I think in the climber world Summit is hard to beat.

 

Agreed for rifle season. Summit is the most comfortable climber I’ve ever owned, but would love a climber that doesn’t feel like I’m carrying a car on my back when I’m hiking 2-3 miles into the woods

 

Coming from a guy who grew up with a dad who exclusively used climbers;

That thing is going to get you killed. Save up a little extra cash and get yourself a tree saddle.

No, really. My friend borrowed me his saddle to try this year and I don’t know how I would possibly have used anything else

 

Same could be said about a tree diaper. Hanging off a tree. By a cord…[/QUOTE]

 

Is anyone of note field testing them to provide a hands-on review? Pretty hard to tell from a photo or even promotional what the actual product is going to be like for the general consumer. Per their typical hype machine, LWCG had a bunch of folks ready and willing to shell out front money on the Crossover.....and still didn't have it ready to go for the beginning of season last year. XOP coming out with a new model in November is pretty much missing the bulk of the '24 season and I'm guessing a number of potentially interested folks are going to wait to hear some feedback before they invest.

 

Wasn’t this supposed to be 11lbs? Why is it advertised as 20.5lbs?

 

This is supposedly their climber for heavier guys. They said the weight also includes packaging. The smaller climber is, allegedly, coming out sometime early next year.

The one thing I don’t like about the Reaper is the locking system for the belts. Seems kind of clunky.

 

I own a lot of XOP stands ...but not a fan of the newer XOP stuff or the direction they are going ...

 

How do you like the rubber strap system? How often does it have to be replaced?

 

It’s a 21lb $400 Chinese climber. Why not just buy a $250 summit viper?

 

I've ran an original Lone Wolf climber for 20 some years. No issues and would recommend them to anyone looking for a climber. They are compact and safe. I would think the XOP would be the same. The band holds up very well and I have only had replaced a couple of times.

 

I just recently bought a few XOP products and to be honest quite impressed. I was in the market for a new climber this year and I really liked what the Reaper was. My only problem was the availability date. Here our gun season starts week of Thanksgiving (I think) I don't gun hunt at all. I shoot the bulk of my deer between now in Sep until gun season.

I may shoot a few here or there after gun season but for some reason the deer around me get super skittish and really change patterns when the guns start going off.

If I waited until Nov to get it my personal season would mostly be close to over. That's IF they were REALLY ready in Nov and I was early enough in line that I wasn't waiting until Feb.

I thought the XOP Ambush looked good and by the time I realized it existed it was discontinued and hard to find. I think I'll wait to see some real world reviews and see if they keep it in the lineup for a bit and then make a decision.

 

The LWCG climber is pricey, but I guess I’m missing the bar issue? XOP has a sit and climb bar just like the LWCG?

 

I think the Reaper would be a great stand. My son has an XOP climber that he got on clearance maybe an Ambush or EVO? But he really likes it way better than the Summit I gave him. We both like the way they fold flat IF you walk far or go through thick woods.............they are just WAY better than most other stands that are not flat to pack.

I have an old LW Handclimber and IMHO it's one of the best out there but you can't get them anymore unless you get a used one. But since they are kinda' sought after some people are charging more than they paid for them so beware.

If I were 30 I'd drop the 1K for the new LW climber because you'll still be using it when you are 60+ like me. You'll save money in the long run. I think I got my LW in 1997 so it's 27 years old.....I paid in the upper 300's for it back then and I was told they were too much but I bet the people that told me that have bought 2 - 5 $300 stands trying to be happy...........lol. But I'm still happy with mine and at my age 1K for losing about 5 pounds just doesn't make sense otherwise I'd get one.

1K to use for 30+ years though........not so bad if you have the money.

 

It's not all about the weight though. Take a back pack and put a sheet of 1/2 steel plate in it that weights 50 pounds. Then take a steel rocking chair that weighs 50 pounds and tie it to your back...............lol. That's why I keep pushing the flat packing stands.....no matter what the brand is. They feel lighter and are way easier to walk around with in the woods with for many reasons.

If you are worried about packing it. If you ride up to within 100 yards of the tree and walk down a groomed path then what difference does that make? I'm not saying that as a poke it makes a point of how you hunt and why stands matter.

I have a few heavy cheap locks on's I use near the house because I can ride them down with the Gator so why spend the money on a cheap light lockons for that? BUT when I throw that system on my back when I can't use my climber I don't want some cheap heavy metal stand & sticks then........it's how you hunt or how you will use it.

 

I love XOP lock ons and sticks, but the climber is listed at 20.5 pounds. Summit Goliath is listed at 21 pounds. No question based on looks which is more comfortable for long sits. The summit is bulkier, but not by that much, for me.

 

The Reaper is piece of cheap Chinese crap. The first time trying it in the back yard the shooting rail snapped on me pulling my self into the stand.

 

I just got one yesterday and my initial impression was not good. I did not feel very secure and I didn't like the sit and climb bar. I used it as a hand climber. Today I tested it in the backyard more and im getting used to it. I dont have alot of experience with treestands, I have only used a summit viper for the past few years and never felt unsafe. The viper is heavy, not fun to carry long distances, not quiet, and not great to pack up in my opinion. This stand folds flat and is very easy to pack up and the seat is really comfortable. It does have alot of moving parts that I can see having issues with in the future. One of the plastic screw in pieces has a chunk missing right out of the box. Also it is pretty heavy, it feels close to the viper in weight. I was super excited to get this stand but the wind has since been knocked out of my sails a bit. Im going to hunt with it tomorrow so hopefully it goes OK. I'm sure the new lone wolf climber is much better but I'm not paying $1k.

 

Any more reviews? Very interested in this stand

 

I've used it on 3 sits so far. I have mixed feelings about it. If you are used to a summit style climber I dont think you will be blown away but there are some advantages, mainly the fold flat and maybe the rubber traction bands. It nest together nice and is quiet walking through the woods and it is easy to stay a backpack to it making and X with the stabilizer straps. I think it takes longer to set up because you have to loosen 2 knobs on the top portion and 2 knobs for the bottom for tge foot stirrup and 4 more knobs for the traction belts. It seems to take a little longer to climb a tree than a summit, also the bottom is a bit bouncy. The seat is adequate and I do like the adjustable rail for a crossbow or rifle. It some aspects it is quite than a summit with the rubber bands but the adjustments for the bands can be loud.

 

I have the last climber XOP had out. The Ambush Evo.. only 18lbs, but a little small for a bigger/heavy set person. I'm 240, 40 waist and I'd say I'm at the limit for comfort. Also took some practice setting up in daylight before I mastered it in the dark. But I guess you can say that about any climber. All in all it's a solid climber and if the new one is better than the old model, you can't go wrong.

 

If it was 12lbs sure I would try it. At 21lbs I’ll take my Summit which I believe may even be lighter and only weigh 18lbs and have all day comfort. Longe you can sit in the stand the better your odds are during the rut. Everything is a trade off.

 

It’s says in the packet not to put weight on it in the locked position. Safety sheets are there for a reason

 

I did a few sits in mine already. Got it a few weeks ago. I really like it. Climbs well comfy & feels like nothing on my back. I have been using summits for many years. I still will for all day sits where im not going too far. However for longer walks xop is going along. My only problem wit the stand is that if you lock the bar to high up you will not be able to turn to the right. In slot 1 or 2 its fine. Mike

 

I can't find the climber online. Did XOP discontinue the climber?

 

the Reaper? Yes… gone

 

They had some problems the sit bar was breaking off or bending !

 

They have always seem to have issues with climbers, and that’s a shame.