Given everything I have read about Lone Wolf Portable Tree Stands on this forum, and around the web. I am 100% sure that I will be buying one when I get home from my deployment! However there is one thing that has been bothering me about them. The strap that secures the stand to the tree, how well does that hold up? Does it need to be changed out monthly, or yearly? I know it matters on the amount of use and how well you care for your stand. also that replacement straps are cheap, but if i have to keep buying them then i might need to reconsider on the LF.
I've had mine through a year of heavy use and it looks nearly brand new. I think as long as you don't see any fraying they're okay. People that have had them longer will be able to speak to their longevity.
I've got three years I think on my hand climber? Well over 100 hours of use on it each season... The straps look just like they did when I bought them. Don't plan on replacing them any time soon.
No matter how good of quality a strap is that comes with a hang on, I always put a ratchet strap on securing it as well. In most cases I probably didn't need to but I do it anyways. If you are worried about the strap I would put a ratchet strap on it as well just to be safe.
The straps will last a long time. I believe they recommend replacing them after 3 years or if they show signs of wear. I have 3 yrs on one of my stands, and it's just fine. My brother has 6 or 7 yrs on his stand, and is still using the orriginal straps. You'll enjoy your LW stand. I hope the remaining part of your deployment goes fast!
Like the others have said - strap replacement is something that's good practice to do every couple of years. I'd say 2-3 is a good average. You probably don't NEED to do it that often, but it certainly doesn't hurt. I've got a few LW stands and sticks that have had the same straps on them for 3-4 seasons without an issue. I do, however, take my stands down after the season and store them inside which does prolong their life.
They will last awhile if you take care of them and not leaving up through the winter. I still use my original straps going on 5th season.
No, you want be getting anywhere near what you pay for, LOL.....But there still nice stands. Thank you for your service and happy hunting!!!
As much as I like and enjoy my LW, gotta agree with Josh here.... you'll be paying for the IDEA as much as the stand... meaning the LW is a great CONCEPT put into practical use... but the stand's not WORTH that much, LOL. At least not in material. And I know... they're worth whatever someone's willing to pay for them... I know, I know...
Saying something isn't worth what you're paying for it is purely subjective, as I'm sure you know. There's plenty of people who say that having an $800 bow isn't worth it when a $300 bow will kill a deer just as surely as it's expensive counterpart. IMO there's no single piece of hunting equipment that will last you longer or help you be more successful than a Lone Wolf stand. Not your boots, your clothes, or even your bow or arrows. If used properly and to their fullest extent, they will most certainly up your chances of success. And I guarantee I'll own my LW stands much longer than most of my other gear. Getting what you pay for is exactly what you get when you buy a Lone Wolf.
Dont' worry at all about those belts. They are a polyethelene (sp?) and take a lot of abuse. You'll wear out other stuff before you wear them out. Of course keep an eye on them and inspect them periodically for wear and tear.
Oh, I agree with everything you said 100% Justin... there's a reason I left Summit when I was getting free stands to PAY to buy my own Lone Wolf. Josh's post just struck me as funny, but accurate as well... as far as that goes. But you're exactly right; having made an extremely good career for myself working in sales for Fortune 500 companies for the better part of two decades, I understand all too well the value of a product and its marketplace "worth". Trust me, most of the medical products -- especially in the area of diagnostic testing -- cost PENNIES on the dollar to what they're "worth" in the marketplace; my comment was more along those lines, as I'm sure you're well aware of to. Have any idea what a flu kit actually costs to manufacture that the hospital that you (or your insurance, more probably) gets charged anywhere from $300-500 for? :D
Justin, Greg, I agree with most said here. I'm VERY interested in seeing what happens with other manufacturers now that the cast platform patent has run out and LW is no longer the exclusive maker. I love the cast platform, but for reasons I've already beaten to death on another thread, I'm waiting for someone else or LW themselves to redesign the platform on the climbers a bit. I'm tellin' ya, I would pay 500 dollars for a stand with the same dimensions as a summit and still weigh less than 20lbs. One can only hope.
Did anyone see any improvements in their seats this year? I love my lone wolf, but I hate the seat on it. I'm probably going to end up buying a muddy seat for it.
So this thread got alot more attention they I expected it to. I guess I will add another topic to this then. While I intend on buying the LW climbing sticks to go with the stand. After i watched the video of the new Muddy Climbing sticks i think they are the better deal. The locking gears along with the left and right step make what seems to be a great setup..... just my thoughts....
Several opinions on those as well around here if you'll do a quick search... You're right; that particular feature IS nice, and I've personally used them when hunting with a couple friends that own Heartland Bowhunter. The knock on them is they're quite a bit shorter, and what would take you four LW sticks to get up into a tree with may take six Muddy sticks or so to reach the same height.
