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Evolution of the ultralight stands

So here's something for y'all and particularly @Vtbow and any other curators of hunting gear museums.

I once had a guy give me a very unique climber. It had a top portion that was basically like a dip bar. Very small and it didn't weigh anything. The bottom was just an expanded metal platform. Pretty small if I remember. I think it was aluminum. It had no seat when I got it. Guy said it used to have a fold down, cloth seat similar to the Loc-on stands. It believe the whole thing was aluminum.

It was insanely easy and fast to climb with. It seemed like you could get 5ft of distance with each move. We just slung a bucket across our back with a rope and sat on the bucket once we got to the top. I think it got left in the woods and never recovered at an old club we were in.

Anybody know what it was? If I can get pics of it I might could take it to a small, local manufacturer (Cougar Claw Treestands) or send it to Treehopper and see if they could make something similar to it. It was very light and would have made an absolutely awesome saddle platform.
 
This may have been it, if not it's similar:


If you minimized the bottom and could make everything fold flat, I'd be super-down for trying it with a saddle. Probably could find a way to use the top part to hold gear at height, and it'd be way easier to me to climb with it vs using the saddle and a hand climber seat. I tried that and didn't like it much at all, to my surprise.
 
Nutterbuster said:
This may have been it, if not it's similar:


If you minimized the bottom and could make everything fold flat, I'd be super-down for trying it with a saddle. Probably could find a way to use the top part to hold gear at height, and it'd be way easier to me to climb with it vs using the saddle and a hand climber seat. I tried that and didn't like it much at all, to my surprise.
Click to expand...
If you shorten the platform, you may find a need to adjust the angle the cable comes off the platform because of leverage. The older loggys with the flat spring climbing strap packed better and with the "turkey" spur point inserts they came out with the loggy ride down the tree was solved.

The older ones were stupid light....
 
Vtbow said:
If you shorten the platform, you may find a need to adjust the angle the cable comes off the platform because of leverage. The older loggys with the flat spring climbing strap packed better and with the "turkey" spur point inserts they came out with the loggy ride down the tree was solved.

The older ones were stupid light....
Click to expand...

If it weren’t for lone wolf I’d still be using mine, rubber and all. And there are still things I like better about my loggy
 
As a Guy who went from fixed lock on’s with screw in steps and a Summit Viper for eons then last year went to a saddle then back To fixed Here are my thoughts.

Wanted to go mobile. Was a rock climber in the 80’s so saddle was an easy concept. Loved everything about it except two things. I have no ass or NOASSATOL With a beer belly. Saddle kept falling down. Most significant issue was my knees. I’m 61 and have bad knees. Knee pads, foam pad on the tree nothing worked. Real problem so I sold everything and bought a LWCG 1.0 with mini sticks and cable aider.

I like the stand but feel so much more exposed than a saddle. I hate sticks. Not for climbing but for transport and setup. Have WE steps and bolts. Bolts rock but an issue on public. WE are cool but heavy and fussy.

I want to hunt from a saddle but can’t. I hate carrying in sticks like the helium’s but the fiddle factor of the LWCG mini sticks or WE is not optimal. A side note: the system factor and packabilty of the LWCG stand and sticks is amazing but the weight does add up At my age.

I would welcome a light weight, low fiddle factor climber with a mesh seat that would allow you to face the tree like a saddle But you can sit.
 
Nutterbuster said:
This may have been it, if not it's similar:


If you minimized the bottom and could make everything fold flat, I'd be super-down for trying it with a saddle. Probably could find a way to use the top part to hold gear at height, and it'd be way easier to me to climb with it vs using the saddle and a hand climber seat. I tried that and didn't like it much at all, to my surprise.
Click to expand...

I climbed with the previous model of that Loggy for at least 10 years. I think I still have the top portion somewhere. Mine had a flat bar that went around the back of the tree instead of the v bar on the Stalker XL. I think the v bar would be better. You had to be very careful not to make noise with the top portion. It had loose tolerances and would rattle.

For me, the LWHC with the [mention]Bwhana [/mention] rope mod is good enough to keep using until something better is available. The way mine is setup my whole climbing and saddle system weighs 6 pounds 2 ounces. That includes Recon saddle, LWHC, tether, carabiners and 2TC backup.
 
Last edited:
briand60 said:
As a Guy who went from fixed lock on’s with screw in steps and a Summit Viper for eons then last year went to a saddle then back To fixed Here are my thoughts.

Wanted to go mobile. Was a rock climber in the 80’s so saddle was an easy concept. Loved everything about it except two things. I have no ass or NOASSATOL With a beer belly. Saddle kept falling down. Most significant issue was my knees. I’m 61 and have bad knees. Knee pads, foam pad on the tree nothing worked. Real problem so I sold everything and bought a LWCG 1.0 with mini sticks and cable aider.

I like the stand but feel so much more exposed than a saddle. I hate sticks. Not for climbing but for transport and setup. Have WE steps and bolts. Bolts rock but an issue on public. WE are cool but heavy and fussy.

I want to hunt from a saddle but can’t. I hate carrying in sticks like the helium’s but the fiddle factor of the LWCG mini sticks or WE is not optimal. A side note: the system factor and packabilty of the LWCG stand and sticks is amazing but the weight does add up At my age.

I would welcome a light weight, low fiddle factor climber with a mesh seat that would allow you to face the tree like a saddle But you can sit.
Click to expand...

I just came across this on the tube…not the minimalist version, but doesn’t look horrible. Does look comfy!

https://youtu.be/bTTgu_ieB3A


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Adrena123 said:
That sucks @Wirrex , I'm on season #3 with my original modded LWHC at 207 lbs body weight and my pack/bow that is on my back up and down the tree. I must have the heavy duty edition :laughing:.....In other news LWCG is/will release a mini climber at some point. I was talking to Andre a few months ago and what I did with the HC came up ( of course) and he said a climber is coming. Honestly that is all I know. Makes sense though, that would be next.
Click to expand...
:Drooling:

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HuumanCreed said:
I'm confused. What more can you guys want then using the LWHC top as a climber/platform???

So those of you who went back to a stand, is it because of:

climbing style
comfort while sitting
standing surface
or others?
Click to expand...
In general, facing away from the tree is more comfortable and more effective for me, I get busted alot less when back to the tree.. Using a climber is also faster (by a stretch) and more quiet for me.

With emphasis on 'for me'

Now the bulk is such a con, I rarely use my openshot these days. Also theres the downside of only climbing specific trees.

Obviously this is all spit-balling because of the wide spectrum of personal preference when it comes to saddles/stands/sticks/location/etc.

I could probably find a more comfortable saddle which would cut down on squirming and thereby less likely to be seen. I'll add too that when I say, I get busted less, it's not so much as definitely being picked off as it is not seeing as many deer when in a saddle (which is confusing) and I'm assuming the odds that theyve seen me is increased. All speculative.

What isn't speculative is that I would love to see a climber remake. I'd keep my saddle and other climbing methods for specific situations but I'd probably prefer the climber.

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JFin15 said:
In general, facing away from the tree is more comfortable and more effective for me, I get busted alot less when back to the tree.. Using a climber is also faster (by a stretch) and more quiet for me.

With emphasis on 'for me'

Now the bulk is such a con, I rarely use my openshot these days. Also theres the downside of only climbing specific trees.

Obviously this is all spit-balling because of the wide spectrum of personal preference when it comes to saddles/stands/sticks/location/etc.

I could probably find a more comfortable saddle which would cut down on squirming and thereby less likely to be seen. I'll add too that when I say, I get busted less, it's not so much as definitely being picked off as it is not seeing as many deer when in a saddle (which is confusing) and I'm assuming the odds that theyve seen me is increased. All speculative.

What isn't speculative is that I would love to see a climber remake. I'd keep my saddle and other climbing methods for specific situations but I'd probably prefer the climber.

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Click to expand...

Same for me. Im at the point where hiking in with a little more weight with my Titan is better than all the ropes and different set up steps to take to get to hunting height not to mention night and day difference in comfort.


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JFin15 said:
This is an attempt to convey a message about what I'm (still) waiting on from these (3-4) treestand manufacturers...

Ok, so we have several great 5-8 lb hangons and they're a great tool, for anyone trying to stay mobile, myself included. BUT, with the growing number of hunters who have tried saddles and for whatever reason of their own, began to transition back to stands, how long is it going to take for one of these companies to make the equivalent in a compact climber??

I personally believe the demand would DEFINITELY be there, as evidence by these new ultralight stands staying sold out. I would absolutely buy a 8-10lb climber from any one of these companies and I would drop a significant amount of cash for it! In the back of my mind, this is what I've truly desired since the day I set out to find a system better than a 20# vine-snagging square yard upon my back!

So listen up LWCG/BEAST/OOAL/(maybe even a treehopper with the recent news), IM TALKING TO YOU! Please start working on the climbers of the 21st century please!

What I would like to see is basically a platform the size of the .5 with a simple, small top piece...net seat would be comfy, light, and cheap. Something that packs down fairly well (I think of the folding summits), and minimal fiddle. I understand a climber is unavoidably heavier but with the manufacturing capabilities put into today's locons, it's very possible to build a 10lb climber imo.

Good gosh I cant even begin to think about what I would pay for that.

How many of you guys would like to see this?? I think it's not only inevitable, but the next step for the industry.

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Click to expand...
Bro, I've been building a light weight climber for years. It just seems that most people gets butt-hurt when u go away from the sticks or steps. So I left it along on this site.

(Video) Foot climber for saddle hunting

Here is a short clip of my foot climber I use. So far my total weight of everything I use, including, foot climber, harness, pack, safety rope with caribeners, range finder, flash light, bottle of water and all other little stuff is 14lbs.
saddlehunter.com
 
Mr Price said:
Bro, I've been building a light weight climber for years. It just seems that most people gets butt-hurt when u go away from the sticks or steps. So I left it along on this site.

(Video) Foot climber for saddle hunting

Here is a short clip of my foot climber I use. So far my total weight of everything I use, including, foot climber, harness, pack, safety rope with caribeners, range finder, flash light, bottle of water and all other little stuff is 14lbs.
saddlehunter.com
Click to expand...

I had a Tree Lounge, very easy to climb with. And, real sturdy on the tree. Stupid easy to use. Flat packing.

I've seen your presentation before, and really liked it. There certainly is merit to the design, and you can do a-lot working from it's premise, with both upper and lower section possibilities.

But, I still prefer a LW style platform, minus all the minuses.

It's cool to see it again, and know you're still using it. Had I my TLounge, I'd have given it a whirl for certain.
 
This is my second year saddle hunting coming from 30 years of climbing, ladder and lock on stands.
Coming from private land and leases back to hunting only public land being mobile is key to me. A lot of thickets and not many trees a climber can be used on.
I'm comfortable in a saddle but really thinking about going to a LWCG .5 or a Helo.

I use 4 Beast sticks and a platform so going to a stand would be same set up time.
I hunt with a recurve which is harder to do in a saddle especially weak side.
I don't wear gloves and keep warmers in my jacket pocket. I hate how the bridge bunches up my jacket and make my pockets useless.

With that said PM me if you have a .5 or Helo you would let go of.
 
JFin15 said:
In general, facing away from the tree is more comfortable and more effective for me, I get busted alot less when back to the tree.
Click to expand...

I largely agree with this. I wouldn’t say a stand is more comfortable, but being concealed from behind is pretty much the sole reason I got a helo and sold my saddle. I couldn’t get over that the area I couldn’t see was also where I was most exposed.
 
EJohnson said:
This is my second year saddle hunting coming from 30 years of climbing, ladder and lock on stands.
Coming from private land and leases back to hunting only public land being mobile is key to me. A lot of thickets and not many trees a climber can be used on.
I'm comfortable in a saddle but really thinking about going to a LWCG .5 or a Helo.

I use 4 Beast sticks and a platform so going to a stand would be same set up time.
I hunt with a recurve which is harder to do in a saddle especially weak side.
I don't wear gloves and keep warmers in my jacket pocket. I hate how the bridge bunches up my jacket and make my pockets useless.

With that said PM me if you have a .5 or Helo you would let go of.
Click to expand...
I made the switch you’re thinking about, and couldn’t be happier. I also hunt with a recurve and feel more comfortable with shooting out of the .5. I prefer facing away from the tree and feel I move less.
I always felt constricted in the saddle and very much agree on jacket pockets being blocked by the bridge.
This season I’ve been rotating between my .5 with carbon pro sticks and my lw hand climber. couldn’t be happier, but would love a new revised machined hand climber.
 
Oakridge said:
I made the switch you’re thinking about, and couldn’t be happier. I also hunt with a recurve and feel more comfortable with shooting out of the .5. I prefer facing away from the tree and feel I move less.
I always felt constricted in the saddle and very much agree on jacket pockets being blocked by the bridge.
This season I’ve been rotating between my .5 with carbon pro sticks and my lw hand climber. couldn’t be happier, but would love a new revised machined hand climber.
Click to expand...

I gotta check out these .5’s. Might sell
Jx3 for one. Gets even more constricting come winter and layering is a factor while 20’ up. Especially bibs and trying to tuck in everything at lower back. I can do it in 3 minutes in my climber with much less movement.


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Ahh yes! I remember my tree lounge days! I had the 'Margaret special'! Came with a roof and curtains, pillow, all kinds of misc cushions, bow platform, gun rail, gun rail curtain, gun and bow holders, for a grand total of about 937lbs!!!

Unfortunately, I lost the whole setup in a house fire at the family camphouse.

I do recall the foot climber however. Mine was the last remake (that I know of). It was smaller than the old square ones with the 'v' in the back. Wish I had a nickel for everytime one of those went down the tree on me... that was before I was old enough to realize I needed to tie everything together apparently.

I also tried the jx3 last year. It was alright as far as comfort goes but the silhouette was like a 'redneck truck in a tree' blind. Sold it.

I've just about tried em all, except the LWHC, which I would probably love. Go figure.



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