to shoot. That 2" makes a big difference to me at least.
QuoteOriginally posted by limbshaker:
QuoteOriginally posted by LimBender:
The openshot bottom is about 2" shorter than the other bottoms.
This is correct! I forgot to mention that. They are kinda spooky to me when I get all excited when i stand up to shoot. That 2" makes a big difference to me at least. [/b]
Good point. I've been using climbers since the Bakers came out and I have to make myself stay very conscious of the shorter bottom on my Open Shot. There's not much room at all with the seat down. Like the stand just have to be careful.
I'm thinking seriously about swapping the Open Shot top section with another Summit I have..it's got the big bottom and open front with real short forearm rails...may be called Summit Broadhead.