Is anyone using a LW hand climber with the strap that allows you to sit and climb.  I haven't experimented too much but the couple times I tried it I was not impressed.  You sit too low and therefore you can only climb a few inches (maybe 6?) per move.  What am I missing?  What's the trick?  I've seen some guys post that they like this thing so maybe I am missing it?

I dont think you are far off the mark.  I used mine a few times with similar results to you.  Didnt feel all that secure either and scrapped using it.

I don't use mine going up.  I use mine, coming down.

Good luck.

I use mine on the way up and not on the way down. I find it real secure and can get right with it going up! Going down is just so easy to extend your legs further and make bigger "jumps" without it! Without it, I felt like I was being pushed away from the tree by the seat. After years hugging the tree with an old Loggy, though, just about anything seems like an improvement  :D

I don't know how long your strap is as I made my own years ago. When I use the stand, I place my forearms on top of the seat and kind of grasp the side of the tree. I have some of my weight on my arms and some on the strap, kind of balanced out. I never measured the distance I gain with each climbing movement, but it has to be at least a foot or more. Don't depend on the strap for complete sitting as you climb. Try it like I described and see what happens. If you don't love your strap, you're doing something wrong, or the strap is too long.

I gerry rigged my 1999 model this way almost from the beginning.  Key is a "tight" fit.  Makes climbing  a lot easier

I have never been super pleased with the strap either.  Smaller gains with each stride.  I'll use it if I have a lot of clothes on and I'm trying to not work up much of a sweat.  That being said, I absolutely love my Lone Wolf Climber.

This is a good question as I just got the hand climber this year without the strap.This off season I was going to try the strap.Do any of you take longer strides up the tree with the strap then without it?Do you feel you have more control with it?

I made my own strap years ago as well.  The tighter you keep the strap around your butt, the the more you can move the lower stand.  Of course, the shorter you are, the less you can move the stand.

I've never felt the need to try a strap. Going up I just rest my elbows on the cushion and grab either the short side rails or traction belt then I make two lifts with my feet on the bottom section. First move I pull up as high as I can, second I lean in a little closer to the tree an pull up again getting almost as much as the first. Then I move my harness strap up and repeat.

Going down is even easier and have to try and refrain from dropping the lower section too low and binding the top section with side strap tension.

The only aggravations I have climbing with the Hand Climber is not enough room to get my feet under the rails on bottom section when wearing big insulated boots.

The other is when on a fast taper trunk getting the bottom section to move up. I find the best way is to twist it side to side while pulling my feet up at the same time.

Sounds like I need to tighten it up and play around with it.  I've climbed without the strap for years but the closer I get to 50, the harder I am breathing by the time I get to hunting height!  lol

Hoyt - to help with the boots, I placed a bungee across the platform where the feet go and place my feet under the bungee.  This helps - especially with bulkier boots.

QuoteSounds like I need to tighten it up and play around with it.  

Might be the answer!!!

I use mine with no problems.Much easier to use the strap going up when you want to take your time and try to not work up a sweat.I also like being able to swing it out of the way when you reach the desired height.Easy to pack,quiet and comfortable,I really like mine.