I just thought I'd pass this along to everyone that uses a Summit climber. One of the things I never really cared for with my Summit is the use of the green strap to anchor the top section to the tree once at height and to cinch the two pieces together when you pack it. I just purchased a set of stabilizer straps from Lone Wolf to use on mine and I have to say, it makes this stand so much better. It not only anchors the seat down while your hunting, making it rock solid, but you can use them to pack the stand in and out of the woods too. so now, there are no straps to forget about, leave on the ground, or clank into the stand. Also, one of the things that always bugged me was the rope that Summit uses to keep the platform from falling down the tree. It never seemed long enough and could be a real pain to attach to the tree because of this. With the stabilizer straps, you disconnect each piece when you set up and then reconnected before climbing. One more thing. Because you have two straps, one on each side of the platform, it makes readjusting the stand at height that much easier. I have gotten pretty good at readjusting my Summit at height, but was always leary because once you disconnect it, there is nothing to keep the platform from falling off the tree. With the straps, they keep the platform on the tree and make it very easy to readjust and have some degree of control over what you're doing. Hope this helps someone.
I owned a summit ONCE. I have a problem with climbing a tree 30 feet and then trying to adjust the foot climber. Johnny may we have the answer please? The answer is buy an equilizer treestand. It cost just as much, and weighs the same. I didn't have to change any straps or anything. This stand give you 12" of adjustment without have to hang off of your stand like a monkey. When at height, and toes are up or down, just crank the adjustment handle until your comfortable. Another upside is this stand is rock solid. I know Summit and API both claim there stands are rock solid, but the Equilizer is truly Rock Solid. Look them up, its been the best climber I've ever used.
I really don't have any complaints about my Summit. The cinch strap that came with mine works well securing the top part to the tree and packing the stand. I do have a different rope that I use to connect the top and bottom of the stands...I lost the one that came with it. Glad you found a better way that works for you. Good luck!
That shooting rain has great value (to me). It's the only reason I feel safe in it. The openness of the hang on type stands was not for me. I had to be fully enclosed.
I have used numorous climbers and I have never had a Equalizer. I have two here at the house and only use ONE. I own a Summit Cobra and a Loggy Bayou and I use the Loggy all the time. I even am thinking about selling my Summit that has only been used ONE SEASON!
Boy, treestands are getting like bows in terms of how fiercely people defend them! Dawg, I used to have an old Loggy. I loved that thing, can't believe I ever got rid of it. I liked the openness of it, but my butt didn't like the seat on all day sits. As for the Equalizer fans, sorry, but this thread was intended for the Summit fans. I'm glad the Equalizer works for you and that you're happy with it. I for one love my Summit and thought that those that do as well might be interested in knowing of my "findings".
I too love my summit. Yes, there are things I would improve, but overall I love it. I've shot all 3 of my bow deer from my stand, it is quiet and lightweight. I actually have a summit "backpacker" model that the didn't make very long. Both the top and bottom fold completely flat. It is an extra step in the set up process, but for packing in the back of my little car it is a HUGE space saver. And walking through the woods with a flat load on my back reduces noise of running into snags etc. I've developed a method using two bungy cords to tie my two parts together for packing in and out of the woods. I imagine with any stand you have some "custom" figuring that needs to happen.
I have the Summit Bushmaster and I could not be happier. I used a Loggy for about 20 years before that and loved it. Bought a newer Loggy and it did not compare to the old one. I still have the 20+ year Loggy, thanks to Preacher Tony, but I use the Summit pretty much exclusively. I do not have any complaints with the Bushmaster EXCEPT the straps that connect the foot part with the seat part. Every time I climb the tree, the strap gets pinched in between the tree and the foot part and limits my climbing to super small increments instead of climbing feet at a time. This in turn makes me cuss and sweat like a dog crapping bones. I am just going to take it off! I am getting pissy just typing this out thinking about it! Thats it, as soon as I get home it is coming off.....
I have summit viper for 10 years. Trying to figure out what your talking about. I would own a equalizer if they wasn't so heavy and had a decent hanging seat. also, I have no idea how I would get off a shot with a longbow in it. Just not very versitile.
Summit makes good stands. I have a Lone Wolf hand climber that I love. Had it for about 5 years and wouldn't trade it. I can see how the stabalizer straps would help out with the Summits. Really helps stabalize the whole rig, at least it does on my Lone Wolf.
check out www.stabilizerstraps.com without tools they fit all climbers except tree lounge and work great. The t buckles are metal instead of plastic.
This looks like the strap that comes with the Summits. http://www.summitstands.com/productdetail.aspx?id=329173
the lightest summit is the open shot.... it weighs 15 lbs... :-/ http://www.timbertalloutfitters.com/display_item.asp?1001 the lightest climbing stand i know of..... carry on http://www.timbertalloutfitters.com/display_item.asp?1006
