Summit Treestands 180 Max SD Climbing Treestand

I bought this for hunting on public land, so I wouldn't risk having my stands stolen or having to bring a climb pole with me every time I hunted. However, I find that I no longer use any of my old stands any more because of how much I enjoy using this.Pros:It is insanely comfortable. I can sit in the stand all day. When it is windy and cold, I can bunker down in it and it has pockets that I put hand warms in. Heated seats :).It is very easy to use. The instructions it comes with are junk, but it is so intuitive. Only takes five minutes to set up and be in the tree.Secure and safe. I have never had it so much as shift on me while I'm in the stand, and it locks in very solid. It also comes with lots of safety equipment: harness, locking strap.Quite. the stand makes ZERO noise in the tree. For me this was a main seller. No more will a creaking stand give your location away to deer.Cons:Expensive. It cost a pretty penny.Pockets are Velcro. Why any company would produce items for hunting with Velcro on them is beyond me. Although this feature is easily over come by tucking the flaps that cover the pocket into the pockets themselves.For bow hunting, the front bar can get in the way. However, this bar makes a perfect gun rest and is great during the regular season.It damages trees. This is true of all climber stands, but it should be mentioned. it is usually fine on older trees with thicker barks. Young elm, all birch, and most soft wood trees should be avoided if you don't want to see the marks or you care about the trees. if not, the world is your stand :)Overall:I am very happy with this purchase. It cost a bit more than I wanted to pay, but I figure if I'm going to trust my life and safety thirty feet of the ground to a stand, I better get a good one. Being able to set up all over the place keeps the deer on their toes. I always felt that with my more permanent stands, the deer eventually became weary of them and avoided the areas altogether. Not any more; now they never know where I am coming from until it is too late. Because the seat is so comfortable, I can stay out for longer and move less. This stand has really taken my hunting to another level. If I had the option I would rate it 4.75 stars only because of the price.

180 Max vrs Viper SD:Both are excellent stands and if I had the money I would own both but I chose the max 180 to replace my old API Bowhunter.The Max 180 is a big roomy stand with the most comfortable seat found anywhere. It's perfect for those November rut bowhunts and 1st day rifle season where you basically climb up in the dark and come down in the dark (unless you get lucky in between).The trade off: Big and roomy means 6 lbs heavier and bulkier to carry. I'm now 50'ish, avg height/wt and in good shape so the weight is not a real issue. Like others stated though, you won't be able to sit and climb if you are under 6', because the back bar is too far away. I've always had the api bow hunter so I am used to climbing standing up and the back bar is still there if you want to take a quick break. I also added the rapid steps so you can do a modified sit and climb. The viper also does not come with the wrap around seat. That's a $100 add on so there is real value to getting this with the stand. I also added the footrest and I can tell you that once you get set up, this thing is as comfy as your favorite barcalounger you have in front of the TV.The only big negative I have is the seat storage when you pack up. It does not just fold into the stand, you have to do some manual stuffing and I believe Summit recommends removing it but reattaching in the dark would be a pain in the butt and increase the time you spend at the bottom of the tree spreading scent all over the place so that's not going to happen. They also recommend you reverse the seat for climbing and then reverse it back for hunting. I have too many checklist things to think about already so I just make sure my safety harness is connected when I climb and descend and I do the stand up method as I mentioned above.I make time for at least 10 full days in a tree and that is why I picked this stand over the Viper SD. If I mostly just hunted for a few AM or PM hours I probably would have gone with the Viper and sacrificed a bit of comfort and room.

The best thing I have purchased for deer season. Easy to assemble and extremely sturdy. Beyond comfortable. I sometimes struggle to stay awake in it. It’s almost like a tree recliner. Weighs slightly more than others but it’s definitely worth it. Comes with all the safety equipment needed. Great value and investment in my opinion. Would definitely buy again.

Bought thus 180 max recently for deer hunting in Maine. 1st time with a tree climber type. I tried facing away from the tree 4 times and could not regulate the lower platform with my feet properly. In fact, I caused it to slip and if i didn't have the tether tied, ,,,who knows ???!!!. I decided to reverse the seat and try hunting with the tree in front of me. I love it. It's comfy and I have total control with ease for the foot platform. I think the cable system is a little funky as the coating on the metal cable is just disintegrating. The unit is a little noisy and I wouldn't think of hanging it on a tree in the dark. I'm 77 and still going fairly strong, but have to increase common sense, if possible, when climbing !!!! Good product....

Great tree stand ! This is a very nice and roomy tree stand with all the strength a big guy needs! The only thing I don't like is that they went real cheapo on the wrap around rest! I mean zip ties to secure it.... for crying out load...others in there line use Velcro and Zippers....why the cheap crap?