I just picked up a Big Game Hunter HD 1.5 this year, sounds just about like your dads. It has a full platform which is a requisite for me. I dont like heights and i dont like ladders but i feel pretty good in it. The other one that i might consider is the Hawk Sasquatch. It appears to be very similar to the BG but with a very stout platform (and a couple extra feet higher) but nearly twice the price.

 

I have had many ladder stands over the years. Muddy, Big Game, Summitt and Field/Stream.

You don't see much feedback on the Field & Stream model, but I like it the best out of all I have had. If you look at the reviews you will be surprised how good they are.
It is very stable with the D tubing. The seat is very comfortable, flip up shooting rail and seat. It also has extra sections available, which most do not offer.
I now have 3 of these and would take them over anything I have used. I have 2 of the Outpost XL and 1 2-man Outpost.

I get all my stands at the end of the year when they go on sale and I also used discount coupons that I am sent all the time. Got a great deal on them.

 

I have been curious about the F&S stands. I may have to swing by there sometime and check them out closer.

 

You can get the field and stream at Dicks for 150 bucks. They are really nice. I have about 8 of them.

On my ladder stands its an absolute must that the platform connects to the tree. That is where a lot of the sturdy-ness comes from. On some of my older ones I rigged up some pieces to secure the platform to the tree.

I also have some Rivers Edge Lockdowns..... they are ridiculous how sturdy they are.

 

i just bought a rivers edge, think it was called the relax? the ladder portion itself is not as sturdy as some i have used but the seat is wonderful. im actually pretty worried im going to fall asleep while sitting in it.

 

Rivers Edge makes a comfortable ladder stand. Pretty well made and not overly priced.

 

Muddy & Hawk

 

I only have a cheap Menard's ladder stand for backyard practice, but have hunted out of a bunch on the property of friends and relatives. My nephew has a Muddy double so he can hunt with his sons and that thing is really nice. Rock solid, comfortable and roomy. I really like a double as I can put my pack on the empty side and have plenty of room to move around. What I learned from trying to put my cheapo ladder in the woods to hunt is that a ladder is much more visually obtrusive to game than a fixed stand/tree ladder or climber setup. Your placement has to blend in or be there for a while, or game is wary of the new structure in their backyard.

 

I am currently putting together the Millennium L220 to put out for the season. This thing is built like a tank......very good quality. 18 feet tall......and from what I understand, the most comfortable seat out there.

 

I love my Millennium M150 hang on.

How strong is the mesh platform on your L220? I don't like that my dad's feels really weak.

 

Millenium and rivers edge are probably the most well built stands but the price reflects it. We’ve got about 20 of all brands and most have their positives and negatives. I complete agree with the above poster where the plafform Shiism always touch the tree, makes it much easier to move for a shot as well.

Since we rarely sit in a stand more than twice a year we generally stick to something a bit cheaper than the mlieniums. Sportsman’s guide has an 18 foot jumbo stand we like for the price. Right around $100 and has a big seat and platform. Always bring a foam seat in with us so it’s comfortabke and enough room to move for a shot. We also just picked up one of the 25 foot ladder stands. It huge and a beast to put up but man can you see a ways. We do generally use hang ons but some spots are better with a big ladder, easier to get into as well.

 

Family traditions is far and away the best ladder stand I have ever used. We have 8 of them and they have been awesome. Super well made and comfortable

 

Millennium and Hawk. The most comfortable seats on the market, in my opinion.

 

Those Millennium hangs ons are some very nice stands

 

Summit vine.

 

I'm not a big time user of ladder stands but because of my age going to them more often now. The Rivers Edge SCYT stands are rock solid with nice platforms. Comfortable also.

 

I really like my Muddy Huntsman stands. The attachment at the base of the seat allows you to get into trees that aren't the straightest. For the price though, the Field and stream ladders and hang ons are great. Big platform, the seat folds up for even more room, and they're solid. I'm not a huge fan of heights. Hate climbers. On my lease, I use ladders almost exclusively. Shooting rails are a must-have for gun season in my opinion. When rifle hunting, I take a bungee cord to hold the rail up out of the way.

 

Muddy / Hawk / Millennium / Rivers Edge / X-stands

I like how Rivers Edge and X-stands are secure before you even climb up in it.

 

I have a couple 20’ x-stands and I am overall happy with them. The securing system is the best I have used so far. I have a few 20’ muddy stands and they are nice too. I use a winch system to put them up so they are secure as well before climbing but not like the x-stand and not as quick to set up.

 

None of these companies even come close to the quality of family tradition treestands. Made right here in Michigan, not put together by some preschooler in china.

 

I hunted out of a Family Traditions Stand a few years back and it was really nice so I looked in to them. They are extremely well made, but also on the high end of the price scale, and if I'm not mistaken they don't make a ladder stand taller than like 12 1/2 feet. Plus, they don't sell from the website so they are hard to find and get your hands on, even if you live in MI. The one I hunted out of was during gun season and it had a blind around it so being low was fine, but for bowhunting I need to be higher than that where I hunt. But, if quality and solid build is what you're after, then Family Traditions is a great choice.

 

I hate the mesh and rail platforms like the OP mentions, very uncomfortable for me since I stand most of the time. The only ladder stand I've ever used that I actually liked was made by Leverage but unfortunately they are no longer in business.

I have three of them and if you imagine a Lone Wolf hang on stand with a ladder attached you get the idea. Waffle platform, platform that goes all the way back to the tree, seat that folds up flat against the tree and down again silently, no rails to get in the way and a telescoping ladder for easy single person installation, really nothing negative to say about them. The only ding is they were a bit more expensive than other ladder stands but once you saw the quality the cost was easy to justify.

If you get a chance at a used one, grab it.

 

Actually just stumbled on an old youtube video showing the Leverage ladder stand. Too bad they are out of business because it looked like a good product that was different than what was already on the market. I liked the telescoping ladder idea and that it came fully assembled. It would really be the only pack in pack out ladder stand I've seen. Someone needs to get on this concept and bring it back to the market.

 

I would do a hang on and sticks before I would do that. I can’t really see me packing a 40 pound ladder stand in to my spot that is 12 foot high. Unless they had another one I am missing (totally possible).

The packable part should come with air quotes..."packable".

They are definitely more maneuverable and easier to set up than other ladder stands but I wouldn't even consider using one as a pack in, pack out stand. They are heavier than my Lone Wolf climber and they are physically bigger even when the ladder is collapsed.

A great ladder stand that's relatively easy to move but not what I would use to replace a climber or hang on.

 

I would do a hang on and sticks before I would do that. I can’t really see me packing a 40 pound ladder stand in to my spot that is 12 foot high. Unless they had another one I am missing (totally possible).

 

I put up a Gear Guide 18' 1 & 1/2 man ladder stand this year. $170. Pretty sturdy, big platform, comfortable seat and made for bigger guys. I do not like heights, so my stands have to be solid, and this one is. If it holds up over time, this will be a good one.

 

Am I one of the last folks on earth that still would build a latter stand out of pressure treated 2x4's? I enjoy that...just saying.

 

Glad I found this thread as I prefer ladderstands. I'll look into the F & S stand, the d shaped tubing is intriguing. The website only list a 16' lookout model, but I'll be near a store tomorrow after hunting and take a look.