I either want to get a climbing or non climbing treestand. FORGET COST, not like I have alot of money but I wanna get what works best/most people like. What would u get? Trees are straight and I want something so I can slip in a certain spot when the wind is good. I like the ease of a non climbing stand and buy a little ladder for it but a climbing treestand seems its the way to go once you get used to it bc its adjustable and u can go as high as u would like. Any suggestions/advantages/disadvantages are appreciated.

I like a lock on stand. I use them with a climbing stick. i like the fact that i can leave as much cover around me as I want compared to having to cut all the limbs off under me when using a climber.

I use a climber alot. Have the summit Viper. I like it, took a little getting use to carrying it in. But if you trim your trees in preseason you get plenty more options over a hang on

I like climbers. To me they are much easier to use and less hassle to set up. I started with a summit viper and now have the summit goliath. For rifle hunting I liked the viper a lot more. I don't really care so much about the amount of cover I have around me rifle hunting

i have a lock on and its great you really are a part of nature its easy to set up as well but you have to make sure everything is perfect such as you have the right cover and if the wind isnt right it takes a little more effort to change trees if i had the money i would do a climber the one i used to use was way more convenient and comfortable also I found it easier to make cover around my climber such as wrapping it in camouflage or zip tieing branches to it

what are the differences between the viper/goliath? bc academy sells both of them and I will prolly get one of those if I go with the climbing stand. and i will only be doing bow hunting out of it no rifle

For mobility to hunt certain winds climber is the way to go! Lock ons are somewhat permanent, atleast for my use!

Ckeck out big shot climbers. Best I've used!

Ac

I am really leaning towards a climber too, I am just kinda nervous bc I have never done it or even seen it done. But i will prolly fall in love with it once I get it down

Only 2 tips.

Get a folding limb saw to trimb nuisance branches on the way up and buy a cord or string that you can hook or snap bottom and top pieces together when climbin. Crappy feelin losin your feet 30+' up

Ac

explain ur last tip about a cord snapping the two pieces together, I am confused.

Once you get them mounted on the tree, connect them together somehow.

I usually tie a piece or crimp a cord to one piece and shoot a tech screw in the other to loop and hook it to. This way if you are climbing up or down and lose your grip on the bottomr with feet it CANNOT fall away. Atleast it is hooked and you can can retrieve it.

You'll know what I mean after the first time it happens!!!

Ac

the rail on the viper doesn't drop down like the goliath does... the goliath is designed really for bowhunting, but you can get the shooting rest attachment (which to me is just something to make noise or squeak) or sit somewhat uncomfy with the top section attached tight to the tree to give you an angle. The viper doesn't support the weight the goliath does. When I bowhunted out of the viper I had to sit with the sections somewhat close together so when I stook up my bottom cam could clear the rail (aka...short f'er). The goliath lets me sit with the sections further apart and with extra legroom, and when I stand up my bottom cam still clears the rail (FYI: Biggest buck I've ever taken a shot at and I had head up arse syndrome and forgot to see where my bottom cam was, found out quick it was about a 1/4" from that rail as the arrow took a nosedive, I'm still sick about it 3 yrs later). Regardless, they are like sitting in a recliner on the side of a tree. I've found the easiest thing to do if the tree does have a few limbs is to hang the stand a day or so prior, climb and chop the limbs off with a machete. If you are hunting your own property (or private prop) you will grow fond of certain trees, so the limb cutting isn't a huge deal.

CC, where are you located?

live in sugarland, hunt in colorado/fayette county!!!! if its about a used stand........I am prolly going to buy a new one

Nope not a sell job, I was gonna let you try mine if you were interested.

Never used a hangon, but I have several climbers and love them. The summits are great and if youhave the money get that or a treewalker. But if you are tight on money, go to academy now and buy one of the gorilla climbers on clearance for 85!! That's almost 200 less than my summit, and while I prefer my summit over my gorilla, the gorilla is a fine stand and I hunt out of it often and its just as durable as te summit. The gorilla is a bit heaier, but it packs down much smaller and is easiert carry - imho.

I was in there the other day and didnt see that stand for 85. whats the complete model name? gorilla what?

Gorilla greyback I think. The academy in longview had 9 last weekend, I'm going back Saturday to be everyone they have left.. assuming they have any left.

Yeah I will have to check at few around here. I really like what I have seen/read about the goliath tho

You will love the climbing stirrups on the goliath (which can be ordered for other summits for around $25) and perhaps maybe the additional width if you happen to be a good size fella', but I honestly don't see the goliath being worth double the cost of the viper classic. The safety latches for the cables on the goliath is the only big knock I have on it.

yea I am 6'4 225 so I think the goliath would better suit me lol

I use both and am happy w/ both. They sell fixed stands that have brackets so you can take the stnad and go to a different tree location. The fixed stand I have was made for Cabela's and it is VERY light compared to the climber I have. An old Loggy Bayou climber is what I have and have installed a footrest on it for comfort. I sit ALL day and am 6'1". So, the legs cramp if I just leave them on the platform. Feels like the seat and platform are too close, but it is ok now. I have another hang-on stand and it is really comfortable also w/ the added on footrest. If you can sit on them prior to buying you'll know if the platform is too close or not. The climbers that are of a 2 piece design is best IMO. You can adjust the seat height to what you like/ want. I like the Viper if I were to buy another climber.

How long does it realistically take to use a climber say to 16 feet and get settled in and ready to hunt? like in minutes if that makes sense.

With it attached to the tree already, I can be up to 16' and sitting down in less than a minute (I climb with rifle across rail so I don't have to mess with a rope/string). I have climbed and the second my butt hit the seat look down through the woods and seen deer feeding. Without it attached to the tree add another minute onto it just from trying to be quiet and not clankin' the cables against something metal.

damn. and by attached you just mean clamping in onto the tree? the floor piece and the seat?