This tree stand is very durable and fits perfectly on the back of my ATV (though I installed an extended carry rack so that I could carry more supplies). Stand is easy to use. I made five modifications: (1) I bought a separate pair of ratchet straps (about $10) for torqueing down the cables once in position. The straps that came with it were not that great. (2) Trying to get the cable and pins to lineup (for trees of various diameters) in the dark was a challenge. So I made small V-cuts in the black plastic cable covers and painted with white fingernail polish as reference so that I could easily and quickly find the sweet spot for inserting the pins. (3) The nuts for securing in the open unfolded position are easy to lose – which is a problem if you’re 15” feet up in a tree. So I bought a couple of wingnuts, drilled a hole through one wing on each nut and secured to the stand with a small braided wire (crimped) and connected to a fishing swivel. This allows me to spin the wingnut quickly and easily without worry of dropping it. (4) I bought a set of padded wide shoulder straps for carrying the stand. The straps that come with it are thin and cut into the shoulders from the weight of the stand. (5) The climbing straps for the feet are flimsy and are not easy to secure to the feet and keep good tension. So I went to the thrift store and bought a couple of heavy duty solid leather belts with strong buckles, cut to proper length, drilled holes in the leather, and secured with existing bolts from the old straps (added wider washer to give better hold and distribute tension). One of the belts I bought eventually broke so I replaced with even thicker leather from an old weight-lifting belt which holds its form perfectly (to slip boots into position) and has no chance of ever breaking.
After those easy modifications and low-cost improvements (less than $20 total), setup in the field is simple and quick. The only downside of this tree stand is its weight. But as long as you’re not hiking very far it’s ok. The body harness that came with it is sufficient. It needs a better way to secure the lifeline strap without falling out. I used a small thin zip-tie that I could easily break if I really needed it. Eventually I replaced the harness with one that was easier to put on and a little more comfortable, though the one that comes with it is not too bad. Once properly secured to the tree (with ratchet straps noted above) the stand is solid, safe, secure, quiet, and comfortable all day - sunrise to sunset. Great stand for the money. Even with these modifications it’s very affordable. It's better than many of the higher priced stands on the market. I recommend this stand.
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 35 x 24 x 5 inches |
|---|---|
| Package Weight | 36.9 Pounds |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 35 x 24 x 5 inches |
| Item Weight | 36.9 Pounds |
| Brand Name | Guide Gear |
| Material | Metal |
| Suggested Users | unisex-adult |
| Manufacturer | Guide Gear |
| Part Number | TS115 |
| Style | Modern |
| Target Species | Deer |
