Hitek was Roger there when you worked for them? Wish I could remember his last name.

I hunted out of Summits for years and I loved my Summits... then I discovered Saddle hunting and the one-stick method and rappelling down. It's changed my hunting for the better. Lord I would not want to carry that big climber on my back ever again!! But there are many more reasons why I love Saddle hunting over climbing and it's not just the cumbersomeness or weight of a climber. SH has its advantages over climbers but SH isn't for everyone.

Bb, I use the LW Sit/Climb and got the shooting rail a couple years ago. Works pretty good to have it out front for some shots. Look for them being on sale near the end of the season when folks try to clearance.

I bought the LW Sit & Climb 2 before season started. I give it an “A” for packing flat, carrying and quietness. It gets an “F” for comfort and climbing ability. I just ordered a new Summit Viper Pro. I will sacrifice weight for comfort. I thought I could get by, but I can’t sit still in this thing for nothing. Good luck and let me know what all you do to get comfort. I have a net seat on the LW now and I tried a summit seat on it also. Just not for me. This new summit will be my first stand that has a bar in front of me. We will see.

The bar is gonna get on your nerves bowhunting for shots 20 yards and less. I bought a Goliath last year and the 2 sections do not pack right without getting stuck. Wish I would have just kept my viper. I ordered the LW hand climber for the long walks on public land. I figure I won’t have any problem selling it if I don’t like it with shortages on everything.

I have the XOP climber which is a copy of the LW. It is not comfortable for a long sit, but I am going to see if I can modify it and then add a better seat. I tried a Hazmore seat, that was worse. So I am back to the stock seat with a 1 in pad in it. It is a dream to carry and hang on a tree, and its quiet as all get out.

I measured the older summit steel viper I found over the weekend and compared it to my current aluminum one. The seat platform is about 1 inch wider, , probably closer to 2 since the alum tubing is wider than the steel .The steel one is about 5 inches longer, if I measured right. I have an older summit seat on a gorilla climber, which is steel and heavy, but i swear the seat is more comfy than my current summit.

The Viper pro may have promise, but they are proud of it.

Up until now I'm also willing to sacrifice weight for comfort. I carry a TON of stuff up a tree with me, like you would probably look at me like I'm crazy. I think my old API weighs around 24/25 pounds, plus when it's cold I'll stuff it full of bibs and heavy clothes. Then I have a large bag with a strap that goes around my shoulder and neck, it's full of my gadgets like knives, lights, gloves and beanies, food and drink, batteries and all sorts of stuff (extra pins for my stand in case I drop one). That bag is probably knocking on 15(+,-) pounds. Then I also wear a HSS vest with a folding saw in one pocket and snips in the other (and Windicator bottles). Plus your gun.

I couldn't bring 75% of that stuff with me in a saddle. Also, I climb HIGH, like Tarzan high.... I couldn't imagine getting 40+ feet in a saddle. None of that is a critique on saddle hunting, I just don't think it'd work for how I like to do it.

Seems like there was a Roger there for a little while that helped wit some of the ATV products we had at one time. Been a while back though so can't really remember. I worked there 14 years before leaving. Started out in production and ended up in engineering.

A company named Hawk makes a 20lb climber. It’s somewhat modeled after an old man.

That’s a manageable weight , but I tried climbing in one similar last year with those flexing cable bars. Thad design sucks for the bottom piece of the climber.

Wish someone would make an aluminum version under 20 pounds and copy that v-bar model of the buckshots.

Tree walker had a design like that in their first stands and should’ve never stopped making them.

I don't like those kinds of stands. I have an ole man, and when I was younger, it didn't bother me as much, but now, I want something "around me" when I am in a stand. I sat in my millenium lock on earlier this season on a windy day, and I didn't feel secure at all.

And I don't find an ole man or any stand with that mesh seat comfortable.

This thread is why there are 100 different stands and climbing methods. Everybody has a different style and no one stand is perfect for everyone.

I personally love hunting out of my Summit Titan.... BUT I’d be lying to you if I told you I enjoyed packing it in on long hikes. I just push through and deal with it because it’s so comfortable in the tree and I feel safe and secure.
I do think I’d enjoy saddle hunting but I’d have to have somebody show me how it’s done. I’m slow to change once I have a system I’m comfortable with.

I'm pretty much with you on this. It's kind of awkward to pack, but I feel safe and that's the most important thing to me.

I wouldnt give a wood nickel for ever summit ever made..but they are a fine company that i highly respect..i just dont care for their stands.

First person I ever heard say that. What is your climber of choice?

Having hunted out of climbers for the past 35 years using stands from API to Old Man even the old Cougar Claw and Buckshot... There is nothing i would rather hunt out of than my Summit SD. Nothing hands down period. Wont even try anything else. Not one stand makes me feel more comfortable and safe for long hunts. If i am packing in a stand that's going to be what it is.

My next one will be a Goliath Viper SD though. hehe

Then I’ll be the second, never have liked a summit. I mostly hunt out of a saddle or a loc on, but I have a lone wolf sit and climb if I go that route. I only bow hunt and I don’t like any kind of rail around me.

I had a Summit Razor and the bar folds down for bow hunting...... Problem Solved.

Summit is pretty good stand. Nowhere near as good as my classic Tree Lounge but don't weight 30.

Lot of y'all would never make it in the Marine Corps worried about taking 10-15lbs with you somewhere.

I've used summit climbers almost exclusively since they late eighties. They feel safe and secure on a tree and with stabilizer straps are rock solid. By far the most comfortable stand IMO. Only other stand that I've tried that I would consider is the old buckshot climbers, but they are big and bulky. Works well climbing high on the edge of a clearcut but it's a PITA to move in and out.

I'm sure there are other good stands out there but summit just works. The wouldn't have been in business for 50 years if they weren't good.

I want to try a porta climb

I’ve got a Porta Climb and it’s the real deal. It light but too awkward to carry in thick cover.

You can sit all day in one and not be uncomfortable.