[Buk_Huntir]

Kicking around the idea of getting a new climber. Right now I am hunting with just a climbing platform and no seat. I love the portability of it, but I do get tired of standing for hours on end. Im usually good for about 3 hours or so, but after that it starts to get old.

I am looking for light weight, very packable, and easy to set up, and something to sit on. My climber right now weighs probably 8# maybe 10

 

[Irishman]

What about a tree seat...It is lightweight and just straps around the tree. Once fastened you can fold it down flat against the tree to stand, or flip it up to sit. I did this for years because it was much lighter and more portable. Now it is too difficult for me to "hug" the tree as I am climbing. Just a thought.

 

[mathewsarcher996]

I have a summit openshot climber it weighs 15 pounds. It's not the most comfortable treestand, but I can do all day hunts in it. It packs real small, easy to move in and out of the woods,and is sturdy in the tree.

 

[Buk_Huntir]

Irish- thought about doing that, I just dont like the idea of not having weight on the platform.

Matthews- Thats the stand that I was looking for. Im not overly concerned about comfort, im not there to sleep. :0

 

[mathewsarcher996]

That's the way I am if I am comfortable I won't be aware. I have to hike a long time to get to my one spot and this is the perfect climber for it.

 

[shootbowtech]

I also have a sumit open shot, and it is nice, but noisy. After dealing with it the past few years, I would have much rather spent the extra money and got a lone wolf. Super light, and the alpha hand climber combo is probably just right for you. I believe it packs down to fit inside a pizza box! I think it weighs like 2 lbs more than the summit, but it is much quieter, and much more portable. Maybe buy one used, for the same price as the summit.

 

[Buk_Huntir]

I also have a sumit open shot, and it is nice, but noisy. After dealing with it the past few years, I would have much rather spent the extra money and got a lone wolf. Super light, and the alpha hand climber combo is probably just right for you. I believe it packs down to fit inside a pizza box! I think it weighs like 2 lbs more than the summit, but it is much quieter, and much more portable. Maybe buy one used, for the same price as the summit.

Whats noisy about the summit?

 

[Squirrel]

I have a LoneWolf hand climber. I love it and wish I would have dropped the cash on it sooner. About 17.5#, but very easy to pack and transport since it packs flat. It is very quiet too. I almost bought the Open Shot but I hunt pretty thick areas and wanted a compact climber.

 

[mathewsarcher996]

I want to know what's noisy on the Open Shot also. Mine is quiet.

 

[shootbowtech]

Any little twig it hits while carrying it makes a loud ping, the cables that attach it to the tree are noisy when you remove them if you aren't super careful, the teeth as they dig into the tree, your feet on the tube frame. Like I said, I love mine, but I know for a fact the Lone Wolf is so much quieter. The differences in construction make it so.

 

[hightine]

Summits are more noisy than alot of other stands. The hollow metal with openings on the ends amplify any sound made. Get some spray foam and fill in the holes, especially the one that connects to the teeth on the stand and climber. It'll muff any sound substantially. It does not add weight either.

Note to self !! Don't spray foam in hole where cables go ! (I didn't, but almost did). LAUGH.

 

[Buk_Huntir]

Any little twig it hits while carrying it makes a loud ping, the cables that attach it to the tree are noisy when you remove them if you aren't super careful, the teeth as they dig into the tree, your feet on the tube frame. Like I said, I love mine, but I know for a fact the Lone Wolf is so much quieter. The differences in construction make it so.

Yea my current stand makes that pinging sound too. Thats one thing I hate about it. I was thinking about wrapping it in some of the cloth camo tape to help deaden the sound.

 

[hightine]

Also, the newer openshot model with the lifting seat.. get some stickies (thingys you'd put under a couch or tv stand to prevent long-term marks on yer carpet but smaller.) Put them where the metal meets metal... seated or lifted up.

Re: "Stickies" -- I don't know what they're called .. yinz know what I mean.

 

[hunt/fish365]

I have the older Open Shot. The only time I stand is to stretch my legs or if there is zero wind. If the new one opens up to stand that would be great.

The thing I hate about it is the platform is very small. I wear a size 13 and can't move my feet at all. Well, nothing more than putting my heals at the edge of the platform.

I wouldn't recommend it for an all day hunt. After a couple hours I'm ready to go. My old stand was way more comfy, and had a larger platform. It was only a few pounds heavier, but I hate the old style blade that goes around the tree. I could however sit in it all day with relative comfort.

 

[Buk_Huntir]

It pretty much stinks that a lot of the tree stand companies have dissolved. There really is only three options when it comes to climbers.

 

[KCROE]

I use the tradtional Loggy Bayou climber with the wide metal strap on the back and the rubber conneciton points. It's light, portable, easy to set up, and very quiet.

The only downfall is you have to get used to using it. You DEFINATELY need to practice get up and settled into the stand before the season a number of times. It can feel a bit sketchy your first few times getting up in a tree and getting settled in properly.

They're not made anymore but you can normally find them on this site, eBay or Craig's List from $50-75 and that's with the climbing aid.

 

[Loggy]

I have a LoneWolf hand climber. I love it and wish I would have dropped the cash on it sooner. About 17.5#, but very easy to pack and transport since it packs flat. It is very quiet too. I almost bought the Open Shot but I hunt pretty thick areas and wanted a compact climber.

Likewise!! Hard to beat a Lone Wolf!

 

[PA bow hunter]

I second the loggy climbers I have one that I use for just archery when I use a climber most of the time anymore I use lock on's and climbing sticks,Thats the way to go I use mine on gamelands I just get a heavy chain and lock and lock the bottom of the climbing sticks then use one around the top of the sticks and around the tree stand I know not totally theft proof but they are gonna have to work for it at least.Can't beat the complete silence of them and with the climbing sticks you can move them around rather easily.Just my$0.02 worth.

 

[KCROE]

Yeah, I've always been a Summit and ladderstand. Both are a pain in their own rights. Summits, though one of the most comfortable stands, are "clanky" and heavy. Can never find the right tree to put a ladder in as well.

But last year I really got into using my Loggy over my Summit and this year I used sticks and lock-on's for the first time over the bulky ladder.

Takes a little getting used to on both accounts (especially when setting them up) but so much worth it in the long run.

 

[Squirrel]

I use the tradtional Loggy Bayou climber with the wide metal strap on the back and the rubber conneciton points. It's light, portable, easy to set up, and very quiet.

I have one of these also. My nephew has been using it since I got the LW. At first he hated it, but now he is used to it he really likes it. He uses a ratchet strap on the stand once settled to help stabilize the platform and now he wonders why I bought the LW, lol.