Hey guys, I was looking at the Bushmaster but, I do believe the flip up seat and 3lb weight loss is worth the extra money. I will be selling my old climbing stand and buying one of these before next season. Since I will be doing some public land hunting this next season, I feel like I need a lighter stand. Plus with a canoe shedding weight will help a lot I belive. Right now I am toating 34lb without my pack. I figure with me hunting public ground, I will be packing out around 10lb with my pack. Thats 45lb. Anyways, how well do you like your Open shot and if there is another CLIMBING stand set up you would rather have, what is it?
Take a look at this stand, on sale at a good price. It gets great reviews. I'll know how well it works when it comes in. (Free shipping to the store, which fortunately for me is only a half hour away.) http://www.cabelas.com/product/Bargain-Cave/Hunting/Treestands-Accessories|/pc/105591780/c/105649380/sc/105654780/Realtree-Outfitter-Series-Bushmaster-Treestand/745381.uts?WTz_l=Home%3Bcat107519580%3Bcat105649380%3Bcat105654780
I been looking at the same stand, I have a pair of summit vipers...and I been toying with an open climber. Not sure its justified as I have had no issues with my vipers....Post a review when you get it..
Thats the Bushmaster I referenced in the first sentence. I was going to buy that one until I started really looking into these open style stands. The seat looks like it will be a real pain. The seats have been my biggest complaint with climbers. The Open Shot actually has a flip up seat. out of the way while climbing and I can flip it up to stand up.
Make sure the seat flips up. The platform isnt that big on the open shot and you will want to be able to flip the seat up when you stand. The open shot is an awesome stand.
I got the summitt Razor SD so that I can have the open front after climbing. You can disconnect the seat and fold it up if you want to stand. The best part is the bar that you sit to climb folds out of the way. It is great to have for climbing and then you can ditch it to hunt.
Why not buy the open shot seat for a $149? use your platform and you have two stands in one. SU81084 OpenShot SD Seat Climber + View Larger Image Details Specs Purchase an OpenShot SD Seat Climber to use with your Summit climbing treestand platform. Works well with older model aluminum platforms. Includes aluminum seat climber framework, folding foam seat, 1 cable, standard harness, safety strap, instructions. [81084] DOES NOT INCLUDE PLATFORM
My platform is the heavier part of my climber now. The top doesn't weigh anything hardly and I the SD has the sound deadening tchnoligy. If I had a Summit now, I would probably do that.
You must be using one of those Ameristep or Gorilla stands. Damn those things are beasts! When I first got a gorilla stand i was in hog heaven...Then I took it out to a tree went up it sat there for about an hour came down and had to pack it out then the weight hit me...EFF THAT!! Took it back to Wally-World got a refund bought a Summit and never looked back. If I get any other stand it will be a Lone Wolf.... Summit and Lone Wolf are number 1# in weight control of lighter stands. Since Lone Wolf has moved back to the US..I may reconsider their product in the very near future.
I have the Openshot and I'm happy with it. Like others have said the platform is small. I'm 6'1 215 lbs and scared of heights and I'm ok in it. I do carry a ratchet strap to tighten the top section to the tree because the seat would want to slide down when I was flipping the seat up. Climbing is not as easy as a sit and climb but once you figure out the right position to use its not bad.
The Open Shot is an awesome stand. As far as climbing stands, I have hunted out of 3 different Loggy's for 20 years, a Lone Wolf, and the steel ones from ****s and the Open Shot is by far the best. Lightweight and simple to put on the tree, IMO it is a great stand. Sal
I currently hunt out of a bushmaster myself. I like its simplicity. I know lots of people who like the Open Shot, and I've thought about purchasing that top for mine, however, I just don't like the idea of a moving, flip up seat. IMO, you can accomplish the same thing with a net style seat, save weight and know its as simple as you can get. Also, don't forget that the Open Shot platform is significantly smaller than the standard Summit stands. I am actually in the process of switching back to a Lone Wolf climber. I had one and decided to sell it in favor of the Summit. However, thinking back, I wish I hadn't. I really miss the packability and the quietness of the LW. I'm planning on buying a Hazemore net seat for it and I should have the perfect setup for my needs.
I have a Summit Climber that is open on the front for sale. I have added RapidClimb Stirrups and the Footrest. Cables are starting to loose shrink wrap and paint is chipping but still a good stand. Will post pics later this week. $125 plus shipping.
