Tree stand topic

[Special T]

I have 2 steel foldable climber.. Cheep noisy heavy but works.. I have stood and the bolts squeeked scaring game. Bought 2 older summit vipers NO HINGES made out of aluminum.. light comfortable and QUIET! I like climbers cause they don't disapear... that said you often hunt for a tree as much as the game... I scout with my climber before/after season and do some limb trimming. i do this so the climb is quick and so once up i have clear lanes for shooting.  

[DoubleJ]

Thanks for everything guys.  A lot of good info here.

[MAVsled]

I have used several: summit, ameristep and an off brand, climbers and fixed.

don't care for climbers just because you need that "perfect climber" tree and you can't always find that tree in bow range of good trails etc.

you want a treestand platform-unit that is lightweight, quiet when standing on platform, secure and...a seperate safety system in case of a fall. The safety system is a must; vest/strap system, carbiner hook up2tree slightly above your head when standing, lineman's belt/climbing rope. I've never fallen but had a few slips and thought if I had fallen, my precautionary use of the system would certainly keep me from physical harm or worse...especially when I hunt alone.

One brand of fixed stand is my fav and I own 3 of them: LONEWOLF, an Assault and 2 Alpha models. let's me put these up in 3 different locations and cable lock them just in case as a preventative measure.
with 4 LW portable/removable climbing sticks (EZ to use), I can get 20' off the ground. but buy pre-2010 LW stands, as these are now made in China instead of the USA like mine listed above. Total weight with stand and climbing sticks is around 18-20lbs.

[jrebel]

Tree Lounge, check them out. 

treelounge.com

I have one and love it.

[wonder]

Thanks gentlemen for all the good info.  After wandering the woods during the last week of Elk season I have thought about it a lot but never tried it.  I looked over what Cabela's had in their Lacey store late Saturday night but wasn't able to get any knowledgeable help from the staff.  Place was incredibly busy.  If you walk 8-10 miles a day and don't get into the Elk vs sitting in a tree stand for X amount of hours and maybe not seeing anything either.  I guess it depends on how patient you are too, right ?

[superdown]

has anyone used the tree saddle? http://www.trophylineusa.com/products.php

[Special T]

The tree saddle might be ok but anyone who has spent time in anykind of climbing harness can tell you they are not that comfy.. Quiet and comfy the 2 important things for a tree stand...  if they are comfy you can wait longer if they are quiet you can kill-em. 

[Mossy]

I had a climber.  Last season(3rd time using it) just sitting up there the strap for the seat broke and I about crapped my pants.  Now I have a gorilla hang on, no seat straps to break on that thing.  And also on sale as of last week for under $100 at cabelas.  Went there for a ladder type but the weight of a hang on sold me.  That's just my experience with that 1 and only climber.