ASH556
Senior Member
I've had Summit climbing stands for 20 years. I've had my current Viper for about 10 years now. I'm getting more and more heavily back into bow hunting (probably spend 90% of my hunting with a bow in-hand) and wanted to make a few changes to my setup this year to make it faster, lighter, and easier to manage.
I added the Hazmore hammock seat. This saves weight over the factory Summit seat, allows you to sit higher, which I prefer for bowhunting, makes packing and unpacking the stand faster because you don't have to loop the seat through the sections, and is actually even more comfortable than the factory Summit seat (which I was honestly doubtful about). I've got a full 12 hour sit under my belt in this thing and love it!
On the foot platform, I got some 1" adhesive grip tape off Amazon and added it in addition to the Summit footrest kit. This is a lifesaver getting in and out of the stand when the platform is more angled at the bottom of the tree and boots are often wet from dew. The footrest kit just adds comfort. For the backpack straps to carry the stand, I've never liked the way the Summits looped over the platform so that you step on it. Also I have broad shoulders and they always pinched a bit. The green cord nestles between the platform channels so you don't step on it. The straps themselves are a pair of rifle slings (Butler Creek Neoprene Padded) from Walmart, $10/ea. The cord also lets me set the width of the straps for comfort.
For my backpack, I no longer wanted it hanging off my EZ Hanger up above me. I've had a few issues in the past where I needed to shoot close to that side of the tree and the pack has been in the way. I added a simple loop of 550 cord to the upper section of the armrest and simply clip the pack to that with a carabener.
For my bow I went to a shorter version of the EZ hanger. I like having the bow closer to the tree and this one has the new longer hook for wider limbed bows like my V3. I also added a loop of 550 cord to the top of my quiver and I simply slip it over the EZ hanger and slide it back against the tree. For my binoculars, I went away from the Crooked Horn Harness and to the Vortex harness. I like the "pouch" to protect the binoculars and I zip-tied my rangefinder pouch to the side to keep both easily accessible.
I added the Hazmore hammock seat. This saves weight over the factory Summit seat, allows you to sit higher, which I prefer for bowhunting, makes packing and unpacking the stand faster because you don't have to loop the seat through the sections, and is actually even more comfortable than the factory Summit seat (which I was honestly doubtful about). I've got a full 12 hour sit under my belt in this thing and love it!
On the foot platform, I got some 1" adhesive grip tape off Amazon and added it in addition to the Summit footrest kit. This is a lifesaver getting in and out of the stand when the platform is more angled at the bottom of the tree and boots are often wet from dew. The footrest kit just adds comfort. For the backpack straps to carry the stand, I've never liked the way the Summits looped over the platform so that you step on it. Also I have broad shoulders and they always pinched a bit. The green cord nestles between the platform channels so you don't step on it. The straps themselves are a pair of rifle slings (Butler Creek Neoprene Padded) from Walmart, $10/ea. The cord also lets me set the width of the straps for comfort.
For my backpack, I no longer wanted it hanging off my EZ Hanger up above me. I've had a few issues in the past where I needed to shoot close to that side of the tree and the pack has been in the way. I added a simple loop of 550 cord to the upper section of the armrest and simply clip the pack to that with a carabener.
For my bow I went to a shorter version of the EZ hanger. I like having the bow closer to the tree and this one has the new longer hook for wider limbed bows like my V3. I also added a loop of 550 cord to the top of my quiver and I simply slip it over the EZ hanger and slide it back against the tree. For my binoculars, I went away from the Crooked Horn Harness and to the Vortex harness. I like the "pouch" to protect the binoculars and I zip-tied my rangefinder pouch to the side to keep both easily accessible.
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