[sawtoothscream]

Lwcg is suppose to be coming out with a climber. That said it will probably be around $1k

Love my sit and climb, just hoping I'll be able to get new bands for it when they need to be replaced.

 

[1canvas]

I’m happy with my old Summit Viper but the new ones are now made in China. As far as hang ons and sticks I think the weight is only dropping because they are getting smaller. Some of the hang on are only 16” wide, and most lightweight sticks are 20” and under.

 

[alwayslookin]

I think the market for stands in general is changing.
I love my old (17-18 years) Sit and Climb.
I am with you, a lightweight and solid climber (not at $1K) would still have a market.
I find it a bit odd that leveling a climber correctly is too much work but hanging and hunting a saddle is OK......but I am 52.....and stuck in my ways.

 

[Rupypug]

I think the market for stands in general is changing.
I love my old (17-18 years) Sit and Climb.
I am with you, a lightweight and solid climber (not at $1K) would still have a market.
I find it a bit odd that leveling a climber correctly is too much work but hanging and hunting a saddle is OK......but I am 52.....and stuck in my ways.

I agree with you. I still prefer a climber over all other ways of doing things


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[jlh42581]

You know what my favorite is? When I walk in carrying the bow and backpack and climb up what's already there.

All of it sucks.

The ultimate climber at $1000 has micro adjustable bands but they're round like a summit. Climbs like a summit but is machined aluminum, collapsible and weighs 10lbs. Needs a seat like a hazmore that completely gets out of your way but has a back pad. Must have stabilizer straps. The front bar should lock out for climbing but fold under at rest.

 

[GrainofPain]

The LW hand climbers were the best. I have an Assault with new belts that I guard with my life. They are getting crazy money on eBay.

That being said I will only be using it 50% this season since I got the LWCG .75 hang on. The hang on will be for certain areas (swamp) where there are no straight trees.

As a previous poster said, Lone Wolf Custom Gear is working on a climber. That should not disappoint.

The LW climber is probably the best stand for mobile public hunting, in my opinion.

If someone can figure out how to make a 10lb climber, it would be widely popular.

 

[Rupypug]

I currently own two hang on stands, three climbing stands, and two JX3 Hybrid‘s. In the last 16 years I have owned 12 different minimalist saddles. I currently own zero of them now. A climbing stand is where it is at most of the time. If I cannot use a climber in an area most of the time I use my JX3 Hybrid or Lone Wolf alpha. I pay attention to every YouTube video I watch. It seems like 90% of the time when guys are using saddles and hang on stands they could’ve used a climber. They are just not cool anymore. Me personally, give me my Lone Wolf climbers every time.


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[aeds151]

Does anyone know what the story is with the LW hand climber & sit & climb? I know the custom gear & novix story, but why isn't at least one of those selling the climbers any more. Shame to see 'em completely go away. Neither company has them on the sites & everywhere that sells them just states they are out of stock or discontinued.

Also, it seems crazy to me that most of the new climbers now are moving in a backward direction compared to the market. They keep getting heavier & bulkier. Meanwhile, saddles, climbing stick & hang ons are streamlining really efficient equipment.

The new viper level pro is 26lbs & cost $530
The new standard viper is 22lbs & $480

Even the openshot is now 15lbs. My old one was 12lb from 15 years ago. Loved that stand but you almost have to be a ballerina to get the seat up to turn around.
I still use an old summit viper elite sd & it was only 16lbs. They also had the specialist that was open front & was only 14lbs. Both discontinued a long time ago for some reason. Both were great stands. Seems like the older vipers used to be somewhere under 20 as well. I know the round bar version was.

I'll go on to say that the climber companies are not keeping the pulse on us hunters anymore. What's going on with that?

Hopefully soon, now that saddles & so many light weight sticks & hang ons are hitting, the climbers won't be too far behind. Not sure if they're paying attention to us though. Doesn't appear to be.

Bout time for a couple new kids on the block for sure. The older guys obviously aren't paying attention to us like they use to.

I told a new hunter the other day, whatever climber he gets to make sure its under 20lbs at least. Man does he have a challenge now.

What would you like to see in a modern climber?
Me, packs flat, at least 12lb max, could give or take the front bar, maybe something with the option to be removable. If there isn't a front bar somewhere ergonomical to lay your forearms to get the platform up, quiet, & someway to level while 20ft up. Doesn't necessarily have to be a lazy boy either.

Oh & not made from Chinese crap.

Okay, rant over. Open for all conversations.

Cheers!

You answered your own questions. We are trending away from climbers because they are so bulky and too much metal. Once most of those ppl realize how uncomfortable saddles are for long sits, it might shift the other way. We are all waiting on the saddle platform climber though. One you can easily move above limbs.

 

[GrainofPain]

You answered your own questions. We are trending away from climbers because they are so bulky and too much metal. Once most of those ppl realize how uncomfortable saddles are for long sits, it might shift the other way. We are all waiting on the saddle platform climber though. One you can easily move above limbs.

Who is "we?"

Trying to figure out how a top and bottom platform (climber) is more metal than 3 sticks and a seat and platform

 

[deadquiet]

I feel your pain..........it's like anything else it's opinionated but like you I LOVE my LW handclimber. To be honest I'm set for life because I like it so much going on 25 years using the same stand. I stand hopped and tried many others before I got that one.

But now they screwed the pooch IMO.......you had one great company just that split into two bad ones that lost their base. It's like when Jagger & Richards tried to go solo.......lol.......just not the same........

 

[aeds151]

Oh ya sorry for not explicitly explaining who the “we” are. We as in the overall hunting community. If you actually looked a little harder, using more than 1 stick or even using any sticks at all, is becoming obsolete. No one wants to strap a large square hunk of metal on their backs thats wider than their shoulders to get through the thickets where the biguns play. Get to their tree, then try to figure out how to quietly separate the 2, get the clanky cables out, hold the stand and reach around tree to grab cables. This is after having to hunt down a straight tree with no limbs.


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[deadquiet]

PS what happened to XOP? Maybe they need to pick up the slack in the market?

 

[deadquiet]

Oh ya sorry for not explicitly explaining who the “we” are. We as in the overall hunting community. If you actually looked a little harder, using more than 1 stick or even using any sticks at all, is becoming obsolete. No one wants to strap a large square hunk of metal on their backs thats wider than their shoulders to get through the thickets where the biguns play. Get to their tree, then try to figure out how to quietly separate the 2, get the clanky cables out, hold the stand and reach around tree to grab cables. This is after having to hunt down a straight tree with no limbs.


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LOL.....ok then I'm glad you told me what I like......hey you got a little Kool-aid on your upper lip.

 

[Alaska at heart]

I had access to an early model LW hand climber with the sit & climb LW strap and it was fine....rather small to keep the weight down. Plus you had to assemble it in the woods, which I much preferred to do for an afternoon hunt than in the morning in the dark while not fully awake. In comparison, I invested in an aluminum Summit Viper SI for a few years and liked it.....but not the cable system. Then I saw an AT listing by Third Hand Jim for one of his Cougar Claw climbers....a Summit on steriods that has self-leveling and much better cable adjustments. When it arrived, I quickly assessed it and put the Summit up for sale. Did some customizing of the Cougar Claw and figured that is the last climber I will be buying for a while. It has the typical pre-assembled climber bulk while carrying, but comes in at 19# including a LWCG carry system and Third Hand bow holder, stabilizer straps and treads. Durning the summer I toss on the CC for local hikes to condition for the fall.....19# isn't a lot for a grown man.

I hope for the sake of many LW climber owners that the traction bands become available again. If not, you have an aging dinosaur of a by-gone era. One thing is certain, if LWCG offers a climber is is going to be MUCH more expensive than what you paid for your current LW stand.

 

[deadquiet]

Who is "we?"

Trying to figure out how a top and bottom platform (climber) is more metal than 3 sticks and a seat and platform

I didn't post that but I'm a we..........lol. If you think this is hard to haul around geezzz eat some Wheaties. It's small, light, quiet to travel with and easy to pack.

I can get setup MUCH faster than a guy with sticks with less movement and less sweat. and I don't have a backpack full of gear, ropes and sticks and small parts to setup in the dark.

I get that people like different things....and even admit the climber can limit your options but you seem pretty one-sided..........I like my setup too.......so maybe we are both right!? But don't try to sell it's heavy.....it's not at all.

 

[GrainofPain]

I didn't post that but I'm a we..........lol. If you think this is hard to haul around geezzz eat some Wheaties. It's small, light, quiet to travel with and easy to pack.

I can get setup MUCH faster than a guy with sticks with less movement and less sweat. and I don't have a backpack full of gear, ropes and sticks and small parts to setup in the dark.

I get that people like different things....and even admit the climber can limit your options but you seem pretty one-sided..........I like my setup too.......so maybe we are both right!? But don't try to sell it's heavy.....it's not at all.

View attachment 7680209

Not me saying it's heavy. I own and use a LW hand climber lol

 

[aeds151]

LOL.....ok then I'm glad you told me what I like......hey you got a little Kool-aid on your upper lip.

Dont thank me, the industry speaks for itself and you are posting about your distain for that here. Why carry and hassle with any of it? Metal or ropes, straps, knots, the potential for death and/or serious injury. Just be a better woodsman, hunter, maybe lose that extra weight by making healthier daily choices and hunt from ground. I have found it just as fun as the days I choose to take my 27lbs summit titan SD with Molle II shoulder/waste belt straps/rch combo with a silky pocket boy.

 

[talon1961]

I'm an 61 yr old, out of shape, guy with multiple spine surgeries. I still walk in about a mile carrying a summit viper on my back. No problem. I can be up in a tree in a couple of minutes, quietly, and waiting on first light. I tried using a saddle last year and hated everything about it. I have a couple of hang on stands that I've pre-placed but the stands are 24# and the sticks about the same for 25'. If I need to be mobile, or hunting a new spot, just give me a Summit and I'll be happy! Otherwise, I'll be hunting from one of my hangons or ladders.

 

[1canvas]

Evertim

I had access to an early model LW hand climber with the sit & climb LW strap and it was fine....rather small to keep the weight down. Plus you had to assemble it in the woods, which I much preferred to do for an afternoon hunt than in the morning in the dark while not fully awake. In comparison, I invested in an aluminum Summit Viper SI for a few years and liked it.....but not the cable system. Then I saw an AT listing by Third Hand Jim for one of his Cougar Claw climbers....a Summit on steriods that has self-leveling and much better cable adjustments. When it arrived, I quickly assessed it and put the Summit up for sale. Did some customizing of the Cougar Claw and figured that is the last climber I will be buying for a while. It has the typical pre-assembled climber bulk while carrying, but comes in at 19# including a LWCG carry system and Third Hand bow holder, stabilizer straps and treads. Durning the summer I toss on the CC for local hikes to condition for the fall.....19# isn't a lot for a grown man.
View attachment 7680206
I hope for the sake of many LW climber owners that the traction bands become available again. If not, you have an aging dinosaur of a by-gone era. One thing is certain, if LWCG offers a climber is is going to be MUCH more expensive than what you paid for your current LW stand.

Every time you post a picture of that stand I think about buying one, that’s until I see the price of a new one, but it’s still tempting.
I would think you could convert LW climber bottoms to hang ons if you can get seat posts and cables.