Please be sure to use the flat safety strap to secure the seat platform to the tree and check out my other treestand videos below! ➼ This NEW stand is the 🏆BEST🏆 Climber in the business! The Summit Viper LEVEL Pro SD: ua-cam.com/video/62ti9rQH4Zg/v-deo.html ➼ Can't decide between the LEVEL and the Pro SD? This video will help! ua-cam.com/video/MnUF7ZUZCkw/v-deo.html ➼ Check out the Summit Viper PRO SD Climbing Treestand! ua-cam.com/video/fqjW8fyw3G4/v-deo.html ➼ Compare the Viper SD to the Summit Viper Steel: ua-cam.com/video/tohGOcIrf00/v-deo.html ➼ Check out the Summit Viper Steel Review and Demo: ua-cam.com/video/sap-KJIdMUM/v-deo.html ➼ How I climb with all my hunting gear: ua-cam.com/video/v0O-2UU_rL4/v-deo.html ➼ Watch the Summit Viper Steel Unboxing and Assembly (pretty much the same as the Viper SD): ua-cam.com/video/VYjLQoON_qU/v-deo.html ➼ Need to figure out how to nest/pack your Summit stand? Check this video out: ua-cam.com/video/5Ti7HuXUK90/v-deo.html ➼ Want a cheaper climber? Check out the $100 Field and Stream: ua-cam.com/video/7LdhzTIYLjY/v-deo.html ➼ Here is the $100 climber unbox and assembly: ua-cam.com/video/-1SczYnB_Es/v-deo.html
Two comments. One, this was almost the best instructional video I've seen on this stand. Would have been the best, if you hadn't missed one important point. Which brings me to #2. That strap that you used to strap the two pieces together, is also the strap you should use to put around the tree to strap the top to the tree once you get to hunting height. Locks the teeth to the tree. Very important step. Still, well done.
Hey Anchul, thanks for the kind words! Also, great point about using that flat strap to further secure it to the tree!!! There's so much to remember, I'm bummed I missed it haha
I would throw that bungee away , and get some third hand archery lock down straps for it. I have them on all 3 of my summits, also have the footrest from third hand archery.... both well worth the price.
This is a great stand, period! It's lightweight, climbs easy ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxlQ7TDIrnnSXXbRgFFaxqwullRJJIuYAs and feels solid while in the tree. The seat is easy to fold up for climbing and sits comfortably for long days in the woods. The only downside I have is that it might be too comfortable, but I like napping in the tree anyway. This is the second Summit Viper I have owned. The old one is steel making it heavier, but this aluminum version is about 9-10 lbs lighter. I recommend buying a better fall harness as the one included is clunky and not super comfortable. I think it will work fine if you NEED to use it, but there are lots of other more comfortable options out there.
Great demonstration. Ive been a small game hunter my entire life (not much need for a tree stand). But after a few years of thinking on it, i decided ill be hunting the deer archery season this year. Very nervous but excited, videos like this help.
I have used the summit viper for years. Please use the flat green strap to secure the top to the tree once you reach your desired hunting height. To not use is a safety hazard ! I recently replaced my cables and my flat green strap. I received 2 flat green straps with my order. I use one for securing the top to the tree and the other one to strap the top to the bottom for extra security in case the bottom slip. Stay safe and hunt hard !!
Hey James, thanks for checking out my channel. Hook me up and hit subscribe, if you could! Yeah I’ve had a few people point that out and I’m bummed I forgot to highlight it in the video. I did make up for it in my Summit Viper SD Hunting Setup video. Thanks again!
I'm late to the video as I typically use tripod or ladder stands but have to say this is great. You covered all of my questions and hit on the most important part being safety. When I started hunting, I never wore a harness but that quickly changed as I passed out while in my ladder stand and fell about 20-25 feet, landing on my head and splitting it open. 25 staples later and and still sporting a gnarly scar, I'm thankful I was eventually able to come home to my family and wasn't hurt worse (somehow I didn't break my neck, break any bones, etc.). So please everyone, wear your harness! Anywho, great video - I think I'm gonna go ahead and buy this exact climber to give it a shot this deer season Happy hunting!
Hey itsMitch! Thanks for checking out my channel and for the kind words! Wow… yeah it sounds like you were super lucky! Happy your ok and best of luck this season 👍🏻
Great video / demonstration. I make it a point to never sleep in my viper and for some reason I always see more game when I place a small limb under the bottom climber. It’s like adding camouflage
Awesome video. I have this stand and love it. The bungee strap to keep the bottom attached to the top is too long when fully stretched. I know this because I had my bottom section fall twice. The first time I was able to get it back on the tree after 15 minutes of fumbling around. It fell again as the plastic carabiner broke. I made it to the ground by stepping onto the seat, hugging the tree and sending the top section down. I then climbed down using the prusik knot. That said.... I caused all of it from the beginning. The bottom section was stuck on a piece of rough bark. I took my feet out of the stirrups and kicked the front of the bottom away from the tree. BIG MISTAKE!! Lesson learned lemme tell ya. Happy Hunting Y’all
Hey Michael, thanks so much for checking out my channel and for the feedback! I can imagine how sketchy it would be to have the bottom fall out on you! Great tips for if that ever happens!!! Thanks for contributing!
Hey Mr Collier, thanks for checking out my channel and for the information! There was a few guys asking about the weight limit and this info will definitely help them out 👍🏻
Hey Michael, Thanks for checking out my channel and for the positive feedback! The Summit Viper SD is an awesome stand! You've made a great choice! Best of luck with it!
Take it from someone who had the bottom come out of his stand. Listen to this man. Don't forget to strap the two sections together correctly. Mine was a cheap Wal-Mart version almost 20 years ago but a friend of mine tied the rope in the wrong spot, on the side instead of centered, and when the stand slipped when trying to lower it, the bottom became jammed on the tree and I couldn't get it back the way it needed to be. I wasn't jumping out from 12 feet up. Luckily I had my first ever cell phone with me and reached my dad who carried a ladder into the woods with my uncle and got me down. I haven't used a climber since but am purchasing one soon to use this season. Lesson learned for me.if you use one, be sure to check every box when it comes to safety. Great video by the way!
Hey thanks for checking out my channel L D! Hook me up and hit subscribe if you could! Yeah, the Viper SD is an awesome stand! You're going to love it! Don't forget to use that flat strap to secure the upper section to the tree (I forgot to add that part in the video). Best of luck with the stand!
As another said, use the pull strap to secure the seat section to the tree. I leave my shoulder "back pack" straps on the stand the whole hunt. When packing, I run the seat back through the stand and fasten the sections together using the pull strap vertically around both sections.
Excellent instructions, thank you. I love this climber, was a game changer as I used it exclusively for years- before I switched to the lone wolf sit and climb. My issue was the cables rattled a bit on the climb in the summit viper- recently I wrapped them in vet tape and began using the viper again, solid climber. Reason I went to the lone wolf climber, 10 years ago I caught a trespasser on my property using a summit viper, I could hear him climbing from over 100 yards away, he ran off when I walked up to him, but left his climber behind. The cables clank and thump inside the tube, it's manage-able, but still too noisy when woods are dead silent. The vet tape really solved this issue. I also got rid of the summit seat on the viper and replaced it with a "Hazemore" aftermarket seat, it looks like a basketball net, not as super comfortable, but better in many ways- once you try one, you'll see. Thanks again, great video.
Thanks for checking out my channel Underdog Outdoors!!! Also thanks for the substantive feedback! I’ve been interested in checking out Lone Wolf stands and perhaps I’ll do a video for next season. Excellent points on the Summit Viper! I always enjoy learning from others and how they prepare for a successful hunt. Thanks again 👍🏻
Definitely one of my favorite all time stands. The aluminum version is super light and easy to set up. I have numerous Summit Vipers but the aluminum is the way to go. Great stand if your broad and super comfortable. The Muddy is a great and simple harness as well. Another great video! Keep it up!
Been using summits for very many years.i remember when they were steel lol.heavy but alwys were the best.even wsy back.ive tried them all.i mean ive tried alot of climbers.i do not use anything but a summit.most comftorable, most safe & defintly the most quikest strap to a tree & go stand.i own 2 vipers & could not imagine using any other stand.i can be strapped to a tree in literly 1 to 2 minutes & be 30 ' up the tree in literly 1 to 2 minutes ready to hunt.
Non-shaky camera handling, good sound level and clear demo. Overall, excellent presentation. Mu only question would be (and the answer probably is "yes") if you adjusted the safety line attachment to the tree with each climb step. Cheers!
@@mountainbuck will do, going out to the woods tomorrow to practice going up and down a tree safely. I upgraded my harness and got the same limb saw you got off amazon. Saturday morning I’m hoping to see something!
Thanks for a good, clear break-down of how to operate this climber! If only Summit would put this on their own website. I have just a couple of comments (and I'm a beginner so feel free to correct): First, I've noticed the camo armrest cover zippers jiggle when I carry the stand. A piece of duct tape quiets them down. Second, how to carry the thing? When I first got my Summit Viper, I spent hours reading the manual, watching videos, and trying to sleuth out how you attach that shoulder-strap thing to the platform. It just doesn't make sense. Finally, I got a 3rd party set of shoulder straps and a belt strap, and that works okay but not great. A good harness consisting of padded shoulder and waist straps that straps on tight to the stand is what I would consider ideal. Still looking for one.
Hey Joe, thanks for checking out my channel! Hook me up and hit subscribe, if you can! Setting up the backpack straps can be a little tricky, you have to attach to flat straps to the base of the foot platform and when both platforms are nested together - wrap the elastic backpack straps around the slats (at a comfortable height) and then thread the ends of the flats straps through the bungie backstraps and tighten as necessary. Good tip on the zippers! Thank you! Also, if you know anyone at Summit, have them give me a call. I'd be happy to do video for them haha.
This is the best review and demo I’ve seen on this stand great video and detail! I’ve been looking into a climbing stand for the past week and I think I’m ready to pick up one of these for myself tomorrow seems to have everything I need. Thanks!
Hey thanks so much for the kind words and for checking out my channel Anglers Anonymous Outdoors! Best of luck with the stand! You’re going to love the freedom it gives you to hunt wherever you take it!
@@mountainbuck Yeah where I am is a mostly flat ground and thick bush so hard to get a vantage point to do still-hunting (though I have still-hunted deer successfully before) and near impossible to spot n stalk since there's really no good vantage points to glass from lol so yeah the tree stand should give me a better vantage point now! It's my first tree stand, can't wait to try it out!
Great stand. I don’t use the foot bungie or the stirrups. I use the rails in the bottom portion and and tuck my feet under. Works great. Also? You should look into getting the Hazmore Silent Seat and the Third Hand Archery stabilizer straps. Those two add-ons make for the most comfortable and safest climber on the market.
Hey Jiggin thanks so much for checking out my channel and for the feedback! Those are some great tips! I'll take a look at the silent seat and stabilizer straps! I was also looking at the add-on foot rest you can get.
I like the video and have been using one for about 5 years now. It works great in east Texas but I'll have to get a different style for the rest of the state where trees are shorter and branch out more. I do think you ought to try attaching the backpack straps in a different way. Either ziptie the middle of the upper portion or attach it with a bird's head knot. A lot of people do upgrade the straps to milsurp Molle backpack straps.
There are shockingly very few videos on the Summit Viper. I have an XOP hang on, tried a saddle, I also had an XOP hand climber. Everyone says the Summit Viper is the comfiest stand albeit bulky. I'd rather deal with a little bulk and be comfy so I can hunt longer. I'm really considering picking one up. Great video.
Thanks so much for the feedback and for checking out my channel, Michael! I'll be doing a few videos on the Summit Viper Steel pretty soon (if you don't mind a few extra pounds, you could save around $100 over the Summit Viper SD). Either way, Summit makes some quality climbers.
Great demo man, I've been hunting from a tree stand for upward of 50 years, and your nailing it. I just bought the Summit Goliath, and an looking forward to hunting g out of it this year. I've been hunting out of an API Summit for years, but it's heavy and I'm not getting any younger.
Hey Potts Outdoors! Thanks for checking out my channel and for the kind words! You’re gonna love your Summit stand. They are the best! Best of luck this season 👍🏻
Hey Anduin2000, thanks so much for the kind words and for subscribing! That was one of my earliest videos and I’ve been working to improve and refine my process since then. Hope you like the new content as well. Thanks again and best of luck this season 👍🏻
I have a summit viper that is prolly close to 15 years old, and watching this there are a few things I'ld like to upgrade. One the foot clips to climb, mine has a strap for over your boots and the bungey to hold them in, if your wearing large boots, like muck boots or rubber boots it's a real pain. And two the seat, mine has a seat with an air bag in it that you can literally blow up like a pool float, it is noisey unusually leave it deflated and have a cushion I leave in it. I can say mine has a padded shooting rail around the whole top rail, much longer then the new ones, other than that not much has changed. Although mine does have a strap, that once your up to height you wrap the strap around the top section for extra security, it's the strap that holds them together while carrying in. Didn't see that mentioned in this video. They can be noisey to set up and climb, and if the tree is wet they can slip a little so I def use that strap once I'm up to height.
Hey Chad, thanks for the feedback! You are absolutely correct in that there is a 1” utility strap that you should use to secure the seat section of the stand to the tree once you’ve reached your desired height. You also use it to pack up your stand and Lee it quiet as you hike through the woods. That’s one thing that I always kick myself for forgetting to include in this video. Thanks again for the feedback and best of luck this season 👍🏻
I like to put pull the seat through the bottom of the frame and put my backpack inside, then pull the seat over and attach the hooks on the seat bungee cord to the frame cross members. This exposes the underside of the seat on the outside of the stand when it is strapped to my back, which regrettably is dark brown material. Summit did not use camo on both sides of seat as they used to. I hunt public land and even though blaze orange is not required during archery, I would cover the back of the seat with an orange vest as I hiked from my stand during daylight hours. Lots of first time hunters with no experience in the woods these days with the "brown its down" attitude. I have an older viper that I like and bought this one because it weighs 6 lbs less in weight. So I returned it and will continue to use the old one with the seat that doesn't resemble the color of a deer hide.
Hey Rocco, thanks for checking out my channel! Thanks for the input! Wow, that's kind of crazy that they'd have a brown seatback. I hear you about watching your back in the woods. You can never be too safe!
Only thing that I would do different ( in my opinion ) is to move your safety strap higher up when your sitting down , want it above your head so if you do fall it won’t be as much . Other than that good job !
I live in Harlan Ky and hunt some of the roughest terrain in the eastern United States and really need to know how to become a product tester for summit!
Hey Kelly, sounds like you have some cool spots to hunt! Hiking up those mountain is no joke. Especially with gear on your back. Best of luck this season 🦌
Nice video. Although I'm surprised you didn't mention or have a side rail bag for putting things in. Like your hand saw,As it looked like could/would easily fall out of back pocket.
Hey Ron, thanks for checking out my channel! Hook me up and hit subscribe, if you could! That's pretty cool that you mention that because I'm actually planning on doing a separate video on my climber stand hunting setup (I have a backpack I climb with and then attach to the side of the shooting rail. It's pretty sweet as it holds a bunch of essential items). Hopefully I can find some time to put that video together soon!
Yvmw sir. Ive yet to get them myself but best friend has side rail bags 1 on each side rail hold plenty,always connected to stand,out of the way,yet easily in reach when needed.
Yvmw sir. Although friend went with different brand/company on side rail bags. Not sure why but was either price or summit discontinued thiers. But i know the ones he got/has blend in better for bow season with the camo pattern they are.
The only issue I have is that it's TOO comfy! I lost count of how many times I've dozed off. There's times where I wake up, and I don't recall even closing my eyes.
@@MrNewff hey MrNewff, thanks for checking out my channel! Hook me up and hit subscribe, if you could! It does make noise as you climb the tree. I’m not sure you’d be able to get up there completely silently. I try to make as little noise as possible and limit the clanging of metal on metal when at all possible. This is why it’s important to tighten the stand together as you move through the woods
If they made these to fold down like the Explorer SD Closed Front stands... OMG.... They would sell and sell and sell... And use cinch straps instead of that bungee thingy.
Be sure to use your harness, fellas. There was a guy at my hospital recently who will spend rest of his life in a wheelchair from a fall, and is suffering from many unpleasant complications including bloodstream infections
You should always raise the teather strap above your head before sitting in seat! If your platform comes lose and slides down tree Your not going to be able to reach it! Very important
Hey Jacob, thanks for checking out my channel. Please hook me up and hit subscribe if you could. If you watch this video (skip ahead to where I have the climber set up on the tree), you will see how the bungee/tether attaches the bottom platform to the seated portion of the stand. Both stands use the same style bungee: ua-cam.com/video/fqjW8fyw3G4/v-deo.html
I'm new at this, can you help me, I've got the bottom working great but I'm having trouble with the top part, it will drop on it's own, I'm not sure on what I'm doing wrong, love the video, can you help me
Hi Rhonda, Thanks for checking out my channel and sorry for the late reply (I just noticed your comment!). If you could hook me up and hit subscribe, I'd appreciate it! For the seat section of the tree stand, you should gradually apply weight to the shooting rail (making sure the teeth make proper connection with the tree). By slowly sitting down on the shooting rail, the top part of the stand will stay in place until you are ready to continue moving up or down. Once you are at your desired height in the tree, you should use the flat strap to affix the top section of the stand to the tree (I use this at the end of the video to connect the two platforms together). Wrap that flat strap around the tree and connect to the top section of the stand, tighten it down and you should be all set. Keep in mind, you do not want to lift up on the top section of the stand (or shooting rail) as this will cause the top section of the stand to pull away from the tree and potentially fall. Please be careful (make sure you wear that harness) and let me know if you have any questions!
Hi there,Evening Ms. Rhonda. I will add 2 other ideas/suggestions. 1-once your at height you want you can screw in a bow,gun,equipment holder (small size recommend) in the tree so it is just below the band/black locking strap of top section of climber which will keep it from going anywhere even if it should try/want to slip. 2-ive found once in a great while slipping happens if you don't have even pressure/weight toward front/outer part of top or bottom of stand,Like leaning back or having feet to far back. For the bottom i always make sure is locked in before sitting but also i will keep atleast 1 if not both feet/boots so that basically is extending/hanging out so just heel is inside outer portion of outer rail of bottom section.
1 other thought/suggestion Ms. Rhonda. (Not sure of brand/model climber you have). But once your at desired hunting height check your top section if it is basically level as if the ends are pointing upward once you sit & lean back it may want to slip. If that is it,With practice/time you will learn/know the right setting or amount of lean your top should have once up to height so it sits level & prevent slipping. I always push down on end of top at ends of rails & then again hold/push down on them as I sit to make sure is locked good.
Out of curiosity, how high do you normally set your stand? I know there are a lot of variables, but I'm assuming there is an average range. Thanks for the great video. I bought one of these last year after watching your video, but haven't used it yet. I'm going to go find some trees and do a test run so at least I'm not fumbling around on my first day hunting.
Hey T White, thank you for checking out my channel and for the kind words! I’d say I’m probably in the 15-18’ range with my climbers. Doing a test climb is an excellent idea! Best of luck with your stand and best of luck this season. 👍🏻
Great job on the video. I've never climbed a tree but I'm looking for a stand and found your video. One question - I know the weight limit is 300 but was wondering how sturdy you think it would be at 250 - 255?
Hey Michael, thanks so much for the feedback and for checking out my channel! The stand is super sturdy and I'd feel very comfortable at that weight! There is an extra strap (the flat strap I used to combine the upper and lower platforms at the end) that you can strap to the upper portion and the tree to keep you even more secure. If you happen to get the stand, I would practice going up and down at a lower height on the tree until you feel comfortable. Best of luck with the stand! I think you'll really like it!
iv used summit climber 20 yrs it is real safe that tree would have fall over for you fall out . the bigest problem is falling asleep wake up its dark lol
I have never own a tree stand like these ones. This tree stand can you carry it in/out of hunting every evening without any problems? Something like this is it easy to carry and also carry a backpack? TIA!!
Hey Bee, thanks for checking out my channel! Hook me up and hit subscribe if you could. I have a lot of climbing treestand content you might be interested in. Yes, you carry these in and out with you each time for the most part. You should consider where you are hiking too (how far, incline, etc) and the weight of the stand along with your other gear. You could also have a backpack between your back and stand when carrying if it isn’t too bulky.
Hey Take it Outside! (Cool name). Thanks for checking out my channel! The standard harness will definitely protect you. It’s just not comfortable or easy to get in and out of. Best of luck this season 👍🏻
Thanks so much for the feedback! I usually have my hunting backpack on underneath the climber stand and sling the crossbow over a shoulder. If you aren't making long hikes up lots of hills, it isn't too bad. That's where a stand like this (weighing only 20 lbs.) has the advantage over some of the heavier steel ones.
Hey Mike, thanks for checking out my channel! Please hook me up and hit subscribe if you could. Here is a video on how I climb with my gear: ua-cam.com/video/v0O-2UU_rL4/v-deo.html
Very good video, but I am not sure your stat of 1000s of hunters each year fall from trees is accurate. But, the point is well received. Wear a harness.
Hey Tickorium, thanks for checking out my channel! Here is an article from 2018 I found after a quick Google search in which researchers estimate between 5,000 - 6,400 hunters will get injured from falling from treestands/trees. www.americanhunter.org/content/treestand-falls-deer-hunting-s-most-common-accident/ Best of luck this season 👍🏻
Hey Kid Fabulous, thanks for checking out my channel. This video should give you a good idea: Summit Viper SD Hunting Setup: How I Climb with all my Gear & Get Set for a Successful Hunt ua-cam.com/video/v0O-2UU_rL4/v-deo.html
Hey Santiago, thanks for checking out my channel! Hook me up and hit subscribe if you could. You can adjust the foot platform to whatever height is comfortable for you 👍🏻
@@santiagogomez7575 oh I see. I would move the backpack straps down a rung on the foot platform (this will move the stand up higher on your back). Also, make sure that the tree cables are pushed all the way in as they can hit the back of your feet if not. Hope that helps!
@@mountainbuck Yeah I just received mine today and I measured a tree, then saw your video. And I was like there's no way lol. But things always come with suggested limits that don't always mean you have to stay to them. But I am curious of the tree in your video, so thanks for replying.
Hey Steven! I used the standard backpack straps for this video, but I really like the new universal backpack straps Summit just came out with ua-cam.com/video/DckdEljH8n8/v-deo.html
Hey Paul, thanks for checking out my channel. Please subscribe if you can. Ideal for larger hunters or those just looking for more elbow room, the Summit® Goliath SD has all the great features of the Viper SD including Summit's revolutionary Dead Metal Sound Deadening Technology plus a greater weight capacity.
Using that anchor strap to climb is too slow. Personally, I use a life line; t's much safer and you have a means down rather than dangling helplessly up in a tree. So how do you use a life line during the ascent? There is none! Simple. Take your life line, put a non-slip knot on the end(figure 8), and run the line around the tree and put your line through the loop. If you don't like to pull 30-50 ft of line through the loop, simply use a locking carabiner and clip in. Use a friction hitch to attach to this life line. Personally, I use 7mm accessory cord and put yosemite bowlin knots on each end. This way i can wrap whatever friction hitch I want. I like a schwabisch for its good bite and how easily it releases. Now clib your harness to this. For climbing, because I use Hunter Safety Systems harnesses which have waist loops, I prefer to attach to these. This way, my hitch is always in fronr of me. At most, it be chest to head heighr when tensioned. You start by sliding your lifeline loop(your anchor loop around the tree) up as high as u can, then you pull on the life line to cinch it onto the the tree. Now slide the friction hitch up the lifeline till you get all the slack out out of the life line. Now all you do is climb. As you build slack, you raise the life line loop up the tree againg to get the slack out and cinchvit to the tree tensioning it by adjusting your friction hitch up. Repeat. So the process is, move the life line loop up high as possible, pull on line to cinch tree, slide friction hitch up to tension life line, climb to build slack, move the lifeline loop up, climb to build slack and repeat. In this manner, you are always connected to a lifeline and moving it up is super easy because as the line goes slack, the anchor loop loosens its grip allowing you to easily move it up. This ensures you have a lifeline that has a moving anchor above you at all times. If you don't want a long life line, you can trim this to say a 10-15 feet length or whatever suits your fancy. If you do trim, make sure to put a stopper knot at the end of your rope. This is super fast and safe. The rope only bites if tensioned(fall or u pull on it). No tension and it easly slides up and down. On the way down, you can do a long retrieval line to retrieve the life line once on ground or you can do a short 6ft retrieve line and retrieve as you descend. What is a retrieve line? It's simply a small line(i use 650 paracord) with a carabiner that you clip to your lifeline anywhere AFTER the carabiner. What do I mean by "AFTER"? Start from the bottom of your life line. As you go up that line you encounter your carabiner that it was fed through to form a loop aroung the tree. "AFTER" is any part of the life line that is AFTER this caribiner. How does it retrieve your rope? Well, because it is after, if you pull on this, it pulls up the life line and pulls it through the caribiner UNDOING the loop around the tree and the rope falls to the ground. VOILA! But if you retrieve in small increments using say a short 5-10 feet retrieve line, you can retrieve and stay connected as you descend. So how do you do this? You climb down till your line tensions up. Reach for the friction hitch, grab the top, pull it down. This is how you release fritction hitches. Now the life line is slack but the loop is still tight on the tree. This is where your short retrieve line comes in play. Pull on it and it pulls the life line up and through the caribiner loosening the loop around the tree. Now tug on both the retrieve line and the lifeline to slide the loop down to you. Pull on the life line to cinch the loop around the tree. Descend till your lifeline tensions up again and repeat the retrieve. NOTE...you set your friction hitch such that you NEVER descend below the point where you cannot reach your retrieval line when using a short one. Because i do a full descend and retrieve from the ground, this is never an issue. For a person who wants to use a short life line/anchor line and a short retrieve, this is how you go about it. It's a LOT faster and cleaner way of ascending/descending. You will never use this clumsy anchor strap again. My only use for them is for redirection on stands I hang or ladder stands and not climbers. By redirection, I mean redirection of my life line. I feed a cheap paracord(not 650) line through it and form a large loop that reaches the ground. This stays with the stand all the time. My life line does not. When I climb, I anchor my lifeline to the base of the tree and use this loop to pull my lifeline through the top anchor and back down to the ground. As such, this anchor at top REDIRECTS my lifeline back down. This now creates a super soft catch if you fall because it has a stretch(dynamic rope) of about 26% of whatever lenth of rope is between you and the base anchor. You fall with 40 ft of rope between you, it will slowly arrest your fall! No BALL BUSTER SPECIALS! This is why I climb with dynamic rope life lines, NEVER static ropes. Static ropes are for rescuing and ascending when you want little stretch, NOT ARRESTING falls. Cheers and stay safe fellow hunters. Live to see the kids and hunt another day.
Rapid climb stirrup technology. LOL Now that's just funny as that's the worst system of any stand I've ever used. Summits are very comfortable but they are also bulky and awkward to carry.
From my experience get some safety straps from third hand archery you won't need that harness cause the safety straps helps tighten your top and bottom stand together
Nothing more comfortable than a summit Treestand, nothing worse to carry into the woods. You are also limited to a perfect tree for the summit, not a perfect tree for deer hunting. If you are considering a summit Treestand please know that the best trees are usually not the kind that are great for climbing with the summit. It’s a great tool to have in your hunting arsenal, but it has constraints, like anything.
MountainBuck nope.. I use the summit, saddle hunting, ground hunting, the occasional hang-on... depends on terrain, trees, trails, traffic, and weather.
Nice video and good instructions on an epic stand. However you said crossbow and lost me entirely. Lol Seriously, i gotta point this out... you're muscle bound - get a vertical bow dude. My 65 year old dad just had to switch to a crossbow only because he's battling cancer and weakened. I bought a crossbow so my 9 year old son could kill pigs. You can draw a bow, I promise.
Hey casualobserver77, thanks for checking out my channel! If you think the Summit Viper is epic, you should see the Viper Pro SD (I have a review video on it plus some other content). I’ve thought a lot about getting a compound bow. I have no concerns about pulling back a bow. For me it’s a comfort and time thing. Shooting a crossbow is more familiar to me (like shouldering a long gun). I’d also want to take a good amount of time to get dialed in on a compound and hunting season always creeps up so fast. Maybe I’ll take the time this spring/summer. Do you have any recommendations on a good bow? Best wishes to your dad. I hope he crushes it and gets back to 100% 💪🏻
2 critiques. I wish you had shown us the bungee portion once you reached your desired height. Secondly, I would have liked to see you bring up your gear so we could see exactly what it’s like when we are hunting.
I have several other videos showing how to climb with gear, how to nest your summit climbers and had to carry your climber with your backpack. This is solely a video on the Mini Viper. For example, here is a video on climbing with my gear: ua-cam.com/video/v0O-2UU_rL4/v-deo.html feel free to check my channel for related videos.
Please be sure to use the flat safety strap to secure the seat platform to the tree and check out my other treestand videos below!
➼ This NEW stand is the 🏆BEST🏆 Climber in the business! The Summit Viper LEVEL Pro SD: ua-cam.com/video/62ti9rQH4Zg/v-deo.html
➼ Can't decide between the LEVEL and the Pro SD? This video will help! ua-cam.com/video/MnUF7ZUZCkw/v-deo.html
➼ Check out the Summit Viper PRO SD Climbing Treestand! ua-cam.com/video/fqjW8fyw3G4/v-deo.html
➼ Compare the Viper SD to the Summit Viper Steel: ua-cam.com/video/tohGOcIrf00/v-deo.html
➼ Check out the Summit Viper Steel Review and Demo: ua-cam.com/video/sap-KJIdMUM/v-deo.html
➼ How I climb with all my hunting gear: ua-cam.com/video/v0O-2UU_rL4/v-deo.html
➼ Watch the Summit Viper Steel Unboxing and Assembly (pretty much the same as the Viper SD): ua-cam.com/video/VYjLQoON_qU/v-deo.html
➼ Need to figure out how to nest/pack your Summit stand? Check this video out: ua-cam.com/video/5Ti7HuXUK90/v-deo.html
➼ Want a cheaper climber? Check out the $100 Field and Stream: ua-cam.com/video/7LdhzTIYLjY/v-deo.html
➼ Here is the $100 climber unbox and assembly: ua-cam.com/video/-1SczYnB_Es/v-deo.html
I’m not one who comments, but this is exactly what a new climber needs to watch if interested in these stands! Absolutely perfect! Thank you.
Thanks so much! I really appreciate that. Best of luck this season 🦌👍🏻
Two comments. One, this was almost the best instructional video I've seen on this stand. Would have been the best, if you hadn't missed one important point. Which brings me to #2. That strap that you used to strap the two pieces together, is also the strap you should use to put around the tree to strap the top to the tree once you get to hunting height. Locks the teeth to the tree. Very important step. Still, well done.
Hey Anchul, thanks for the kind words! Also, great point about using that flat strap to further secure it to the tree!!! There's so much to remember, I'm bummed I missed it haha
I would throw that bungee away , and get some third hand archery lock down straps for it. I have them on all 3 of my summits, also have the footrest from third hand archery.... both well worth the price.
@@johnbowhunter7676 thanks for checking out my channel and for the feedback! I’ll have to check out those lockdown straps!
Can you elaborate? I have the stabilizer straps. What strap are you referring to? Not the bungee right?
Oh! Never mind, I think you're talking about the strap he uses to nest them together for transport? It's early and I haven't had coffee yet.
This is a great stand, period! It's lightweight, climbs easy ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxlQ7TDIrnnSXXbRgFFaxqwullRJJIuYAs and feels solid while in the tree. The seat is easy to fold up for climbing and sits comfortably for long days in the woods. The only downside I have is that it might be too comfortable, but I like napping in the tree anyway. This is the second Summit Viper I have owned. The old one is steel making it heavier, but this aluminum version is about 9-10 lbs lighter. I recommend buying a better fall harness as the one included is clunky and not super comfortable. I think it will work fine if you NEED to use it, but there are lots of other more comfortable options out there.
Hey thanks for watching👍🏻
Ive been catching deer with this bad boy for many years. Its worth every penny
Haha nice Brandon! Thanks for checking out my channel👍🏻
I've had mine for 3 years. I've slept in it a few times. I would highly recommend getting yourself 1. They are grrreat !!
Great demonstration. Ive been a small game hunter my entire life (not much need for a tree stand). But after a few years of thinking on it, i decided ill be hunting the deer archery season this year. Very nervous but excited, videos like this help.
Hey Ricky! Thanks so much man! You’re going to love archery season. It’s my absolute favorite. Best of luck to you 🦌
I have used the summit viper for years. Please use the flat green strap to secure the top to the tree once you reach your desired hunting height. To not use is a safety hazard ! I recently replaced my cables and my flat green strap. I received 2 flat green straps with my order. I use one for securing the top to the tree and the other one to strap the top to the bottom for extra security in case the bottom slip. Stay safe and hunt hard !!
Hey James, thanks for checking out my channel. Hook me up and hit subscribe, if you could! Yeah I’ve had a few people point that out and I’m bummed I forgot to highlight it in the video. I did make up for it in my Summit Viper SD Hunting Setup video. Thanks again!
Underrated video. Very informative and easy to understand. Well done!
Hey thanks for the positive feedback Rylan!!! I really appreciate it! 👍🏻
I'm late to the video as I typically use tripod or ladder stands but have to say this is great. You covered all of my questions and hit on the most important part being safety. When I started hunting, I never wore a harness but that quickly changed as I passed out while in my ladder stand and fell about 20-25 feet, landing on my head and splitting it open. 25 staples later and and still sporting a gnarly scar, I'm thankful I was eventually able to come home to my family and wasn't hurt worse (somehow I didn't break my neck, break any bones, etc.). So please everyone, wear your harness! Anywho, great video - I think I'm gonna go ahead and buy this exact climber to give it a shot this deer season Happy hunting!
Hey itsMitch! Thanks for checking out my channel and for the kind words! Wow… yeah it sounds like you were super lucky! Happy your ok and best of luck this season 👍🏻
Great video / demonstration. I make it a point to never sleep in my viper and for some reason I always see more game when I place a small limb under the bottom climber. It’s like adding camouflage
Hey thanks so much man 👍🏻
Thank you for this amazing video i just purchased my very first climber this very one today and can't wait to give it a shot
Hey thanks so much man. I really appreciate the kind words. Best of luck to you this season 🦌👍🏻
Awesome video. I have this stand and love it. The bungee strap to keep the bottom attached to the top is too long when fully stretched. I know this because I had my bottom section fall twice. The first time I was able to get it back on the tree after 15 minutes of fumbling around. It fell again as the plastic carabiner broke. I made it to the ground by stepping onto the seat, hugging the tree and sending the top section down. I then climbed down using the prusik knot. That said.... I caused all of it from the beginning. The bottom section was stuck on a piece of rough bark. I took my feet out of the stirrups and kicked the front of the bottom away from the tree. BIG MISTAKE!! Lesson learned lemme tell ya. Happy Hunting Y’all
Hey Michael, thanks so much for checking out my channel and for the feedback! I can imagine how sketchy it would be to have the bottom fall out on you! Great tips for if that ever happens!!! Thanks for contributing!
I been using them for years I'm a big guy 300# and had no problem using any of the summits got 3 of them
Hey Mr Collier, thanks for checking out my channel and for the information! There was a few guys asking about the weight limit and this info will definitely help them out 👍🏻
Got one for my birthday great stand and my first. Thank you brotha for explaining this well.
Hey Michael, Thanks for checking out my channel and for the positive feedback! The Summit Viper SD is an awesome stand! You've made a great choice! Best of luck with it!
Take it from someone who had the bottom come out of his stand. Listen to this man. Don't forget to strap the two sections together correctly. Mine was a cheap Wal-Mart version almost 20 years ago but a friend of mine tied the rope in the wrong spot, on the side instead of centered, and when the stand slipped when trying to lower it, the bottom became jammed on the tree and I couldn't get it back the way it needed to be. I wasn't jumping out from 12 feet up. Luckily I had my first ever cell phone with me and reached my dad who carried a ladder into the woods with my uncle and got me down. I haven't used a climber since but am purchasing one soon to use this season. Lesson learned for me.if you use one, be sure to check every box when it comes to safety. Great video by the way!
Hey thanks so much for the kind words, info and for checking out my channel, brob 3030! Best of luck this season 👍🏻
Great video ! I bought one of these but wanted to “learn “ more before I go out and fall out !
Thanks very helpful ! Great stand! Glad I bought mine
Hey thanks for checking out my channel L D! Hook me up and hit subscribe if you could! Yeah, the Viper SD is an awesome stand! You're going to love it! Don't forget to use that flat strap to secure the upper section to the tree (I forgot to add that part in the video). Best of luck with the stand!
One thing I think you forgot. After you get to hunting height and the seat half is set secure it to the tree with the supplied strap.
Hey Gene, thanks for checking out my channel. You are 100% right. I’m still upset I forgot to put that in the video. Best of luck this season 👍🏻
As another said, use the pull strap to secure the seat section to the tree. I leave my shoulder "back pack" straps on the stand the whole hunt. When packing, I run the seat back through the stand and fasten the sections together using the pull strap vertically around both sections.
Thanks for sharing that info, Ron👍🏻
Excellent instructions, thank you. I love this climber, was a game changer as I used it exclusively for years- before I switched to the lone wolf sit and climb. My issue was the cables rattled a bit on the climb in the summit viper- recently I wrapped them in vet tape and began using the viper again, solid climber. Reason I went to the lone wolf climber, 10 years ago I caught a trespasser on my property using a summit viper, I could hear him climbing from over 100 yards away, he ran off when I walked up to him, but left his climber behind. The cables clank and thump inside the tube, it's manage-able, but still too noisy when woods are dead silent. The vet tape really solved this issue. I also got rid of the summit seat on the viper and replaced it with a "Hazemore" aftermarket seat, it looks like a basketball net, not as super comfortable, but better in many ways- once you try one, you'll see. Thanks again, great video.
Thanks for checking out my channel Underdog Outdoors!!! Also thanks for the substantive feedback! I’ve been interested in checking out Lone Wolf stands and perhaps I’ll do a video for next season. Excellent points on the Summit Viper! I always enjoy learning from others and how they prepare for a successful hunt. Thanks again 👍🏻
I just have one question Underdog, did you claim the climber he left behind? 😁
@@bravefastrabbit770 I gave it to my buddies son.
Definitely one of my favorite all time stands. The aluminum version is super light and easy to set up. I have numerous Summit Vipers but the aluminum is the way to go. Great stand if your broad and super comfortable. The Muddy is a great and simple harness as well. Another great video! Keep it up!
Thanks, brother. Appreciate it👍🏻
Been using summits for very many years.i remember when they were steel lol.heavy but alwys were the best.even wsy back.ive tried them all.i mean ive tried alot of climbers.i do not use anything but a summit.most comftorable, most safe & defintly the most quikest strap to a tree & go stand.i own 2 vipers & could not imagine using any other stand.i can be strapped to a tree in literly 1 to 2 minutes & be 30 ' up the tree in literly 1 to 2 minutes ready to hunt.
Good info and thanks for checking out my channel Jay 👍🏻
Non-shaky camera handling, good sound level and clear demo. Overall, excellent presentation. Mu only question would be (and the answer probably is "yes") if you adjusted the safety line attachment to the tree with each climb step. Cheers!
Hey Jarek! Thanks for checking out my channel! I appreciate the positive feedback. Yes, I adjust the safety strap as I go. 👍🏻
Just bought an sd ultra. Excited to try it out this bow season.
Thanks for checking out my channel! You will love it! Can’t go wrong with a Summit! Best of luck this season 👍🏻
Just got this stand the other day. Thank you so much for this video, I am new to climbers.
Thanks for checking out my channel and for the kind words cmill28! You’ll love this climber! Best of luck with your season!
@@mountainbuck thank you, good luck to you as well. I’m in PA and I’ll be archery hunting whitetails with this bad boy.
@@cmill28 Keep me posted!
@@mountainbuck will do, going out to the woods tomorrow to practice going up and down a tree safely. I upgraded my harness and got the same limb saw you got off amazon. Saturday morning I’m hoping to see something!
@@cmill28 hey that’s awesome! Best of luck on Saturday!!!
Please be sure to the use the one inch, flat safety strap to secure the top (seat) platform to the tree.
Great tip on keeping bottom upwards last week tree got smaller going up and had to adjust stand mid air
Thank you! It all depends on the tree👍🏻
@@mountainbuck going to take me foot rest off its loud as hell, also ordered new web seat, old seats super loud with the metal on straps
Thanks for a good, clear break-down of how to operate this climber! If only Summit would put this on their own website. I have just a couple of comments (and I'm a beginner so feel free to correct): First, I've noticed the camo armrest cover zippers jiggle when I carry the stand. A piece of duct tape quiets them down. Second, how to carry the thing? When I first got my Summit Viper, I spent hours reading the manual, watching videos, and trying to sleuth out how you attach that shoulder-strap thing to the platform. It just doesn't make sense. Finally, I got a 3rd party set of shoulder straps and a belt strap, and that works okay but not great. A good harness consisting of padded shoulder and waist straps that straps on tight to the stand is what I would consider ideal. Still looking for one.
Hey Joe, thanks for checking out my channel! Hook me up and hit subscribe, if you can! Setting up the backpack straps can be a little tricky, you have to attach to flat straps to the base of the foot platform and when both platforms are nested together - wrap the elastic backpack straps around the slats (at a comfortable height) and then thread the ends of the flats straps through the bungie backstraps and tighten as necessary. Good tip on the zippers! Thank you! Also, if you know anyone at Summit, have them give me a call. I'd be happy to do video for them haha.
I just bought the base version. I can't wait to try it out this fall! Thanks for the video
Thanks for checking out my channel, Dean! Best of luck this fall!!! Let me know when you get that monster buck 👍🏻
Thanks for your videos, very informative for a person looking to purchase a climber stand. 😃
Thanks for checking out my channel, David! I appreciate it! 👍🏻
This is the best review and demo I’ve seen on this stand great video and detail! I’ve been looking into a climbing stand for the past week and I think I’m ready to pick up one of these for myself tomorrow seems to have everything I need. Thanks!
Hey thanks so much for the kind words and for checking out my channel Anglers Anonymous Outdoors! Best of luck with the stand! You’re going to love the freedom it gives you to hunt wherever you take it!
@@mountainbuck Yeah where I am is a mostly flat ground and thick bush so hard to get a vantage point to do still-hunting (though I have still-hunted deer successfully before) and near impossible to spot n stalk since there's really no good vantage points to glass from lol so yeah the tree stand should give me a better vantage point now! It's my first tree stand, can't wait to try it out!
Great stand. I don’t use the foot bungie or the stirrups. I use the rails in the bottom portion and and tuck my feet under. Works great. Also? You should look into getting the Hazmore Silent Seat and the Third Hand Archery stabilizer straps. Those two add-ons make for the most comfortable and safest climber on the market.
Hey Jiggin thanks so much for checking out my channel and for the feedback! Those are some great tips! I'll take a look at the silent seat and stabilizer straps! I was also looking at the add-on foot rest you can get.
@@mountainbuck I have the foot rest on one of my vipers and it’s okay, but it makes noise when it’s really cold.
Great video, best instructional video I have seen. Awesome job.👍
Hey Perry, thanks so much man! I really appreciate the feedback! Best of luck this season 👍🏻
I like the video and have been using one for about 5 years now. It works great in east Texas but I'll have to get a different style for the rest of the state where trees are shorter and branch out more.
I do think you ought to try attaching the backpack straps in a different way. Either ziptie the middle of the upper portion or attach it with a bird's head knot. A lot of people do upgrade the straps to milsurp Molle backpack straps.
Hey Thomas! Thanks for checking out my channel and for the feedback! It’s always great to get new perspectives. Best of luck this season 👍🏻
Third hand stabilizing straps and the tree stand wingman are a must in my opinion for climbing tree stand.
Hey Frank, thanks for checking out my channel and for the info! I’ll have to check those items out. Best of luck this season 👍🏻
Informative vid! Thank you!
Thanks for the feedback and for checking out my channel, Morgan!
There are shockingly very few videos on the Summit Viper. I have an XOP hang on, tried a saddle, I also had an XOP hand climber. Everyone says the Summit Viper is the comfiest stand albeit bulky. I'd rather deal with a little bulk and be comfy so I can hunt longer. I'm really considering picking one up. Great video.
Thanks so much for the feedback and for checking out my channel, Michael! I'll be doing a few videos on the Summit Viper Steel pretty soon (if you don't mind a few extra pounds, you could save around $100 over the Summit Viper SD). Either way, Summit makes some quality climbers.
Got mine arriving today. Gonna try it on the trees in the yard first, then head to the forest
Hey Dave of the North! Thanks for checking out my channel! You’re going to love your Summit! Best of luck this season 👍🏻
excellent video today I learned more with you
Hey Primitivos, thanks for checking out my channel and for the kind words! Best of luck this season 👍🏻
Great video !
Thanks, Bryan! Much appreciated! 👍🏻
@@mountainbuck what state are you hunting out of?
@@mountainbuck what state are you hunting out of?
Great demo man, I've been hunting from a tree stand for upward of 50 years, and your nailing it. I just bought the Summit Goliath, and an looking forward to hunting g out of it this year. I've been hunting out of an API Summit for years, but it's heavy and I'm not getting any younger.
Thanks so much for the positive feedback CarlPhilly! I really appreciate it. Best of luck this season with your Goliath👍🏻
Needs put teather strap above his head where he's hooked on! If not if it falls he's not going get to reach it!
Excellent vid!
Thanks Graph Guy! I appreciate it!!
Love the video! Sold me on the product! Ordering mine today!
Hey Potts Outdoors! Thanks for checking out my channel and for the kind words! You’re gonna love your Summit stand. They are the best! Best of luck this season 👍🏻
Great job with the filming and editing. Subscribed and bell turned on 👍
Hey Anduin2000, thanks so much for the kind words and for subscribing! That was one of my earliest videos and I’ve been working to improve and refine my process since then. Hope you like the new content as well. Thanks again and best of luck this season 👍🏻
Great video explanation and also why you keep the foot section at an angle to start due to the tree narrowing as you ascend. Thanks!
Hey thanks for checking out my channel and for the positive feedback, Mark! Hook me up and hit subscribe if you could!
@@mountainbuck already done it! Take care.
@@markmonthie908 thanks so much!
I only thought silent and deadly was a nasty fart !! Great video, and thanks !
Haha yeah Milboltnut... I was thinking the same thing and it made me chuckle :)
I have a summit viper that is prolly close to 15 years old, and watching this there are a few things I'ld like to upgrade. One the foot clips to climb, mine has a strap for over your boots and the bungey to hold them in, if your wearing large boots, like muck boots or rubber boots it's a real pain. And two the seat, mine has a seat with an air bag in it that you can literally blow up like a pool float, it is noisey unusually leave it deflated and have a cushion I leave in it. I can say mine has a padded shooting rail around the whole top rail, much longer then the new ones, other than that not much has changed. Although mine does have a strap, that once your up to height you wrap the strap around the top section for extra security, it's the strap that holds them together while carrying in. Didn't see that mentioned in this video. They can be noisey to set up and climb, and if the tree is wet they can slip a little so I def use that strap once I'm up to height.
Hey Chad, thanks for the feedback! You are absolutely correct in that there is a 1” utility strap that you should use to secure the seat section of the stand to the tree once you’ve reached your desired height. You also use it to pack up your stand and Lee it quiet as you hike through the woods. That’s one thing that I always kick myself for forgetting to include in this video. Thanks again for the feedback and best of luck this season 👍🏻
Thanks for the review
Hey Antonio, thank you for checking out my channel👍🏻
Great instruction video!! Thanks!!
Hey thanks Cameron and thanks for checking out my channel!👍🏻
I like to put pull the seat through the bottom of the frame and put my backpack inside, then pull the seat over and attach the hooks on the seat bungee cord to the frame cross members. This exposes the underside of the seat on the outside of the stand when it is strapped to my back, which regrettably is dark brown material. Summit did not use camo on both sides of seat as they used to. I hunt public land and even though blaze orange is not required during archery, I would cover the back of the seat with an orange vest as I hiked from my stand during daylight hours. Lots of first time hunters with no experience in the woods these days with the "brown its down" attitude. I have an older viper that I like and bought this one because it weighs 6 lbs less in weight. So I returned it and will continue to use the old one with the seat that doesn't resemble the color of a deer hide.
Hey Rocco, thanks for checking out my channel! Thanks for the input! Wow, that's kind of crazy that they'd have a brown seatback. I hear you about watching your back in the woods. You can never be too safe!
Only thing that I would do different ( in my opinion ) is to move your safety strap higher up when your sitting down , want it above your head so if you do fall it won’t be as much . Other than that good job !
Hey Bob! Thanks for checking out my channel! Yes, you are correct in placing the safety strap a bit higher. Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it👍🏻
I live in Harlan Ky and hunt some of the roughest terrain in the eastern United States and really need to know how to become a product tester for summit!
Hey Kelly, sounds like you have some cool spots to hunt! Hiking up those mountain is no joke. Especially with gear on your back. Best of luck this season 🦌
Nice video. Although I'm surprised you didn't mention or have a side rail bag for putting things in. Like your hand saw,As it looked like could/would easily fall out of back pocket.
Hey Ron, thanks for checking out my channel! Hook me up and hit subscribe, if you could! That's pretty cool that you mention that because I'm actually planning on doing a separate video on my climber stand hunting setup (I have a backpack I climb with and then attach to the side of the shooting rail. It's pretty sweet as it holds a bunch of essential items). Hopefully I can find some time to put that video together soon!
Yvmw sir. Ive yet to get them myself but best friend has side rail bags 1 on each side rail hold plenty,always connected to stand,out of the way,yet easily in reach when needed.
@@roniler7960 Those side rail bags would be a great idea. I'll have to check them out!
Yvmw sir. Although friend went with different brand/company on side rail bags. Not sure why but was either price or summit discontinued thiers. But i know the ones he got/has blend in better for bow season with the camo pattern they are.
The only issue I have is that it's TOO comfy! I lost count of how many times I've dozed off. There's times where I wake up, and I don't recall even closing my eyes.
Haha I hear you Nitro Junkie! Sometimes those early morning sits can be tough to stay awake!
@Austin Roberson hey thanks for the tip Austin and for checking out my channel!
@Austin Roberson haha nice
I really want to get a climber but it seems noisy to get up in the tree. Is it sounding worse than it is because of the mic?
@@MrNewff hey MrNewff, thanks for checking out my channel! Hook me up and hit subscribe, if you could! It does make noise as you climb the tree. I’m not sure you’d be able to get up there completely silently. I try to make as little noise as possible and limit the clanging of metal on metal when at all possible. This is why it’s important to tighten the stand together as you move through the woods
Awesome tree stand
Hey Twins Outdoors!!! Yeah, I love this treestand! It’s never let me down... unless it was supposed to haha
If they made these to fold down like the Explorer SD Closed Front stands... OMG.... They would sell and sell and sell... And use cinch straps instead of that bungee thingy.
Hey pensnut08, thanks for checking out my channel! I’ll have to check out the Explorer SD, I’m not familiar with! That’s for the heads up!
Thank you.
Thanks for watching 👍🏻
Be sure to use your harness, fellas. There was a guy at my hospital recently who will spend rest of his life in a wheelchair from a fall, and is suffering from many unpleasant complications including bloodstream infections
Hey beantown_billy, thanks for the reminder. You are 100% right 👍🏻
You should always raise the teather strap above your head before sitting in seat! If your platform comes lose and slides down tree Your not going to be able to reach it! Very important
Great info, Kevin. Thank you 👍🏻
I wish you did the last part a lot slower when leaving the woods please ty
This should help you
ua-cam.com/video/5Ti7HuXUK90/v-deo.html
I love mine but I am 220. I cannot see a 300 lb dude fitting in a Viper SD. Also buy the accessory bag kit. Can carry a few essentials
Hey David, thanks for checking out my channel! Yeah, they may want to think about a Goliath at that point.
Can you show where you attach the bungee from the bottom to top?
Hey Jacob, thanks for checking out my channel. Please hook me up and hit subscribe if you could. If you watch this video (skip ahead to where I have the climber set up on the tree), you will see how the bungee/tether attaches the bottom platform to the seated portion of the stand. Both stands use the same style bungee: ua-cam.com/video/fqjW8fyw3G4/v-deo.html
@@mountainbuck okay thanks
I'm new at this, can you help me, I've got the bottom working great but I'm having trouble with the top part, it will drop on it's own, I'm not sure on what I'm doing wrong, love the video, can you help me
Hi Rhonda, Thanks for checking out my channel and sorry for the late reply (I just noticed your comment!). If you could hook me up and hit subscribe, I'd appreciate it! For the seat section of the tree stand, you should gradually apply weight to the shooting rail (making sure the teeth make proper connection with the tree). By slowly sitting down on the shooting rail, the top part of the stand will stay in place until you are ready to continue moving up or down. Once you are at your desired height in the tree, you should use the flat strap to affix the top section of the stand to the tree (I use this at the end of the video to connect the two platforms together). Wrap that flat strap around the tree and connect to the top section of the stand, tighten it down and you should be all set. Keep in mind, you do not want to lift up on the top section of the stand (or shooting rail) as this will cause the top section of the stand to pull away from the tree and potentially fall. Please be careful (make sure you wear that harness) and let me know if you have any questions!
Hi there,Evening Ms. Rhonda. I will add 2 other ideas/suggestions. 1-once your at height you want you can screw in a bow,gun,equipment holder (small size recommend) in the tree so it is just below the band/black locking strap of top section of climber which will keep it from going anywhere even if it should try/want to slip. 2-ive found once in a great while slipping happens if you don't have even pressure/weight toward front/outer part of top or bottom of stand,Like leaning back or having feet to far back. For the bottom i always make sure is locked in before sitting but also i will keep atleast 1 if not both feet/boots so that basically is extending/hanging out so just heel is inside outer portion of outer rail of bottom section.
@@roniler7960 Thanks for the input Ron! Very helpful!!!
Yvmw sir,Never hurts to help others.
1 other thought/suggestion Ms. Rhonda. (Not sure of brand/model climber you have). But once your at desired hunting height check your top section if it is basically level as if the ends are pointing upward once you sit & lean back it may want to slip. If that is it,With practice/time you will learn/know the right setting or amount of lean your top should have once up to height so it sits level & prevent slipping. I always push down on end of top at ends of rails & then again hold/push down on them as I sit to make sure is locked good.
Out of curiosity, how high do you normally set your stand? I know there are a lot of variables, but I'm assuming there is an average range. Thanks for the great video. I bought one of these last year after watching your video, but haven't used it yet. I'm going to go find some trees and do a test run so at least I'm not fumbling around on my first day hunting.
Hey T White, thank you for checking out my channel and for the kind words! I’d say I’m probably in the 15-18’ range with my climbers. Doing a test climb is an excellent idea! Best of luck with your stand and best of luck this season. 👍🏻
This might be my next stand. Where is this filmed?
Hey frumundachz! Thanks for watching! Summit makes some awesome stands. I’m in the PA mountains.
Great job on the video. I've never climbed a tree but I'm looking for a stand and found your video. One question - I know the weight limit is 300 but was wondering how sturdy you think it would be at 250 - 255?
Hey Michael, thanks so much for the feedback and for checking out my channel! The stand is super sturdy and I'd feel very comfortable at that weight! There is an extra strap (the flat strap I used to combine the upper and lower platforms at the end) that you can strap to the upper portion and the tree to keep you even more secure. If you happen to get the stand, I would practice going up and down at a lower height on the tree until you feel comfortable. Best of luck with the stand! I think you'll really like it!
iv used summit climber 20 yrs it is real safe that tree would have fall over for you fall out . the bigest problem is falling asleep wake up its dark lol
I have never own a tree stand like these ones. This tree stand can you carry it in/out of hunting every evening without any problems? Something like this is it easy to carry and also carry a backpack? TIA!!
Hey Bee, thanks for checking out my channel! Hook me up and hit subscribe if you could. I have a lot of climbing treestand content you might be interested in. Yes, you carry these in and out with you each time for the most part. You should consider where you are hiking too (how far, incline, etc) and the weight of the stand along with your other gear. You could also have a backpack between your back and stand when carrying if it isn’t too bulky.
@@mountainbuck Thank you! Already a new subscriber. Nice video's by the way.
Awesome! Thank you so much!
Just how bad is the harness that comes with the stand I’m on a tight budget but I don’t want it to fail if I fall
Hey Take it Outside! (Cool name). Thanks for checking out my channel! The standard harness will definitely protect you. It’s just not comfortable or easy to get in and out of. Best of luck this season 👍🏻
Great review bud. How is it carrying with all your gear? Or do you make 2 trips.
Thanks so much for the feedback! I usually have my hunting backpack on underneath the climber stand and sling the crossbow over a shoulder. If you aren't making long hikes up lots of hills, it isn't too bad. That's where a stand like this (weighing only 20 lbs.) has the advantage over some of the heavier steel ones.
Sounds great and you sold me on it!! Just ordered
CB awesome! Let me know how you like it👍🏻
Great stand . To make it 💯% more badass install stabilizing straps! Best $ spent
@@MrTNBassmaster thanks for checking out my channel and for the feedback!
Do you climb with a pack on your back ? If so what pack do use for a Day pack
Hey Mike, thanks for checking out my channel! Please hook me up and hit subscribe if you could. Here is a video on how I climb with my gear: ua-cam.com/video/v0O-2UU_rL4/v-deo.html
Very good video, but I am not sure your stat of 1000s of hunters each year fall from trees is accurate. But, the point is well received. Wear a harness.
Hey Tickorium, thanks for checking out my channel! Here is an article from 2018 I found after a quick Google search in which researchers estimate between 5,000 - 6,400 hunters will get injured from falling from treestands/trees. www.americanhunter.org/content/treestand-falls-deer-hunting-s-most-common-accident/
Best of luck this season 👍🏻
How long does that whole process take to go up? And also back down?
Hey Kid Fabulous, thanks for checking out my channel. This video should give you a good idea: Summit Viper SD Hunting Setup: How I Climb with all my Gear & Get Set for a Successful Hunt ua-cam.com/video/v0O-2UU_rL4/v-deo.html
Im a short guy and this stand hangs too low to the ground how can i get it highrr off the ground?
Hey Santiago, thanks for checking out my channel! Hook me up and hit subscribe if you could. You can adjust the foot platform to whatever height is comfortable for you 👍🏻
Sorry i meant while its on my back it hangs too low from the back pack straps.
@@santiagogomez7575 oh I see. I would move the backpack straps down a rung on the foot platform (this will move the stand up higher on your back). Also, make sure that the tree cables are pushed all the way in as they can hit the back of your feet if not. Hope that helps!
Definitely gonna try that. Do you happen to hunt Arkansas public land?
@@santiagogomez7575 No sir, I live and hunt in the Northeast. It would be cool to hunt Arkansas though!
These stands say 8-20 tree diameter. That tree has to be larger. So my question is, how much larger than 20 inches can you go?
Hey Lil Benny, thanks for checking out my channel. Good question. I’d have to check next time I have it out and think of it 🤔
@@mountainbuck Yeah I just received mine today and I measured a tree, then saw your video. And I was like there's no way lol. But things always come with suggested limits that don't always mean you have to stay to them. But I am curious of the tree in your video, so thanks for replying.
@@jonah1821 absolutely! You’re going to love your Summit. Best of luck this season 👍🏻
Can you tell me the length of the cable that go around the tree?
Hey cordelmar, thanks for checking out my channel! They are 65” long. You can see that in the second photo here amzn.to/3EMtEUf
@@mountainbuck I was wondering if it could handle the big pine trees, Ok thanks.
Disponível para a venda no Brasil, algum contato eletrônico?
Can we add a foot rest onto that model treestand?
Hey Kong Xiong, thanks for checking out my channel! Absolutely! You can get the footrest here: amzn.to/3AhUv5W
@@mountainbuck thank you very much!
Let's say you lose everything and now your harnessed to the tree ... dangling 15 ft from the ground.... now what ..
HELP ......
Haha I guess you’d better work on your tree hugging skills! Thanks for checking out my channel knightnrmer!
I'm pretty sure they don't fill it with foam they have sound deadening paint they use
And for damn sure don't take a snooze!lmao
What kind of carrying straps you have
Hey Steven! I used the standard backpack straps for this video, but I really like the new universal backpack straps Summit just came out with
ua-cam.com/video/DckdEljH8n8/v-deo.html
@@mountainbuck yea that one looks nice
tem pronta entrega para o brasil? site para compra?
clique no link da Amazon na descrição do vídeo e veja se eles entregam no Brasil
Is this summit viper as good as the Goliath climber?
Hey Paul, thanks for checking out my channel. Please subscribe if you can. Ideal for larger hunters or those just looking for more elbow room, the Summit® Goliath SD has all the great features of the Viper SD including Summit's revolutionary Dead Metal Sound Deadening Technology plus a greater weight capacity.
Using that anchor strap to climb is too slow. Personally, I use a life line; t's much safer and you have a means down rather than dangling helplessly up in a tree. So how do you use a life line during the ascent? There is none! Simple. Take your life line, put a non-slip knot on the end(figure 8), and run the line around the tree and put your line through the loop. If you don't like to pull 30-50 ft of line through the loop, simply use a locking carabiner and clip in. Use a friction hitch to attach to this life line. Personally, I use 7mm accessory cord and put yosemite bowlin knots on each end. This way i can wrap whatever friction hitch I want. I like a schwabisch for its good bite and how easily it releases. Now clib your harness to this. For climbing, because I use Hunter Safety Systems harnesses which have waist loops, I prefer to attach to these. This way, my hitch is always in fronr of me. At most, it be chest to head heighr when tensioned.
You start by sliding your lifeline loop(your anchor loop around the tree) up as high as u can, then you pull on the life line to cinch it onto the the tree. Now slide the friction hitch up the lifeline till you get all the slack out out of the life line. Now all you do is climb. As you build slack, you raise the life line loop up the tree againg to get the slack out and cinchvit to the tree tensioning it by adjusting your friction hitch up. Repeat. So the process is, move the life line loop up high as possible, pull on line to cinch tree, slide friction hitch up to tension life line, climb to build slack, move the lifeline loop up, climb to build slack and repeat. In this manner, you are always connected to a lifeline and moving it up is super easy because as the line goes slack, the anchor loop loosens its grip allowing you to easily move it up. This ensures you have a lifeline that has a moving anchor above you at all times. If you don't want a long life line, you can trim this to say a 10-15 feet length or whatever suits your fancy. If you do trim, make sure to put a stopper knot at the end of your rope. This is super fast and safe. The rope only bites if tensioned(fall or u pull on it). No tension and it easly slides up and down.
On the way down, you can do a long retrieval line to retrieve the life line once on ground or you can do a short 6ft retrieve line and retrieve as you descend. What is a retrieve line? It's simply a small line(i use 650 paracord) with a carabiner that you clip to your lifeline anywhere AFTER the carabiner. What do I mean by "AFTER"? Start from the bottom of your life line. As you go up that line you encounter your carabiner that it was fed through to form a loop aroung the tree. "AFTER" is any part of the life line that is AFTER this caribiner. How does it retrieve your rope? Well, because it is after, if you pull on this, it pulls up the life line and pulls it through the caribiner UNDOING the loop around the tree and the rope falls to the ground. VOILA! But if you retrieve in small increments using say a short 5-10 feet retrieve line, you can retrieve and stay connected as you descend.
So how do you do this? You climb down till your line tensions up. Reach for the friction hitch, grab the top, pull it down. This is how you release fritction hitches. Now the life line is slack but the loop is still tight on the tree. This is where your short retrieve line comes in play. Pull on it and it pulls the life line up and through the caribiner loosening the loop around the tree. Now tug on both the retrieve line and the lifeline to slide the loop down to you. Pull on the life line to cinch the loop around the tree. Descend till your lifeline tensions up again and repeat the retrieve. NOTE...you set your friction hitch such that you NEVER descend below the point where you cannot reach your retrieval line when using a short one. Because i do a full descend and retrieve from the ground, this is never an issue.
For a person who wants to use a short life line/anchor line and a short retrieve, this is how you go about it. It's a LOT faster and cleaner way of ascending/descending. You will never use this clumsy anchor strap again. My only use for them is for redirection on stands I hang or ladder stands and not climbers. By redirection, I mean redirection of my life line. I feed a cheap paracord(not 650) line through it and form a large loop that reaches the ground. This stays with the stand all the time. My life line does not. When I climb, I anchor my lifeline to the base of the tree and use this loop to pull my lifeline through the top anchor and back down to the ground. As such, this anchor at top REDIRECTS my lifeline back down. This now creates a super soft catch if you fall because it has a stretch(dynamic rope) of about 26% of whatever lenth of rope is between you and the base anchor. You fall with 40 ft of rope between you, it will slowly arrest your fall! No BALL BUSTER SPECIALS! This is why I climb with dynamic rope life lines, NEVER static ropes. Static ropes are for rescuing and ascending when you want little stretch, NOT ARRESTING falls. Cheers and stay safe fellow hunters. Live to see the kids and hunt another day.
Hey vangmountain, thanks for checking out my channel and for your informative post! Definitely need to stay safe out there 👍🏻
Rapid climb stirrup technology. LOL Now that's just funny as that's the worst system of any stand I've ever used. Summits are very comfortable but they are also bulky and awkward to carry.
Hey Curtis. Thanks for your perspective and for watching.
From my experience get some safety straps from third hand archery you won't need that harness cause the safety straps helps tighten your top and bottom stand together
Nothing more comfortable than a summit Treestand, nothing worse to carry into the woods. You are also limited to a perfect tree for the summit, not a perfect tree for deer hunting. If you are considering a summit Treestand please know that the best trees are usually not the kind that are great for climbing with the summit.
It’s a great tool to have in your hunting arsenal, but it has constraints, like anything.
Hey L. S. Thanks for checking out my channel and for all your input. I’m guessing you’re more of a hang-on tree stand kind of guy?
MountainBuck nope.. I use the summit, saddle hunting, ground hunting, the occasional hang-on... depends on terrain, trees, trails, traffic, and weather.
Safety harness strap below chin. Never good.
Nice video and good instructions on an epic stand.
However you said crossbow and lost me entirely. Lol
Seriously, i gotta point this out... you're muscle bound - get a vertical bow dude.
My 65 year old dad just had to switch to a crossbow only because he's battling cancer and weakened.
I bought a crossbow so my 9 year old son could kill pigs.
You can draw a bow, I promise.
Hey casualobserver77, thanks for checking out my channel! If you think the Summit Viper is epic, you should see the Viper Pro SD (I have a review video on it plus some other content). I’ve thought a lot about getting a compound bow. I have no concerns about pulling back a bow. For me it’s a comfort and time thing.
Shooting a crossbow is more familiar to me (like shouldering a long gun). I’d also want to take a good amount of time to get dialed in on a compound and hunting season always creeps up so fast. Maybe I’ll take the time this spring/summer. Do you have any recommendations on a good bow?
Best wishes to your dad. I hope he crushes it and gets back to 100% 💪🏻
2 critiques. I wish you had shown us the bungee portion once you reached your desired height. Secondly, I would have liked to see you bring up your gear so we could see exactly what it’s like when we are hunting.
I have several other videos showing how to climb with gear, how to nest your summit climbers and had to carry your climber with your backpack. This is solely a video on the Mini Viper. For example, here is a video on climbing with my gear:
ua-cam.com/video/v0O-2UU_rL4/v-deo.html feel free to check my channel for related videos.
Bark that is hard I found the climber works better on thinnner trees
Hey David! Thanks for your insight! Best of luck this season 👍🏻