LW stands come with straps to connect the seat section to the platform. How many of you LW users actually use these and do they actually add anything to the stand performance?

I use them.  They stabilize the stand a ton when cinched down tight.  Also, I keep them loose when climbing so that if I loose the bottom section slips I'm not stuck up the tree!  I have the Alpha hand climber.

second what mparks said!

locks the two sections together solidly.   one of my complaints about the summit is that depending on the setup I've had the seat section slide down the tree when taking the weight off it.  that doesn't happen with the design of the LW

Have never used them. I like to stand during peak times and fold the seat up against the tree. I think the straps may prevent the seat to be folded in this fashion. Either way, I've never seen a use for them as the stand is rock solid funcitonal as is.

I always use the straps on my sit n climb since it locks the stand rock solid once you get into position.  I have never had a problem with those straps getting in the way.

I use them all the time and they stabilize it significantly. My cousin was not using his and combined with less than perfect placement in the tree had the stand shift and almost toss him were it not for a safety belt.

I have been using the Alpha climber for the last 6-7 years almost exclusively. Been up and down a couple hundred trees. I always use them just so the bottom section doesn't go sliding down the tree. I have never cinched it up tight when up to height. I use the bungee with the hook to keep the seat up and also use a scew in hook on the back side of the tree under the strap. I will lift the seat up when a deer is coming or I plan on standing for a while. Never had a problem with slippage, top or bottom.

After getting into position it is best to cinch the straps down TIGHT. I usually do the cinching while sitting and then when I stand up, it puts even more pressure on the straps. This makes the top part solid as a rock. You can even lean on the side rails while standing and the top will not move. I am referring to the sit and climb.

Havent had my stand long, but I do cinch them down. Without them, I can't see how you could fold up the seat and not have the whole top to fall on you? Steve

When I first got mine it was in a trade and they didn't have any on the stand.  Didn't really think it would matter, but since I bought a new one and have used them I agree it makes the stand more stable.  But it's great either way.

Bought a set at Denton Hill a few years back.  The straps have plastic instead of metal buckles and one of the buckles snapped off the second time I used them.  Kinda flimsy.  The stand seems to work ok without them, though.

I got some when I bought mine, but I never used them. I never had the bottom of a climber get away from me, so I didn't see the need for them. A buddy of mine lost the bottom of the same stand once, funniest thing you ever saw, you could hear him yellin' while we walked away too! Now he don't let it get away....

A friend didn't come in from hunting one night. We knew where he was hunting and we went to see what was up. He was okay but when climbing the tree with a climber, the bottom half had fallen all the way to the ground. This happened after he reached his hunting height of about 15 feet. He was still sitting on the hand climber with a headlock on the tree. I can tell you this guy was very glad to see us. We ended up getting a long extension ladder to retrieve him.

You may ask,why didn't he just slide down the tree? Well he was an older fellow that is like some of us...a little over weight and was afraid to try. It is harder than you think to get off the top half and slide down.

Using the straps may seem useless to some but believe me if the bottom half of the stand falls it can be a serious situation. I remember one time I forgot to attach the straps on a Loc-On climber and the bottom half fell. I was only about 8 feet off the ground and had a heck of a time getting down. Finally just jumped and ended up spraining my ankle. I can see I would have been in trouble had I been up higher. Of course I am an old and fat guy.  

I swear by mine.I got up in a tree the other day and my angle was way too steep so with the use of the straps i could adjust the bottom half,wasn't the easiest thing i ever done but it did work out well.

I have a suggestion for some of you, and some of you probably are to do this.  When I started looking at tree stands, I thought no matter what, I'm going to have 3 screw in foot pegs in a fanny pack or someplace were I can get them if I need them, this way, if you have to, you can screw one in to release some pressure.  And if need be, you could screw them in , and get down from the tree by taking them in & out.  Just a thought.

But of course you guys know " it always happens to the other guy"


Carl

Makes the stand rock solid, it only takes a few seconds to cinch them down so I don't know why you wouldn't want to use them.  I've had my Lone Wolf Alpha for a few years and love it.
Burnsie

When you guys climb with your lone wolf hand climber, how many of you use the optional equipment like stirrups, or do you just put your feet under the bar and climb with it that way ? I was looking at the stirrups today, they look like they would be a good option for it, but it does add weight.

Opinions !


Thanks

Carl

ttt

I have the hand climber and don't use any accessories to climb.  I've always tightened the "stability" straps as well though it makes it tough to stand for extended periods with the seat hitting you in the back of the legs.  Guess I always thought the platform would rock too much without cinching the straps down.

never use mine except to strap top piece to bottom when carrying the stand in and out of woods then use it when climbing to tie my bow too..LOL..it is stable enough without them for me...gut