I may have mistakenly deleted this thread. My apologies. There was nothing wrong. It was my mistake.

Phil, they call that being human..lol

I'm no expert on treestands but the Summit Open Shot is a good bowhunting climber. For comfort, the Viper is hard to beat.

I think if someone would come out with a version of the Lone Wolf hand climber they would sell them faster than they could make em. I've used the XOP version of the LW hand climber. Good design but for me it wasn't very comfortable, but I do have a minor lower back issue.

Summit with the bar that folds down for stick bow shooters, if it is still made. Call them

and see maybe you can still by the top half (?).

I used my brothers API a couple times, it has the bar in front. I set the bar as high as I could, the seat low. I could actually utilize the bar to take some shots that would have been hard to make without the bar. Never shot a deer from it but I simulated different shots from different positions. I read it here on this site, couple fellas mentioned using that type of stand with the bar..it works fine, if you gonna shoot sitting down.

I got a Summit Goliath this year and really like it, with the seat up high I can shoot right over the front rail. I guess they have an aftermarket seat that lets you sit real high. I think it works just fine for bowhunting

I had an API for quite a few years. I made a seat that sat across the top rails so the bar was lower. Really liked that stand. Never thought about just raising it higher. Sold it when I bought a Lone Wolf Assault hang on and steps, much more versatile set up IMHO.

I've got the open shot, and love it. I'm 6'4", 260 lbs and have no trouble. The seat is very comfy.

If you want something light and good for long walks in, just not as comfortable for long sits, but user friendly for bow hunting go with the Lone Wolf, if you want a comfy stand go with the Ol’ Man climber, you can adjust the seat to be bow friendly.

Summit viper alu. Wish I could find a timber tall. 12lbs adjustable leveling while up in tree. .

I own a Lone Wolf, Loggy Bayou, and Summit climbers. I like the Lone Wolf best.

I still have my old Baker. I just don't have the nerve to use it anymore. LOL It looks just fine hanging on my garage wall.

kaw369,

That Baker is Smithsonian ready, eh!

I still use my Summit Clearshot. When deployed in position it is no different than a hang on. What is super about it is the triangular seat that folds up. My backup is a Loggy Bayou that also deploys the seat up from the foot platform. Instead of the old style metal band around the tree, mine has a cable much like the Summit. The upper section has a sit and climb loop and is stored behind the tree when you get high enough.

I have the Summit with the fold down bar, I believe they called it the Razor. I can’t figure why they would quit making it. It was the best of both worlds; you could sit and climb instead of using your forearms to climb, then you had the option of leaving the bar up or down.

Those Summits are comfortable. I had the Cobra which was the Viper without the bar..can't believe they quit making the Cobra. Wish I hadn't sold it.

I own multiple climbers, and many times hunt from the ground. My climbers that I use with my recurves are: -Lone Wolf Alpha hand climber with a added on jell seat cushion. This stand allows for quick climbing, folds flat, and is quiet for use. It's a great option for those who want to get into a spot--hunt for a couple hours, get down, quietly sneak out of the spot with minimal noise, and disturbance. I also have the Wolf Pack-back that attaches for a nice package to walk into my spot. -Summit ClearShot-This stand was mentioned above, and the last year it was made had an extra 4"added to the platform making it better. This stand is(was)a great option, and provided great comfort for longer sits. I do not like how it stacks for transport, and filled the hollow tubing with spray foam to to deaden the hollow tubing. -Loggy Bayou--the older one that is aluminum with the bands. Here's the thing with those--I purchased a kit that was offered that was known as Loggy Spurs. This kit had two arrow tip shaped metal pieces that bolted in the rear of the platform and two pieces with narly biter pieces that slid onto the band making the stand much nicer to bite in the tree for climbing. Sadly none of these stands are being produced anymore, and they were great options for the bowhunter who chose long bows, and recurve style bows as they allowed no obstructions in front of you such as rails, or arm rests that can quickly get in the way. My stands are like brand new as I have taken great care of them. My Lone Wolf Alpha II combo hand climber is my first choice because it allows for exceptional light, and flat transport, and the Lone Wolf Wolf Pack backpack attaches right to it for walking into the woods. The solid cast platform, and top are much quieter than any other type of stand I have used that is either welded together, or using hollow tube type construction. If I were to be forced to choose to purchase a new climbing stand today it would be the Summit Open Shot. The first thing I would do is to fill ALL hollow tubing with spray foam insulation to help deaden the noise. I may be among the minority in what I prefer in a treestand, but I detest rails, arm rests, or anything that can get in my way while using my recurve bows to hunt if I so choose to hunt from a treestand. Sadly there are not many if any real options being offered these days so I would say keep you eyes out on Ebay, and other sites that you may find these stands up for sale. Also in ending--all stands have little things that are either negative, or positive. I have yet to find what I would call--the perfect treestand. For me the Lone Wolf Alpha II hand climber combo is-was as good as it get for the run & gun--get in & get out longer vertical bowhunter.I wish you well in your quest for the stand that best suits your needs.

I have the Summit Open Shot as my newest climber, really like the small compact design. I've had an older API climber as well but sold it. Have couple older API hang on with the climbing sticks/poles, this is another great system for quick set ups. I never go any higher than 15' anyways so I use the climber more often than not.

I have the first loggy base with the cable. In my opinion the best base ever. Longer then any summit and the latch system is better. The summit latch system sucks! My top is the summit open shot. Besides the lousy latch system the seat is junk! As a welder i was able to modify it. No stand is perfect.

I have an old summit bushmaster, I think it was a Cabela's exclusive. Love this climber use it 90 percent of my hunting. Took off seat and put on a hazmore net seat and a footrest. Only weighs about 15 pound.

“ I read it here on this site, couple fellas mentioned using that type of stand with the bar..it works fine, if you gonna shoot sitting down.”

They actually work quite well standing up, also… You can set the restraining bar a lot higher than you might think, because the higher it is, the more out of the way of your lower limb/bowstring it gets to be. Experiment with it. You may be pleasantly surprised!

AND IN FACT….

Through painful personal experience, I can tell you that setting it up right at about the height of your hip joint is a Very Bad Idea.

I did that one time, and it just happened that a raccoon waddled under my stand directly underfoot, so I took the shot while leaning out against the bar. Had to cant the bow way over to clear it, and the upshot is that my bowstring scrubbed down my front. If I were the kind of guy to have a bit of a beer belly, I might have removed it in one go. As it was, the pinch point against the bar was a protuberance located a bit, ummm….. lower. I about saw stars on that one….

Don’t say I never warned ye!!!

The only other complaint with my 25 YO API(s) is that the garage-door chain that they used to use has rusted and frozen up on me… so I’ve gotta go buy some replacements….

That and they just aren’t that much fun to haul through the woods….

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