Panther ultralite.

[Wolnut]

Just based on the design, I see some significant safety concerns. That band is not going to be as strong as a cable or other material designed to take the inevitable flex/torsion/etc that will occur with climbing. I'm not surprised to hear there have been failures. Additionally, the idea of taking the peg out and putting it back in to go around a branch seems high risk to me; very good chance of not getting it properly seated and then having it slip. With this platform, you're guaranteed to be tethered to the tree, so in theory you shouldn't fall too far if it fails. Personally I use a RCH with Dryad hammock for safety reasons, so falling a foot or two would be fine for me, but if you are using a non-fall rated saddle (most of them), I would not advise this climbing method.

Also -- it seems much better to rappel down than climb down with this platform, and rappelling as backup in case of platform dropping or failing would be a good idea. If you don't currently rappel, that could add cost/complication.

Sorry to be a hater, but I'd pass on this one. If Summit would make a miniature free-standing climbing platform, I'd consider that. Meanwhile I will stick with my drill-n-bolts for most places.

 

[JCMCUBIC]

.... Additionally, the idea of taking the peg out and putting it back in to go around a branch seems high risk to me; very good chance of not getting it properly seated and then having it slip. ...

The pins seat in the holes very cleanly. You can tell if it's not seated as they fit flush when seated and have a gap on the outer part when they aren't. I've been easing mine into the hole but there's an audible click if the user lets it seat itself. A person might be able to partially seat them by applying tension and easing them down but the user can easily tell if they are seated or not. They are one of the best features on the platform, especially the lift/turn on the right side.

Hunted with platform yesterday again. When I came down at lunch and moved to a different location, I still hunted my way across the property. I sat in a spot to eat lunch and watch a travel corridor. The PP is a great tree seat at ground level. It could use a neoprene cushion if someone was going to use it for an extended time but it was pretty sweet.

Hoping not to try it, but while eating lunch it occurred to me that the hole in the platform would allow it to be the absolute best poop in the woods seat ever produced.

 

[Greenhorn2]

Anyone try a ring of steps with the platform? Also where could someone from Michigan look at one before buying . Like a possible demo? Thanks

 

[JCMCUBIC]

Little more feedback after a lot of hunts:

1. I noticed that when using the center hole to rotate, I need to be careful not to let the back of my heel catch to much when I'm letting off on pressure and coming back to the front of the platform. It bumps the platform and can cause movement. It's never dropped more and a couple of inches, not a big deal, but something to be aware of.

2. Same as above when changing foot pressure on either side. It's not locked in, pressure keeps it, lack of pressure or uneven pressure will let it move. Again, it's minimal movement but it's there.

3. The weight, simplicity, speed of climb, no fiddle factor, are a joy.

4. The aider is nice but both of my shins have marks from the front edge of the platform when on the top step of the aider.

5. The quick adjustment with the lift and twist pin lock/unlock is very easy to do when climbing. On a few trees I've needed to do it multiple times and it works great one you get the hang of it. So simple.

6. The bars work extremely well for holding boots when climbing. I love them when climbing. I hate them when not climbing. They remove the ability to use a lot of platform space. If they were made to meet in the middle with no lower part connecting to the platform - or a single part running from where they meet to the middle of the rear of the stand (in from of teeth) at an angle to allow tilt when climbing - it would open up the entire platform for the foot. This would be a really big improvement. It's my biggest complaint. They take away so much foot space and the ability to turn easier and quicker. They can be worked around but it would be a massive improvement if the two bars coming down could be removed (or connected at the rear of platform).

 

[DOMMA]

A few comments and question after reviewing this setup:

Outstanding concept. I really like the idea of climbing without sticks while remaining tethered to the tree at all times with minimal slack in the cable. From a safety standpoint, this may be the safest climbing method.

At 3.5 lb, the system is easy to pack in, and the platform appears very manageable to carry. It may be one of the lightest complete climbing setups on the market.

I agree with JCMCUBIC’s observation that the foot-retention bars reduce usable platform space. At full height, these bars make roughly 10% or more of the platform effectively unusable.

My main concern is stability when moving around the tree. If the platform is bumped while swinging, will it remain secure on a smooth-bark hardwood? I would prefer the option to cam the unit in place. While camming may not be necessary on softer-barked trees, on smooth hardwoods—such as beech—I’d want the ability to positively lock the platform to the tree at hunting height.

With the required 60" band, the total price comes to $649.99. I can purchase 4 Latitude Carbon SS climbing sticks and a Profile Saddle Platform for about $545. While that setup is heavier and climbing with a lineman’s rope is arguably less safe, it offers greater versatility across a wider range of tree types.

Overall, I think climbing platforms have potential, and Panther’s Ultralight system seems well-designed. It will be interesting to see how many hunters will make the transition to this style of climbing.

 

[Greenhorn2]

These reviews are very helpful. Back when the Baker tree climber came out . I got one and used it for many years it was awesome. So now that i am much older and saddle hunting i think this panther climber will work very good for me. But the price is high . I don’t mind spending that much for it if it will work for me. Considering my age not sure how many more seasons I could use it. So it would be great to see one in person. I live in Michigan if anyone knows of a demo day that would be very helpful. Thank you to those that took the time to respond.

 

[JCMCUBIC]

They sent a paper with their show schedule with my platform. I'll try to check the where/when and reply here. It may be available online somewhere. That would be one place to see them...and likely several other vendors.

 

[JCMCUBIC]

 

[JCMCUBIC]

As an update on this, I hunted it several times, once taking a decent 9 point that was really to young but it was a quick shot (rifle) with no time to look him over well.

Overall thoughts on the platform:

It's the most efficient, no fiddle factor, way to climb/hunt that I've used. Climbing is fast, setup is nothing as once you reach height, that's it. After using it, there wasn't a single time I climbed/setup mobile when I wasn't wishing it was as quick and easy as the PP.

It's the lightest "system". It's the weight of most platforms....with nothing else needed, so it removes the weight of whatever your climbing method is and even the ~8oz of a strap that most platforms use (and sticks).

It's not as solid in attachment as most platforms. It will move a bit. It didn't cause me issues but it is a factor. On the pro side of this, it gives the freedom to reposition/change angle with no more effort than rotating your tether and lifting your feet in the platform. I did this once to keep the setting sun out of my eyes. Very easy to change height up/down the tree if needed to position for better shooting lanes. This was nice when you setup before sunrise and need to make a little adjustment once you can see.

It's not as comfortable as a standard platform. The sides of the platform have the braces for the belt so they change they way a user can place their feet. It's fairly comfortable to put feet directly on top of them though. The foot bars that meet the platform in 2 different places remove a lot of usable platform space. In the original this was needed to allow the post to fold down. Unless they are required to strengthen the platform it would be better if they went straight across or at an angle back to the rear of the platform. My brother in law and nephew are both welders. I may get their thoughts on cutting/rewelding these in a format that will leave the middle of the platform open. If I do this I understand it will void any warranty - but I'm not really sure what PP's warranty is, maybe 1 year?

I tried carrying it as a pack with straps connected directly to it. Once with the band pointing down - this led to the teeth digging into my back and was very uncomfortable. Once with the band pointing up - this led to it always pulling away from my shoulders. Band down will work if I use a pad to cover the teeth but adding more crap is irksome. Carried with a Popup 28 and with a Modframe where both great.

The aider is a little tough to use on the last step onto the platform. I do wish I'd gotten the longer aider but the 3 step is fine.

After using it a bit, it was pretty easy to go around single limbs while climbing. I'm not a flexible guy but it wasn't bad at all. The rotating pin is an excellent design. Edit to add - it was very easy to change the pitch as needed while climbing with this as well.

There is a challenge on a limbed tree of moving the tether around them. I attached a short tether (girth hitched what is normally my linemans), then moved the tether/repel rope. If it's girth hitched, it's important to keep the rest of the rope contained so it passes through easy. I used a lattitude operator pouch which is easy to connect/disconnect. I did use a standard quick link to climb a few times. It works, but girth hitching is better. Original reason for using the quick link was thinking it would be quicker to disconnect/connect when passing limbs, but I really think it was quicker to pass the operator through than to mess with the quick link.

As an overall, I really liked it. The efficiency, lack of fiddle factor, quickness to be ready to hunt, and light weight are what I like most about it. If I'm going to hunt from a platform (that isn't already preset) I can't see myself carrying anything else.

 

[DOMMA]

As an update on this, I hunted it several times, once taking a decent 9 point that was really to young but it was a quick shot (rifle) with no time to look him over well.

Overall thoughts on the platform:

It's the most efficient, no fiddle factor, way to climb/hunt that I've used. Climbing is fast, setup is nothing as once you reach height, that's it. After using it, there wasn't a single time I climbed/setup mobile when I wasn't wishing it was as quick and easy as the PP.

It's the lightest "system". It's the weight of most platforms....with nothing else needed, so it removes the weight of whatever your climbing method is and even the ~8oz of a strap that most platforms use (and sticks).

It's not as solid in attachment as most platforms. It will move a bit. It didn't cause me issues but it is a factor. On the pro side of this, it gives the freedom to reposition/change angle with no more effort than rotating your tether and lifting your feet in the platform. I did this once to keep the setting sun out of my eyes. Very easy to change height up/down the tree if needed to position for better shooting lanes. This was nice when you setup before sunrise and need to make a little adjustment once you can see.

It's not as comfortable as a standard platform. The sides of the platform have the braces for the belt so they change they way a user can place their feet. It's fairly comfortable to put feet directly on top of them though. The foot bars that meet the platform in 2 different places remove a lot of usable platform space. In the original this was needed to allow the post to fold down. Unless they are required to strengthen the platform it would be better if they went straight across or at an angle back to the rear of the platform. My brother in law and nephew are both welders. I may get their thoughts on cutting/rewelding these in a format that will leave the middle of the platform open. If I do this I understand it will void any warranty - but I'm not really sure what PP's warranty is, maybe 1 year?

I tried carrying it as a pack with straps connected directly to it. Once with the band pointing down - this led to the teeth digging into my back and was very uncomfortable. Once with the band pointing up - this led to it always pulling away from my shoulders. Band down will work if I use a pad to cover the teeth but adding more crap is irksome. Carried with a Popup 28 and with a Modframe where both great.

The aider is a little tough to use on the last step onto the platform. I do wish I'd gotten the longer aider but the 3 step is fine.

After using it a bit, it was pretty easy to go around single limbs while climbing. I'm not a flexible guy but it wasn't bad at all. The rotating pin is an excellent design. Edit to add - it was very easy to change the pitch as needed while climbing with this as well.

There is a challenge on a limbed tree of moving the tether around them. I attached a short tether (girth hitched what is normally my linemans), then moved the tether/repel rope. If it's girth hitched, it's important to keep the rest of the rope contained so it passes through easy. I used a lattitude operator pouch which is easy to connect/disconnect. I did use a standard quick link to climb a few times. It works, but girth hitching is better. Original reason for using the quick link was thinking it would be quicker to disconnect/connect when passing limbs, but I really think it was quicker to pass the operator through than to mess with the quick link.

As an overall, I really liked it. The efficiency, lack of fiddle factor, quickness to be ready to hunt, and light weight are what I like most about it. If I'm going to hunt from a platform (that isn't already preset) I can't see myself carrying anything else.

Great review - thanks for sharing. I wish there was a way to secure the platform at full height to avoid "it will move a bit". I do think that a climbing platform is one of the easiest, safest ways to climb. But, I want it locked in at full height.

 

[JCMCUBIC]

Great review - thanks for sharing. I wish there was a way to secure the platform at full height to avoid "it will move a bit". I do think that a climbing platform is one of the easiest, safest ways to climb. But, I want it locked in at full height.

I'd thought about that a bit and considered trying a wrapped bungie cord or a soft shackle with cam strap...but I didn't want to give up the ease of readjusting. In the end, I didn't worry about the movement that much.

If I really wanted it locked down, I think their original model would be the way to go.

 

[llama32]

I like the idea of the Panther climbers but for as much as they cost ($680) I think you're better off buying a used LWCG crossover climber if you're going to be spending that much $ on a climber. IMO it's more versatile:

- You can use both top/bottom like a traditional climber w/ a safety harness
- You can use the bottom half only w/ a saddle and use it like the Panther climber

I bought a used crossover off the classifieds here this summer and have been using the bottom half with my saddle as a climbable platform off and on this season and it's been working great. You get a lot of room to move around - more than any other saddle platform I've used - and it's still really light to carry.

The whole thing with the bands breaking on the Panthers would be an absolute no-go for me at the price point as well.

Sent pm

 

[Ambushd]

climber platforms work great for telephone poles.
Trying to move them over limbs is clumsy in a saddle in my experience. Youre either trying to get off the platform, move it and get back on, which is sketchy. Or your disconnecting the band with the platform connected to your feet and trying to keep yourself away from the tree while raising the platform over the limb and reconnecting the band, which is a hernia waiting to happen.

It can get interesting that’s for sure.

 

[Apex7]

They have several reports of bands breaking and they recommend you climb with it connected to a rappel line.

Hard pass!

I have used the Panther climbing platform with the post for 2 season's and have both of their bands and never had problem. From what I can gather it mostly is user error. Any thing can fail but Seth from Panther is very serious about safty and his product. He is very transparent on any issues if they arise.

 

[JCMCUBIC]

I did a few climbs with the ultralight this afternoon. It's just so easy and so fast. No fiddle factor.