Looking into the same thing. Harder and harder to find a good climber tree. Strongly considering the XOp stands but not sure on the sticks yet.

 

I've never had a nice lightweight hang on set up before. Also interested in how you pack it with your backpack??
I'm on fence between going with Saddle or mobile stand

 

I have the lone wolf hand climber and have considered switching to sticks as well.
Hope someone chimes in

 

I own the loan wolf alpha and hawk helium sticks. Setup is perfect for me as a hang and hunt platform. I can make it to about 17' to platform of stand with only 3 sticks. They pack well and are solid on my back when walking. I hang my hunting pack right on the sticks and throw the whole unit on my back. I bought the moelle* pack straps for it as well which makes a big difference. Also, lone wolf makes a bracket you hang the stand on. Makes putting the stand up easier as I dont have to support the stands weight while attaching to the tree. Its lighter and less bulky than my climber and does not take me any longer to get up the tree. Have not used my climber since I bought these 3 or so seasons ago. Happy to answer specific questions if you all have any.

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I own the loan wolf alpha and hawk helium sticks. Setup is perfect for me as a hang and hunt platform. I can make it to about 17' to platform of stand with only 3 sticks. They pack well and are solid on my back when walking. I hang my hunting pack right on the sticks and throw the whole unit on my back. I bought the moelle* pack straps for it as well which makes a big difference. Also, lone wolf makes a bracket you hang the stand on. Makes putting the stand up easier as I dont have to support the stands weight while attaching to the tree. Its lighter and less bulky than my climber and does not take me any longer to get up the tree. Have not used my climber since I bought these 3 or so seasons ago. Happy to answer specific questions if you all have any. View attachment 356331 View attachment 356333 View attachment 356335

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How much does your setup weight, do you pack it in and out every hunt?

 

Nice set up Scipio,
Looks like my lone wolf hand climber could can be converted to a hang on with the right part.
What is the weight of your set up?

 

Go on the hunting beast forum. There is more info on Mobil set ups than anywhere else.

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I've been searching for years for the best mobile set up and I think I've finally got it dialed in. Started over 20 years with an old API climber, then upgraded to a summit viper climber and killed deer out of both. Then I experimented with a trophy line tree saddle and lone wolf sticks but ended up ditching the trophy line saddle for a lone wolf alpha tree stand. This set up was much better for tree selection and was lighter but I still couldn't get rid of the unwanted bulk. Two years ago I bought an aero hunter kestral tree saddle and kept using the lone wolf sticks. The bulk was gone! Ditching a tree stand and climber for a saddle was the ticket. I still didn't care for the bulk of the climbing sticks so I tried wild edge steps. They got rid of more bulk but were time consuming to set up. After watching a few YouTube videos on various aider systems used with the wild edge steps my set up was perfect. I also bought the Tethrd mantis to cut down on weight even more.
My current set up weighs about 9-10 lbs for everything! Saddle (16 ounces) 3 wild edge steps with a 5-step aider (4 lbs) platform (3lbs) gets me to 22 ft and I got rid of all bulk from a stand and sticks. With a 5 step aider I can climb 6.5 ft per wild edge step and each step weighs 1 lb. It's hard to imagine a lighter weigh climbing method but I'm sure someone will think of a way. My wild edge steps go in my backpack and I wear my saddle. My brother tried my set up after carrying his millennium and hawk heliums and he said it felt like he was wearing a school backpack and he was walking to class.
Not to mention there are many other benefits to a saddle over a tree stand anyways.
Something to consider. I've been there and done that and found a system that works for me.

 

I've been searching for years for the best mobile set up and I think I've finally got it dialed in. Started over 20 years with an old API climber, then upgraded to a summit viper climber and killed deer out of both. Then I experimented with a trophy line tree saddle and lone wolf sticks but ended up ditching the trophy line saddle for a lone wolf alpha tree stand. This set up was much better for tree selection and was lighter but I still couldn't get rid of the unwanted bulk. Two years ago I bought an aero hunter kestral tree saddle and kept using the lone wolf sticks. The bulk was gone! Ditching a tree stand and climber for a saddle was the ticket. I still didn't care for the bulk of the climbing sticks so I tried wild edge steps. They got rid of more bulk but were time consuming to set up. After watching a few YouTube videos on various aider systems used with the wild edge steps my set up was perfect. I also bought the Tethrd mantis to cut down on weight even more.
My current set up weighs about 9-10 lbs for everything! Saddle (16 ounces) 3 wild edge steps with a 5-step aider (4 lbs) platform (3lbs) gets me to 22 ft and I got rid of all bulk from a stand and sticks. With a 5 step aider I can climb 6.5 ft per wild edge step and each step weighs 1 lb. It's hard to imagine a lighter weigh climbing method but I'm sure someone will think of a way. My wild edge steps go in my backpack and I wear my saddle. My brother tried my set up after carrying his millennium and hawk heliums and he said it felt like he was wearing a school backpack and he was walking to class.
Not to mention there are many other benefits to a saddle over a tree stand anyways.
Something to consider. I've been there and done that and found a system that works for me.

How comfortable is the tree saddle, Did it take awhile to get used to it?

 

A good quality hang on like the lone Wolf is the way to go.
Climbers require straight limbless trees.
Saddles are good to if you like them. I didn't care for mine but I know guys who love them.
Awesome concept though.

 

Been using my Viper XL for 25+ years and find it hard to believe that sticks and a hangon could be faster. Takes me about 4 minutes to get to 25ft once I arrive at the base of the tree and even less to get down. I understand that sticks and a hangon will work better for a lot of trees but I'm constantly developing more trees on state land to climb. These days I'm forgetting where most of them are!!!

 

My son's Mantis saddle came today.

 

I have used a climber hunting in the big woods out east a few times. It’s nice when you have your choice of straight limbless trees. But when I go out west, I use a stand and sticks. In previous years I’ve used millennium stands and rivers edge sticks. But this year OGB sold me a used LW Assault with LW sticks, and I will never use anything else while hunting out west. I set that stand 6 times in 7 days this year and it was a breeze. I’m still working on my system, but I could be in the tree in less than 10 minutes with stand, 4 sticks, lifeline, and bow rope. There are lots of videos on how to hang everything in one shot up the tree but I haven’t tried that yet. I usually set 2 sticks at a time then head back down the tree for the other two and also put the stand on my back. The stand and 4 sticks weigh around 21lbs I believe, my millennium m50 weighed around 18-20 before any sticks. One of my favorite part of the LW sticks is how well they bite into the tree. When taking them down, you loosen the straps and the stick stays right there attached to the tree without a strap. You have to yank it off the tree. A lot different than the other (low budget) sticks I own. I know it’s a hefty chunk of change but I don’t think you’ll regret buying a LW setup. I couldn’t be happier with mine. Wandering Arrows has a bunch of LW setups and can go into a lot more detail about hanging everything in one shot. Maybe he will chime in

 

Those with the lone wolf sticks, do you ever wish they had dual steps?

 

Absolutely! I bought a set of hawk heliums for that very reason. Hanging a stand while standing on 1 step gets old fast.

 

What backpack system did you buy?

I attached the molle back straps to mine. Its a military system I believe. I got them for around $30 on Amazon without the waist belt. Can also get them at military surplus stores.

https://www.amazon.com/MOLLE-II-Ruc...78EHW98/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1545842545&sr=8-8&keywords=molle+backpack+straps

 

Absolutely! I bought a set of hawk heliums for that very reason. Hanging a stand while standing on 1 step gets old fast.

That is the exact reason I did not purchase the Lone Wolf sticks and went with Hawk. The Lone Wolf sticks do stack better with the Alpha Stand, for obvious reasons. But I much prefer not being limited one side of the stick or the other. As a bonus the Hawk sticks are cheaper and to me feel better built.

 

This is a real mental block for me. I just can't wrap my head around how that's faster then my climber. Not to mention how comfortable climbers are.

That being said there times for sure where I can't find a tree I'm looking for where sticks would be nice.

I've been doing more and more scout and hunt trips.
I wish there was a better way to pack summit climbers. My 20LB climber and hunting back are way harder to pack a few miles then my 50LB Kuiu when Elk Hunting.

 

might not be faster than a climber but my set up is quieter and more comfortable than my summit

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Is that the aluminum M100U? How do you like the chain on the mount. Does it make noise when carrying?

 

I have the M100U that I leave up all season behind the house. Very comfortable & easy to set up.

I'm sitting in it right now!

 

I cut my chain leaving 2 links that I put clevis' on then cut the hooks off a ratchet strap and put the clevi through factory loops of the strap. Tighten down as normal. That chain was noisy and heavy.

 

I have not used a climber and probably never will. I really like my hang and hunt setup. I like the fact after scouting a hunting location I’m not stuck scratching my head in the perfect tree to climb with a climber.

I hunt primarily state land, most of my spots are over a mile hike so weight was my biggest concern. I went with a Millennium M7 Microlite. The stand weights 8-8.5 lbs and I also went with hawk helium sticks(I liked having double steps) they run around the same weight as lone wolf sticks. My stand and sticks are under 20lbs(going off manufacturer specs). I plan on putting my setup on a scale to get a true weight just out of curiosity. I’ve walked over 2 miles in one direction with the setup and no complaints. The stock shoulder straps with my M7 aren’t to shabby. I got rid of the ratchet strap and replaced it with a pull strap.

I also use a fanny pack to store whatever I’m taking out in the field with me. When I get setup I buckle it around the tree I’m sitting in.

Here is a recent pic I sent to my buddy that was curious of the setup. (Can’t really see the sticks with my cold weather clothes bundled up)

 

Order this stand today. Now to shop for sticks

XOP-XTREME OUTDOOR PRODUCTS Air Raid Tree Stand, Green https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016L2GNK6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ffvjCb54DHFMT

 

My climber sits in the shed most of the season. I use my sticks and mobile stands almost exclusively. I have the Assault hang on and the millenium m7. I love the solidness of the assault and tge easy hang system. I also love the comfort of my m7, and the easy hang system. I just got the m7 this year and will mozt likely be my go to stand, its lightweight, quiet, comfortable and a sinch to hang. The only thing i dislike about my lonewolf is the comfort level.

 

I almost forgot to comment about the comfort of the m7. That seat is awesome. I haven’t done any all days this past season but I have sat in that seat for 6-7hrs and if you get in a good tree(setup where the crouch of a tree is mid back) it’s like sitting in a lazy boy. The only thing that took a little getting used to with the m7 was the platform size. I went from a hawk combat(party platform) to the m7. Didn’t like it at first but after a few sits I don’t see myself using any other stand. I like how the seat flips in toward the platform making it even more compact when traveling.

It also sets up quick and quiet.

I also did the bike inter tube mod to my buckles. I also cut a flat square out and put it where it sits between the cam block and stand insert. So no metal to metal contact when setting up.