Hey all,
I have a summit bushmaster climber which is good I suppose for my longbow, but limits my shots left and right. I can only shoot straight forward...
Anyone else have good success with a certain climber? Thanks
I really like the Lone Wolf alfa climber. Since you only have the seat to climb with, it's pretty much like sitting in a lock-on and you have freedom to shoot pretty much anywhere. Definitely took some getting used to climbing with it tho
Love the lone wolf hand climber. I've had about all of them and I like it the best.
I have a Lone Wolf hand climber I really like
Dang, I had both the wide sit and climb, and the hand climber. If I remeber right, my issue with the hand climber was I couldn't stand to shoot because I couldn't fold the seat up without it falling. I have a reject thing about me where I have a hard time shooting a bow without standing. Guess I will look into them a little more.
I can still stand and shoot in mine but I will admit you don't have the most room to move around but it can be done, for me anyways. I only weigh about 185 tho ha
I'm the same weight, I seen that there new stands have a flip up seat. That kind of opens me up a little more to the idea.
Part of me also thinks there's never a perfect climber for such a long bow... We will see, thanks guys
The old Loggy Bayou seat folds flat against the tree for standing up. PITA to install though but rock solid when you get it right.
QuoteOriginally posted by edge2009:
Dang, I had both the wide sit and climb, and the hand climber. If I remeber right, my issue with the hand climber was I couldn't stand to shoot because I couldn't fold the seat up without it falling. I have a reject thing about me where I have a hard time shooting a bow without standing. Guess I will look into them a little more.
I only use my alpha climber and stand to shoot, and I never fold the seat up. Not sure why you'd have to.
I like my summit open shot
QuoteOriginally posted by NBK:
QuoteOriginally posted by edge2009:
Dang, I had both the wide sit and climb, and the hand climber. If I remeber right, my issue with the hand climber was I couldn't stand to shoot because I couldn't fold the seat up without it falling. I have a reject thing about me where I have a hard time shooting a bow without standing. Guess I will look into them a little more.
I only use my alpha climber and stand to shoot, and I never fold the seat up. Not sure why you'd have to. [/b]
I guess just because I like the extra room against the tree, each his own
QuoteOriginally posted by m midd:
I like my summit open shot
Those are nice stands, I like the full summit seats though, its hard to beat that old bushmaster, and a fraction of the price!
I suppose I just need to appreciate the stand and keep practicing.
I had the same problem but I got a viper and can put the rail about waist high and can lean out to shoot all around the stand.
I also had trouble with flipping up the seat. I liked to lock it down and then you couldn't lift the seat up.
I have the bushmaster and I would recommend one of the hazmore seats for your stand. It lightens up overall weight and slides out of the way by just standing and the seat is so comfortable. Its just a mesh seat and its by far the best $20 I ever spent on archery. It also lets you sit a little higher in the frame too which is a big bonus. I also bought the lone wolf stand last year don't get me wrong its a nice stand very stable and a little lighter than bushmaster and folds flat but the seat isn't very comfortable and its alot harder to climb in. If you have big feet like me my winter boots are too big to fit in the bottom part u climb with, just a heads up. I feel a lot more comfortable in my bushmaster and I just put my top and bottom part closer together to avoid the side rails. Just my opinion brad
I'm with Reddogge, I've been using me Loggy Bayou since '88. seat folds against the tree. Kinda hard to find thee days I imagine.
I use a Summit Open Shot. It's the lightest climber out there which is important for me since I take long hauls into state lands. In terms of shooting from it it's great. As it's open all around - in fact once in position I turn the seated/top part to the back of the tree and hunt standing the whole time. For me its less movement if a deer approaches and easier to shoot standing. Also the summit is cheaper than the alpha by quite a bit.
X3 on the older Loggy Bayou. You can use it as a climber or a lock on. Great size platform as mentioned because of the folding seat.
Lone wolf hand for me. Pack flat. Carry awesome. Super quiet and are solid. I have tried just about them all. Summit is more comfy though on all day sits. Morning n evening hunts no problems.
QuoteOriginally posted by edge2009:
Dang, I had both the wide sit and climb, and the hand climber. If I remeber right, my issue with the hand climber was I couldn't stand to shoot because I couldn't fold the seat up without it falling. I have a reject thing about me where I have a hard time shooting a bow without standing. Guess I will look into them a little more.
I've been using a LW hand climber for many years and can't imagine a better stand for bowhunting.
With a simple bungie cord to keep the belt tight against the tree, the seat quietly folds up and down just fine without slipping (it's usually a little tighter in use than in the photos), in fact that's one the the things I like the best about the hand climber. I don't use the stabilizer straps between the seat and platform, I found they were just a P.I.A. The bungie keeps the seat from falling when you stand up anyway. I do keep a rope tied between the seat and platform for going up and down to avoid the possibility of dropping the platform and being left hanging on to the seat.
The seat alone also make a great "run and gun" way to keep your butt off the ground. All you need is a tree and you have a nice place to sit.
I also like the waffle foot platform over the usual rails that most stands have. I stand a lot and my feet are more comfortable with the LW platform than with other styles.
(http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff388/tmoren/LW2.jpg) (http://s1233.photobucket.com/user/tmoren/media/LW2.jpg.html)
(http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff388/tmoren/LW1.jpg) (http://s1233.photobucket.com/user/tmoren/media/LW1.jpg.html)
The Lone Wolf climber is light and quiet while climbing. Flipping the seat can be a pain because it wants to slide down when you do so. Also If there are any knots or curves in the tree the band tends to hang up. If all you climb are tulips or ashe trees its great. But if your choice of trees is less than perfect its not a great stand. Just my opinion. I would try one out before you decide. TonyZ.
I use a Summit Bushmaster and Summit Open Shot. Both stands are quiet, stable, sturdy and very comfortable. But the one thing I have to watch out for at times is watching out for is my lower limb hitting my seat frame at the time of my shot. I use a Cat-quiver so at first I found it very difficult to pack in my bow, stand and Cat-quiver, but with some minor modifications I can mount my Cat-quiver directly to my stand.
keep your seat secions on or below the knees, I have no problems with summit, besure your tied tight to the tree though.
I've been thinking about that for next season; I can use my compound out of my Viper just fine but was concerned about it with a 58" recurve. I was thinking about picking up a Summit Cobra, anyone have any experience with one?
Lone Wolf hand climber without a doubt! Takes a little practice and not a comfort queen but rock solid, quiet, light, and nothing to break. The sit and climb will work too but I've missed a deer because hitting the bottom limb on the armrests. If you get a lone wolf try it out in the yard before you take it hunting - lessons learned the hard way:)
Lone Wolf or Loggy Bayou but the Loggy is more work... Lone wolf is easier and quieter but a bit heavier. It is the quietest without question...
Lone wolf hand climber been using it for 11 years. Light folds flat its,the only stand I've ever,used that is quiet when the temp is well below 0 no creeking or popping very solid. And very fast to set up . I use a gameplan leech pack with it very nice combo.
As far as the seat sliding down the tree you just use the bungee that comes with it that hols the two sections together when packing. It has a hook between the two end hooks that you simply hook to the back of the seat strap then hook the two ends around the tree. Simple
R-man
I also have a summit viper with the rail. I have tried lowering or keeping the seat section low in fear of hitting my lower limb. So I doing this I'm presuming that you stand the whole time?
Thanks
I got an Ole Man Drone, expensive, but super comfy and adjustable. You can adjust the tilt of the seat and platform once you are at height. Best of all, I can shoot in almost any direction except backwards and the platform is really large adding to the secure feeling.
If you REALLY wanna' be traditional about it, go find an old Baker stand....Climb up a tree without figuring out a way to attach the hand climber to the platform...Then enjoy the pucker when the platform clatters to the ground when you inadvertently shift too much of your weight to the seat instead of the platform! :eek:
OK....so this happened when I had a wheelie in my hands, but 1987 was definitely a "learning year" for me. :banghead:
Kingsnake
I'm a big fan of the summit openshot. As others have said, very light and comfortable for long sits. A little easier on the wallet as well.
I have the Summit bushmaster. I think it is the early version of the openshot. The only trouble I have shooting a 64 or 66" longbow is to the left behind me. I have to watch bottom limb. Course it doesn't bother me to step out and stand on the front edge to get more clearance if I need it. Very comfortable. I will say I prefer a hang on stand to any climber.
Lone Wolf hand climber is the most trad or any bow friendly climber.I've added extra padding to the seat.Makes a huge difference in comfort.Bought mine 15+ years ago when they first started using the auto transmission belts to secure the stand.
The LW hand climber dose require more strength to use than the sit and climb so there are some tradeoffs to get the function and weight reduction.
Lone Wolf hand climber with a bungee to hold the seat to the tree when flipped up. I am over 50 fat and bald and can use it with minimal problems. I wish the seat was wider because I have broad shoulders so I have a hard time tucking my arms in to get on the pad with my forearms, but that is my only gripe.
I like my Original Old Man climber, with the composite bottom, and net seat, very comfortable not heavy and easy to set up from the ground or rearrange in the tree.
Only I don't hardly use it, I know this doesn't apply, but I use a Loc-On lite and two climbing sticks. This way I can stalk and if I find a good ambush site, it takes me no time to get up a tree.
I too use (for 10+ years) and like the Lone Wolf hand climber. My biggest complaint (besides the price) is it isn't the most comfortable for an all day hunt so am keeping an eye out for a Summit Open Shot to try and compare.
Babs made a comment about it being awkward to use with large feet. I had the same problem with winter boots until I discovered that it worked much better sticking my feet under the angled side brackets NOT the toe bar. I do this now even with smaller warm weather foot wear because the angled bracker holds my feet much more securely in place. It now much easier to pull up the platform quietly and without any worry of your feet slipping out of place. Try it.
Bill
I only use the top part of my climber to climb. When I get to my desired height, it sits at my feet. I like leaning against the tree as the deer don't seem to see you as easily.
Lone Wolf hand climber for probaly the last 10 years. As said above, bungee cord the seat strap to the tree so you can flip the seat against the tree without it falling. Best stand I've ever used. Flat to carry, fairly light, easy to climb.
I'm usually the 1st one who digs on LW so here it goes,,,,I've hated my LW hand climber for years and posted my opinions many times on how harder it is to climb and decent, getting stuck on knots in trees, the seat flipping up and falling down to the platform, and I wished the platform straps (Larger Strap option) would go all the way thru the bars because they bottom out at a certain point and your lower stand will be very slanted if the tree is smaller than a normal sized small tree other climbers would work on..
with all that being said though I think I'm getting used to this stand and starting to like it,, instead of both arms being on the seat and kissing bark my new correct climbing technique is left arm on the seat and right arm around the tree, when I'm at height I now tighten the 2 nylon straps on each side of the seat which keeps it pulled tight down towards the platform - then before descending I have knots tied in the ends of the straps in the same place so when I lengthen back for descending in the dark the knots in the nylon straps act as stops so the straps don't pull all the way out of the clips, for tree knots I need to just do a more deeper hook once I "realize" I'm getting caught on something,
and finally with the straps I still wish they went all the way thru the platform sides like they do on the seat section but I just stick to a bigger minimum size tree or I know this is dangerous but I'll Lay across the seat and reach down and pull the platform strap behind the tree higher up the trunk then step back down on the platform and it raises the platform more than normal.
so my all time favorite stand was a steel Ole Man multi-vision with the foot bar rest but it was heavy at 26lbs,, for lightness, compactness when packing in, the quietest stand to set up I ever encountered, the stand with the least amount of obstructions for shooting and of course the easiest stand to set up in the dark it has to be this LW hand climber.
Has anyone used the new Summit Specialist? I am a huge Summit fan (and not so much for LW)and currently have a Bushmaster. I have found that by leaning out, I have no issues shooting from thi stand. Comfort is top notch. I have been looking for a new stand though and at the moment I think it would be the Specialist...
I'm with you ishiwannabe, I have been checking that summit specialist for a few weeks now but haven't pulled the trigger. Would love to hear from someone who has one what there opinion is.
Summit Open Shot. Light, quiet, comfortable. I shoot Longbows and recurves no problem. No bars to hit or get in the way either.
QuoteOriginally posted by m midd:
I like my summit open shot
2x
However, I would be tempted to pay extra and order straight from Summit and get the Open shot top and the Viper bottom - larger base...
QuoteOriginally posted by m midd:
I like my summit open shot
I think the Open Shot is an excellent stand for traditional hunting.
does the open shot stick out behind you when your carrying it?
QuoteOriginally posted by babs:
I have the bushmaster and I would recommend one of the hazmore seats for your stand.
I have an old API open front Bowhunter with that Hazmore net seat. Excellent upgrade for sure, agree 100%, highly recommended. Net is soft and just quietly backs up when leg pressure is applied standing. Set up time is reduced, and all day comfort sitting too.
After +/- 10 years with it, I just added a removable strap to make it a sit and climb.
And like many others, just set seat lower on tree, no probs with clearance.
I would get the open shot top section and get one of the larger platforms if I had to buy another stand now. You can call summit and mix and match top and bottoms. The open shot platform is small.
I had a sabor that was easy to shoot out of, but the seat made it a widow maker. Then, someone stole my seat, when I went into town for lunch. I need a new climber seat.
QuoteOriginally posted by Tajue17:
does the open shot stick out behind you when your carrying it?
The open shot does not fold so it does stick out. It's light and relatively small. If you are busting through brush it will hang up though.
That said, I really like it
New Tribes Aero...I had a Summit Open Shot and hated it. I used to shoot a compound out of an API, which was nice. Even if I could shoot traditional out of the API, I would never go back.
Having a stand that sticks out from your back is a pain. I never knew how much until I had a stand that packed flat. WOW what a differance. Carries better and is easier to manuver around.
Geez I had a few of these...and I am big fan of climbers... and all of these I have killed deer from on many angles...
Loggy Bayou...high comfort, light, noisy when climbing and assembling, packable just ok, climbing stability ok
LW Hand Climber - comfort ok, light, quiet climbing and assembling, excellent packability, climbing stability excellent
LW Sit and Climb - comfort poor, light, quiet climbing and assembling, ok packability, climbing stability ok
Summit 180 Max - comfort amazing, not too light, quiet climbing and ok on setup, poor packability...safest tree stand I ever used.
I tend to use my LW hand climber and summit about equal, though the summit is for the all day sits
Also I love these accessories - http://www.thirdhandarchery.com/product.asp?PRODID=13
Check the video... the do what the say. I have them on all my climbers.
Does the bow holder work on recurves and longbows on the summit stands?
Yup
I have the X-stand sit n climb and aa Summit Razor... both are open front and longbow friendly. Razor is much more comfy for longer hunts.
Not sure what has been said about the Equalizer Tree stand, but I have had one for about 10 years and it is great. I feel that with its lock down feature I feel very secure and safe (no wobble). I set the upper part about knee hight and I can shoot almost any direction. I know it just came back out, but I really love mine and shoot my 64in longbow out of it all the time. Just my 2c. Also, a bit of a price, but one I think is worth it.
I have a summit open shot. Nothing in the way to block your shot in the front.
I use an API magnum. It's an older climber and is very comfortable. As I get older... I notice more uneasiness (fear of heights I guess) up in a tree.
I modified mine as it had the "gun rest" (wrap around bar out front). I don't suggest anyone modify a treestand, but it works pretty well for me. It's about worn out though... so hanks for the thread. I'm in the market.
I'm checking out both the LW and the summit stands.
All good thoughts and ideas, like I've said before, I've had all the LW stands. The only one I'd ever entertain going back to is maybe the hand climber, and only because there is no side bars like my summit. But as for comfort, packing, and weight... The summit all the way for me. The original seat will get you in trouble by falling asleep at times, lol. As for safety, the only tree I feel on edge about is a water oak... And that's with any stand. My one and only complaint is the side bars get in the way with my longbow. Its my first year using trad gear so I just need to experience it some more. Possibly a shorter recurve in the future?
All good thoughts, any more?
I thought very seriously about purchasing an open style climber this year, then I saw this system. Since I already had the lone wolf alpha stand and three climbing sticks, I chose to invest in a fourth stick and use this system. The thing I like most is you don't have to find a perfect tree for the climber. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=76EVLGJ-9L4#
Oh man fanatic, my hat is off to you bud.
I own 4 lw sticks... And they stay on a tree with a home made beefy lock on after trying the same thing shown in that video!
It was so much more a hassle to carry the sticks up with me and then coming down in the dark gathering them. My biggest issue, and even still today is packing them together. They didn't seem as tight or as neat as they are advertised.
As for picking a tree for a climber I completly understand. Thankfuly in Florida, 85% of your trees you would hunt out of
are practical for a climber. But as for the ease of packing... It is as simple as pulling a trigger, throwing the cable around and slide back into the stand, repeat on the bottom. Vwa la! Your set to climb the tree and be hunting in a matter of minutes.
I have a lock on in a huge red cedar, I have one stick to get off the ground, then from there I use branches. If most are trees were like that, I suppose I would adapt. But I started with a climber and couldn't see going back. The only climbing stick combo I would try again, would be the tree sadle. That thing was Awesome if you could manage a feasible packing combo.
Thanks for the feedback
Hey Edge, I wish I had the selection of great trees for a climber like you do. That said, my choice would be the LW hand climber. LW also makes a sit strap accessory, so you can use the hand climber like a sit and climb. Really handy and the stand folds up really flat. Stands vary between 14-17 lbs. In regard to the LW climbing sticks, I had trouble snapping mine together too. Then I figured it out. Each stick has a small hole on the inside (tree side edge). When you stack them, the hole on the top stick snaps into the nut on the Versa knob on the stick below. Works like a charm! Good luck, my friend!
Summit open shot x10.
Bonner
Ill have to look at my sticks again... Surely I'm doing something wrong.
Glad you have a great set up as well, you have more experience then I do with trad hunting, so that alone may change my mind in the future.
Thanks