I am struggling with my Lone Wolf Assault. It's just not big enough. I can never get the thing adjusted to fit the tree SOLIDLY. More times than not, the platform is not adjustable to fit even mildly crooked trees, which makes it akward to stand on and shoot.
Looking for a stand that I can take with me every time I hunt, is SILENT (Lone Wolf is not, despite what advertisers say), and safe. This stand shifts around way too much for my liking.
I've used the alpha hang on with better results, like the solidness of the screaming eagle but it's not feasable to carry in and out.
Any ideas???????
There certainly are other options, and I'm sure others will chime in. But before you give up on the LW, have you followed the set up instructions from the dvd?
To get mine tight I use two straps, and get the stand hung. Then flip up the platform (while still standing on your steps), tighten the straps again as much as possible, and when you lower the platform it should lock the stand in with a lever action. Absolutely silent when done right. It does take some practice though.
Also, if you have an older stand, it may not have the offset bracket installed. The newer ones come that way, and make adapting to most leaning trees pretty easy. If yours doesn't have the offset bracket they can be added.
I have a LW Alpha and only use one strap to put it up. I find that cam locking the stand and using one strap makes it ultra tight. Here is a good video where just a minute or so in he shows you how to set up the stand. However I suggest more safety equipment than what he uses.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gBOa-681Hk
For the crookedness factor you probably want to add the offset bracket.
That said though I will take a tree saddle over the LW 90% of the time. I have a Guido's web coming tomorrow so that may now go to 100% of the time.
Hmmm. I suspect your not doing something right. I have ha assault and have no problems getting it tight. Have always been suprised how stable it is. Tightening the strap with the platform raised is the key. Lowering the platform locks it into place. My only issue with noise is the metal cams on the straps clanking on the stand if I'm not careful. Some have used cloth tape to quiet them down. Are you using the linesman's belt when you hang it so you have two hands free?
My Lone Wolf Alpha is the best stand I've ever owned.
I will never buy another hang-on stand that doesn't have a bit of adjustment for tree lean. The Alpha has this.
Another one I just bought but haven't used yet is the "Big Muddy". It also has tree lean adjustment.
While it isn't necessary, when possible I select trees that have two boles or a pair of trees very close together. When I can do this I like to attach another strap to the front corner of the stand and this "extra" tree stem. This makes the stand rock solid, front and back.
I may be wrong but didn't some of the first assault stands not have the platform adjustments like the larger alpha?
But otherwise follow what Whip said.
I have a summit "knock off" called a bushmaster...
Open front for archery hunters, super comfortable! decently light wieght, and packs up nice. I can post pics if you are interested in it?
You mentioned a lock on though, this is a climber...
I am dying to try the "Twisted Timber" stands !!! Funds are tight right now or I would have one already. :banghead:
The LW stands are good. That being said..... Just my opinion now and nothing more.....I think they are over priced and possibly over rated even. I am a big Summit fan and have been using them for quite some time....as others I have looked at and/or tried simply arent any better or most often times not as good as the Summit. I had a Viper when it first came out....dont remember the year, but it was made of steel then. Heavey kind of, but man....what a solid comfortable stand. I sold it after owning it for about 5 years or so, when I purchased the new aluminum version. I still have that first aluminum Viper as well as a new one purchased 2 seasons ago. I also own 2 Newer hang on Summits...the RS Falcons. If you have not already, maybe look into the Summit Goliath I believe is the model. It is the largest of their climber line.....essentially a Viper on steriods, built bigger and for the big boys. I dont think you can go wrong with a Summit. Great product and good customer service as well. But again....this all opinion developed from my personal experiences with them since around 1993 or so..... give em a good look anyway :archer2:
I use the Alpha and 3 sticks set up like alot of others here.
I use the quick hang hook and a second strap around the bottom versa button. When I hang the stand on the hook I attach the second strap, then I lift up the platform and cinch it down tight.
The stand is absolutely quiet, solid, and provides enough room. It's not spacious by any means, but enough room for my purposes. I suspect the assault would be too small and with the little weight savings the Alpha is the way to go.
I'd try again on attaching to the tree and you can cure the noise issue. Of course the size is fixed, but you can always sell and upgrade to the alpha.
Forgot to mention.....the RS Falcon hang ons....Aluminum, with platform adjustment capability for angled tree compensation and such...they mount to the tree with the "talon bracket" system....which allows you to attach and remove this alight aluminum stand with ease for packing in and out on each hunt if desired. You can purchase a 3 pack of the talon brackets for mulitple stand locations, using 1 actual tree stand. Its a slick system!
I haven't seen a hang on any better than the assault. Maybe bigger, but not easier, quieter, or lighter, or more stable.
Check out Cougar Claw treestands. Made in USA and adjustable. I like mine.
Screaming Eagles whenever possible , even when they are not . I have been fooling around with a tree-saddle which I like also , Fred
I replaced all my Lonewolf stands with Chippewa Wedge-locs. They are much easier(and safer) to hang and are very solid and quiet for a light weight stand.
Chippewa wedge locs are great stands but are going out of business at the end of the year. They only have a few stands left in inventory.
There is no better stand than the lone wolf assualt in my opinion, I have owned them all.
I have the 1st year assualt, it has a bolt and holes drilled in it to adjust, it much lighter than the ones they make now. It has a v bracket and not the bat wing. I use it every where. I have the newer but only use it if my other is in the tree.
I have a twisted timber stand and it nice. I only wish the lpat form was a touch bigger. It not a hang in five second stand but its a great stand once you play with it a bit and figure it out
How bout an X-1?
I don't own one (but thinking of buying one), but from an engineering standpoint the newer X-1 stands seem pretty well thought out...and less than 12 pounds packed (!) Look those up and see what you think, seem to be very well made/designed. Prolly gonna be my next stand.
just to throw a cat amoungst the pigeons here- what da y'all think of the tree seats/guidos webs type deals!!
Tree Saddle. I hunted some out of it last year, and have hunted all of this year with it. I don't think I have been busted all year (sight not scent!). The ability to put the tree between you and the deer is great. I use the tree saddle with 3 lone wolf sticks and a ratchet strap with 4 ameristeps on it for a base. Joebuck has a good thread going on the Guido's web. Doubt if I will ever go back to metal stands.
Chippewa wedge lock for me, it is a great stand and light weight.
As others have mentioned, when installed by folding the platform against the tree, tightening the straps, then folding the platform down, the LW are rock solid and quiet. With the cast aluminum platform they don't "ping" like the hollow tube stands when the temps get down around zero or below. The also don't squeek as much if you have snow or ice frozen on your boots.
I'll buy your lone wolf if you don't want it - I think I have about 15 already and use them exclusively, having given away most of my other stands - other than a few ladder stands.
Maybe you would like one from Family Traditions.
I tried again to put this thing up last night. Just don't care for it. It's a year old. Offers???????
justin
Lone wolf sit and climb with flip top seat. Sits like a hang on but is a climber. Excellent stand!!
QuoteOriginally posted by NoCams:
I am dying to try the "Twisted Timber" stands !!! Funds are tight right now or I would have one already. :banghead:
Yep...those look really versatile!
Fred
I think I sold you all my Screaming Eagle stands!
Been entertaining a Boss bracket mount with turnbuckles though. Most of the portable stands today with leveling adjustments don't let you adjust FAR ENOUGH. Example, last night I tried to put the assault up in four moderately straight trees. Even with the lowest setting, I could not level the platform. I was hanging off the side of the tree in the darkness, looking at the stand, thinking, what good is this???!!!
justin
warrior,
Again, you are a prime candidate for a Twisted Timber stand. I have not seen a stand out there with more adjustment that these. We have 8 hang ons from various manf and Summit Viper climbers. My next purchase will be a Twisted Timber for any crooked trees we need to hang in. Just wish they were a little cheaper, a little scary where we hunt leaving a $199 stand out there. Most of my hang ons were bought for less than $50 after season so if I lose one not as much pain.
I may make me some brackets after this season to bolt to my el cheapo hang ons that have a series of adjustment holes to change the platform angle slightly for leaning trees. Would be pretty cost effective and I would have 8 hang ons that would have some front to back angle adjustment for leaners. The awesome thing about the Twisted Timber is that it has adjustment for front to back and side to side. It will hang on just about anything. :readit:
one of the frustrations with today's treestands is the price. They went up like 30% since last year and I bet more than that in the next year. What makes a $135 stand suddenly worth $249? MARKETING!!!!!
Yeah, how much do you want for the lone wolf stand?
Warrior , I think I did buy your Eagles and if I forgot Thank You very much ! , they are still being used heavy , Fred
good to hear Fred!!!!
justin
In my opinion you Just can't beat the Alpha with steps attached for portability and overall flexibility.
Has anyone tried one of of the loc-on stands. I just ordered a Limit. I liked how light it is and the backpack straps. I hope I like it as well as I think I will. Joe
You are the only person I have ever heard say LW are not quiet. I suspect you are not doing something right. Remember to strap the seat and platorm together after getting it placed, that prevents seat squeaks when getting up, sitting down, or shifting weight on the seat.
http://www.chippewawedgeloc.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=TFGEcUIykpI#!
Darn - I just discovered they're going out of business.
I really don't like that.
I really do like my LW, but honestly think I'd buy the muddy bloodsport and muddy sticks if I were to do it again. They look like they'd be quieter to attach to the tree and the seat on the muddy is more comofortable out of the box than the LW.
"What makes a $135 stand suddenly worth $249? MARKETING!!!!!"
Liability Insurance.
Tree Saddle will do everything you are asking,, but for me they are not as comfortable as a hang on stand.
I've never bought a hang-on stand that cost more than a hundred bucks and most have been half that. I always hunted leases and went with quantity over quality. I always had a lot of options out there in the morning to go to.
Now that I am hunting private more public land I am leaning towards a single quality climber and a lighter portable hang-on. The problem is that all of the stands that I have tried are on the small side. I'm not that big of a guy, but I like a seat that I can move around on throughout the morning instead of perch on the edge of. Which one of these stands y'all are talking about fits that bill?
The old cheaper stands are heavy, bulky, and a pain in the tail to move, but generally speaking they are a lot more comfortable than these high dollar packable stands I have tried. There has to be a middle ground.
Gregg, go with the Lone Wolf sit and climb, light,comfortable,easy to climb, quiet...., only downside is the cost, but you only have to buy it once.
Summit open shot is nice for bow shooting. As i said right now I got my eye on an X-1 stand. Check em out. I really like the design. Supposed to work real well on crooked trees and you can't beat less than 12 lbs. can't wait to get one to try it.