sab323

im in the market for a new treestand, and i've decided that a climber is the way to go (i hunt public land, and cannot leave the stands in the woods). i'm looking at the summit viper xls--seems to have all the features in a lightweight (about 19 lbs) package. anyone use this stand (especially for bowhunting)? i'm mostly concerned about the seating bar getting in the way of shooting lanes (although i like the extra security of knowing how close to the edge i'm standing). also, the summit stands are sold with a harness included. anyone use the summit harness? comments?

VAhuntr

sab323,
I have a Summit Bushmaster so I can't comment on the Viper but I will say I love the Bushmaster. The stand sets up quickly, quietly, and climbs very good. Once at your hunting height the stand is rock solid. I too was concerned about the bar in front hindering my bowhunting with the Viper. I would have bought the Viper anyway but a friend gave me a great deal on the Bushmaster because he did not like the open hand climber. I think you will find the quality of Summit products to be second to none.

Howler

I've used the viper XLS for the last two seasons, and am very pleased with it. Mine didn't come with the full body harness, so I bought a harness. I am very pleased with it. I don't have a problem with out a bar infront of me, I just rely on my harness to save me if it comes to that.

round ball

Last year I got the Viper Extreme XL and after using it for the year love it I checked out almost all the climbers out there and decided on this one. I was never as comfortable as I was in it they,climb very quit and are easy to pack in and out.One thing I will tell you is wear the full body harness that they provide with each stand. I found myself more than once nodding while in the tree. mine has the added flip out foot rest and it is so nice. I will say this if you get a summit you will have a great stand.One thing what ever stand you get Practice practice and BE SAFE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bees

I have one and haven't found the bar to be in the way of the bow ever.
I got a full body harness with mine and feel like a fighter pilot with it on. The harness goes on quickely now but there was a learning curve when I first got it.

rockytop

I have the viper and the bushmaster. I bought the bushmaster first but didn't like the way it climbed (I'm 290 pounds and bushmaster was hard on my back when climbing) so I bought the viper and use it for bow and gun. Nothing gets in the way and the stand is extremely easy to carry, set up, and climb with. They've got a great safety harness, too. The only negative thing I can say about the viper is that the top and bottom sections don't fit together when carrying it as well as I would like for it too. I put an extra strap on it to help hold the parts together and to eliminate noise while carrying the stand. If someone stole mine, I'd buy another one and I been using tree stands for about 30 years.

PORK CHOP

I hav climbed in the Viper and liked it. When I went to puchase it the place was sold out. I ended up buying the Summit Python and really enjoy it. On that one the bar can be raised for rifle hunting or lowered to be a foot prop. I will be bow hunting again out of this stand and I am going to buy the Summit Goliath for rifle hunting.(its the same as the Viper but wider!
GOOD LUCK!! AND REMEMBER, YOU WON'T GO WRONG BUYING A SUMMIT!!<img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle>

Hidden Hunter

I own a Summit Viper XLS,and have had no problems with it.As far as the bar getting in the way of your shots.I have not found this to be the case.Bring the seat adjustment straps up close to the seating platform,that way when you stand to take the shot,the bar will be sufficently low enough,enabling you to take any shot,that may present itself.Good Hunting!

Diplomcy is the act of saying Nice Doggy!,till you can find a big rock.
Will Rogers

NC-Buck

I've got 5 climbing stands and 2 of them are Vipers© YOU WILL NOT FIND AN EASIER, QUICKER, QUIETER STAND TO PUT UP© I'm not going to sit here and tell you you're not going to make any noise setting it up the first few times, because you may© However, after you have learned ¥and it only takes a few times¤ precisly how to handle the coated cables, you can put this stand up without making and unatural sounds© The loudest thing I hear when setting this stand up, is the material of what I;m wearing, sliding against my skin©
The week after Hurricane Floyd came through NC, a few years ago, I went 80 yard into a woodlot that bordered a small thicket© I knew the deer would be bedded less that 60 yards from me© 30 minutes before dark I arrowed a beautiful 8 pointer that was 4 steps from my tree ¥that was the only shot I had¤© The Viper was the only stand in my arsenal that I could have done this with© Like I said, I'll not say that you'll never make a metal clanking sound with this stand, but it is the only stand I've seen that you can be smooth as silk with, and is either more or just as comfortable as any stand I've sat in for bowhunting©
Oh, and by the way, the bar that is in front of you when your seated is in no way in the way© In fact, it makes a perfect bowholder© Note: the deer I shot was only four steps out© The shot was virtually straight down and out a little©


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