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Summit 180 SS Max Tree Stands
Tree Stands Manufacturer: Summit
Summit Model: 180 SS Max
Review Category: Tree Stands
Purchase: Tree Stands This is my 30th year bowhunting. In the past several years I've become an advocate of climbing treestands. They are second to none in comfort and safety.This year I've decided it was time to purchase another "climber". Several of my hunting friends are using summit stands and they swear by them. I purchased a Summit 180 SS Max online paying 299.00 tax included.
Things I like about the Summit 180 SS Max Tree Stands: Comfort. This stand has got to be one of the most comfortable stands on the market. It is relatively light in weight and it stacks together easily for backpacking. Once up, the stand is dead quiet. No squeeking of hoses as with other brands.
What I don't like about the Summit 180 SS Max: Contrary to what Summit says, this stand is not bowhunter friendly. When I sit in a climber, I position the platform and the seat far enough apart so that when I need to stand I don't need to make excessive movement. In order to shoot over the front bar, while standing, the seat and platform need to be fairly close. Shooting while seated is not possible to the front and is difficult shooting to the bow hand side. This is also true if standing to make a shot while facing the tree. It is very difficult to shoot over the side arm rest. The standing platform needs to be very high. The stand is configured to have the seat facing the tree while climbing. This is fine if you are planning to face the tree while hunting, which I would assume would be rarely. It's not very convenient once in the tree, to have to switch the seat around so you can hunt facing away from the tree. I've tried to sit on the front bar while climbing and this works, although extremely difficult. I'm 6'2" and a shorter person would struggle. The 180 front bar is curved which places it too far from the tree and it is difficult to hook your boots into the platform to raise it. Getting back to the seat. Although comfortable, it is porous. Meaning if you plan to leave the stand connected to the base of the tree overnight there better not be rain in the forecast or your hunt will be ruined the next day. It is very inconvenient to have to remove the seat every time rain is in the forecast. It's not difficult to remove. Just another added inconvenience and one more thing to carry back to camp. The seat is bulky.
Tree Stands 180 SS Max quality: Construction seems very solid. Welds are solid. Seat construction is very comfortable. Paint is terrible. It not only chips, but actually "flakes" off. The shrink wrap around the cable tears off easily. This is bound to happen though. Replacement shrink wrapping is available.
180 SS Max summary: Bottom line is this: This is an extremely comfortable stand. Sitting all day is much easier with this stand. I feel very secure while hunting in it. I've tried bow hunting in it several times and have come to the conclusion that I will use it primarily for gun hunting, lowering the seat and using the front bar as a gun rest. If rain is in the forecast I will bring a plastic bag to cover the seat. Removing it all the time is too inconvenient. I will continue to struggle climbing the tree while trying to use the front bar as a seat using the "sit,stand" method. I can't say that I'm completely sold on this stand.
Rating for this Summit product: 3
Author of this review on Summit Tree Stands: Dan
Date: 2008-10-31
Usefulness Rating: 5 out of 5.
1 reader(s) voted.
This Summit Tree Stands review brought to you by Hunting & Fishing Gear Review!
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