I've been trying to sell enough old hunting gear to pay for either a new climber or new hang on w/climbing sticks. I got about $300. Climber I'm looking at the XOP Ambush sit and climb (but am open to all suggestions) pros: light, weighs 18#'s only. quieter and faster than a hang on maybe? And probably more comfortable. Cons: obviously I severally limit myself to what trees I can hunt from especially where I hunt in WI. Hang on w/sticks I'm looking at the XOP Vanish with hawk helium sticks. pros: can hunt from a much larger number of trees than a climber. Still a pretty light setup at roughly 20#s Cons: I feel like the learning curve would be a lot bigger with this style over a climber. I'm leaning towards the hang on w/sticks though. Only reason I'm going XOP over lone wolf is purely for financial reasons.
I'm a climber guy. I've used the LW sticks and hang onsfor quite a few years in the past, but was never able to get my time under ten minutes of getting set up. With a climber (Summit Viper) from the ground up to hunting height, it takes me a few ticks over 5 minutes. There are quite a few more moving parts with a hang on set up as well, which can and will get old after a few hunts. (My personal experience/opinion) I guess it comes down to where you hunt, and if the climber will truly affect your opportunities, and if you are sure you are ok with/dedicated enough for a hang onwith sticks.
Have you considered a tree saddle? Try and find someone close and try them out, at least consider it as a 3rd option.
Other than the saddle, once I got used to climbing with sticks, I prefer that to a climber in some situations. Climbers are annoying sometimes when you cant find a tree. The sticks give you a little more options but you need to pack stick + stand, which isn't bad once you are used to it. However, the climbers are much more comfortable and an all in one package, plus no sticks with straps that carry scent at the bottom of the tree. Good luck tough decision.
If you do choose a climber, I would buy a climbing rope to use getting up the tree with your safety harness. They are a whole lot better to climb with than the tree belt that comes with the stand.
I have a hang on but the years are dictating a climber or ladder. If the budget allowed, I would go with a climber; like the Summit stands. BTW, are saddles TMA approved?
I think a climber woumd be a bit easier and overall more comfortable, but just going on the places I've scouted this summer I'd have to eliminate a few of them just because a climber wouldn't be possible. Think I'm going with the hang on.
All are good replys i love the hang on tree stands because there so easy and light weight and cheap honestly there is thousands of tree stand options now days but i use the cheap 80$ ones and have no issue just make shore your Ratchet straps are secure around it but it really depends on what youd want i myself love the hang ons because i like being on the ground picking deffrent spots and scouting around as im hunting a bigger one is gona stay for a while because the bigger the more Heavy Rebel
I could not find anything regarding any of the saddle brands on the TMA approved list. However, I know Tethrd has provided videos of their own (biased, maybe) testing with some significant weight drop test and other variables to “prove” the saddle is safe. I’m not saying this is truth, just putting the info out for anyone to form their own opinion. All of the equipment is taking from arborists and rock climbing communities, therefor there is some factual data regarding those items included in these saddle kits. As with anything, if the saddle equipment is not used properly it can fail, just like any climber, ladder, or mobile stick setup. There is a thread where a members TMA approved branded Big game ladder folded and he is just now getting back to life from last year, so we also need to acknowledge that a TMA approval may not be the gospel when it comes to safety. Personally, I have put time in my saddle equipment and feel much safer than a climber. It did not happen in one day, but over months of trying things out at ground level getting to know the equipment. I’m not trying to push the saddle, just giving my personal opinion, which can hold little to no weight to others. I’m biased to Tehtrd because I have $$$ in their equipment, so that is also a factor to my opinion. I still like my old man climber, it’s like a Cadillac climbing stand, so I am not ruling out other options. I hope this does not come off as offensive, only trying to open a conversation to perceived safety.
I just bought a climber, but was using a light weight hang on system. Now that I have both I will use both. The hang on can put you in trees full of branches and foliage and the climber is easier.
If you go climber check out the summit viper sd Sent from my SM-G920P using Bowhunting.com Forums mobile app
Figured I might as well update this. I ended up buying the climbing sticks and hang on. Going out with it for the first this saturday. Questions for those of you that use this method...do you keep all the straps for the sticks and stand attached to them on your walk into the woods or in a separate bag or something and take them out when you get there to hang everything?
