Climbing Platform vs. Panther Climbing Platform

[BowhunterXC]

I got a chance to test drive the new Summit Open Shot platform, this afternoon and it worked out as good as I could've hoped. This is going to be a great system for deer hunting this fall, at only 16#.

Walk up to the tree, attach the platform, climb onto it and stand up to tie the Maverick hitch around the tree. Then I attach a Petroacan hitch to my saddle bridge, hook my feet in the platform stirrups and start climbing. Once I'm hunting height is when I attach a ratchet strap (not used in this photo or climb) and when I'm ready to rappel down, I just hook my feet in the stirrups and use a Munter hitch to rappel down. After I'm on the ground, it's just a matter of wrapping up my rope and pull-down cord, then put the platform on my back and I'm ready to hit the trail.

 

[1canvas]

I got a chance to test drive the new Summit Open Shot platform, this afternoon and it worked out as good as I could've hoped. This is going to be a great system for deer hunting this fall, at only 16#.

Walk up to the tree, attach the platform, climb onto it and stand up to tie the Maverick hitch around the tree. Then I attach a Petroacan hitch to my saddle bridge, hook my feet in the platform stirrups and start climbing. Once I'm hunting height is when I attach a ratchet strap (not used in this photo or climb) and when I'm ready to rappel down, I just hook my feet in the stirrups and use a Munter hitch to rappel down. After I'm on the ground, it's just a matter of wrapping up my rope and pull-down cord, then put the platform on my back and I'm ready to hit the trail.
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That’s a great set up. I would have no problem not screwing with the rope and repelling gear, skipping the repelling down and just climbing down, but repelling would be fun .
I think the climbing platform is a very easy and I believe could be the safest way to get in and out of a tree, but I have used climbers for over 50 years.

 

[BowhunterXC]

@1canvas
I rappel down whether I'm coming back to the same tree or not. If I'm not coming back, I simply put my feet in the platform stirrups, sit down in my saddle, then tip the platform off of the tree and down I go.
If I'm coming back, I set the rappel rope off to the side of the platform and rappel down. Once I'm on the ground, I tie off the rope to the tree, at head height. Upon returning, I use the Petroacan hitch on my saddle and a Garda hitch foot loop to climb back up the rope, to the platform. It's very quiet, easier to do than you might imagine and safe.

 

[cheecho67]

I was considering the purchase of one of these Panther Climbing Platforms.....until I considered what I'm already using and how well it works.

I'm using my Summit Viper platform with my saddle and rappel rope, in the same way the Panther platform is being used.
The PROS are:
#1 Once I'm at hunting height, I kneel down and fasten a ratchet strap around the base to hold it in place. I can do this without having to rappel down beside the Panther platform and I don't have to climb back up an aider.
#2 I already own a climbing platform.
#3 It has more foot space....20" x 36"
#4 At the end of the hunt, I remove the ratchet strap, put my boots in the stirrups, sit down in my saddle and rappel down. If I'm coming back to this same location, I can rappel off to the side of the platform and SRT climb back up to the platform.
#5 I'm not spending nearly $400 bucks for another (smaller) platform.
#6 Summit platform is 9.6# with pack straps.

CONS:
#1 Once at hunting height, the post has to be cinched to the tree, same as the Summit platform gets a ratchet strap.
#2 Panther platform is 5.8# or 6.5# with the aider and pull strap.
#3 Panther platform space is 14" x 19".
#4 Cost is $379 + tax + S&H (if it's in stock) verses the climbing platform that most of us already own.

It's America, you decide.
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the ultralight is 799

 

[1canvas]

the ultralight is 799

Is that with the tariffs

 

[cheecho67]

I think it’s greed

 

[Plebe]

Is that with the tariffs

I believe it’s actually the Summit Open Shot that’s Made in China…..

 

[Plebe]

I think it’s greed

Look into the cost of just the 7075 plate needed for the platform. Consider their manufacturing capabilities/resources. I don’t think it’s an awesome value, but doubt it’s very greedily priced.

the ultralight is 799

And save a hundo at the moment…so there’s that.