After ten years spent almost exclusively on the ground, I am looking for a reasonably light climber to add to my arsenal this year. Lots of public ground around me, but I don't have any interest in leaving a stand out for my fellow Missouri residents (sorry fellas).
I'm looking at the Lone Wolf Alpha hand climber at the moment. Seems pretty lightweight and not too many moving parts to squeak or come apart on me. Anyone used one? What did you think?
Any other climber recommendations? I'm looking for something sub 20 pounds that I can set up in the dark.
I've got one & love it.I bought a couple of padded neoprene rifle slings for 5.00 that i use for shoulder strapps.They are well worth what they cost.....
The Lone Wolf hand climber is a good choice. Also, I like the Summit Open Shot. Only 14#s, stable, quiet, and fairly comfortable.
Might want to consider a Treesuit and a set of Lone Wolf sticks.
You'll love the Lone Wolf. I do.
I have hunted almost exclusively out of a Lone Wolf alpha the last 4 years. The best. Only complaint is that it is not real comfortable. Good enough for several hours but I never took a nap in one.
I have an Alpha hang on and a Lone Wolf climber but with my trees the climber just doesn't seem to work so it stays in the truck most all of the time.
Actually thinking of giving the Summit Comfort system a try.
I have the LW Alpha Hand Climber,the LW Sit and Climb,and a few of the LW ALpha Hang ons with a cuople sets of 4 LW sticks.............oh yea,and a LW Assault.
My climber choice would be the Sit and Climb,with a Summit Replacement seat.Easy,QUIET,and with the replacement seat,very comfortable.I actually loned the Hand Climber model to a hunting friend 2 years ago................he still has it.
I absolutely love using the Assault and a 4 set of sticks on public land.........any tree you pick is not a problem.The Alphas I use almost as permanent stands,and being able to level the platform and seat to fit leaning trees is great.You can even get the off set bracket to have even more adjustability.
Lone Wolf makes awesome gear,a little pricey,but I think you get what you pay for with them.
I've got a sit and climb, very comfortable and easy to climb. All day sits are not a problem in it. In fact I prefer it for an all day sit than any of my other fixed position treestands. The only downside to it, is it is alittle heavier and a little more fiddling around packing it up. I'd like to add the hand climber portion to it for short 4hr hunts - lighter to pack and quicker set up.
LW hand climber and the Tree Saddle with LW climbing sticks cover every option. My best days are in the saddle.
Opinions ? We got plenty of them around here !
Mine is....I don't see anything that a climber can do that a GOOD fixed poistion / strap on / call it what you like - stand can't do (except the obvious...climb. But with a good set of LW climbing sticks I can go as high as I ever want to go just as fast and much quieter (in my mind) than a climber, and I am not as restricted to what tree works for the stand.
ChuckC
Well,
I refuse to go into the woods with a bundle under each arm. I also refuse to buy a cart to haul crap to the woods. I've spent plenty of time with one leg wrapped around a tree and the strap/chain of a stand in my teeth. I'm not that acrobatic anymore.
I want a simple, quiet way to go up a tree in ten minutes or less. I don't want to carry 32 easy to assemble parts, I'm not going to tear up any more of my trees with steps, and I will leave at home anything that I suspect will clink or clang either on the way to my tree or during setup.
Guess I'm kinda spoiled after spending so much time in a Torges tree seat.
I love my Summit Viper XLS. Been hunting out of it for 6 seasons now. Not under 20 pounds (more like 26) and can't sit in just any tree but its plenty quiet to and from the tree, up and down the tree, and plenty stable and secure while in the tree. I DO take naps in mine, I'm not afraid of falling out of it and I see lots of deer each season.
Jeff,,I hear ya. Take a look at someone installing a Chippewa Wedgeloc. The "strap on" part is separate from the stand, so it weighs like a pound or so. Then you hook the stand over the cable. It is fast, quiet and unbelieveably stable. I use bungies to lash up to four LW climbing sticks to the back of the stand and carry it in on my back. Easy, quiet. Not very bad at all on the trees, but it does make small marks in the bark. But...Everyone has their choice. Stay safe up there.
ChuckC
Jeff,
Not to push the Treesuit but it has no metal parts except the buckles. The only thing you need is a way up the tree and a couple strap on steps to stand on. It's comfortable to sit in, hardly no noise. When I am not in the suit I use a loc-on limit. Weighs about 6 pounds. That being said I still do the majority of my hunting on the ground. I hate carrying a bunch of stuff when I hunt too. Gonna make me one or deans seats for next season.
It's a little over 20lb but I love my Ol Man. Very quiet climber, easy set-up, and extremely comfortable. It adjusts to give you a rifle rest(not that you need it), a foot rest, or a totally open front. The other nice thing is that it is about 1/2 the price of a Lone Wolf.
The Alpha hand climber certainly is quiet. I've had deer walk by as I was going up. It's faster going up than down. It's light and folds flat, which makes it quiet squeezing through the thick stuff. If I were to buy one now, I would probably get the Assult because it is lighter. I also have the hang on and sticks, but the long strap for the sticks is kind of a pain. I can put up 3 sticks and the stand in less than 15min., but work up a sweat doing so. Carl
Lone Wolf must be awesome with everybody's opinions on here. I use a Tree Lounge climber and a Non-typical outfitter with Rapid Rails. Good huntin' to ya'll !
DR
Thanks for all the opinions, guys.
Jeff, if you make it to MoJam, I have 2 different Summit models you can try out, if'n ya want!!!
I'm partial to Summit myself--comes with a great harness, the quick climb hooks (rather than straps, to put your feet in) are the best idea I've seen in a tree stand in years, very comfortable, quiet to put up, very comfortable, and excellent warranty. I'm a big guy and need the Goliath, but they make several smaller/lighter stands.
Chad
Jeff, I've never been a huge fan of climbers, but recently I have seen a few situations where they are handy, like when I am traveling hours for a weekend hunt. Anyway, We've got both the Hand Climber, and the sit & climb deal made by Lone Wolf. Personally, I love the hand climber, and never use the sit and climb. The hand climber is lighter and easier to pack. It also allows more clearance for a guy shooting traditional gear. As far as climbing treestands go, I thinks it is the way to go. They are expensive, but you only need one. When you get it, practice on a telephone pole in your yard. It only takes about 2 times up and down, and you will have it down.
Jeff, if you are allowed to use screw in steps.Then you might consider the simmons woodpecker drill.It is a small hand held drill and you use grade eight bolts insted of steps.Works good, is compact and you'd be surprised how quickly you can get 16 feet up.
CB
LBR ( Chad ), I am with you, Summit Viper rocks ! I have hunted for about 25yrs and hunted out of em all, even homemade ones, ( Yikes ! ). Viper is quiet, light, easy to set up and rock solid on the tree. Seat is very comfy. I never like to nap if I can help it, but in a viper you can catch a 10 minute nap and stay on stand another few hours, rather than packing it in too early. Also if you are hunting out of state and hunting for a week at a time from dark to dark it makes a HUGE difference ! I do not think I could stay in any other stand that long day after day. JMHO.
nocams
I own a summit viper. Quiet and sit and climb option is great. Especially the way the sit and climb bar folds out of the way to make an open front stand which are bowhunter friendly. My friend has the summit bowhunter stand and it folds flat for easy transport in and out from your stand location. where the viper is a little awkward to carry especially with all your other gear.