Summit Stand Questions...

I just got a new Summit Dagger today...and being a climber newby have a few questions.

First - the stirrups where I have them stick right into my back when I have it packed up. Do you move yours? Ignore it?

I didn't set them in place with my boots on, so its possible they may move...may be moot. But curious what others do.

Second - the umbilical cord that keeps the halves together. Do any of you all use a carabiner or other clip to make it faster to join them?

Last - any improvements or changes I need to make right away?

I know a guy that filled his tubes with Great Stuff to quiet them down. Any other suggestions?

Looks like a great stand, very pleased with the quality and layout so far. Will not have a chance to climb it until later this week.

Thanks in advance!

Sean

 

My father in law has a Summit and he's modified it a little. The foot hooks he changed so they move out of the way and also did something else to them. He's also fabricated some mounts, bow holder, etc. Though, it's been a while since I've talked to him about it.

Excellent stands. I'm looking at getting one myself.

 

I'm not sure how the stirrups can dig into your back, the stirrups should connect to the top side of the platform while the bottom of the platform should be against your back while packing it out. Unfortunately I don't use the connecting cord so I can't help you there, bad habbit, but I probably won't change until something happens. I haven't modified mine as of yet, I have an older model and the paint is pealing real bad so I plan on repainting it this spring, I also may try to move the footrest out some since I'm a taller guy. You can't go wrong with the summit climbers, extremely comfortable!

 

I can't comment on the stirrups as I believe your stand folds flat. However, the cord to attach the top and bottom I can. I ditched that setup on mine and bought a set of stabilizer straps from Lone Wolf. They have quick connect buckles making it easy to connect and disconnect and also are used to lock the stand down on the tree once at height. Really is the perfect setup IMO. I also use mine to cinch the two pieces together for packing.

 

I was looking on Archerytalk and someone on there with the Dagger had the same issue with the stirrups. I'd call and talk to Summit, the stirrups come with the stand so I'd hope there is some trick to making them work without being an issue while packing out.

 

I have the openshot and there isn't any way for the stirrups to dig into my back so yours is significantly different from mine in that regard.

I did toss the little bungee cord that came with mine because I never used it. I also added my own rope to attach the top and bottom pieces. That way I don't have to detach and reattach anything.

I wrapped much of my stand with that leafy tape to quiet it and to cover the peeling paint. (to be fair, I ran my stand over with the truck and this caused much of the paint to come off) A lot of the leafy tape has come off from walking around in briars.. so last fall I added leopard print duct tape. :D

As loud as those stands sound when you're climbing... I've had multiple deer and even coyotes walk right up to my tree mid climb. It must not be as loud as we think.

 

I have to check, but I think have the stirrups on about where they should be...need to get my boots out of my truck they are doing turkey service right now.

Anyone fill up their tubes with foam? Read a few threads on another forum with folks who did that...wondering if its worth it.

Thanks for the responses.

Sean

 

Go to www.grainger.com or msc or some other site like that (industrial supply) and buy a roll of safety tape... it's the gritty tape that has a sand-like surface on one side.

I applied that to the platform of every Summit I've ever had, and it makes a tremendous difference when they get wet.

 

This is exactly what I did. I got the stuff from a local boat dealer that puts that stuff down on boats so wet surfaces are not slippery. Worked great.

 

Yep, I've also put the traction tape on the platforms of my stands. I just get the stuff in a roll at Lowes. A roll lasts a long time and is easy to trim to fit.

I like not only because of the traction qualities, but also it gets rid of the squeak from your boots. Though, the last Summit I bought, the paint was a bit rougher in nature and didn't do it to begin with.

 

So my plans based on my research:

Camo pattern to break up the pattern.
Traction tape on the platform
Expansion foam in the tubes
Lone Wolf stabilizer straps
Sharpen the teeth and remove the paint from them where they contact the tree
File the area where the cables rub the frame to stop the cover from being cut
Use some bed liner paint around the contact areas around the cables to quiet it down

Missing anything?

 

I don't think you need to sharpen the teeth or remove the paint. Those teeth dig in better than a lone wolf and the first hard barked tree will polish that paint right off.

I really think you're worrying too much about the noise. It's not that noisy. Just learn to set it up quietly. I can set mine up in complete darkness.

 

Agree with Christine; I was on Summit's pro staff for several year and have had my share of them... I never worried about sharpening the teeth on them; trust me, as she said -- they bite into a tree better than anything else out there as they are.

 

Agreed. I've never done anything custom to my Summit Goliath (other than the traction strips and put different padded straps on) and never had any noise issues.

 

I don't think I'd be sharpening the teeth either. My bites so well now that sometimes you have to "wiggle" it out of the tree as you climb. The Lone Wolf straps are a great idea. I never used them on a Summit but they were absolutely golden when I had the Lone Wolf.

Blessings......Pastorjim

 

The straps were a great addition to mine last season. I HATED that green strap that you used to secure the top portion to the tree. I left it on the ground several times. Plus, the stab straps double as securing straps for transport.

 

That green strap always stays at the base of my tree. I only use it to secure the top and bottom when I'm carrying the stand in and out. I'm not even sure what it's original purpose was.

 

Based on the instructions with the stands, its supposed to secure the top section to the tree so that if you stand and lean on it or bump it, it won't move. It does well at that. But if its at the base of the tree.... not so much. LOL

As I said, the LW stabilizer straps are the cats meow for any climber IMHO.

 

When I get to the height I want, I turn the seat off to the side and use it as shelf. I don't sit while I'm in the stand so I haven't had problems with it falling. If I get lazy and start sitting, I may need to figure out how to use that strap. :D

Do you have a link for the Lone wolf straps? I'm curious what they look like. Are they like the 'replacement belts' that are listed in the Bowhunting.com store? Thanks.

 

For some reason LW doesn't have them listed on their site. They have a new website coming in May so maybe they'll be listed then. I'm sure if you call them they have them. The way they work is they attach the bottom section to the top section and when you get to the desired height, you just cinch them down tight and they cause the top and bottom to stay tight together. The way they are designed, they will work with about any climber.

Blessings.....Pastorjim