Are you carying enough that you'd need a second pack?
Sure - and I'll do that with a saddle (the best combo of good+easy is pretty much a limbless tree nestled up against a cover tree). But that's really driving your tree choice hard.
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The No-Shame Thread
- Thread starter Nutterbuster
- Start date
I broke my own record for smallest buck I've shot in the last 13 years that I set earlier this year. Shot a 3pt in NY public land yesterday. I'm currently tied in antler pts from last year with twice the meat, 2020 is weird so I am stuffing the freezer! 1 either sex tag and 3 antlerless tags to go. Doing a snow dance for NY muzzleloader!
No shame
No shame
At about 6:10 this morning I turned my in-laws beautiful riverfront property in to a toxic wasteland/future EPA Superfund site.
For those more mathematically inclined, I’ll put it this way:
(Zucchini casserole + Tabasco sauce ) / 10 hours = colonic carnage
For those more mathematically inclined, I’ll put it this way:
(Zucchini casserole + Tabasco sauce ) / 10 hours = colonic carnage
I've looked at them and even exchanged emails with the owner. They look comfy but I think the appeal of a climber is it's an all in one system. With the JX3 you still need a climbing method and probably a ROS.
That's contingent on considering a climber as a viable climbing method
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- May 19, 2019
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I’m honestly considering the JX3.
My reasons are:
1. I love to be comfortable in a tree. My kite is more comfortable than my LW assault but I fidget/adjust a lot throughout the hunt to stay “mostly” comfortable. It’s not a sleeper by any means but good for short sits.
2. I need a good pack frame to haul all of my sticks, platform, bow and gear and take a deboned deer out of the blue ridge mountains where I like to hunt. A really good pack for this purpose is very expensive...$400-600.
I don’t pack much gear—just a grunt tube, rangefinder, headlamp, a snack and water.
I think the jx3 can take all of this AND be my stand/saddle.
3. I like the simplicity of a climber—few moving parts. By going to a jx3 I can eliminate the need for a platform. Really intrigued with a one stick and a ring of 2-3 steps. If i go to one stick and rappel and ROS, the weight difference is provably not that far off from my current multiple sticks, kite and a platform.
I’m also considering a recon or cruzer XC. If any of you have any recommendation for my purposes, please provide input. I know this is a ‘no shame’ thread, so not trying to go down a rabbit hole, but figured while we were discussing climbers and gear, I’d bring this question up.
My reasons are:
1. I love to be comfortable in a tree. My kite is more comfortable than my LW assault but I fidget/adjust a lot throughout the hunt to stay “mostly” comfortable. It’s not a sleeper by any means but good for short sits.
2. I need a good pack frame to haul all of my sticks, platform, bow and gear and take a deboned deer out of the blue ridge mountains where I like to hunt. A really good pack for this purpose is very expensive...$400-600.
I don’t pack much gear—just a grunt tube, rangefinder, headlamp, a snack and water.
I think the jx3 can take all of this AND be my stand/saddle.
3. I like the simplicity of a climber—few moving parts. By going to a jx3 I can eliminate the need for a platform. Really intrigued with a one stick and a ring of 2-3 steps. If i go to one stick and rappel and ROS, the weight difference is provably not that far off from my current multiple sticks, kite and a platform.
I’m also considering a recon or cruzer XC. If any of you have any recommendation for my purposes, please provide input. I know this is a ‘no shame’ thread, so not trying to go down a rabbit hole, but figured while we were discussing climbers and gear, I’d bring this question up.
Kind of sounds like your mind is made up to me. Don't think you'd be disappointed in the JX3 from what what people say about it. They're shipping in 2-3 days according to their website. Not sure I want to change setups in the middle of our season but I still have a hang on and sticks to use.
I had one of the earlier JX3’s early last year. Ended up selling it. Part of me misses it a little. It is really comfortable for sure. I had trouble climbing with it though but I think that’s just me, not the fault of the JX3. Sounds like it would work well for you based on everything you listed out. Also remember you can use the JX3 on the ground as a chair too if you ever wanted to.
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HuntNorthEast
Well-Known Member
I sold every Viper I owned and before you go spending money on one I will give you the cons I learned over the years of using them.I’m sitting in my father in laws brand new summit viper climber for the first time ever and not ashamed to say I love it!
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The seat stays wet when rained on, for a lonngggggg time, as do the rest of the pads.
They creak after about 6 weeks of use.
If you leave it, the deer figure you out FAST.
It is almost a necessity to stand when shooting with a bow.
Cables get trashed and rusty very fast.
Noisy when carrying and setting up. (Bulky and clangy)
Backpack straps are uncomfortable.
Cannot sit a tree under 8", the stand won't grab it. Or a tree 24"+ across for that matter, it's next to impossible to find a tree in some pieces of woods actually.
If it was left in the woods at a known hot spot kind of as a hang on is used then yes, they are a nice break for a day. If I ever had to use one every day again I would probably sit on the ground instead. I'm not trying to be a downer, just letting you know my take to hopefully save you some money!
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Thanks for this info and thoughts. I agree with everything you just said. Not really planning to get a climber, but for a sec it had me thinking!
I agree with about everything you said about the Viper except I had mine for about 8 years before I had to replace the cables and then they were still usable but were getting pretty worn.
Thanks for the info. I can see all that being an issue for sure. I did notice at least the wrapping of the cables got trashed after only a couple times setting it up.
I was likely not going to get one anyway once it came down to putting up the money for it.
My father in law is disabled with severe neck and shoulder/arm issues but he still loves to hunt and he’s never had a great way to get up a tree. This viper fit the bill though being able to sit and climb it up without having to use his arms too terribly much. But he was gonna sit an afternoon hunt out and offered to let me try it out so I did. That’s how this all came about.
I really did enjoy using a climber though before. If I was to get another (and I probably will but not to replace my saddle setup or my LW Assault) it will probably be another LWHC like I had before.
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I still really like my lwhc. It’s not near as comfortable as a summit viper, but it is so lightweight and easy to use. It has seen a lot less use since I started saddle hunting, but it’s still in the arsenal.
Yep I think that would be the case with me too. Wouldn’t get used tons but I have found that I get annoyed with all the fiddling with straps and ropes after while with the saddle setup. There are a few pieces of woods I hunt regularly more than others that are not a far walk, tons of trees that work well with climbers. To just get in there fast and not have to mess with all that stuff would sure be nice once in a while.
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I have had two summit goliaths and never sat a hunt in either or them once. I have a Treewalker climber stand.
Previously, I “won” a summit. Took it out to a tree and it was horrible (compared to Treewalker). Sold it. Then years later, got into a managed hunt area with concern of tree damage. And requirement for TMA approved gear. Couldn’t use my sit drag as per TMA.
Bought another Goliath for the hunt. Took it out to the woods once. Horrible. Took it back and used my alpha II and sticks.
I still have the Treewalker and will use it when invited to hunts with climber tree pre picked out. That, and heater body suit. The Goliath sits in my garage. I need to get rid of that craptastic garbage. I never understood the love of summit.
Previously, I “won” a summit. Took it out to a tree and it was horrible (compared to Treewalker). Sold it. Then years later, got into a managed hunt area with concern of tree damage. And requirement for TMA approved gear. Couldn’t use my sit drag as per TMA.
Bought another Goliath for the hunt. Took it out to the woods once. Horrible. Took it back and used my alpha II and sticks.
I still have the Treewalker and will use it when invited to hunts with climber tree pre picked out. That, and heater body suit. The Goliath sits in my garage. I need to get rid of that craptastic garbage. I never understood the love of summit.
Not to open a can of worms, just curious what you didn’t like about them and also what you like about the treewalker so much. Looks like they are not made anymore.
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Vtbow
Well-Known Member
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All it takes is one stick in the eye...then its really lights out! Headlamp on low, red light everybtime for me!
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Just some other random opinion, I have an open shot style Summit, 15+ years old at this point, and I really don’t have many complaints about it.
Its an issue in late season. I need a pack for my layers plus other things like FAK and after the shot supplies, water etc. I have to wear big and tall clothes so they are bulkier.
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If I get a jx3, I plan to stuff extra outwear layers (bibs and coat) between the seat and frame during transport. For a small kill kit and other items, I plan to use a small bag or pack which I would hang on the hook of the frame (where the seat attaches during transport) and secure with the included lashing straps if necessary. In this configuration, both the pack and layers would be securely sandwiched between the seat and platform.
When I get to the tree, I’d take off the hybrid, put on my bibs, take the lashing straps off the small pack, stuff my coat behind the lashing straps where I can easily grab it later, and begin climbing. Once settled at hunting height, I’d reach around and lift the pack off the hook and hang from tree, and pull my coat out when I got cold.