Ol Man Drone Climber
I hate rating the stand this low because I loved my other Ol Man's. This is a pretty decent climber...if you get it on sale. The adjustable leveling arms are an awesome idea. The platform is about as cumbersome as any other climber, which is why I tether it with the available OM bungee cord to my belt for better up/down control. It is quiet and has good traction even with muddy shoes. The rubber cables are durable enough, but it takes more effort for me sliding them into the oval metal arms than the older square inserts. OM advertised this as an improved feature, but I disagree. I lost one of the stupid pins in the snow, they need a better cable attachment system. The finish is durable, about what you'd expect from a newer made Chinese import. Going up and down a tree of LARGE ENOUGH diameter is quiet & easy enough. I like that OM gives you both a straight bar and an angled bar for a foot/gun rest, and the ability to remove it in the field. You can even choose to keep it off altogether for open front shooting.
The thing that sets OM stands apart from the competition is the seat. I've spent 8 hours straight in the stand, having breakfast, lunch, & dinner, without fatigue. It is like a lazy boy for trees. The side arms keep everything stable for a better sense of safety, and the ability to hang stuff from the seat is great. Shooting mobility for me did not seem hampered at all.
Everything comes at a price, and the price you pay is in the weight. It is advertised at 22 lbs, but mine was more like 28 lbs. The good news is the pack straps are comfortable and distribute the weight to where it doesn't feel like you are hauling a car on your back. I'm 5'8"/180 lbs and in decent shape at 44 years old, so the weight doesn't bother me. I'd rather have the comfort this stand affords.
I grudgingly gave this stand 4 stars because it was on sale for $250. If I bought at regular retail I would probably give it 2 stars. The adjustment arms do not make it worth full retail in my opinion. It's still a great design.
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