Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Summit Viper Review

If there is one piece of hunting gear that I just couldn't be without, it would have to be my Summit Viper climbing stand.  Like a faithful friend, it goes everywhere I go during hunting season.  Sure, there are times during gun season that I'll set off on foot for some still hunting, but the core of my strategy revolves around figuring out where the deer are feeding and then getting close enough to make a clean bow kill.

Stealth, mobility, and security are all vitally important characteristics of a stand that is going to go with me to the farthest corners of my hunting territory to get me up close and personal to my quarry. In the following video clips, I'll review the (mostly) high points of the Viper and pass along some helpful hints that I've figured out over the six or seven years that I've been using this great treestand.

If you are ready to start enjoying the Cadillac of climbers, you can pick one up at Cabelas or at Gander Mountain or for the best price try Amazon.










10 comments:

Anonymous said...

how do you attach your backpack to your stand?

Pursuit Hunter said...

I have a piece of stout cord (about the diameter of parachute cord, but stronger) that is tied to the haul loop on my pack. The cors is about 18 inches long. After I have nested the two pieces of the stand together for carrying, I wrap the piece of cord twice around the top crosspiece of the stand and tie it with a double half hitch. At that point, the pack is hanging from the cord. Then I take the strap that is used to connect the top section to the tree and use it to secure the pack to the back of the stand so that it doesn't flop around.

Anonymous said...

thanks, great tip can't wait to use it! video was great to

Anonymous said...

those were some helpful tips, i just got a summit a couple weeks ago, when you climb do you wear a facemask?

Pursuit Hunter said...

I don't wear a facemask. I prefer camo makeup. It is much more comfortable.

eddie said...

chris,i have learned alot from this site and sincerly thank you and value your opinion,my question is im debating between the lone wolf sit n climb and the viper, both obviously have different qualities but price is also a concern. any way i was thinking about using expansion foam inside the tubing of the viper to sound dampen any hollow pinging ,tinking sounds and mayby an outter acoustical wrap of some sort mayby ...an thoughts or suggestion would be appreciated thanks eddie

Anonymous said...

Great video, as are all of the gear reviews I have watched on your site videos. It sure helped shorten the learning curve, which is critical from a safety point of view. Your point about the value of the safety strap came home to me the other day when I climbed without it-left it by accident in my jacket. I leaned a little on the upper portion and it moved! Scared the hell out of me at 18 feet in the air.

Unknown said...

I wanted to stop in and say thankyou for your blog and especially this review of the Summit stand. I have had mine for 3 seasons now, and I specifically got the Summit after reading this review and videos back in 2010. I couldnt be happier with it, thanks again.

Jason

Oz Measure said...

Still a great video! I just sold my Viper and forwarded your site info to the guy who bought it. I watch the videos every once in awhile and still find it interesting and informative. Wish the site was more active, really enjoy it.

Oz Measure said...

Forgot to mention last year that while I sold my first Viper, I replaced it with the Vioer Elite @ 16 lbs. Big difference for me over the 20# Viper. Still like the seat in the Viper better, but the weight trade-off is important to me. At 76 getting rid of carrying weight is a constant goal, and effort.