Summit verus Lone Wolf

[Elmo]

Climbers.  Which one do you prefer and why?

[BUCKANDAQUARTER]

I haven't used Lone Wolf. I haven't found anyone that has had anything negative to say about them. I have owned two Summits. The first one being the Viper SD. I love it. Very comfortable and quiet. It weighs 20# but feels heavier when carrying. I also own a Summit MLB Specialist. It weighs in at 16#. It is a little loud. If I am ginger with it I can keep it quiet. I would much rather sit in the Veiper SD actually I shoud say sleep as it is nice to it in. I use the MLB stand for bowhunting and for when I go to the deepwoods.

[Woodjr55]

I haven't used Lone Wolf. I haven't found anyone that has had anything negative to say about them. I have owned two Summits. The first one being the Viper SD. I love it. Very comfortable and quiet. It weighs 20# but feels heavier when carrying. I also own a Summit MLB Specialist. It weighs in at 16#. It is a little loud. If I am ginger with it I can keep it quiet. I would much rather sit in the Veiper SD actually I shoud say sleep as it is nice to it in. I use the MLB stand for bowhunting and for when I go to the deepwoods.

hows climbing with the mlb I'm look at purchasing a climber but don't know which to go with. My brother has the submit Titan or something it's the size up from the viper but it's too big for me (also too comfortable zzzz)

[Geno C]

i have not used lone wolf but when i see the design, that rubbery strap looks like it can get hung up when climbing... a guy i knew confirmed it was a bit harder to climb certain trees with it. i think summit makes a solid unit and the strap design i think is better. Lone wolf makes great stands especially lock ons but their climb designs doesnt seem like it would be easy to climb most pine trees...

[NYBuckHunter27]

I have used both and currently own two summit stands, the lone wolfs are light and quiet but the strap system is a bit scary with the rubber and is more difficult to climb certain barked trees. and the sit and climb lone wolfs are awkard when you reach your desired hunting height you have to manuever yourself out from the under the sit bar because it used to suppor the seat while sitting on stand. Summit is the way to go for price and quality no complaints for the summit products.

[BUCKANDAQUARTER]

The MLB can be loud. The round tube design promotes a bell sound if you aren't cautious with it. Climbing isn't bad. Since it has an open front, I feel it provides more range of motion for climbing. The difference between the regular Specialist and the MLB is that the MLB is 2# heavier since it has a padded seat with a padded back rest where as the other just has a simple "sling style" seat that will cut off circulatioin in your legs. The noise factor as I said is a concern. I have a few ideas on how to dampen the sound, which I should probably start experimenting with this season. In my case the 4# difference between the MLB and the Viper SD is why the MLB is my go to, and usually once I am sitting I wish I was in the Viper.

[gjs4]

Buy a lone wolf assault or alpha and 4 sticks. Way more versatile in terms of tree shape/size/configuration. Have two of these setups and a millenium m100 w rapid rails...sold  my old al. viper, POS open shot and lw alpha climber over the past few years because the lw are the fastest and safest hang where i want not on what tree theyll work. 

[Nomad]

I have a LW climber, not the sit and climb though, I like it fine although never tried a summit.

I do have LW sticks and would say with their sticks and a hang on I can be set up in 5 minutes easy.

[pewlodar]

I have a LW sit and climb. I haven't experienced any of the "problems" previously stated. Love the stand. Light weight, super quiet and you can go wrong with the build in bow holder. I find the traction belt to be an asset of the stand. Easy to adjust and grips the tree. I also found it easy to step over the sit and climb bar and secure it in place providing an open stand.

My only problem is the price. I would hate to have to buy another one.

[pewlodar]

I would also agree with the guys recommending the LW hang on and sticks. I have the hang on and a solids stick/ladder. Stand is nice and solid but the ladder stick has limitations. I will be buying the LW stick when I can spare and arm and leg.

Edited December 6, 2013 by pewlodar

[CuseHunter]

I've never used the lone wolf as they are out of my price range. Yet they look functionally great. I love the platform design. The lack of hollow piping on their platform is a huge plus to being silent. Quality on them is suburb too. Sumits are awesome too though and super comfy. I just hate packing in a climber no matter how you slice it. Having a 3x4 object strapped to by back is never an appeasing concept to me.

[132 eight pointer]

I have a Summit Viper (aluminum) climber.I love it.The seat is so comfortable I bought the Summit tree seat that uses the same seat as the climber.I can sit comfortably in either for hours.Also I think the Viper is not bad to set up and climb with although any climber can get old if hunting several days in a row.

[Elmo]

More summits than lone wolves.  Price seems like a key factor with most people here?  Price is a factor for me as well but I'm willing to go the extra bit if that extra bit is going to make a big difference.  Still thinking.  Will probably get one of them during the summer.

[Carbonelement]

Olmann or tree walker! I jave used them all and the most comfortable is the summit but is also tge most tippy

[moog5050]

Buy a lone wolf assault or alpha and 4 sticks. Way more versatile in terms of tree shape/size/configuration. Have two of these setups and a millenium m100 w rapid rails...sold  my old al. viper, POS open shot and lw alpha climber over the past few years because the lw are the fastest and safest hang where i want not on what tree theyll work. 

 

X2 - I have the summit climber and its great, buts it is much easier and quieter than I thought to set up the sticks with hang on and more versatile.  The climber will remain in the truck, but I guarantee that I will use the alpha with sticks much more than the climber next year.

[turkeyfeathers]

Have had my Summit Viper for years. Very comfortable to sit in dark to dark. It's not noisy nor difficult to use. I'd consider it fairly light . I'll be in it tomorrow to set up a decent shooter that's a touch off the path from my ladder stand. 

 

[biggamefish]

I have the summit open shot for bowhunting and gun hunting.  I love it, it is light and easy to put up and take down.  It goes up some huge trees and some tiny one at that.  The cable design to go around the tree is alright.  It is kinda clumsy when you first use it but you get used to it.  It doesn't slip on the tree which is important.  The biggest drawback to it is it doesn't collapse flat on your back as the lone wolf does and the cables hang low even fully retracted.   

  If I had the money I would pick the lone wolf climber over the summit.  Just because of the collapsing flat issue. 

[phade]

I own:

 

LW mini sticks

LW full length sticks

LW Alpha

LW hand climber

LW sit and climb

LW wide sit and climb

Summit Cobra XLS (open shot predecessor)

 

I only have the summit because a friend who quit hunting left it behind for me.

 

You can tell where I sit (or stand) on the topic.

[Meat Manager]

I have the summit open shot for bowhunting and gun hunting. I love it, it is light and easy to put up and take down. It goes up some huge trees and some tiny one at that. The cable design to go around the tree is alright. It is kinda clumsy when you first use it but you get used to it. It doesn't slip on the tree which is important. The biggest drawback to it is it doesn't collapse flat on your back as the lone wolf does and the cables hang low even fully retracted.

If I had the money I would pick the lone wolf climber over the summit. Just because of the collapsing flat issue.

+1 on the entire post.

I also have the open shot, have had it 5 seasons, love it for all of the reasons mentioned above, also dislike the bulk for transport.

I also would get a LW after my long list of other sweet hunting gear if I win the lottery, but for economy and functionality summit open shot is nice.

I added grip tape to my platform cause I found it slick in adverse conditions.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[dbHunterNY]

I own a Summit Openshot climber and Lone Wolf Alpha hangon.  I love them both.  quality is there for both.

 

summit's cable system is easy to use and works well.  It can be loud only if you're banging the cable against the stand when hooking it up around the tree.  I really have no complaints other than I'd sacrifice carrying some more weight for a slightly bigger platform.  I knew what I was getting though.  it's perfect for hiking far in and bowhunting out of.

 

the lone wolf platform design doesn't get iced up, gives lots of grip, and is very silent.  mine also bites and grabs the tree like you wouldn't believe.  I'm sure these qualities are the same for the climbers.

[dbHunterNY]

I have the summit open shot for bowhunting and gun hunting.  I love it, it is light and easy to put up and take down.  It goes up some huge trees and some tiny one at that.  The cable design to go around the tree is alright.  It is kinda clumsy when you first use it but you get used to it.  It doesn't slip on the tree which is important.  The biggest drawback to it is it doesn't collapse flat on your back as the lone wolf does and the cables hang low even fully retracted.   

  If I had the money I would pick the lone wolf climber over the summit.  Just because of the collapsing flat issue. 

 

yup I'm 6' and if I were any shorter I could see the cables hanging low as being a problem.  it comes with a strap to hold them together when packing them and top section to the tree when hunting.  cable system is clumsy and can be loud at first but you get it down quick.

[phade]

The LW is much more quiet. That's big. NO "tink" sounds.

 

It does take some re-training if you are used to a Summit. I will say getting a hazmore seat is probably a smart idea for the S and C models.

[ants]

I have 2 vipers. The first one I bought around 10+ years ago the second I bought off of a friend who had a bad experience with it the first time he used it. 

I love them. Big, light and easy to use not to mention very comfortable. I was sitting in one this morning. I didn't see any deer but at least I was comfortable...

[UnderDog]

i love my lw. easy to carry, as it packs flat vs the summits.

 

[wdswtr]

I have both a Lone Wolf and a Summit.  The Summit is definately louder when setting up, very bulky packing it in the woods, a lot heavier but much more comfortable for all day sits.  The Lone Wolf is not as comfortable, less roomy, but much lighter, much less noisy, a lot less bulky when carrying it and I like the strap system much better than the Summit.  Its not just rubber is rubber coated cables.  Quick and simple to setup and very easy to adjust the seat level once setup. Havent had any problem climbing any tree I have set it up on.  I use the Summit for all day sits where Im not lugging it a long ways.  I use the Lone Wolf for those 4 hours sits and when Lugging deeper in the woods. 

Edited December 10, 2013 by wdswtr