Looking into getting a climbing tree stand/ Update

[birddog1520]

When I gave up archery many years ago due to shoulder troubles I also gave up tree stands.

Now that Pa. has allowed crossbows to hunt with and with one season under my belt in a ground blind, which I thoroughly enjoyed,
I'm looking at other options as to portability, I'm still going to use my ground blind but would like to try tree stand hunting again. My son had been using the tree stands I did have but someone stole both of them from him last season they were both hang on type stands. I already bought him a good used climbing stand but now it's time to find one for me. I hunt primarily on state land and can't let stands out for extended periods because they tend to grow legs. I do have some private ground to hunt so that is where I put out my ground blind for those bad weather or short time hunting days.

My son is 5'9" and 170 lbs. so getting a stand for him was pretty easy. I on the other hand am 6'1" and 265 lbs so I need a bit sturdier stand. After weeks of reading reviews and searching manufacturers sites I have narrowed it down to two stands The Ol'man Alumilite CTS and the Summit Goliath, what I need is some feed back and/or suggestions from anyone that uses climbing stands for crossbow hunting. If anyone here uses one of these stands or one that I may have over looked that will work for a large person please let me know your thoughts and experiences I have not been in a tree stand for at least eight years so I could use all the help I can get.

Thank You in advance.

Randy, The Birddog.

[papa bear1]

I have a Summit Goliath and am very comfortable w/it . I too am 6'4" and 255
lbs. Just follow all directions it comes with, and then some!!!! always use
a safety harness , and a lot of common sense and you will be very happy with it
. it is the most universal stand you could ever want, you can stand/sit,forward,backward wich ever you like it's very comfortable for those long stays in a tree.. Hope this helps you !!!

Dave

[VixChix]

Another vote for the Summit. I have the Viper, very comfortable!

If you get a chance, put each one on your shoulders to see which one you prefer to carry. I'd hunt my Viper more if I didn't have to haul it, but then I'm not as strong as most guys.

[birddog1520]

Thanks for the advice. The Ol' man is about 10 lbs lighter than the Goliath but it is made of aluminum and the Summit is steel. We have some pretty steep mountains where I live and we are able to go in as far as 10 miles without crossing a road so long hikes are normal if you like. Since most of that is state land 4 wheelers are not permitted you have to walk in. The Ol' man would be better for long hikes, but there is plenty of good hunting with in a 1/4 mile from most of the logging roads that are here so you don't have to hike in that far if you don't want to.

Randy, The birddog.

[Normous]

Randy,
The Summit Goliath is made of aluminum and weighs 21 pounds. Are you saying the Ol Man climber weighs 11 pounds??? Something is wrong here, I have never ever seen a climber that light.

Anyway, I use ( six years now) the Summit Bullet which is the folding version of the Viper and it is 23 pounds and made of aluminum. At 6'4" and 225lb I feel very comfortable up there. If you have some girth around the middle then the Goliath is certainly your best choice then.

Summit Goliath SD Climbing Treestand
Complete, Assembled Treestand, includes the following:

•21lbs. | 350 lbs Maximum Weight Limit
•Aluminum 5 Channel Platform Frame with Dead Metal - Sound Deadening Technology
•Wide Aluminum Seat / Climber Frame
•Comfortable Foam Seat with Backrest
•2 x Coated, Steel Climbing Cables
•4 Point FAS (harness) with safety strap and attached SRS strap
•RapidClimb Stirrups
•Camo Front and Arm Pads
•Camo Backpack Straps
•Green Utility Strap
•Stand Umbilical Rope
•Written Instructions
•Safety / Instructional DVD

[georgiaboy]

Another vote for the summit!!
I've had the viper for about 8yrs now...liked it so much i bought another one.

[bigredopie]

You may also want to check out a tree walker climber stand. They are a bit lighter than the summits (18 and 19 lbs depending on the model) and very comfortable. They are rated up to 350 lbs so the weight you are talkign about should be no problem. You can also chose to face either towards or away from the tree which is fairly unique. If it matters these stands are also completely made in North America so you are supporting the local economy. Hard part is finding a good used stand, no one wants to part with them!

[Sopchoppy]

Another vote for the Summit. I have the Viper, very comfortable!

If you get a chance, put each one on your shoulders to see which one you prefer to carry. I'd hunt my Viper more if I didn't have to haul it, but then I'm not as strong as most guys.

X2...With the Ultimate SS you get the wrap-around seat which is good for a long day sit. It's heavy, listed at 28 lbs., mine is 30 lbs. but worth it.

[birddog1520]

Thank you all much for the comments they are quite helpful. Please keep them coming I need all the help I can get.

enormous - My bad I was thinking of the API grand slam they are 28 lbs. The Ol' man CTS is 19 lbs so not much lighter than the Goliath. Sorry about the mistake, I've looked at so many stands in the last couple of weeks that all the specs are getting confused in my tiny brain.

Randy, The Birddog.

[strum]

I have used a few stands over the years and once i tried a summit i never looked back..I have a viper also and it light, easyand fast to set up and climbs great,,but where it realy shines is comfort..i just got a surround seat for mine last season ..that seat is realy the cream of the crop IMHO..
My thoughts is when buying a stand you dont want to make you choice on price and hype. this somthing you are going to be using and trusting you life with for years and years.you cant go wrong with the summit..I hunt the mtns of noth ga and the weight is not an issue ..all that said i havent used a tree walker but i like what i see

[Normous]

For comfort I added padded back carry staps to my Summit in place of the supplied ones. It makes the longer carries more comfortable.

[robertyb]

I also use a Summit Viper stand. I have been using climbers since the original Baker stand came out and have used many brands over the years including the Old Mans. When I bought my new Summit Viper several years ago I knew my search was over. Comfort, safety, durability, fairly light weight and very packable all in one.

Did i say I like my Summit?

[birddog1520]

Thank you much folks.

bigredopie - I'll take a look at the tree walker thanks.

strum - Great advice thanks, That's pretty much why I ask on here though I wanted some thoughts from those with experience since I have'nt used a tree stand for so long.

Vixchix - Also great advice unfortunately I don't have that option I don't have any place close that carries tree stands that I can try. I live in Nowhere about 5 miles from the middle.

robertyb - What do you like about the Summit over the Ol' man ? That's the info I'm most interested in likes and dislikes between the two stands.

Randy, The Birddog.

[Roadrunnr72]

My first climber was an API. I got to the point that I couldn't sit forI 2 hours without my back hurting. I switched to a Summit Razor. It has the drop down bar in the front, so I can sit/stand climb, then drop the bar out of the way. Bought it when I was a compound bow user. Not really needed with the X-bow. It's a great stand, and pretty comfortable. I am going to get the new seat option for it, before next season. I have heard great things about the Treewalker stands, and would consider it, if I was buying another stand.

[robertyb]

I just think the Summit is easier to set up and pack in and out than the Ole Man is. It is more comfortable also to me.