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Basics of mobile tree stands please.

MattMan81

MattMan81

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Joined
Jan 13, 2020
Messages
6,510
Location
The Mitten
Never purchased a mobile style tree stand. Give me the run down on options available. Another year older and I ask why I am hanging by a rope?
Thinking about adding a stand for an option. I can't say I want to spend $600 unless I really like it more.
I am a fan of mesh seats. Does that limit my options?
Are they all kinda adjustable?
All similar to use?
I like eazy set up. Does one require a little more finesse?
I know guys do hybrid. But if I'm going stand I want the bigger platform.
 
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I'm no expert, but for the higher end options I'd say top of the line right now are the LWCG 1.0 or the Beast Stand for a full size stand in that $600 range. I've heard good things about the XOP full size stand. They go for around $200.

Then you have to consider sticks...
 
NMSbowhunter said:
I'm no expert, but for the higher end options I'd say top of the line right now are the LWCG 1.0 or the Beast Stand for a full size stand in that $600 range. I've heard good things about the XOP full size stand. They go for around $200.

Then you have to consider sticks...
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I have a set of beast sticks. I haven't ruled out rope climbing and setting a stand. My calf seems to bother me after a long day in the saddle. What about that echo from Novix? Made in USA.
Guess I'll watch for some deals coming up.
 
I’ve grown to prefer a mobile stand over the saddle for most hunts, too. I have a Novix Helo, and I’m very happy with it. Sticks seem like the best way to get up the tree to me, but that’s a personal preference thing.
 
MattMan81 said:
I have a set of beast sticks. I haven't ruled out rope climbing and setting a stand. My calf seems to bother me after a long day in the saddle. What about that echo from Novix? Made in USA.
Guess I'll watch for some deals coming up.
Click to expand...
I'm not familiar with the Echo. It may be another option. The only stand I have any personal experience with in the last several years is the LWCG .5
 
Tree lounge is the best, safest, heaviest of them all. For an all-day sit you can't beat it. Find a good used one, they don't make them anymore but they're around.
 
So are you against climbers? If I was going to full time stand due to bigger platforms, I would go climbers as an option because of my strong hate toward cables. The original Lone Wolf Assault Hand Climber is around $379. Its actually bigger then the LWCG Crossover but 3lbs heavier, at 1/3 of the price.


The Summit Viper SD is also about the same price.
 
GeoFish said:
Most of the hang on stands are a copy of the Lone Wolf.
LWCG has the Assault in cast for about 300. I do not see a mesh seat option, but it may be worth a call. I have a .75 and I added the mesh seat.
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Can you share any pics of this set up. In the tree and loaded up to carry in the woods would be helpful if you have any. I have a .75 and I’m not yet convinced i need a mesh seat but im thinking about it.
 
MattMan81 said:
Never purchased a mobile style tree stand. Give me the run down on options available. Another year older and I ask why I am hanging by a rope?
Thinking about adding a stand for an option. I can't say I want to spend $600 unless I really like it more.
I am a fan of mesh seats. Does that limit my options?
Are they all kinda adjustable?
All similar to use?
I like eazy set up. Does one require a little more finesse?
I know guys do hybrid. But if I'm going stand I want the bigger platform.
Click to expand...
Assault 3 or alpha 3 by lone wolf custom.gear.
 
It’s funny, I did the same ”another year older and why am I still lugging this stand into the woods?” Saddle was a no brainer for me. I’ve done the hybrid thing too and even though I liked the big platform, I found myself liking my Mission much better. I had a LW Assault II as a preset, it’s now sitting in my garage until my kid is old enough to decide if she would prefer that or the Predator. Or if a buddy needs a stand while we hunt together. Or if I’m really pressed for a preset and feel like torturing myself hanging it (and it’s one of the lighter/easier stands to deal with even from 13 years ago). Or if I want a ground-level tree seat, which I don’t care who you are, SUCKS to sit in for longer than an hour. I think 99% of stands suck to sit in. Saddle with backband is vastly superior in comfort to hang-on with mesh seat. Hybrid is the best option if you’re disenchanted by the saddle platforms, safest as well, and you can still sit towards the tree and flip the seat up/cushion on bottom as a knee pad if you’re “one-a those guys”.

But if I’m just here to answer your question?
Anything that resembles a LW Assault or Alpha is going to be just fine for your needs. There’s a reason most stands today copy their design in one way or several others. They set and maintained the standard. And I’m not a fanboy.
 
I never tried the mobile stand thing. I hunt mostly private. But there is more hunters on it now than there has been in a while. I have found a "clean" spot gives me an advantage over a set spot. I think most agree once a deer busted you in that spot, they will not get close unless they are super sure no one is there.
So with that said there is some better spots where I have gotten picked off way to easily because Im sky lined way to easily. Especially when I don't see them sneaking in. Tree stand gives a bit more back cover and concealment in my option. I have no good memory of a comfortable metal tree stand sit. But I feel like being able to use it at some point can get me that advantage. Or at least long enough. So not looking to drag it miles into public. I don't think I'll use it enough to justify 600+ on it. But after a full day sit in a saddle my muscles can long for different pressure points. I do have a few trees with multiple trunks I might be able to set a tree seat in on the other trunk to allow me to sit for a while. But if I am dragging a platform and a seat maybe I should just take a stand?
I could go for the climber stand. But then you really need a strait tree. Would still need a harness to be tied off going up. Especially if you have branches to go around.
I'm just feeling it out if it's something I really want to spend time and money on. Maybe I will try the tree seat first on a long hunt.
 
MattMan81 said:
I never tried the mobile stand thing. I hunt mostly private. But there is more hunters on it now than there has been in a while. I have found a "clean" spot gives me an advantage over a set spot. I think most agree once a deer busted you in that spot, they will not get close unless they are super sure no one is there.
So with that said there is some better spots where I have gotten picked off way to easily because Im sky lined way to easily. Especially when I don't see them sneaking in. Tree stand gives a bit more back cover and concealment in my option. I have no good memory of a comfortable metal tree stand sit. But I feel like being able to use it at some point can get me that advantage. Or at least long enough. So not looking to drag it miles into public. I don't think I'll use it enough to justify 600+ on it. But after a full day sit in a saddle my muscles can long for different pressure points. I do have a few trees with multiple trunks I might be able to set a tree seat in on the other trunk to allow me to sit for a while. But if I am dragging a platform and a seat maybe I should just take a stand?
I could go for the climber stand. But then you really need a strait tree. Would still need a harness to be tied off going up. Especially if you have branches to go around.
I'm just feeling it out if it's something I really want to spend time and money on. Maybe I will try the tree seat first on a long hunt.
Click to expand...
Get you a LWCG Assault III or one of those new XOP stands that Jason Samkowiak from TBWP keeps raving about. Affordable enough to be a keeper OR catch & release in classifieds. Can’t hurt to have it in your arsenal.
I will also say that you should probably keep the saddle as your safety device no matter what you decide to stand on. Again, the TBWP Treestand Saddle or whatever it’s called from Tactisaddle could be a good choice or just adjust the way you currently hook up to your current saddle. While I think a treestand harness is better than no harness, I prefer the safety of “fall prevention” as opposed to “fall arrest” and the lower likelihood of experiencing suspension trauma in a saddle vs a harness. YMMV
 
gcr0003 said:
Can you share any pics of this set up. In the tree and loaded up to carry in the woods would be helpful if you have any. I have a .75 and I’m not yet convinced i need a mesh seat but im thinking about it.
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Ready to carry. I do not have any tree pics. I will strap a coat under the seat or lay it over the pack and using the Wolf straps.
Screenshot_20251110_144939_Gallery.jpg
 
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