For a beginner and really anyone I was wondering what you guys opinion was on how safe these types of tree stands are. I'm going to buy one or the other and have tried a friends climber and to me it seamed like you put to much trust in the manufactures work for your own safety. I was using a Gorila tree stand and was going to buy the same one that I tried but now I'm not so sher anymore. I would just like to know which one's you guys use and how safe you think they are.

In have used API climbers for the last 15 years or so, before that I used Loc-On stands with screw in steps, I feel much safer in my climber, it has the bar that comes all the way around me, great place to set your bow when it gets slow. I've had two close calls in the climber, but both times I didn't have my top piece secured and was gun hunting, shooting off the right side, both times I did not have a safety belt on, I am lucky to have caught myself, or I might not be enjoying the woods now. accidents can happen out of any type of stand, but I always felt more vulnerable climbing up the screw in steps or ladders than I do in the climber. The climber, although gets old carrying in and out everytime gives me the flexibility to change my positions with the change of the wind direction, or just seeing something that really looks good on my way out to another spot. One of these days I'll put up a few more ladder stands so I don't always have to pack the climber in and out, but for now IT IS THE TICKET!

Climber, Use the saftety harness and make sure it's weight rating applys to the user...

When climbing always take your time and move slow and deliberately.

Been using a Alpha LoneWolf about 3 years and really like it.http://www.lonewolfstands.com/shoppingcart/Products/Alpha-Sit-and-Climb-Combo__SACCSH.aspx

Remember you get what you pay for.

There are tradeoffs for both.

Most of the danger is during the install or removal. A safety harness is needed to insure your safety when (not if) you slip/fall.

I have a Summit Viper and previously used a Loggy Bayou. The Summit bites into the tree therefore it is not Tree Hugger friendly but trees have bark on them and it only scuffs the tree if you continually climb the same tree. I recommend the Summit Viper. I purchased a wrap around top as this is good for 2 reasons. 1. It lets you sit on it while climbing so you can use your legs to pull up the lower section. If you have the open front then you must use your arms to support yourself while pulling up the lower. 2. It protects you from falling out the front.

Now the hangon type is bulky since you have to carry some form of ladder with it ( unless your brave and use spike shoes). The hangon type is very dangerous as you have to secure the ladder to the tree as your climb the unsecured ladder to secure it. Then you can pull up the stand and now comes the difficult part, you need one hand to hold the stand against the tree and one hand to pull and connect the straps around the tree. This means you either have one leg around the tree to keep your self on the stand or your 3 handed.

The advantages:

Climber - small, easy to carry, fast to get up a tree. (Semi straight tree with branches that you can remove.)

Hangon - you can attach to a hedge apple tree http://inthemaine.com/images/Maine/Old%20Apple%20Tree.JPG.

You might want to try to get one of each.

I am a bigger fan of a climber for the reasons the other guys stated. I like having something a rail around me, Putting a hang on up is a bear. (I usially use my climber to put in a Hang On, Ironic huh?)
I use the Summit Goliath, which is the same as a Viper except a little bigger with a higher weight limit for my big boned self.

I just recently bought a climber (decided to go back up th tree...). I originally bought a Summit Viper SS, but when I got it home, I found it missing parts, when I took it back to Bass Pro, they didn't have anymore to replace it with. So I instead got the API Alumi-Tech Bowhunter. I can honestly say I love this stand! Climbs very easily, and quietly. I wear the supplied harness, very comfortable. It feels more solid than any ladder stand I have sat in, suprisingly. I almost fell asleep (for the first time in my hunting career) this afternoon. I can stand up with confidence, and sit right back down without looking to make sure I am going to hit the seat.

A lot of the hang ons have big platforms, but tiny seats. I am 6'2" 250 lbs, so a tiny seat doesn't cut it for me.

I would deffinately reccomend the climber. You can (if you are going to leave it in the same spot) strap it to the tree and use climbing sticks with them as well. My climber does not have the front bar, so it is easy to climb in and out of with sticks.

Climber is the way to go...Like BigDuke said you get what you pay for. Do not go spend $75 on a climber just because it's cheap. You will be unhappy with it. and plus you don't want to compromise your safety just to save a few bucks. Summit, API, Loggy Bayou, Lone Wolf, Ol' Man all make quality stands. (I'm sure there are a few I forgot). If you don't have the money to spend on a good one right now, save the money until you can because they are well worth it. Make sure you get one with the bar that goes all the way around you....just my 2 cents

Another factor is cost... You can probably get 2 hang on's w/ ladders for the price of a good climber. Believe me if you get into this your wife will be screaming at you on "where did all this crap come from?" Adam and I have 5 climbers and at least 6 hang ons, and a ladder too. All have their own application that works better in certain situations/locations.

Climber, by far (in my opinion, anyway) Never feel in danger when I am in one, I have the old Ol' Man style, which I believe is now made by Gorilla...I use hang ons once in a while, but don't look forward to it...

you are continually strapped to the tree if you use the right harness, and have armrests! (usually much more comfortable, as well)

The climber allows you to move around as much as you want. The drawback is that you need a straight tree to level out the stand. Otherwise you will be leaning. I have used a few of Summit's climbers and love them

I think a climber is a much safer option. As a beginer you will probably be jumping around from spot to spot trying to refine your location. Also it is something that you will pack in and out with you so your equipment wont get as weathered. I think the key is to get a stand that you are comfortable in. Practice with it as much as possible so when you go in the woods you are ready. If it is too small you will have misserable short hunts. I have a buddy that had a really small hang-on stand and he fell out of it and broke his back. Luckily he didnt sustain any permanant injuries.

I also agree with you get what you pay for. I nought one of those Wal-mart deals a few years ago and hated it. It was heavy and didnt pack well. I finally switched to API.

Just about everyone on here is bragging on Climbers, myself included... why is it that when I watch huntin videos the almost all of them hunt out of hang ons? Any ideas?

Just about everyone on here is bragging on Climbers, myself included... why is it that when I watch huntin videos the almost all of them hunt out of hang ons? Any ideas?

There are advantages to hunting out of hang on stands, like sneaking into your hunting area with as little impact as possible.
But, could it be that the reason most of those guys on TV are hunting out of chain ons is because they are hunting on property owned or leased by outfitters and are hunting those locations based on the outfitters scouting.???

Just about everyone on here is bragging on Climbers, myself included... why is it that when I watch huntin videos the almost all of them hunt out of hang ons? Any ideas?

Because they are set up on "can" hunts... they know exactly ewhat time the deer will be there... you never see on the shows that they were sitting there for hours. It is always "we only been in the stand for 10 minutes, and here comes this monster buck!" Most of the time they don't even bother siting down, they stand for there 10 minutes of hunting. Plus it is harder to get the camera mans climber and hunters climber up that close to eachother... Hang ons have there purpose, but if comfort is a concern, they just don't have it (most anyways)

I've used both. I personally prefer a ladder stand first and then a climber, then finally a lock on.

I had an 'affordable' climber and it worked just fine. It was aluminum and worked as designed. If you use one and use it correctly I see no problems. If I get another climber it will be a summit, because of the way they are designed.

I would think that what ever you decide to use, it should be based on how you would like to use it. Some of the newer ladder stands are really nice with the 'buddy' platforms and rails(which are nice for shotgun). I suppose the lock-ons have their place, I just don't have the use for one, or the time to put several out.

Just remember that in every stand you need to wear that safety harness!

I agree with RoninSi. Ladders rock. But you your your ground, to do allot of scouting on it and gt you ladder where you want it before season. Me and the two I hunt with have 20 ladders out this year. We also have a few hang-ons. Hang-ons can be mor comfortable than a ladder...but there is mor work to puttig them in, and it seems they are subject to the sway of a tree more than the ladder.

Everyone should have a climber though. It is not practical to lug a hang-on or ladder in with you daily or even for a few days IMHO. I have a Summit Viper and it is WAY more comfortable than any other stand i have sat in...WOW is it comfortable... I am 6'2" ~220 and it is perfect for packing in and getting set up quick.

So...there you go..:o)