Any thoughts as to which tree climber tree stand is best for the money.
I see soemone had a lone wolf for sale for about $200 that lQQked great but seems to be sold.
Summit treestands are as good as you can buy and have good customer support after the sale.
i'm sure you will get lot's of opinions on which is better or worse. i pesonally have an API bowhunter and a Lone Wolf. the API is much more comfy if sitting all day. the Lone Wolf is the easiest to pack and is the quietest stand. unless i plan on sitting from dark to dark i will have the lone wolf.
I personally prefer LW,own both types of thier climbers.Light,quiet,easy climbing.I believe the sit and climb model is more comfortable than the hand climber,but I have some back problems which could have something to do with that.I also bought the Summit replacemnt seat and put it on the LW sit and climb to make it even more comfy.
I seem to often hear the "lone wolf is not as comfy as (insert other brand here)"
What causes that??
I have two models from Sumit (an old Viper and a broadhead backpacker (old model). Both are excellent and durable. Best bang for the $$. I chose them due to the weight rating as I am a solid 230# before any gear. Can, and usually spend a whole day in them. Easy to set up, no pieces to loose..... sounds like an advertisement, but I like them.
I gave my climber away for free. I had enough of that buisness. I hunt the ground.
Sorry, let me be positive. The Lone Wolf is nice.
I sit a Lone Wolf hand climber dark to dark for a couple of weeks during November each year. I've always found it very comfortable.
I would not have any other than the Lone Wolf. It is more stable than anyone out there. I have tried a lot of them, Summit, API. OL Man and others. If ya get the sit and climb the LW is comfortable as well. I do not the sit and climb though and like the hand climber version. The LW is the best value as ya get what ya pay for. Quick, quiet and easy to carry. The other brands mentioned, even the smaller versions hang well below your butt when carried and are lousy to carry. Shawn
I read all the input here last summer when the topic turned to tree stands and made the decision to invest in the Lone Wolf sit n climb. Needless to say, you advocates of the Lone Wolf get a high five from me. :scared: , but this stand gave me security and confidence at my limit of 15 feet. (Always used the safety harness too!)
As for comfort, I had no problem with 4-5 hours at all. (I never tried to stay longer, but am sure it would have been no problem.)
Thanks for addressing that "lone wolf/comfort" issue.
I am giving serious consideratain to one for this season, and I appreciate the feedback.
Thanks,
Rich
(I'm retiring my "suicide ride" old style loggy bayou..)
I have a API shooting star very comfortable and not too heavy very safe. I have spent entire days in it.
I love my Summitt. Lot's of guys claim LW is the best. I'll tell ya this. I'm 6'3" and 220 lbs. I sat in a LW climber (or at least tried to) at the Ohio Deer and Turkey Expo last weekend. Honestly, my fat arse would barely fit into the LW. If I had a set of thermals and bibs on....no chance.
So you guys that fit into a LW, ....what are ya....little skinny guys????
My hunting buddy is 6'4" and 250 and fits into a Lone Wolf Sit 'N Climb just fine.
OK...it's a little tight fit, but he does it.
Some of you guys should forget about McDonald's and get out of that stand and do some walking. :biglaugh:
First of all thanks for all the feed back....I need to go try a LW.
Otto, I guess it depends if ya have an hour glass figure or not.. :bigsmyl:
I hate to sound like a broken record, but Lone Wolf gets my vote hands down.
I'm definately not skinny,5'11" 220lbs,but the LW fits me good......like I said tho,I did replace the seat with a Summit seat,thicker padding both seat and back.
I have never tried a Lone Wolf, but have had a Summit Cobra for about 5 years now and have had no complaints. I was always one who wasn't real excited about getting up into a tree after having an incident with one of those old V-bar type climbers, but I feel very comfortable and secure in the Cobra and would probably buy another if I had a need.
That being said, I bought one of their Backpacker hang-ons and a set of Bucksteps two years ago and find I use it more often than anything. It's lighter, easier to pack, and more comfortable than the climber, and to top it off I can put it in any old scragly tree I need to, instead of having to find a straight one with no limbs.
Just for the record, I'm 6'1"/220 lbs.
Loggy Bayou.
Ask guys with other stands if they'd be willing to put all their weight on one side. Most would be afraid the stand will shift. Not on a loggy. The only other that would interest me is the LW. But that is just based on how portable they are.
The loggy is quiet if you are quiet.
It is cheaper than most.
Has a bigger platform than almost all.
Is very light. One of the lightest.
Rock solid.
No obstruction.
Comfortable.
Check them out.
The only gripe, is they don't transport as well as a LW should. They are bulky and will hang up on brush. But you will soon figure out how to deal with that, even in the dark.
I have a degentative(Sp?) disc in the L5 region that puts constant pressure on the cyitic nerve. Not fun...
I have had a lot of different stands including all the brands already mentioned, and then some. The two hanging in the shed are a Summit Bullet backpacker and a API Supreme something. Both have climbing bars (must have for my condition as the hand climbers kill me). If the stand isn't comfortable, I can't sit still. My back start spasming and my day is over. The LW I had was the handclimber model with the V bar. It was a solid stand and carried well but that little hard seat would kill my back.
The Summit and API is like having a Lazy boy 20ft up a tree. They are a bit heavier and don't pack as slight as the LW but the ability to let me stay on stand is well worth the trade off. I hunted the Summit last year in high winds, 30ft up. The tops of the tall trees were banging together hard but I never felt unsafe and rode it out. Then again, that kinda stuff doesn't bother me.
If you want real light, look at Timbertall stands. I had one of their stands also but I'm a bit,um...lets say thick, yea thats the ticket, and found their stands nice but a bit small for my liking.
Whatever you do, stay away from the cheap stands. They will creek and pop when you stand up. Buy the best harness and use it every time you go up in that stand. I have met guys that are perapalegics(sp?) in wheelchairs due to falling out of treestands. It ain't no joke. Always play it safe and remember that your family needs you to come home safe!
JL
Hour glass?....More like a pumpkin in my case.
Again the problem with the loggy and summits and APIs is that they are a pain to carry. I am 5'11"s and when on your back even positioned up very high they almost hang down to my knees. I have put all my weight on one side in a Loggy and I feel safer doing so in a LW, they by far our the most stable stand I have tried. Shawn
I have three Lone Wolfs - two hangs ons and one Alpha Climber. I do not give them high marks for comfort. After 4 hours in my Lone Wolf I begin to squirm.
I haven't hunted out of the sit and climb Lone Wolf but just looking at it I get the impression it's more comfortable than the Alpha.
I think when you design in the portability, quietness and weight advantages found in a Lone Wolf you can't help but sacrifice comfort.
Another stand I use, I rate very high on comfort and safety but it's heavy, cumbersome and not the quietest - but, it's one I am comfortable and secure in from before sunrise to after sunset.
I have a Summit and agree with Shawn its not the quietest to pack or put on a tree. But it is very comfortable. I feel like I'm sitting in a lazy-boy chair. You can sit all day and its very solid. I've thought about selling my Summit trying another brand that would be quieter packing and when putting on a tree my biggest complait with the Summit. I am looking into treesling type stands with clibing sticks but realy cant get much feed back on any.
I have the summit goliath.
It has a 350 Weight Rating, I'm 5-11 and 310lbs.
From the base of the tree, even I can climb to my hunting height in less than 5 minutes set up.
Absolutely love my Summit...
Shawn,
I'll take your word for the stability of the LW, but don't see how it is possible over the loggy bayou.
The loggy when in position has a strap around the tree to the seat which is part of the platform. It is the only climber that I have seen that has two points of connection, which eliminates rocking that is typical of most stands that have a strap set at a pitch going around the tree.
Another thing is you can situate your shoulder straps so that the stand rides high on your back and puts it up over your head more. It will probably get caught on brush but it is more comfortable and better for your back.
Kingstaken,
My best advice is to get a cabelas mag and check them all out. Make a matrices of certain attributes you want in a stand and grade the importance of how each feature ranks for each stand. The stand with the highest grade will be the one that best meets your needs.
My brother-in-laws family actually does all the machining for lone wolf treestands and will soon do all the assembly. They are coming out with a light ladder stand also for this fall, it was revealed this spring. Should be sweet for long hikes back into the thick stuff. Take care, Matt
'Reckon it's like bows: several high quality products out there, some like one, some like the other, and for different reasons.
I'm 6'3" and 300+ lbs (working on that part). I haven't tried the LW, but I do have a Summit Goliath and love it--easy to climb with, and very comfortable for long sits. Summit has excellent customer service to boot.
Chad
Another vote for the Summit. I have an Ole Man, quiet and comfortable but not too stable, better to keep seated it that one. An older Loggy Bayou which is very stable and quiet but is absolutely the most uncomfortable stand I have ever had, if you want to stand most of the time it's great. I have a Summit Viper that is the best. The summit is quiet, stable, comfortable and is definately a stand you can stay all day in if you want (ie: you can safley take a nap in it). I would go with the Summit.
Exacly what is the seat size on the LW sit and climb? Doesn't seem to mention anything on their site.
I have four stands I use. Three are Lone Wolf - two are hang ons one is an alpha climber. I don't consider my Lone Wolfs to be comfortable. After 4 hours I start to squirm. The sit and climb looks more comfortable than the alpha but I think I would still squirm on a long day.
When you design in portablilty, quietness and lightness; comfort suffers.
My other stand is cumbersome, heavy and not the quietest but it is the most comfortable and safest I've ever used. When I plan to sit from before sunrise to after sunset it's the stand I use.
I have been using the Summit Open Shot and really like it. Light weight, stable, and comfortable.
I did try a friend's Lone Wolf hand climber model and liked it OK, but I liked the Summit better.
I have an API Grand Slam and it has both good and bad points IMHO. It is very comfortable and I can sit all day with the sling seat. It was loud walking in when I first got it but I got a few bungi cords and wrapped everything up. It is quiet now. The supplied back pack straps are not that comfortable but OK. I don't like the chain's that wrap around the tree. I just don't trust that as much as I would the cable system of Summit. I have replaced the shrink wrap on the chains and it is a pain to think it wore out so fast (first year I had it). It is stable in the tree but I add an extra ratchet strap on both halves just for piece of mind and yes I can move around the edges.
With any climber you do need to watch the diameter of the tree you are climbing. Too big and you don't engage enough teeth so watch that regardless which stand you choose.
With all that said if I was going to buy a new stand today. I think I would look long and hard at the Summit line up. My buddy has one and he says it is comfortable and I know he has had no issues with the cables as I have had with the API chain shrink wrap.
Bill
I have a Summit "Python" Sit N' climb. Good stand. I want to get a Lone Wolf hand climber. A better stand and I don't use the sit piece anyway.
Summitt goliath, you can do a jig on the platform, weighs nothing, climbs like it is motorized, sticks to a tree like its bark, drink some coffee it is almost too comfy,,,can be noisy upon assembly to tree and takedown from tree to pack out, I am 6'4 235 so no problems with length when packing but can see that it may be an issue for the gravity impaired. I would love to try a lone wolf sit and climb. The platform looks better for noise prevention and traction.
Lone Wolf Hand Climber. Love it and I've tried a lot of stands. Very safe and quiet. The only change I'll make to mine is I'll get the longer belt this year so I can climb larger trees.
Lone Wolf offers or has stabilzing strap, but that is my point. It is not needed as other stand need it to make them that stable. I agree with everyone about the comfort issue, but the question was what is the best out there and to me nothing is better all around than LW. Shawn
I watch a lot of bowhunting videos. I'm always amazed at the noises coming from the stands these hunters use. The Lone Wolf calls itself your silent partner. It is. It's the quietest stand I've ever hunted out of.
Loggy Bayou Stalker
17 Lbs
18 x 17 padded seat
20 x 36" platform
300 lbs capacity
TMA full body harness included
Climbing aid included in price.
$210
LW Sit and Climb
17.5 Lbs
19.5 x 30" platform
350 lbs capacity
TMA full body harness included
$360.00
I've owned several climbers prior to my LW. It's the best for me. I like the lighter weight and size for portability, that was my main issue with the others, not necessarily comfort. I've always been better than most regarding staying in a stand for a period of time. During the rut, I tend to be in a stand from dark till dark and I don't have a problem doing that with the LW, but maybe that's just me.
BigHink, now put those stands together and sling them over your back and tell us which one is easier to transport into the woods. My son-in-law has a Stalker and it is definitley bulkier than the LW. To each his own. Shawn
The most comfortable stand out there is the tree lounge. Not only is it comfortable but by the time you get to your tree, you are wore out and all you want to do is sleep in it .If I had someone to carry it into the woods for me, I would still have it.
You are exactly right shawn. The LW is a smaller more packable package. I have found them attractive just for that feature. And I do get hung up on some brush if I am not careful
I am also timid of heights, that is why I stress the no shift stability of the Loggy. I have climbed into stands that only strapped around the tree like the LW and Summit and never found one that didn't move. At least a little.
When I pull my seat up and strap it to the tree, I would seriously hang ten on the side and jump up and down. It won't move. I feel safe, and thus uninhibited about bending at the waist to shoot downward.
Not to mention I'm 6'4" and 250LBS and I like the extra platform and cushy seat.
But your right, to each there own.
By the way, my bow is better than yours! LOL.
Lone Wolf has one of the best climbers out there. The sit&climb model is more comfortable, but also alittle heavier. I have the sit&climb and it is the most comfortable of all my treestands. Packs easy, climbs quietly, and is secure.
I'll never have another climber but a Tree
Lounge. I had a buddy at work that said he got rid of his because he kept falling asleep in it ?? He said it was too comfortable. It's like that country song, "I ain't never had too much fun". It adapts to any tree quicker than anything I've seen. Good luck !
I am a lineman and am used to climbing poles and towers. I own and use an ol man sit and climb. In my opinon it's a stable platform and built heavy enough to take lots of punishment. When I was shopping for stands, I would climb up in them and stand on the side bars to check stability. I also would put my weight at the front of the stand and also the rear of the platform. The grand ol man passed every phase of my rigorous testing. I have even clipped my harness (sop) to the climber portion of the stand and layed out horizontally from the front of the platform. I found no problems with the grand ol man tree stand. As for comfort, the net seat is a little to comfortable, been to many times I've hunted with my eyes closed. If ya know what I mean