I've used a Summit Razor SD for the past four years and tried unsuccessfully last year and the year before to get an Equalizer because a couple of trees I climbed have larger dia bases that prevented me from getting more than 10 ft up with the Summit stand. I saw a Jim Litner post a few weeks back regarding the Cougar Claw stand and decided to give it a try this year. I ordered their Bubba Prowler stand and received it in less than a week, set it up with 3rd Hand straps and 3rd Hand bow holder, and took it out yesterday for the first time. Here a few observations:
1) The CC stand packs together pretty easily but I'm still working on the best configuration for easy set-up at the tree
2) Bubba Prowler is a bit lighter than my Razor
3) the CC cable system is quieter than Summit's cable system
4) the cable locking pins with their coated wire tethers are a bit cumbersome first time out but I'm pretty sure I'll adapt
5) The front sit bar on CC (for sit and climb) is too far away from the foot stirrups for me (6'0") so I made use of the 4" wide climbing seat strap that came with the stand to position myself where I could use the stirrups for climbing.
6) For the climb, I felt less secure in the CC than in my Summit; which I attribute to the way the seat and rails of the Summit kind of envelop you inside the stand where the CC didn't have those high arm rails. I'm sure I'll get used to the CC, though.
7) adjusting the seat and especially the foot platform cables mid-climb took some thought and patience, but after doing so, it made perfect sense. I'm sure I'll get used to this pretty easily.
8) The CC seat is very comfortable. I was up for 6 hours and never got tired of the seat. I did nod off momentarily in it but didn't feel quite as comfortable doing so as I did in the Summit (again the Summit high rails).
9) The foot rest on the CC is still open question. I purchased foot rests for my Summit when I bought the stand but took them off after a year because they were noisy and cumbersome. I think the CC rest looks like it may not be very durable and I may just take it off, too.
10) I liked the adjustability of the CC backpack straps and ease of positioning them but I intend to add some shoulder padding.
11) I like the ability to reverse the CC seat and sit facing the tree but did not need to do so yesterday. The way the seat is quick buckled to fasten it to the seta rails should make this an easy adjustment.
12) I found the foot stirrups to be in the way somewhat when I was standing up leaning with my back to the tree.
13) The Bubba Prowler is listed as for larger framed hunters but I found the seat frame to be only about an inch wider than the Summit Razor.
14) I intend to add some sort of padding to the CC seat rail so I don't inadvertently bang my bow against them.
Overall I have a favorable first impression of the CC Bubba Prowler and I know I'll appreciate being able to adjust the stand on the climb; I am looking forward to getting out with it much more this season.
1) The CC stand packs together pretty easily but I'm still working on the best configuration for easy set-up at the tree
2) Bubba Prowler is a bit lighter than my Razor
3) the CC cable system is quieter than Summit's cable system
4) the cable locking pins with their coated wire tethers are a bit cumbersome first time out but I'm pretty sure I'll adapt
5) The front sit bar on CC (for sit and climb) is too far away from the foot stirrups for me (6'0") so I made use of the 4" wide climbing seat strap that came with the stand to position myself where I could use the stirrups for climbing.
6) For the climb, I felt less secure in the CC than in my Summit; which I attribute to the way the seat and rails of the Summit kind of envelop you inside the stand where the CC didn't have those high arm rails. I'm sure I'll get used to the CC, though.
7) adjusting the seat and especially the foot platform cables mid-climb took some thought and patience, but after doing so, it made perfect sense. I'm sure I'll get used to this pretty easily.
8) The CC seat is very comfortable. I was up for 6 hours and never got tired of the seat. I did nod off momentarily in it but didn't feel quite as comfortable doing so as I did in the Summit (again the Summit high rails).
9) The foot rest on the CC is still open question. I purchased foot rests for my Summit when I bought the stand but took them off after a year because they were noisy and cumbersome. I think the CC rest looks like it may not be very durable and I may just take it off, too.
10) I liked the adjustability of the CC backpack straps and ease of positioning them but I intend to add some shoulder padding.
11) I like the ability to reverse the CC seat and sit facing the tree but did not need to do so yesterday. The way the seat is quick buckled to fasten it to the seta rails should make this an easy adjustment.
12) I found the foot stirrups to be in the way somewhat when I was standing up leaning with my back to the tree.
13) The Bubba Prowler is listed as for larger framed hunters but I found the seat frame to be only about an inch wider than the Summit Razor.
14) I intend to add some sort of padding to the CC seat rail so I don't inadvertently bang my bow against them.
Overall I have a favorable first impression of the CC Bubba Prowler and I know I'll appreciate being able to adjust the stand on the climb; I am looking forward to getting out with it much more this season.
