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Summit Viper Classic Vs. Api Crusader #2243258
10/02/17 04:36 AM
10/02/17 04:36 AM
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 36
Auburn, Al
S
sgt0004 Offline OP
spike
sgt0004  Offline OP
spike
S
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 36
Auburn, Al
Looking at purchasing a new climber. All I have ever hunted out of was an Ol' Man. I have been looking at he Summit Viper Classic and the Api Crusader. The biggest difference I have found between the two are the summit has the cables and the api has chains and also the api is 22 lbs and the summit is 29 lbs. Can anyone give me their opinion on the two and which one they would choose. Thanks in advance!

Re: Summit Viper Classic Vs. Api Crusader [Re: sgt0004] #2243288
10/02/17 04:58 AM
10/02/17 04:58 AM
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 14,329
Mobile, AL
S
SouthBamaSlayer Online content
Gary's Fluffer
SouthBamaSlayer  Online Content
Gary's Fluffer
S
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 14,329
Mobile, AL
API's are known as death traps.

Re: Summit Viper Classic Vs. Api Crusader [Re: sgt0004] #2243295
10/02/17 05:01 AM
10/02/17 05:01 AM
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 22,092
USA
R
Remington270 Online content
Freak of Nature
Remington270  Online Content
Freak of Nature
R
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 22,092
USA
I'd get the Summit. I just bought an aluminium one (more $$ but lighter)

Re: Summit Viper Classic Vs. Api Crusader [Re: sgt0004] #2243297
10/02/17 05:02 AM
10/02/17 05:02 AM
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,700
Pisgah, AL
bowtarist Offline
THE Octopus
bowtarist  Offline
THE Octopus
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,700
Pisgah, AL
API won't bite into a tree like a summit will.

Re: Summit Viper Classic Vs. Api Crusader [Re: sgt0004] #2243319
10/02/17 05:12 AM
10/02/17 05:12 AM
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 191
madison county, AL
ego6baller Offline
3 point
ego6baller  Offline
3 point
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 191
madison county, AL
I love my summit viper sd. Its aluminum and have had if for 4 years now with no issue. Just change the shrink tube every other year.

https://www.amazon.com/Summit-Treestands-Viper-Climbing-Treestand/dp/B00JDUZJOA

Last edited by ego6baller; 10/02/17 05:13 AM.
Re: Summit Viper Classic Vs. Api Crusader [Re: sgt0004] #2243340
10/02/17 05:36 AM
10/02/17 05:36 AM
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 36
Auburn, Al
S
sgt0004 Offline OP
spike
sgt0004  Offline OP
spike
S
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 36
Auburn, Al
Sounds like I need to go with the Summit. Thanks for the input.

Re: Summit Viper Classic Vs. Api Crusader [Re: sgt0004] #2243387
10/02/17 06:26 AM
10/02/17 06:26 AM
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 8,600
Grays Creek, NC
bigcountry692001 Offline
14 point
bigcountry692001  Offline
14 point
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 8,600
Grays Creek, NC
I have a summit too but I’m looking at a lone wolf.


"You cant manage a deer herd with acorns."

-Dr. Craig Harper

Re: Summit Viper Classic Vs. Api Crusader [Re: SouthBamaSlayer] #2243491
10/02/17 07:41 AM
10/02/17 07:41 AM
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,764
Lincoln
bmc77 Offline
10 point
bmc77  Offline
10 point
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,764
Lincoln
Originally Posted By: SouthBamaSlayer
API's are known as death traps.


I've never had any problems with mine but I am looking to buy a new climber.The 2 grand slams I have are around 15 years old and work like the day I bought them.

Re: Summit Viper Classic Vs. Api Crusader [Re: sgt0004] #2243511
10/02/17 07:51 AM
10/02/17 07:51 AM
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,293
Auburn Al
mauvilla Offline
8 point
mauvilla  Offline
8 point
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,293
Auburn Al
I'm almost 40 had the same API grand slam since I was 18-19 never let me down . I have 3 and wouldn't be scared to use any of them . Never owned a summit not saying they aren't good just never needed to change

Re: Summit Viper Classic Vs. Api Crusader [Re: SouthBamaSlayer] #2243867
10/02/17 01:12 PM
10/02/17 01:12 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 807
vinemont
H
headshot Offline
6 point
headshot  Offline
6 point
H
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 807
vinemont

Originally Posted By: SouthBamaSlayer
API's are known as death traps.


I'm calling BS on that one!!! I've been hunting out of one for 25 years and it has never fell.

I have owned two Summits and have had both of them slid down the tree.

Re: Summit Viper Classic Vs. Api Crusader [Re: sgt0004] #2243872
10/02/17 01:16 PM
10/02/17 01:16 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 807
vinemont
H
headshot Offline
6 point
headshot  Offline
6 point
H
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 807
vinemont

Originally Posted By: sgt0004
Looking at purchasing a new climber. All I have ever hunted out of was an Ol' Man. I have been looking at he Summit Viper Classic and the Api Crusader. The biggest difference I have found between the two are the summit has the cables and the api has chains and also the api is 22 lbs and the summit is 29 lbs. Can anyone give me their opinion on the two and which one they would choose. Thanks in advance!


when you go looking at stands, look at the teeth that dig into the tree. API has teeth, Summit has a bar that will not grip the tree, Also, the chains seem to hug the tree better.

Re: Summit Viper Classic Vs. Api Crusader [Re: headshot] #2243881
10/02/17 01:21 PM
10/02/17 01:21 PM
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 14,515
Chilton County
M
MarksOutdoors Offline
Booner
MarksOutdoors  Offline
Booner
M
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 14,515
Chilton County
Originally Posted By: headshot

Originally Posted By: SouthBamaSlayer
API's are known as death traps.


I'm calling BS on that one!!! I've been hunting out of one for 25 years and it has never fell.

I have owned two Summits and have had both of them slid down the tree.

I think he is probably alluding to the recalls that caused some problems for API . Check out some of the YouTube videos that show a couple different models failing. With that said, I have an API that is about 6 years old that has been fine.


"The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him."
-G. K. Chesterton
Re: Summit Viper Classic Vs. Api Crusader [Re: sgt0004] #2243898
10/02/17 01:32 PM
10/02/17 01:32 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 31,681
Slidell, La
perchjerker Offline
Freak of Nature
perchjerker  Offline
Freak of Nature
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 31,681
Slidell, La
API's made by Paul Meeks are wonderful stands and are some of the best biting stands. I can't speak for them since Mr Meeks sold out. They never have been known as death traps!


Thomas Jefferson. The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.

Life is too short to only hunt and fish on weekends!

If being a dumbass was fatal some of you would be on your death bed!

Re: Summit Viper Classic Vs. Api Crusader [Re: sgt0004] #2244195
10/02/17 04:27 PM
10/02/17 04:27 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,913
dothan
eskimo270 Offline
10 point
eskimo270  Offline
10 point
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,913
dothan
Viper is what I would go with but I would get the sd, its much lighter and I promise you it will eventually make a difference.


Super Predator
Re: Summit Viper Classic Vs. Api Crusader [Re: sgt0004] #2244255
10/02/17 05:28 PM
10/02/17 05:28 PM
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,764
Lincoln
bmc77 Offline
10 point
bmc77  Offline
10 point
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,764
Lincoln
My API grips the hell out of a tree,I keep a eye out on the chain wear and tear.They last a long time.

Re: Summit Viper Classic Vs. Api Crusader [Re: sgt0004] #2244288
10/02/17 06:09 PM
10/02/17 06:09 PM
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,780
Montgomery, AL
F
Forrestgump1 Offline
10 point
Forrestgump1  Offline
10 point
F
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,780
Montgomery, AL
the old API Grand Slams are probably the nicest, most comfortable climbers you can buy. The new summits are nice but pricey.

Re: Summit Viper Classic Vs. Api Crusader [Re: perchjerker] #2244311
10/02/17 08:23 PM
10/02/17 08:23 PM
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 697
Tuscaloosa
Snowman257wby Offline
4 point
Snowman257wby  Offline
4 point
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 697
Tuscaloosa
Originally Posted By: perchjerker
API's made by Paul Meeks are wonderful stands and are some of the best biting stands. I can't speak for them since Mr Meeks sold out. They never have been known as death traps!


Just tell Cause I know you know get a Treewalker


"Give me a second" - Stan Potts
Re: Summit Viper Classic Vs. Api Crusader [Re: sgt0004] #2244312
10/02/17 08:32 PM
10/02/17 08:32 PM
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 697
Tuscaloosa
Snowman257wby Offline
4 point
Snowman257wby  Offline
4 point
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 697
Tuscaloosa
(Not trying to steal the thread but) I have old Gorillas too that have been good for years but i have the gut feeling they need replacement cables just don't know how long cables last in climbers.


"Give me a second" - Stan Potts
Re: Summit Viper Classic Vs. Api Crusader [Re: headshot] #2244323
10/03/17 12:17 AM
10/03/17 12:17 AM
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 8,053
Huntsville
jono23 Offline
14 point
jono23  Offline
14 point
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 8,053
Huntsville

Originally Posted By: headshot

Originally Posted By: sgt0004
Looking at purchasing a new climber. All I have ever hunted out of was an Ol' Man. I have been looking at he Summit Viper Classic and the Api Crusader. The biggest difference I have found between the two are the summit has the cables and the api has chains and also the api is 22 lbs and the summit is 29 lbs. Can anyone give me their opinion on the two and which one they would choose. Thanks in advance!


when you go looking at stands, look at the teeth that dig into the tree. API has teeth, Summit has a bar that will not grip the tree, Also, the chains seem to hug the tree better.


My summit has teeth? And it grips the tree great.

Re: Summit Viper Classic Vs. Api Crusader [Re: jono23] #2244335
10/03/17 01:22 AM
10/03/17 01:22 AM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 807
vinemont
H
headshot Offline
6 point
headshot  Offline
6 point
H
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 807
vinemont

Originally Posted By: jono23

Originally Posted By: headshot

Originally Posted By: sgt0004
Looking at purchasing a new climber. All I have ever hunted out of was an Ol' Man. I have been looking at he Summit Viper Classic and the Api Crusader. The biggest difference I have found between the two are the summit has the cables and the api has chains and also the api is 22 lbs and the summit is 29 lbs. Can anyone give me their opinion on the two and which one they would choose. Thanks in advance!


when you go looking at stands, look at the teeth that dig into the tree. API has teeth, Summit has a bar that will not grip the tree, Also, the chains seem to hug the tree better.


My summit has teeth? And it grips the tree great.

Really!!
My son has a Goliath and it doesn't. at least not like my API.
I had actually thought about bringing it to work and cutting some in it.

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