API Marksman climbing stand

[Tom L]

Anyone know anything about this stand.

Tom

 

[kgt]

I looked at getting one since the price was so attractive, but there's a couple videos on YouTube of a guy showing how easily the stand breaks. I decided it wasn't worth the cost savings/risk and went with a Viper SD. It's my first climbing stand and I'm happy with it.

FYI: this is one of the videos I'm referring to. Take it for what it's worth. It just scared me away from it.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hP8-4VnoM5M

 

[TboneD]

I looked at getting one since the price was so attractive, but there's a couple videos on YouTube of a guy showing how easily the stand breaks. I decided it wasn't worth the cost savings/risk and went with a Viper SD. It's my first climbing stand and I'm happy with it.

FYI: this is one of the videos I'm referring to. Take it for what it's worth. It just scared me away from it.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hP8-4VnoM5M

Not the same stand. That's the Crusader, if I'm not mistaken, and it has a bit different design.

I'm a Summit fan, but the funny thing about the API Marksman is that although neither BPS or Cabela's carries it, it has really good reviews online. Just makes me wonder if all the folks giving it good reviews know anything about what a good stand is like.... or if BPS and Cabela's would rather sell 300 dollar Summits. No way is it gonna be as comfortable as my Viper, but it's gotta be a lot more comfortable carry through the woods. That's for sure. And having hunted out of an Ole Man, net seats can be quite comfy, too.

 

[kgt]

Ahh, didn't realize. Thought it was the same one. Saw threads in other forums where they referenced those videos too. Isn't the Marksman a bolt-together (not welded) model too though?

 

[TboneD]

Ahh, didn't realize. Thought it was the same one. Saw threads in other forums where they referenced those videos too. Isn't the Marksman a bolt-together (not welded) model too though?

Looks like it's got bolts to allow the stand supports to pivot in to the tree like an Ole Man. These also allow it to fold down, but these developing squeaks would also be a concern for me....although I don't remember reading about it in the reviews I read.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[slagtown_dfa]

I looked at getting one since the price was so attractive, but there's a couple videos on YouTube of a guy showing how easily the stand breaks. I decided it wasn't worth the cost savings/risk and went with a Viper SD. It's my first climbing stand and I'm happy with it.

FYI: this is one of the videos I'm referring to. Take it for what it's worth. It just scared me away from it.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hP8-4VnoM5M

Not the same stand. That's the Crusader, if I'm not mistaken, and it has a bit different design.

I'm a Summit fan, but the funny thing about the API Marksman is that although neither BPS or Cabela's carries it, it has really good reviews online. Just makes me wonder if all the folks giving it good reviews know anything about what a good stand is like.... or if BPS and Cabela's would rather sell 300 dollar Summits. No way is it gonna be as comfortable as my Viper, but it's gotta be a lot more comfortable carry through the woods. That's for sure. And having hunted out of an Ole Man, net seats can be quite comfy, too.

You can replace your seat with a net one for $20. I have a summit titan and the seat was always awkward when carrying and when climbing. Plus the net seat is so much more quieter when standing up or maneuvering in the stand. Google hazemore seats and it will pop up if you.are interested in swapping them out.

 

[MMHunter]

I bought one about a month ago. It's been a great stand so far for the money. It defiantly a different design than the one in the video. It's ultra light, fairly quiet, and very easily packable. The one complaint I have is with API's new cable the plastic coating seems like it may wear quick, the cable are super easy to use IMO. I think it a great bargain.

 

[TboneD]

I looked at getting one since the price was so attractive, but there's a couple videos on YouTube of a guy showing how easily the stand breaks. I decided it wasn't worth the cost savings/risk and went with a Viper SD. It's my first climbing stand and I'm happy with it.

FYI: this is one of the videos I'm referring to. Take it for what it's worth. It just scared me away from it.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hP8-4VnoM5M

Not the same stand. That's the Crusader, if I'm not mistaken, and it has a bit different design.

I'm a Summit fan, but the funny thing about the API Marksman is that although neither BPS or Cabela's carries it, it has really good reviews online. Just makes me wonder if all the folks giving it good reviews know anything about what a good stand is like.... or if BPS and Cabela's would rather sell 300 dollar Summits. No way is it gonna be as comfortable as my Viper, but it's gotta be a lot more comfortable carry through the woods. That's for sure. And having hunted out of an Ole Man, net seats can be quite comfy, too.

You can replace your seat with a net one for $20. I have a summit titan and the seat was always awkward when carrying and when climbing. Plus the net seat is so much more quieter when standing up or maneuvering in the stand. Google hazemore seats and it will pop up if you.are interested in swapping them out.

Funny you mention that. I did just that this fall and went back to the Summit seat after opening weekend of gun season. Despite the fact that I occasionally dose off, the Summit seat provides a lot more comfortable sit. I'll probably put the Hazemore net back on for bow season, but as far as net seats go, neither the Hazemore nor the API Marksman seat are as comfortable as the Ole Man net seat. The Ole Man's seat frame length allows the net to provide a good bit more thigh and upper leg support.

 

[ttf909]

Went to the haz3more net on summit and switched it back 2 the original summit seat also. Just didn't like the hazemore.
I have an old apI grands slam supremer and it's great . However I did see an old guy that was hunting my lease that his api broke at the welds in 2 places. The teeth part is what broke welds .