Tree stand

[just lucky]

I have several ladder stands, but my favorite is a d tube outpost xl that I got from field and stream several years ago. I wish I had more.

The size is good, comfortable seat, and the ladder is solid. 

I was trying to find who was the manufacturer of them, and if anything comparable is available 

 

[Keith Nehrke]

Like you, I love the old Outpost XL...marked down from $249 to $159, 100% of the time!!! The closest I've seen is the Big Game 18' Hunter 1.5. Not exactly the same, but close. Also always on sale at Cabelas/Bass Pro, too.

[Rob-c]

1 hour ago, Keith Nehrke said:

Like you, I love the old Outpost XL...marked down from $249 to $159, 100% of the time!!! The closest I've seen is the Big Game 18' Hunter 1.5. Not exactly the same, but close. Also always on sale at Cabelas/Bass Pro, too.

I bought 4 of the  1.5 Big game hunters on sale a few years  a go and loved them . I sold them to coworkers as i lost my lease and they were very impressed with them , quality stand .  

Edited September 4, 2024 by Rob-c

[just lucky]

1 hour ago, Keith Nehrke said:

Like you, I love the old Outpost XL...marked down from $249 to $159, 100% of the time!!! The closest I've seen is the Big Game 18' Hunter 1.5. Not exactly the same, but close. Also always on sale at Cabelas/Bass Pro, too.

I bought and hung a big game hunter 1.5 this spring. The platform seems small, and the metal is more flexible.  

I think it will creak climbing up when it's cold

[Ncountry]

I helped a buddy set-up 4 of the big game 1.5 s in the past few weeks. Seemed like a nice stand for the money. It was on sale for around $129 at cabelas.

[Keith Nehrke]

23 hours ago, just lucky said:

I bought and hung a big game hunter 1.5 this spring. The platform seems small, and the metal is more flexible.  

I think it will creak climbing up when it's cold

Have you found a stand that won't creak when it's cold? We use plastic washers during assembly and snap pins that have springs on them to attach ladder sections together, but nevertheless find it difficult to be totally quiet climbing in when it's cold. Even our Millenniums, which are otherwise bulletproof, suffer from this, albeit only slightly. I think that stand positioning can impact noise, too, as any "strange" pressure can exacerbate groans and creaks. For example, when a tree grows up or the stand sinks into the ground a couple inches, the ladder is under pressure and maybe bows in or out. 

I try to reposition our stands slightly when we change out the straps both to reduce pressure and so that the tree doesn't grow over the teeth, but nothing seems to be perfect. The worst is when the platform creaks when you shift your weight. That's intolerable and gets an immediate fix. 

[phade]

Basic square tube stands do that often but we use electrical tape at the male ends and while it’s not 100% it does reduce it a lot. Makes it a PITA to assemble or disassemble but it helps.

[Belo]

I have 1 ladder stand and it's a big game 1.5. Decent stand for the price, doesn't creek and worked for a funky tree that I couldn't get a hang on in. Quality does leave a little to be desired, but again I really don't have any complaints. 

[2BuckBizCT]

The Bowman by Rivers Edge is awesome for bowhunting sitting or standing.

[The Back 40]

I put up a Big Game 1.5 last year and it is by far my favorite and most comfortable stand. The price is great, and I really like the adjustable shooting rail.

[just lucky]

13 hours ago, Keith Nehrke said:

Have you found a stand that won't creak when it's cold? We use plastic washers during assembly and snap pins that have springs on them to attach ladder sections together, but nevertheless find it difficult to be totally quiet climbing in when it's cold. Even our Millenniums, which are otherwise bulletproof, suffer from this, albeit only slightly. I think that stand positioning can impact noise, too, as any "strange" pressure can exacerbate groans and creaks. For example, when a tree grows up or the stand sinks into the ground a couple inches, the ladder is under pressure and maybe bows in or out. 

I try to reposition our stands slightly when we change out the straps both to reduce pressure and so that the tree doesn't grow over the teeth, but nothing seems to be perfect. The worst is when the platform creaks when you shift your weight. That's intolerable and gets an immediate fix. 

 I understand what you're  saying, just haven't found another ladder stand that really impresses me.

I also like that the outpost stand has teeth on the platform that dig in nice so you don't get the flex when standing up. The double stands, I have seen are awful for that

 

 

 

[just lucky]

13 hours ago, phade said:

Basic square tube stands do that often but we use electrical tape at the male ends and while it’s not 100% it does reduce it a lot. Makes it a PITA to assemble or disassemble but it helps.

I like that idea, will have to give that a try. 

I always put a block of wood under legs to prevent the stands from shifting through the year

[crappyice]

13 hours ago, phade said:

Basic square tube stands do that often but we use electrical tape at the male ends and while it’s not 100% it does reduce it a lot. Makes it a PITA to assemble or disassemble but it helps.

@Jeremy K loves hockey tape for his stands. I think he had a video of an outfitter that demanded silence of stands

[Jeremy K]

56 minutes ago, crappyice said:

@Jeremy K loves hockey tape for his stands. I think he had a video of an outfitter that demanded silence of stands

I'd love to remember what video that was . That guy was a nut.

[phade]

Wasn’t that some Canadian outfitter? I feel like I remember that it was some video sponsored by Yeti or Sitka or something.