Climbing Treestand Recommendations

• Nov 26, 2016

• #1

CrabbyMcNab

Ultimate Member

Feb 1, 2009

2,474

I'm through with the Summit Brand tree stands. Climbing down the other day and the foot section cable came undone. Left me dangling 12 feet up, and by some miracle, I made it down. This is the second time in a span of a few years this has happened to me. Thankfully it was not the upper portion that came undone/broke. I am in the market for a new climber, but not the "quick trigger" system that Summit uses.

Anyone have experience with other brands? I'm looking at the Lone Wolf stands, but they are pricey. Dicks doesn't have much of a selection and I haven't thought of driving to Cabela's yet. I like lightweight and would prefer to have a fold flat design. I know the old adage, buy once.

 

• Nov 26, 2016

• #2

steves1911

Ultimate Member

Dec 2, 2011

3,051

On a hill in Wv

That sucks i have used a summitt for years and have never had that happen. Check out x stand or tree walker climbers.

 

• Nov 26, 2016

• #3

Inigoes

Head'n for the hills

MDS Supporter

Dec 21, 2008

49,587

SoMD / West PA

I love my lone wolf climber. You can never go wrong with a wide seat when you have your safety gear on.

 

• Nov 26, 2016

• #4

h2u

Village Idiot

Jul 8, 2007

6,694

South County

I second the Lone Wolf.

 

• Nov 26, 2016

• #5

outrider58

Eats Bacon Raw

MDS Supporter

Jul 29, 2014

50,063

I loved my API. Easiest climber I've ever owned. I have a Summit now and it doesn't compare. Only reason I use it is it is 10 lbs lighter.

 

• Nov 26, 2016

• #6

balttigger

Ultimate Member

Oct 15, 2008

3,051

Middle River, MD

I have always been partial to ladder stands for this very reason. I have never seen need to get any higher than 12 feet anyway. YMMV

 

• Nov 26, 2016

• #7

Inigoes

Head'n for the hills

MDS Supporter

Dec 21, 2008

49,587

SoMD / West PA

balttigger said:

I have always been partial to ladder stands for this very reason. I have never seen need to get any higher than 12 feet anyway. YMMV

Click to expand...

Taking a ladder stand on public or others land is a PITA. Climbers are not as likely to get stolen either.

All three types, fixed, ladder, and climber have their place.

 

• Nov 26, 2016

• #8

SRD

R.I.P.

Mar 5, 2011

10,645

Gambrills/Crownsville and parts in between

Ive been using an API,not sure of model(it's probably 20 yrs old now) but the closest thing they make now is this.Which replaced a Warren and Sweat.

http://t.basspro.com/API-Outdoors-AlumiTech-Crusader-Climbing-Treestand/product/12031305005517/

 

• Nov 26, 2016

• #9

CrabbyMcNab

Ultimate Member

Feb 1, 2009

2,474

Inigoes said:

Taking a ladder stand on public or others land is a PITA. Climbers are not as likely to get stolen either.

All three types, fixed, ladder, and climber have their place.

Click to expand...

I agree, all three types have their place. Love having the "fixed" position lock on, but sometimes I am in need of the mobility of a climber. At somepoint, I'm going to get too old for a climber.

Thanks for the other brand suggestions, I'll look into them as well.

 

• Nov 26, 2016

• #10

Devonian

Ultimate Member

Apr 15, 2008

1,199

Did the cable break or slip out. I'm using a summit viper so I'm curious.

 

• Nov 26, 2016

• #11

N

namrelio

Ultimate Member

Aug 14, 2013

4,372

Frederick Co. Virginia

Be careful with any stand. This poor guy hung by his foot till he died.

http://www.khou.com/news/dad-files-...dies-in-bizarre-tree-stand-accident/330016133

I have a ladder stand. After reading about the guy that died, I'm slow going up, slow coming down.

 

• Nov 26, 2016

• #12

SummitCnty

Ultimate Member

Jan 26, 2013

2,231

Frederick County

I always tied the two sections together for that reason. Haven't used a climber in years but had Summits in the past. I wasn't a fan of the way they did there cables back then.

 

• Nov 26, 2016

• #13

SRD

R.I.P.

Mar 5, 2011

10,645

Gambrills/Crownsville and parts in between

namrelio said:

Be careful with any stand. This poor guy hung by his foot till he died.

http://www.khou.com/news/dad-files-...dies-in-bizarre-tree-stand-accident/330016133

I have a ladder stand. After reading about the guy that died, I'm slow going up, slow coming down.

Click to expand...

While tragic,it appears to me his harness was not used properly if it allowed him to hang upside down.

 

• Nov 26, 2016

• #14

CrabbyMcNab

Ultimate Member

Feb 1, 2009

2,474

Devonian said:

Did the cable break or slip out. I'm using a summit viper so I'm curious.

Click to expand...

The cable slipped out out the "locking" channel area. I was on the way down, sat down and as soon as I took pressure off the foot section, the cable came out. Somehow my feet stayed wedged in and I managed to add a second strap to the two sections. Using a strap attached on each side, I had to take my feet out, managed to reach the cable around the tree and get it attached back correctly. All the while balancing on the upper section bar.

I think the curved spring which keeps the cable snug and locked somehow allowed the cable to loosen and slide out. Scary scenario for sure.

I'm not using this thing again, anyone want it for parts?

 

• Nov 26, 2016

• #15

outrider58

Eats Bacon Raw

MDS Supporter

Jul 29, 2014

50,063

I don't see how that can happen, but I don't care for Summits, even though I'm using one now. I don't like Lone Wolf type 'bands'. Just never trusted them. I love the motorcycle chains on the APIs. They are bomb proof.

 

• Nov 27, 2016

• #16

camobob

Active Member

Feb 18, 2013

482

Glad you made it down okay. I'm never 100% comfortable in any climber but Summits are the most comfortable for me. Thanks for posting this - I'll make sure to check the locking springs on mine from now on.
Oh...I also check the cable itself. Mine have held up well but I've heard that they can rust out at the lugs and break.

 

• Nov 27, 2016

• #17

D

DaveP

Active Member

Jan 27, 2013

653

St. Marys county

All are a mile ahead of the old Baker style.
Years ago, I had a homemade one, plywood base and old seatbelt and fender washers for foot straps.
No seat or climber, just hug the tree and climb.

Got about 15 or 18' up a pine when stand slipped off my feet and to the ground it went.
I held fast for about 30 or 40 seconds and then slowly, and painfuly started sliding down.
Shirt rode up and forearms , stomach, and chest looked like someone took a cheesegrater to me by the time I hit the ground.
Think I still have one of my nipples stuck to that tree.

Bought a NIB Lone Wolf about 15-18 years ago off ebay for $ 200. Need to update top half as early ones are a PIA and uncomfortable but better than what I had.

 

• Nov 27, 2016

• #18

C

City Rat

Member

Aug 12, 2015

40

MD

Man, I was just looking at Summit Vipers based on consistent recommendations from members of my hunt club. I will really look a lot harder at the cables and their attachment points now.

 

• Nov 27, 2016

• #19

CrabbyMcNab

Ultimate Member

Feb 1, 2009

2,474

City Rat said:

Man, I was just looking at Summit Vipers based on consistent recommendations from members of my hunt club. I will really look a lot harder at the cables and their attachment points now.

Click to expand...

I'm not discrediting Summit, this may be an isolated occurrence. I've used this stand for close to 5 years with no issues, and gone up a hundred trees. As I and another has mentioned, check the spring which keeps the cable in place. Make sure it's still tight and not bent or weak.

 

• Nov 28, 2016

• #20

D

Derwood

Ultimate Member

Jun 2, 2011

1,078

DC area

I upgraded to a Lone Wolf this year and like it. It's not nearly as comfortable as my "Cadillac" APC Commander tree stand, but it weighs about half as much and is significantly quieter. It's really light and once you get used to the procedure, climbing is easy. Whatever you get, make sure you add on a cup holder. Nothing worse than a tree stand with no place for your water bottle.