Attention climbing stick haters!

[Bwhana]

Just checking if I am the only one on here seeing the constant flow of new sticks, mini or XL platforms, or steps, and thinking meh, just what I needed, more new crap that I don't even use now. I'm not knocking the manufacturers for filling those needs and they certainly are the bigger market segment right now, but who is a dedicated single stick or LWHC or Tree Lounge climber user that would love to see a new, saddle hunter specific commercial climbing platform option, made by the manufacturers in the saddle community, without having to DIY or modify and repurpose something that was not made for our use? Maybe there are not enough of us or not enough that understand the benefits of having a climber and platform in a single package. Again, if this is something you are interested in or would love to see it on the market, weigh in here and let's put out a challenge to Tethrd, Trophyline, Treehopper, Out on a Limb, LWCG, WE, and others to offer something new and truly innovative and offer up something else beside another tired stick or fixed platform option and break the mold! The old Cadillac gun stand foot piece was 10x better than a LWHC or Tree Lounge, just throwing it out as an example...

 

[Wasp]

Amen. I think with all the innovation going on, having a climber option to saddle hunting should be included as well.

 

[gcr0003]

Just checking if I am the only one on here seeing the constant flow of new sticks, mini or XL platforms, or steps, and thinking meh, just what I needed, more new crap that I don't even use now. I'm not knocking the manufacturers for filling those needs and they certainly are the bigger market segment right now, but who is a dedicated single stick or LWHC or Tree Lounge climber user that would love to see a new, saddle hunter specific commercial climbing platform option, made by the manufacturers in the saddle community, without having to DIY or modify and repurpose something that was not made for our use? Maybe there are not enough of us or not enough that understand the benefits of having a climber and platform in a single package. Again, if this is something you are interested in or would love to see it on the market, weigh in here and let's put out a challenge to Tethrd, Trophyline, Treehopper, Out on a Limb, LWCG, WE, and others to offer something new and truly innovative and offer up something else beside another tired stick or fixed platform option and break the mold! The old Cadillac gun stand foot piece was 10x better than a LWHC or Tree Lounge, just throwing it out as an example...

Saddlehunters are too picky of a market. Trying to keep up with this community of ideas would bankrupt a company. As far as being that front runner I think OOAL has kicked it out of the park. For example they have 6 platforms while everyone else has 1. The sub category that I think you’re talking about which is s platform climber combo just seems to niche. You probably have less than 5% of folks here that would see the utility in that and value that over a one stick or some other climbing method enough to buy one.

 

[Westdesign03]

For the longest time I had a hard time getting over selling my LW hand climber for this reason. It was so awesome to have a climbing and tree stand all in one unit. Even though there were few trees it would work for that were in areas I wanted to hunt, I still loved the thing. Part of me wants to buy yet another one just to play around with again and even take hunting once in a while.

But the saddle and platform has revolutionized my hunting so much that I really can’t go backwards at this point. It’s so small, light weight and works in almost every tree I’ve thrown at it. It would be pretty awesome to see a new device that combines all this that you’re talking about together. At the moment I’m going to use the totally awesome EWO Ultralight stick for this kind of device. It’s the best thing I know of at this point for this purpose.


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[gcr0003]

For the longest time I had a hard time getting over selling my LW hand climber for this reason. It was so awesome to have a climbing and tree stand all in one unit. Even though there were few trees it would work for that were in areas I wanted to hunt, I still loved the thing. Part of me wants to buy yet another one just to play around with again and even take hunting once in a while.

But the saddle and platform has revolutionized my hunting so much that I really can’t go backwards at this point. It’s so small, light weight and works in almost every tree I’ve thrown at it. It would be pretty awesome to see a new device that combines all this that you’re talking about together. At the moment I’m going to use the totally awesome EWO Ultralight stick for this kind of device. It’s the best thing I know of at this point for this purpose.


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Throw a scout on top and you’ll never be the same.

 

[Westdesign03]

Throw a scout on top and you’ll never be the same.

I’m very much considering that. I love how light the stick is and don’t really want to make it heavier. But then I wouldn’t have to carry a platform either so. Might be a good trade off. Just haven’t decided if I want to use a platform that small yet.


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[Bwhana]

Saddlehunters are too picky of a market. Trying to keep up with this community of ideas would bankrupt a company. As far as being that front runner I think OOAL has kicked it out of the park. For example they have 6 platforms while everyone else has 1. The sub category that I think you’re talking about which is s platform climber combo just seems to niche. You probably have less than 5% of folks here that would see the utility in that and value that over a one stick or some other climbing method enough to buy one.

You may be right on the size of the market, or it could be just small now due to the lack of a viable option all this time. On the personal side of it, I have access to people who can make things like this for me, so I am good, but based on all the questions I've received here over the years, most do not, so this is more for them than anything. And again, maybe there is not enough interest out there to justify it. No worries either way, I will keep skipping all the posts about new sticks and platforms and keep doing my thing.

 

[gcr0003]

You may be right on the size of the market, or it could be just small now due to the lack of a viable option all this time. On the personal side of it, I have access to people who can make things like this for me, so I am good, but based on all the questions I've received here over the years, most do not, so this is more for them than anything. And again, maybe there is not enough interest out there to justify it. No worries either way, I will keep skipping all the posts about new sticks and platforms and keep doing my thing.

I for one would like to acquire more skillsets and tools to further my DIY capabilities, but like you said most dont have the time money or desire for all that.

 

[BenG]

Just checking if I am the only one on here seeing the constant flow of new sticks, mini or XL platforms, or steps, and thinking meh, just what I needed, more new crap that I don't even use now. I'm not knocking the manufacturers for filling those needs and they certainly are the bigger market segment right now, but who is a dedicated single stick or LWHC or Tree Lounge climber user that would love to see a new, saddle hunter specific commercial climbing platform option, made by the manufacturers in the saddle community, without having to DIY or modify and repurpose something that was not made for our use? Maybe there are not enough of us or not enough that understand the benefits of having a climber and platform in a single package. Again, if this is something you are interested in or would love to see it on the market, weigh in here and let's put out a challenge to Tethrd, Trophyline, Treehopper, Out on a Limb, LWCG, WE, and others to offer something new and truly innovative and offer up something else beside another tired stick or fixed platform option and break the mold! The old Cadillac gun stand foot piece was 10x better than a LWHC or Tree Lounge, just throwing it out as an example...

I would definitely have to try one if someone started manufacturing them. It very well may be too much of a niche thing. I used the hand climber top a little bit (without the mod) and it just didn't quite do it for me, but there is definitely value there in having the climbing method be your platform if someone could perfect that idea.

On another note though, with as light as these hang-ons are getting I would think it's only a matter of time before someone makes a sub 10lb climber. Something that carries well with a waist belt and you can use as a frame to strap pack and clothes too. If the weight was right I'd rather carry something like that than have to carry a pack and strap a platform to it. I've gotten around limbs using my lone wolf climber so I know I could do so much easier with an even lighter climber. So if someone starts making them, the market for a small one for just saddle hunting is probably going to shrink even greater. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a great idea and I'd buy one, up until I could just buy a full size platform that carries easily for just a few pounds more.

 

[kyler1945]

I can't imagine that any climbing platform would weigh materially less, or pack materially better, than one lightweight stick, and a platform of your choosing (up to the size of the 3lb platforms available now. For me, a climbing platform currently offers no material benefit over using one stick.

But I'm all for trying one, and buying one, should someone go crazy and make it.

Besides being purpose built to serve two functions, would it do either function better (climbing or platforming) than a stick and a platform? I can't imagine doing either thing slightly better, offsets not being able to use it on trees with branches, without hanging in your saddle, removing it and replacing it. At that point, a stick does it, and already exists.

Maybe I'm missing the point - which is more probable than not. Help me understand the demand!

 

[ImThere]

Maybe I'm missing the point - which is more probable than not. Help me understand the demand!

Because we are saddle hunters we want it all especially if it don’t exist then we want 2


See you in a tree, Ricky

 

[sweats]

I think the climbing method is the main challenge for saddle hunting. Each option has its pros and cons and may be completely unsuitable for a given tree.

I don't know if it's possible to make a climbing method versatile enough for different situations and still light enough that it would be economically viable. I hope someone does though.

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[kyler1945]

I think the climbing method is the main challenge for saddle hunting. Each option has its pros and cons and may be completely unsuitable for a given tree.

I don't know if it's possible to make a climbing method versatile enough for different situations and still light enough that it would be economically viable. I hope someone does though.

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One stick is versatile enough for any tree you have a big enough rope to go around.

If one stick was the method before climbing with packs of three or four, no one would resist it as much as they do. It's effective in every way for mobile hunting, unlike other methods. And if you're not hunting mobile, then saddles, climbing methods, stands, etc. all largely don't matter. You're not moving far enough, often enough, for any of the differences to matter anymore. It's just personal taste at that point.

 

[Vtbow]

The Treesuit Platform was original designed for climbing, not just a stationary platform: https://saddlehunter.com/community/index.php?threads/tree-suit-and-climbing-platform.7020/

It worked ok--but took a lot of getting used to. I think someone could come up wiht a mini climber like this with a summit style cable that would be rock solid.

 

[Recurveaholic]

I would love to see a viable option for this purpose! For some reason I never was comfortable with the LWHC so any improvement would be awesome! I really liked having the two for one option but I just never could force myself to stick with the LWHC! And I have thought about getting another one and giving it another try just can't pull the trigger on it!

 

[Bwhana]

I can't imagine that any climbing platform would weigh materially less, or pack materially better, than one lightweight stick, and a platform of your choosing (up to the size of the 3lb platforms available now. For me, a climbing platform currently offers no material benefit over using one stick.

But I'm all for trying one, and buying one, should someone go crazy and make it.

Besides being purpose built to serve two functions, would it do either function better (climbing or platforming) than a stick and a platform? I can't imagine doing either thing slightly better, offsets not being able to use it on trees with branches, without hanging in your saddle, removing it and replacing it. At that point, a stick does it, and already exists.

Maybe I'm missing the point - which is more probable than not. Help me understand the demand!

Ive tried every current option out there. This is one of the rare times I choose more weight, but at less than 8 lbs for my complete setup, it is fine. I use a single stick alone when scout/hunt, but use either the lwhc or tree lounge 95% of the time. For me, it is the easiest climbing method there is, especially with several injuries and surgeries in my way. The lwhc is usable, but not ideal since it was not designed for this propose, but it does provide all the foot space I need when at height. I will also add that the old Cadillac foot piece was the best climbing option ever on pines, which is 80% of what I climb. Maybe its a regional thing, but finding a tree with limbs at normal hunting height is harder than one without here, so that is never an issue. Zero issue packing it for me so far.


And I'm 100% biased, I just despise sticks not trying to convert anyone, just seeing if there is enough of an interest that manufacturers will take note.

 

[sweats]

LWHC is ok. I use it when I can, but it's out of manufacturer specs so it's definitely an at your own risk situation.

My only real gripes with it are that many of the trees I want to be in are slightly too large at the bottom and it's a little difficult to adjust the length of the belt as you climb when you're old and inflexible like me.

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[DB4x4]

I would likely buy two if it was the right design/price. One for my wife and one for my father. My wife doesn't like the one-stick method and I don't think my dad would be physically up to it. They both have hunted from climbers for years, but neither one wants to carry 20+ lbs into the woods anymore.

My tentative plan for hunting mobile with them this year is to quickly hang a set before I go off on my own. Three sticks - Predator platform - Tie off a 35' piece of 10mm climbing rope at the top that I can rappel down and then they can use as a safety line while climbing up.

I have 2 modified LWHCs. I am afraid they will break halfway up the tree and leave them stranded. I made a climber platform out of my old Summit Open Shot top for my dad. It is rock solid and stable, but clunky, loud, and does not pack well.

If only they would change the stock arm angle on those LWHCs...

 

[Recurveaholic]

Ive tried every current option out there. This is one of the rare times I choose more weight, but at less than 8 lbs for my complete setup, it is fine. I use a single stick alone when scout/hunt, but use either the lwhc or tree lounge 95% of the time. For me, it is the easiest climbing method there is, especially with several injuries and surgeries in my way. The lwhc is usable, but not ideal since it was not designed for this propose, but it does provide all the foot space I need when at height. I will also add that the old Cadillac foot piece was the best climbing option ever on pines, which is 80% of what I climb. Maybe its a regional thing, but finding a tree with limbs at normal hunting height is harder than one without here, so that is never an issue. Zero issue packing it for me so far.


And I'm 100% biased, I just despise sticks not trying to convert anyone, just seeing if there is enough of an interest that manufacturers will take note.

What climbing stand are using?

 

[kyler1945]

Ive tried every current option out there. This is one of the rare times I choose more weight, but at less than 8 lbs for my complete setup, it is fine. I use a single stick alone when scout/hunt, but use either the lwhc or tree lounge 95% of the time. For me, it is the easiest climbing method there is, especially with several injuries and surgeries in my way. The lwhc is usable, but not ideal since it was not designed for this propose, but it does provide all the foot space I need when at height. I will also add that the old Cadillac foot piece was the best climbing option ever on pines, which is 80% of what I climb. Maybe its a regional thing, but finding a tree with limbs at normal hunting height is harder than one without here, so that is never an issue. Zero issue packing it for me so far.


And I'm 100% biased, I just despise sticks not trying to convert anyone, just seeing if there is enough of an interest that manufacturers will take note.

I'm with you on hating "sticks", but am pretty content with a "stick".

It seems like if you're walking through open enough woods to have no branches on trees, you could just carry the base of the a lone wolf climber, or summit, no? The weight penalty is a couple pounds, endless platform room, made to execute the move you're doing.

Is the ask, just a smaller purpose built climbing stand base? Seems easy enough for summit, lone wolf, whomever, to just make the thing smaller. But it also seems like not a ton of value tied up in doing so.

I think I better understand now. It isn't that this is the end all climbing method. Or that the hand climber base or top doesn't get the job done. It's just that there is a nice middle ground of size and utility that's missing? Yeh, this is simple for a saddle company to latch onto .

I fully endorse your gripe! I don't want it, but I see the point and it makes sense. Someone make this man a climber and make lots of money!