Well i placed an order about 3 weeks or so ago. I got two of the Guide Gear 29x24.5 stands from sportsman guide. I got them for $31+ after join the buyers club which only cost me $7 more on the total order after shipping was free and the savings. not to mention the $20 bucks of gift certificates they send. upon first inspection i must say i am more than please. we use a small one for a quick hunt and this thing is a monster compared to the small one. the platform is a lot bigger than i had expected i am going to put it in a tree just a few feet off the ground and try it out later this week or this weekend.... i will post a review in the review section once i have been able to try it out a little bit.
Sounds like a great deal!BUT! I am a 300 pound man and those 2 ratchet straps scare me a little. Let us know how sturdy these feel! http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=546779
i know on the smaller one they sell with the same straps they did a good job.... but i will report back after the weekend
I've been using these stands for years. Never had a problem thus far. Can't build them for that cheap. And yes the newer larger platform and powder coating is nice.
I just got one of the Sportmens' Guide stands. I'm guessing Big Dog makes them b/c they're nearly identical. Seems to be a good stand, especially considering the price.
if your worried about falling because of weight then just get another ratchet strap for the stand to replace one or add in with the other 2....i too am looking forward to this review, no pressure
I am thinking about buying a couple of these stands as well. Last summer I made 4 stands of my own, but they ended up being about the same price as these but with a lot more hassle.
The NRA had a special in their American Hunter magazine and gave an award to Sportsman's Guide for the hang-on and 20' sticks combo that costs something like $75. They felt it was a solid stand at a great price.
I almost exclusively use these stands with the 20' stick ladders on farms I can pre hang stands. Anywhere else and I tote 5 Muddy Sticks with a Loddy Bayou predator stand. Perfect mobile setup....now if I could convince myself to shell out for a LW climber I'd be truly set for a decade or longer in stands.
Curious to see your review... I just picked up some private land to hunt, would like to hang these and use the climbing sticks to set in, take out the sticks with me to at least make it harder for ****** bag poachers... I'm just about 250...use a Lone Wolf Alpha and Assault right now. But don't want to leave my expensive stands in place. Sean
Have you had one of these stands fail Duke? Or know of them failing? I posted links to several guide gear stands last season and got a similiar response, just curious if there is something we don't know. Personally I have used the stands mentioned in this thread plus many other guide gear products such as: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/guide-gear-tree-stand.aspx?a=585712 http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/...degree-swivel-seat-ladder-stand.aspx?a=552578 http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/16-woodsman-ladder-sticks.aspx?a=644193&pn=1 (and the 20' versions for $34) Of all of these products I have never had one fail or give me any problem. They are practical, reliable, affordable and backed by a company that has been around the hunting industry for over 30 years and guarantees their products 100%. Customer service is good and they constantly send out coupons for shipping and money off of your order. No I don't work for them...lol and I'm not saying I'd buy everything I see on their site but these particular products are solid and get great reviews I guess I don't understand the harness comment, realistically you should invest in a GOOD safety harness no matter what stand you hunt out of, from the "discount" models to the "spared no expense" models.
I affectionately once called my only Guide Gear stand my "stunt stand" for a reason. That was about 5 years ago.. maybe they've changed... but I haven't. I'll spring the extra $40 for a Gorilla.
