I currently have the hand climber but I need a strap on for those times when I already know a certain area doesn't have any good climber trees and/or I just don't feel like trimming much.
I'm really thinking to get the lightest possible stand then only using two ladder sticks because I don't like to be too far above the lower canopy maybe 10 max! sticks I'm thinking stick with Lone wolf but if there is another option I need lightness and the folding rungs would be nice for packing in and out.
so need opinions on the alpha, assault and 3rd model they make forget the name,, was thinking the 11lb alpha.
any opinions?
I have three lone wolf stands. Two alphas and one from the 90's that is the size of the assault. I love bow the sticks attach to the stand and you can pack it all in on your back. I prefer the larger alphas with foot rest because I can sit longer in them and your first time in a spot is your best opportunity.
Sure do wish their seat was taller!!! Or adjustable!!
After having double knee replacements a couple of inches makes a heck of a difference when you try and rise from a seated position.
bretto
Check out Chippewa Wedge Lock. I heard they are back ( original owner retired). It is another option, a well made stand, seats come in several heights (not adjustable, made to order), they come in several sizes from tiny to very large.
LW is a great stand, but so is the CWL
ChuckC
I have the Alpha with 4 sticks but will only use 3 this year. After using the Alpha, I won't use my climber again, regardless of the trees in the area. It is that quick and easy, once you get your system down.
X stands hang on stand is another great option. If my facts are correct I believe the stand and 4 sticks combined is only around 20 pounds. The steps have rungs on both sides which makes hanging the stand easy. It's a nice package for the price. SS
Checkout the XOP Air Raid. Alpha knockoff for $50-$100 less. New innovations with their sticks too.
You can also add a runner strap that mountain climbers use on lower stick and have the option to go a little higher if needed.
BTW, neither the alpha or the air raid is 11#s.
I have 3 Loc-On-Lem Spirit stands that use with the LW strap-on tree steps. I forget what the LW steps weigh for a set of 3, but my stands weigh about 9lbs each. I replaced the cinch rope/chain on the stands with LW strap-on tree stand straps which made it much easier and quieter to set up. The LW steps are bungeed to the stand for carrying. Overall it works pretty good. Like stated before, it may take a little practice or experimentation to get your set up down, but once you do its almost as fast as using a climber. If I didn't already have the Loc-On stands, I would probably get a LW Assualt.
QuoteOriginally posted by awbowman:
Checkout the XOP Air Raid. Alpha knockoff for $50-$100 less. New innovations with their sticks too.
You can also add a runner strap that mountain climbers use on lower stick and have the option to go a little higher if needed.
BTW, neither the alpha or the air raid is 11#s.
How does the guy who invented the Lone Wolf, after selling the company, and years later after HIS original patent expires, redesigns and improves upon said original product create a "knock off"? I'd say "knock off" is grossly inaccurate there.
I've got 5 "pre China" Lone Wolf stands, and won't be getting rid of them but I am very impressed with my 2 XOPs and will be buying from the D'Acquisto's for the foreseeable future.
You can definitely get to 10' with 2 LW sticks. Most guys start the first stick quite low and use very little spacing between steps. My Assaults are my favorite of the LW family. Not sure why but they are more comfortable on all day sits for me than the Alphas.
thanks for the info I will check out these other stands,, never new the guy who sold LW started up again.
Cody, Andres son is running XOP which is basically the Lone Wolf line. And bretto, they do have taller seats available, and they will fit the older LW stands.
Ah. . D'Acquisto is back in business! Quite a hunter as well if I recall. ..
LW and sticks are my one and only, go-to portable unit. 2 sticks can easily get you 10'. Use 1-2 screw in steps and that 10-12' is really doable.
bretto- I modify all my stands. Being 6'4" the first thing I do is raise the seat. I just insert a piece of square tube aluminum to the top post. A couple holes drilled. A nylon spacer to the seat holes. And replace the bolt. If you really want luxury- add just the right length so when the seat is folded UP (against the tree), the front edge of the seat rides at the bottom of your buttocks. When standing- you can actually lean against the tree resting your butt on the seat edge (you can even put a little cushion here). I can stand most of the day that way.
Dan in KS
I have two Alpha's and one Assault. Easy to hang, solid and quiet in the cold. As good as I have used. I use the Alhpa on my permanent sites and use the assault for my walk in hunts.
[/QUOTE]How does the guy who invented the Lone Wolf, after selling the company, and years later after HIS original patent expires, redesigns and improves upon said original product create a "knock off"? I'd say "knock off" is grossly inaccurate there.
I've got 5 "pre China" Lone Wolf stands, and won't be getting rid of them but I am very impressed with my 2 XOPs and will be buying from the D'Acquisto's for the foreseeable future.
You can definitely get to 10' with 2 LW sticks. Most guys start the first stick quite low and use very little spacing between steps. My Assaults are my favorite of the LW family. Not sure why but they are more comfortable on all day sits for me than the Alphas. [/qb][/QUOTE]Ok, knockoff may have been a misnomer. How about third generation model
AW--being a smooth talker is not my fortè so hopefully you did not take offense.
I'd say it is the original inventor going back and starting with a fresh slate. The hollow tubes are the Achilles heel of the LW, the cast riser if the XOP is perfect. Since the LW are still out there in production and they are tweaking continuously, it probably is not as accurate to say 3rd gen either but it is much better than knockoff ;)
so is everyone saying the XOP is better than the Chinese made Lone wolfs?
some folks mentioned the pre china models???
that's all great but I need to buy a stand for Septembers opener and if there's no pre-china models to be found then I will take a Chinese model as long as it doesn't creak and its safe.
The LW stands are made in the USA again. There was a period of time after the sale when the new owners moved production to China. You could tell the difference and people complained. To their credit, LE brought production back home. Lone Wolf stands WITH cast aluminum bases are great stands.
XOP stands improve on the only deficiency the LW stands have; the hollow upright tube for the seat. They've come up with a cast aluminum upright. Quieter.
Both great stands and choices.
I have three Alphas. Used to have a few Assaults as well. Regardless of which brand, LW or the XOP, I'd recommend the larger platform if you do long (as in all day) sits.
Still light enough, very solid, and quiet. I also find them quite comfortable.
I love my lone wolf stand but really the climbing sticks are even better in my opinion. Very well made and 3 sticks easily get me high enough for all of my hunting. I'm fairly tall and space them quite far apart. I'm no expert for sure, but I can have a stand in place quietly in no time at all with their sticks. I always have a few screw in steps too, if need be but haven't used them much. I have an Alpha II....very solid, quiet and comfortable.
XOP is cheaper but then not by much I hadn't ever heard of them til this thread.
Just a note saw a great tip on making sling steps from 1" webbing. be able to start the first stick a bit higher.
Getting a LW assault this year with a couple sticks.
Though I don't hunt As often from a tree now, I held onto my LOC-ON light stand, it weighs about 7#, and with the LW sticks it brings it up to about 10-12#. I strap it all together and attach my pack to it. I have found that I can get around pretty easy while stalking and, if I find a good ambush spot, get up into a tree at 8-10 feet high. Small seat and platform but that's O.K.
ive pretty much went with just the LW hang ons and have found for me, the assault to be perfect. I have 6 assaults and a LW climber that gets very little use. The early original gorilla silverback aluminum stands were great stands but out of production, ive had a lot of different stands but over the years have sold or had them stolen and replaced with usa made LW's I had a couple china ones and the difference was noticble. I do like the looks of the XOP stands though, that may be my next one to try
I, too, have a LW hand climber and I am planning on buying an Alpha hang on + sticks to use this fall.
I don't know if customer service matters to you, but it matters to me, and in my experience, the guys at Lone Wolf are awesome. I called them last year to order some replacement parts for my hand climber and spoke to Jared, who is one of the owners of the company... he was extremely helpful and made sure I had everything I needed. I called back a few weeks later to get some help with a creak that had developed after setting up on a crooked tree, and their sales guy (Dan) spent about 30 minutes on the phone with me helping me troubleshoot and fix the issue. So, not only do they have great products, but they also care about their customers.
Good luck with whatever you choose!
Steve, I just purchased an XOP Aur Raid and I'm VERY happy with it.