Treelounge vs Summit Bullet Backpacker -- Advice?

[nickE10mm]

Hi all...

I've been researching the market for a new climbing treestand to use for deer hunting. I've never owned OR used a climbing stand (but HAVE used a ladder stand a couple of times) and need advice. I've narrowed it down to two stands that I like. I'll mainly be hunting VERY hilly areas in the Ozarks/SW Missouri/Mark Twain National Forest area. I will be hunting with a handgun on most hunts. I'm looking for something with great stability, safety and comfort and something that I can pack into the deep woods with me, stay out all day and have lots of versatility as to what trees in can actually climb. I'm 27, about 200lbs and in excellent physical and cardiovascular shape. I'm not too concerned about the cost because I only plan on buying one stand and keeping it forever.

The stands I have in mind are:

Summit Bullet Backpacker (= 23lbs total)

Treelounge (18.5lbs + 7.5lb foot climber = 26lbs total)

I also like the idea of a stand that I can use when back at camp to sit on a tree (lower to the ground while there relaxin') and I've heard that the treelounge is good for that. Also, the treelounge seems like it might be a BIT more stable AND confortable, but at the cost of a heavier stand. I don't really see how the Summit sets up so I can't really compare potential noise of setup. The treelounge seems to have quite a few accessories (ie wheels, leveler, various holders) but all at additional cost to an already "more" expensive stand.

At this point I'm rambling and have read enough "reviews" to make my head spin and need to get some people who have experience with either one.

Thanks in advance....

[Castaway]

I bought a Trophy Tree Drum a few years.  Truely, it's an all day stand and very comfortable but sounds like a brass band when erecting it and it sure scars up a tree when climbing.  Also, there is a snap, crackle pop that I can't get rid of.  Not a big issue when gun hunting but disconcerting when using a bow.  I do like the platform for bow hunting and leave it on all year.  Sure makes it easier to get in and out of and gives you an opportunity to stand when sitting for a while.  I wish I'd ordered the shootinng rail as there is no support for long range shooting without it.

[Karl Haemmerlein]

I have several climbing stands including a tree lounge with the bowhunter platform. The positives of the tree lounge are comfort and perhaps a shade more stability than my summit's or api's.  The current tree lounges are as quiet as any other climber once set up.  Did I mention it is comfortable?  Nothing compares even remotely.

The downsides to a tree lounge are many.  I use mine on private property locked to a tree, I may move it once during our 4 month season.  The amount of care needed to quietly set it up will drive you insane, not relevant to me since i set it up and leave it.  Set up takes longer with a tree lounge.  It is slightly less easy to climb with than summit's and api's that I have.  Some people never get used to the change from climbing to sitting, practice at ground level, it can be unnerving doing your first time 20 feet up.  Without the adjustable angle pieces on the tree lounge, you are severely limited in how high you can climb, tree lounges are more sensitive to changes in tree diameter that summit's/api's.  With the angle adjusters, the tree lounge can safely be adjusted to continue climbing higher, although you can (you should not) do this with summit/api it is not a very safe thing to do with them, but really isn't necessary on them either.  Standing on the bow platform up a tree is interesting, kind of feels like you are on the end of a very springy diving board. If you never wore a harness in a climbing stand before(shame), you will once you get a tree lounge.  Without a bow platform in place, you can pretty much forget about shooting behind you which is reasonalbly easy to very easy with the summit's and api's I have whether facing tree design or facing away from tree design.

If tree lounges weren't so dang comfortable, I'm willing to bet they would have gone out of business long ago.


Did I mention it is comfortable?  Seriously, nothing comes close.

[nickE10mm]

Thanks, guys.  Those replies help a lot.  From what it sounds like, I should find something lighter as the areas I hunt are a cross between hills and MOUNTAINS.  My Dad has never used climber stands before but he was like, "You need to get something LIGHT ..." so that's one MORE vote for something OTHER than the treelounge.  Sleeping isn't a big concern for me since I'm there to hunt, not sleep, but comfort is a big priority.

[S.B.]

I took a tree stand safety course, through the state last winter, as part of the "getting ready to teach bow hunting safety". Their advice was to not use a climber tree stand? They, because of the safety issue, prefer to use the stix ladder type of climbing aid?
Something like 90% of all hunting accidents involve tree stands and or not using a safety harness?
I know this opens a can of worms but, these statistics are from actual State of Illinois hunting accident reports.

[sidekick]

Karl is on the money with his description of the tree lounge. I love it and hate it for the reasons he expressed. I do just as he does, put it up, lock it with a cable and don't move it often. For a long carry, quiet climb, rock steady, and reasonable comfort, my overall favorite climbing stand is a Summit Viper. But if I had to sit in a stand all day dark to dark---tree lounge.