What Climber treestand to get????

[FLIZZ]

Trying to keep it under 18lbs because it will either be hiking in with it a couple miles of biking in a couple miles. I'll be sitting anywhere from 4-8 hours so comfort is crucial. Quietness goes without saying. I Can't decide between Summit open shot SD or Lone wolf Combo II. Let me know what your experience is and what you like. SELL ME, Price isn't THAT big of a concern.

PS: I'm a tad bit afraid of heights so stand security/build is a bit of a factor.

[huntnnw]

quiet and climber do not go in the same sentence...reason I dont own any..no way Im sliding up a tree with one of these everytime I wanna hunt. not to include the tree needs to be free of limbs or your sawing and cutting your way up which is even more noise

[KFhunter]

 

What he says is true - but I got one anyways 


I went with summit razor, weighs a tad more than open shot but more options for me.  You could turn around in the stand and shoot something behind you if needed and still fold that arm out the way to make it like an open shot. 

Also I like to sit on that bar when climbing. 


Mostly though to be honest,  the stand sits in the garage 99.9999 % of the time when I go hunting, it's just a PIA to pack it in when I could just use a natural blind.    I plan on using it for predator hunting this winter though, for cats I think it'll help me see a Cougar coming in to a foxpro caller - or Bobcat.   I could see over the brush into small pockets. 

The built in shoulder straps really suck though,  If you want to pack a stand in more than a couple hundred yards get a pack frame with bottom shelf and lash it on.

[Mudman]

I have Summit Bushmaster.  Dont use it alot but love it.  18lbs I think.  Pack straps arent the best but not bad.  I will strap it to my pack as well.  Works good, comfy, not too noisy.  I dont have too hard a time finding a good tree to go up w/o limbs. Open front a must for bow.

[RIVERRAT]

I would go with nothing but a climber.  Allows for quick change of location and on the fly elevation changes.   I use the LONE WOLF sit and climb with the flip down seat (quiet and fast).  I also spend time in the woods doing some scouting and limbing trees I feel I will be using come hunting season.    Just my 2cents.   

[PolarBear]

I also will only use a climber!  I can get up a tree 4X faster than those hang-on or screw in step guys even with cutting branches.  It can be done very quickly and quietly if you know what you are doing.  I like and have had great luck with API climbers.  I use the Grand Slam Super Magnum but it is about 10 pounds heavier than your limit of 18 pounds.  They make lighter ones.  They can be a littl awkward when packing through heavy brush but the trade off is worth it.  API, Summit, Gorilla etc all make excellent treestands.  As far as being quiet while packing, a little experimentation and you can easily keep your climber from rattling while on the hike.  If you are afraid of heights then a climber is the ONLY way to go!  Much more secure and safe than those hang- on types!   

[Coasthunterjay]

Not sure how heavy it is but I've hiked a long distance with mine. I've got a Gorilla climber that I like ALOT! It's super quiet to put together and weighing 250lbs doesn't even stop it from slipping. Really good design, quiet, super adjustable, and not to shabby for the budget savy person. Try taking a look at gorilla.

[MAVsled]

my fave for archery: Lonewolf Assault hand climber. I added the sit down strap for easier sit-climb use.
3rd climber stand I've had/used. Highly recommend the sit down strap as an accessory.
lightweight and very quiet, climbing and moving feet once in position.

I too have pre-scouted/selected trees in the preseason and prepped those trees prior to the stick-n-string season.
Oh and a couple trees have the LW Alpha fixed installed & locked 20' up for the season too.

[Eli346]

 I've got a couple of climbers but keep going back to my TreeLounge. They aren't made anymore and hard to find but they're a great stand, although a little heavy. I put the stand on my Cabela's Outfitter pack frame so the pack in is a lot quieter and rides a lot better on my back. The straps on most of the stands don't seem to allow for any kind of comfort in packing for me but that's just my opinion.

[hillbilli]

summit openshot for me.. had it for more than 5 years.. light, easy to draw sitting. easy to use.