I've hunted with several of the best hang on stands out there but IF most of the trees I want to climb can take a climbing stand, I no longer have to think about which stand I'm toting. Here me out because I think much of the popularity of sticks now is simply because of the saddle hunting craze. Also, I know there hasn't been any innovations that I know of with the climbing stands. They've gotten sort of boring and everyone wants one of the high dollar milled ultralight hang ons the boys up north almost have to use because they don't have as many tall, limbless trees to hunt as we do down here. Right?I have 10-15 of the Bone Collector hang on's Walmart used to sell and 5-10 of the Big Game brand hang on's. One thing I do now is buy the mesh style seat for a more comfortable seat. Always try and find sales on stands and the sticks. I am looking at buying a light stand and sticks for same day or one time set ups and the XOP looks like the way to go. Not sure if I'll ever pull the trigger on them but this time of year I'm chasing acorns and trying to find where they're feeding on them at and I think I can get a lock on set up quicker than a climber.
Well I've had three different Millenniums in recent years and still have two Lone Wolf/Novix stands and several sets of various brands of sticks. I've also got my late son's Summit Viper and another one he gave me that I have in the woods. My #1 stand, though, is my Summit MINI Viper which really should be called something more like "Good things come in small packages". While it's a couple of pounds lighter than my full-size Vipers, what makes it so much better for mobile hunting is how the 4" shorter seating section and platform make it both easier and quieter to tote in the woods. It just rides so much higher on me. Now I'm only 5'9" but it's what my 6' hunting buddy, Chris Wilson uses all the time now as well. Folks that have thought this stand is just for ladies and kids just couldn't be any more wrong. (My only accessories on it are the Summit front storage bag and footrest, and the Lone Wolf Custom Gear pack straps and hip belt.)
While the hang-on sets don't actually take too much more time to set, there's just so much more fiddle factor and sweat involved. And if you want to take advantage of their number one advantage in that you can leave it up to hunt later you really need to tote a long, heavy safety line as well. But speaking of safety, I really don't think you can hunt any safer than with a good climber like a Summit.
Anyhow, just some advice you can take or leave from this old self-confessed gear junkie.