I am planning on buying a summit vipper next week. This is kind a changing my mind about getting a climbers but think it will be to my advantage to buy one. Not having a ladder showing. Able to get up as high as you want.

1. I have been told " It takes you forever to get set up. Hooking up to the tree, climbing, pulling the bow up and so on ".

So my question is, What is your routine from the time you get to the tree. to being setup, having your bow in your lap?

2. Do you put your bow in your lap or do you put a bow holders in the tree?

1. the first part depends on what kind of shape you are in and if you actually carry the thing in every time. (I usually take a liking to several trees and it will stay on a tree for a few days, until I decide to move it).

2. I carry mine, whether it be bow or rifle, up with me. I find my bow lays across the rail on the top section and I can put my thumbs over the limbs and hands around the rail and get up the tree. Once I'm up there, The bow gets laid on its side and an arrow gets nocked. I can kick back and recline most of the time.

I am in good shape. I am a runner and work out religiously.

well then there should be no reason it takes "forever" to get up the tree. Upper body strength allows you to not have to sit down and work 1-2' at a time.

edit: eyeball the tree and see about how much it tapers as it gets to the height you plan to hunt and set the angle needed when you first put it on the tree. A lot of times, my bottom section is at a 45 when I start out...how I put the top section on depends on if I'm bow hunting or gun hunting. Another thing that helps me in my area is that most of the trees are of similar size b/c of when they were last cut.....makes it easy leaving one side of the cable pre-set and just working with one side when you get to a tree.

15 minutes tops to about 20ft, with two points of attachment....use a bow holder attached to my stand or one that straps to my tree.

the only time i use a bow holder is if it is VERY convenient. Climber takes me about20 min or so, make sure you got you a tree picked out already.

It takes me maybe two minutes to setup and then five minutes tops to climb 15 to 20 foot. I would never take my bow up with me because if you have a problem there goes your bow and or you. I always pull my bow up with a rope and yes I add a good bow holder on the side of my stand.

I cant find a tree straight enough to use one. If I do, its not where I want to hunt from. I think it limits you unless you have a tree in mind and know it will work out. If you are lucky enough to have one of these trees, do you know of other trees like this you can use? If you do then I say buy one. If not save your money and get a non climber.