Amacker Climb & Carry - Talk Me Out of Buying One! (Beware - Long Post)

Hi Guys,

Some of you may be familar with Amacker Climbing Stands. With the Summit Viper and so many other stands to choose from I can't stop myself from still considering the Amacker Climb and Carry. Call me crazy, but I'm even considering buying one.



It's made out of steel, has the V-Bar Serrated Blade to contect to the tree vs. a cable, it's heavy weighing in at 30 lbs and some say it's noisy I guess due to the fact that a cable doesn't easliy and quietly secure it to the tree.

I guess I'm perhaps over thinking this whole thing buying decsion. However, I don't have a store nearby that I can visit and somewhat look at them or perhaps try them out, I have to make a decsion based on the best information I have to go on. I have never owned a climbing or any other type of tree stand before always hunted from the ground.

Here's why I'm considering the Amacker. I seem to think I'd be safer or atleast feel somewhat safer because the stand is held to the tree by a serrated steel blade with teeth digging in the tree. I can't help but think that cable perhaps breaking and me slideing down the tree, even though I'd be wearing a safety harness. Also, it's steel with simple construction and less moving parts then some of the others stands. I can sit either facing to the tree or away once I'm locked on the tree. The game cart I also would like to have and being it's on wheels makes me not think so much about it weighing 30 lbs when I can pull it along.

Bottom Line, I want to feel secure and safe in the tree, I don't mind alittle weight. Seems like the Amacker Climb and Carry is the best value (game cart and climbing stand all in one, oh and it converts to a ground blind seat as well) and is still less than $200.

So please give me some input and talk me out of buying the Amacker. I can see some recommending the Summit Viper. I know it's popular. Why the Viper? Seems like it's the most popular stand on the market.

Thanks ya'll. Sorry for such a long post.

 

I didn't have to read any further than that.

 

Now... after going back and reading your post further...

You CAN'T get any more secure than a Summit treestand and how it bites into a tree. I've literally had to YANK my stand out of the bark of trees after a lot of sits; when they claim in bites into a tree.. trust me, it bites.

And once you tie down the side straps on a Lone Wolf? ROCK solid... maybe even more so after getting set up than a Summit.

I wouldn't take another look at that contraption you've got there if it's mostly for safety concerns... Either of the two stands I've mentioned above will have you feeling as secure as you can be.

And I carry a game cart with me every time I hunt (one of the main reasons I like hunting out of a SUV), but I leave it at the vehicle. I'm never THAT far away that I can't go back and get it in the Midwest (about a mile to a mile and a quarter on average).

I feel like I kill a lot of whitetails on average per season (around seven a year), and it's NO problem to simply go back and get my cart versus having to haul it in with me EVERY sit. That'd suck.

 

I'm doing this in stages, LOL...

Two reasons come to mind: laziness and insecurity.

It's EASIER to climb a tree with a Viper than it is a hand climber. You sit your butt on the bar and stand up; that's it.

Also, for those that are uncomfortable with heights, it provides a good modicum of protection. I've got both the Viper and the Cobra tops; I gave the Viper top to my father when I got him into bowhunting last season because he's 65 and it's easy for him to use. I myself hunted out of it a couple times and contacted Summit about wanting to cut the bar off; that's how I ended up with a Cobra top.

 

Thank You Greg.

Thanks for you insite and opinion. That quick draw or quick clip on the Viper has me alittle nervous, about releasing the tension on the cable and it the cable giving way. Maybe nothing for me to worry about.

 

Thank You for your input. This is what I needed to hear. Ya got me thinking about this. The cables on a Viper or the straps on a Lone Wolf would actually provide more stability since they provide even pressure and grip all around the opposite 180 degrees of the tree as opposed to the two points of the V-bar on the back side of that stand. I hadn't thought of that. It make sense what your saying.

Thanks again for the feedback.

 

LMAO.

 

Thanks that helps me feel better.

 

LOL... :D

Yeah, there's no way the cables can snake back out of a Viper (or Cobra or any of their stands, for that matter)... Heck, you'll have to work with them pretty good to get them to come out to wrap them around the tree before inserting them back inside the arm tube to begin your climb.

 

Actually I imagine that Amacker stand would be pretty safe.....v-bars were the only was climbers were made years ago. But you wouldn't catch me using a v-bar type climber for anything. The newer methods are just too darned good.

Amacker was a very well respected and popular treestand at one time, in fact I didn't know they were still in business. I actually still use an Amacker hangon each season.

 

I had one, and SENT IT BACK... Its a HEAVY, HEAVY stand and its very complicated.

I spoke to the owner and he informed me that their instructions didn't match the stand.

Thankfully Sportsman's Guide is a great company and took it back, even paid the shipping.

You can PM me, I don't want to say much more, the folks who own the company were really nice, but I would not get one again.

 

I had a Pinnacle HD Climber back in the day with a blade system much like this stand. I liked it once it was on the tree. The biggest issue for me was that it was a pain to breakdown fully, which led to it being a pain to transport. The weight issue is never bothered me as I don't hike more than a 3/4 of a mile to any of my spots. Last year I bought an Ol Man and yeah, it's not light either, but it's rock solid in the tree and comfortable as hell. There's alot of great stands our there, personally, I'd be steering a different direction on this one.

 

It sounds like you've gotten some good information already, but I wanted to give my 2 cents since I hunted out of an Amacker Deer Thief for 5 long seasons. It was heavy, it was noisy, it was uncomfortable, and whoever decided a design that uses wing nuts in a cold dark environment is a good idea is a sadist.

As for the V-bars being safer, I would have to disagree. I didn't read everyone's post so this may have been touched on, but with V-bars you have serious issues if a tree is oddly shaped or out of round. One side of the V will touch the tree and the other won't resulting in either an uneven platform or seat.

I've owned a Summit and never did I feel unsafe in that stand, and I'll be the first to admit I am not a big fan of heights. I would recommend the Summit anytime.

 

I really appriciate feedback from you, having owned and hunted out of this stand. I think I'll be going with a Summit Viper SS. Thanks again for the feedback. Oh, I see you live in Big 10 Country. Football's right around the corner. Penn St and Iowa seems to always be one of the better games.

 

You won't be disappointed with the Summit. They are a great stand.

Yup, football season will be here before we know it. I'm not sure how Penn State will be this year. They have a new quarterback and a whole new O-line, but they recruit strong so I'm hopeful. Hopefully the Hawkeyes can continue with their recent success (except when they play the Lions).

 

See my signature...and as anyone around here can tell you, I am unaffiliated. I really love this stand.

I forgot to add, the stand mentioned by Greg is a sweet set up as well.

 

I know I looked at TreeWalker. Man, just don't know if I can justify spending over $300 for a climber. I'm seeing Viper SS numberous places now for about $225 and free shipping. We'll see. Thanks for the suggestion.