My M60 is brand new this past winter and has not been outside for testing......yet. However the M7 I hunted with for a few years used the same mounting system and was very solid in my experience. At the bottom of my photo are the two mount options.....chain-on type on the left and ratchet strap type on the right. They mount into the receiver by way of the silver "male" insert, which slides down ito seat the stand in place. Then a cotter pin is inserted to prevent it from potentially lifing up. If so desired, a LW strap with a caribiner can be used to tighten against the seat stem near the platform for more security and reduced chance of movement. My M7 didn't make noise in use, but some contend the painted grid can squeek aginst the soles of certain boots. If I had any reservations, I would not have purchased the M60 after using the M7.

 

My M60 is brand new this past winter and has not been outside for testing......yet. However the M7 I hunted with for a few years used the same mounting system and was very solid in my experience. At the bottom of my photo are the two mount options.....chain-on type on the left and ratchet strap type on the right. They mount is the receiver where the silver "male" insert slides in to seat. Then a cotter pin is inserted to prevent it from potentially lifing up. If so desired, a LW strap with a caribiner can be used to tighten against the seat stem near the platform for more security and reduced chance of movement. My M7 didn't make noise in use, but some contend the painted grid can squeek aginst the solies of certain boots. If I had any reservations, I would not have purchased the M60 after using the M7.
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I am sure you did your homework on this stand so I am confident it’s a good stand. I have been using cast stands for the last 20 years, this will be the first non cast stand in a long time. As I said before, I like the chain bracket. I have both the Millennium tree seat and also the stool and both are very high quality, the seats are very comfortable also so I figure the stand would be the same quality.

 

I would classify the Millenniums as being among the most squeak free. I have created a problem at times over the years by using an additional ratchet strap on the lower part of the stand to really cinch em down tight so there was no movement, but occasionally this puts them in a bind, which can create pops and squeaks. But rarely from the primary hanging system, usually to do with the bolted and bushed joints. Especially ladder stands. The hanging system allows you to set the hanger free from the stand, then just pull it up and drop it in. A lot easier than some I have had where you had to try and hold the stand in place while you used some cam lock style strap and then the camming action of letting the platform down would pinch it on the tree at the back of the platform.....but man I have hunted many days and hung some stands that where sort of a pain ....when I just didn't know any better. And there were fewer choices.

 

I am looking at the XOP Air Raid Evolution also, both are about the same price. I have had a few XOP hang ons over the years and very familiar with them.

 

Don’t have this one but have a Millennium that’s been in a tree for a handful of years and it’s always been perfectly quiet. Have some cheaper stands I can’t say the same thing for. Have two Hawks that are every bit as good as the Millennium.

 

Ma
Maybe the same manufacturer 😂

 

I bought the Air Raid in February. Have not used it yet, except yard tests. I am aware of the couple that broke. It seems all were operator error. ( second strap then trying to lift platform to set it. )

 

I guess I will give the Millennium M60 a try, I have had about a dozen XOP hang ons, every one except the small one. What I’m hoping for with the M60 is a larger platform of the XOP Maximus without the weight and a much more comfortable seat. I seen on some videos it was kind of clangy handling over the cast stands but I think I can modify around that.

 

I received my M60 the other day and it is quite a change from the cast stands I am use to. The seat is really nice, much nicer than any seat on my LW or XOP. One downside is with the seat flipped up when leaning against the tree the seat bar digs into your backside. I think I can move that bar. The real noisemaker on the stand is the platform adjustment bracket, I took that off and lined the inside, on the inside back I used adhesive Velcro, on the inside sides I used Stealth Strip material. The Velcro was too thick to use on the inside sides. That really quieted things up, I have done a couple of other things that helped, on the seat adjustment bracket where it will touch the stand I put a small piece of Thirdhand Treestand tread on it. I added a couple of pieces of Velcro to the platform where the hard rubber bumpers from the seat touch when closed. The stand is pretty quiet now. I lightly sanded that mounting tab on the back of the stand to smooth and more quietly in and out.
As far as the ratchet strap goes it is bigger than needed and being I am using it as a hang and hunt I don’t need the noise of a ratchet so that has to go. I ordered a set of XOP straps to use. I had sewn a loop tag out of a LW tree strap that stays on the block so I don’t have to screw with the bolt while in the tree and will use the XOP tree strap and a quick link to hook it to the tree. I did order a chain bracket to play aroun with. I did order a foot rest.
I really like the stand size and weight, the seat is great also. I have thought about either filling the tubbing with foam or use some Stealth Strips on the platform frame but if I did neither it will be fine.
I have a lot of time for more tweaking and using in my back lot.

 

Good info, Chuck......thanks for sharing. I followed your "prescription" this afternoon and removed the platform adjustment bracket, then lined it in the same manner. It made it more snug on the seat upright tube and also a LOT more quiet. Next step is to take it out to the woods when the temps drop a bit back towards normal early June and give it a test run on a suitable tree. The M60 is going to get some work this fall.

 

I agree with all the above posts. I never had a problem with this stand making any noise after doing these modifications. The only other thing I would add is if this stand is going to be your run and gun setup is put stealth strip or paracordon the tube on the platform. That thing sounds like a tuning fork that I manage to catch on even the smallest brush. Stealth strips fixed that right up. Good luck!

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I thought about that. My first thoughts were foam insulation but that does little on other tubing stands that i have used it on so I am down to paracord or Stealth Strips but I will probably go with Stealth Strips. I have used that stuff for years and it always worked great, plus it would be much easier.

 

Guess I'm a little late to the party, but now that I'm here I will say that I love my M60 stands!

 

I just got my chain bracket in and was surprised at the coating on the chain and how quiet the chain coating made the chain, I may end up using that as my hang and hunt bracket. Although tree stand straps are safe for the most part, I never really fully trusted the 1” strap or the cam buckle. I just seen on YouTube a guy that had a buckle fail on a saddle platform when apparently the pin in the buckle shifted. It was a good thing he was tied in.