I owned a Summit Viper SI and liked it.....but not overly fond of the cable stop/clip system. Nearly two years ago I bought a used Cougar Claw climber from the AT classifieds and like it much better. Nothing is cheap these days, unless you get some Chinese copy at Menards or Dick's......so spend your money wisely on something that is going to satisfy you for a while.

 

spend your money wisely on something this is going to satisfy you for a while

Indeed. That's my goal. I'll probably go with a Summit unless I can find a Cougar Claw. Thanks

 

I have a Summit Goliath. very nice stand, I did see a couger claw miniton on here and looked them up. There are some reasons I would pick it over a summit. Look up some youtube clips and check them out.

 

Another thumbs up for Cougar Claw.

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LWCG looks great whenever it is released

 

I hear good things about Cougar Claw, but have used a Goliath for years and love it. $329 @ Dicks's right now, which is ~$150 cheaper than CC.

 

Wait for the LWCG one coming out in a few months

 

Hi everyone!

I think it's time I retire my Loggy Bayou. Got it used in 2003ish. It served me well. But it's time. I have the opportunity to hunt a new spot that requires me to backpack in and up.
I've been a bit out of touch with the newest and latest gear.
I'm looking for something that packs nicely and holds 300lbs. I seen Lone Wolf used to make one that looked good to me but is no longer available. And the Summit Viper SD also caught my eye.
What's everyone using these days?
Thanks!

I’ve got a Summit Viper SD, no issues with it. Unless you are a very big guy I would recommend it over the Goliath just due to price and profile while carrying it.

 

Went from summit to cougar claw in 2008 and haven’t regretted it even once.
At the end of this season I was still able to call a speak with the owner Donnie and ordered
some new strap buckles for the seat and new foot straps.
I’ve also replaced the cables twice over the last fifteen years on the stand.
Not the cheapest climbing stand out there but if you can afford spending the money it might be worth it.
I asked Donnie when I saw him in 08 why his stands cost a bit more than some of the others currently on the market. He said two main reason.
1. he buys made in America aluminum material.
2. he hires the best certified welders labor to build his stands.
He did tell me then he could have out sourced them and have them built in china and could sell them much cheaper but didn’t want to do that, he wanted to build quality stands.

 

My only concern with this stand is if something happened where there was no CC to buy replacement cables assuming they were unique to CC.

 

Summit makes a great stand but nearly everyone I know, and myself included has gone away from them. Depending on how far you must walk they can be a real pain. It’s like a turtle shell hanging off you and they always bang into your legs and get stuck on everything possible. Once you’re in the stand it’s very comfortable but I’d be looking at something else. Lone wolf is great if you can find one used. Lone wolf custom gear is fantastic if you want to spend the money. XOP has treated me well for a budget lone wolf.

 

Depending on how far you must walk they can be a real pain.

Thanks yeah my Loggy Bayou was the same way.
I'll have a good hike and a good 50yard steep hill/mountain climb to the top where I can go.
Need something that won't klang around or get hung up. Or bang the crap outta me when hiking.
I'm looking for a used Lone Wolf but no luck.
XOP is another one that caught my eye but not haven't heard much about them.

 

Pay once and cry once. This one will do you well. BUBBA PROWLER TREE STAND with LEVELING SYSTEM - Cougar Claw Tree Stands
When you call, Donnie Paul the owner will probably be the one that answers the phone. CC IS THE OLDEST totally made in America Tree stand manufacturer. He has weathered this period of time by making quality treestands for over 30 years.
The CC Aluminum is extruded in America. The welding is the highest quality. The powder coat will last years vs others being chipped when they arrive. The seat is very comfortable and the stand comes with a foot rest. It makes the stand feel like a Barkolounger. Btw it also comes with a mechanical free leveling system that is simple to use.
The Third Hand Archery. Summit climbing package works great with the CC.

http://www.thirdhandarchery.com/product.asp?PRODID=30nhttps://www.thirdhandarchery.com/product.asp?PRODID=30

 

Another vote for the Cougar Claw (specifically, the Bubba Prowler). I also have a Summit Viper but bought a CC a couple of years ago and I am really happy with it. The build quality is excellent, it climbs well, and the leveling system is ingenious. Don't get me wrong, the Viper is a good stand, but I think the CC is a step up, and is worth the extra money if it fits your budget. And regardless of which stand you purchase, the Third Hand straps are a must-have; they make your stand really stable on the tree and I think they are an essential safety upgrade to any stand. I also put a Slumper mesh seat on my CC, it is usually still pretty hot during early hunting season here in Louisiana, and the mesh seat keeps you a little cooler than the stock seat. Good luck with your purchase.

 

I have 5 Alabama made Summits, a Lone Wolf, (even an old Loggy Bayou in storage, I haven't used in 20+ years). Now that Summits are made in China and Lone Wolf's are $10,000, if they're even making them this week, I'm not sure exactly what to tell you. It's a strange new world.

If I needed a new one, I'd probably spring for a Cougar Claw Den Prowler, just because I like the open front so I can shoot my bow sitting down, when a buck suddenly sneaks in or runs in chasing. In today's market, $485 is a fair price for a stand that's likely to last 20+ years.

 

I tried a summit viper sd and the thing seemed to creak all the time. So I sold it.

 

Only two ways a Summit creaks, on is a broken weld and the second and the most common is where the teeth touch the tree. On some hard barks without beveled teeth they can creak, when I have that happen I just put a touch of water on the contact area. You can very lightly bevel the teeth and that won’t happen.

 

I've owned about 15 different climbing stands over the years. Summit viper sd has been my go to the last few years. Only gripe is the new cable coating sucks. I really liked my original equalizer as well.

 

With the proper beveling of the cable receiver you can eliminate cutting the coated cable and get many years out of it. It will also make it easier and quieter manipulating the cables.

 

Pretty sure the LWCG only has a 240 weight rating so scratch that off the list. Unless there has been an update... who knows

 

LWCG only has a 240 weight rating s

Really?
Well there goes that idea

 

I like and have used Summits since they started making them out of aluminum, currently I have a Viper and an open front climber, both a bit tricked out.
That said, if I was a bit younger I would probably get a Cougar Claw stand. Summits are good for the price but if I didn’t have mine modified I would only like them half as much.
I looked hard at the Cougar Claw but the price put me off. Again, at 67 years old I’m not sure how many more years I will be climbing trees. Plus with well over 30 years using Summits I am very familiar with everything about the stands and have a lot of trust in them.

 

All of mine wear where the cable contacts the tree on the backside. Hackberry trees are cable killers.

 

The only time I seen that is with the replacement shrink tubing, I’m not sure about the Hackberry tree. Ours are mostly Oak and Maple with a few Cherry trees along with some softer trees.