How do you climb through those branches to get to the seat?I put up a Primal Double Vantage Deluxe this weekend. So far I'm pretty happy with it. It's sturdy and steady, feels real solid. The tree I put it on is actually "too big" for the design, so the grabber arms didn't really do what they're designed to do (wrap around the tree), but it still held it steady enough that I felt perfectly safe climbing up to put on the hold down straps.
Nit pick... I wish the platform were a little deeper front to back, though I know that would make for a really big monster of a stand. I didn't think the mesh of the platform was all the thick, but it feels solid, no give when standing on it. I don't know how comfortable the seat will be, but that's probably just a me thing. I'm big and tall. 6'4", at least was once upon a time, so all tree stand seats are too low for me (butt's lower than optimal for comfort and ease of standing up). We'll see. Assembly was good, instructions are okay. Any issues I had were caused by me. Aint light. I used a block and tackle hoist that I use to hanging deer to put it up. I lifted it up and walked it to the tree while my 91 year old father pulled on the rope. We were both shocked how easy it went up. I think if I had to, I probably could have done it myself with that setup. But moving it while it was in the box, forget it. I could only drag it a few feet at a time. I had to break open the box in the driveway and bring it inside in pieces.
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Interesting that this got bumped back up, right after finding and re-reading a little review I gave elsewhere.I put up a Primal Double Vantage Deluxe this weekend. So far I'm pretty happy with it....
I sleep like a baby in mine......I've got three of these Big Game 1.5 ladderstands. I've used them for three or four years now. They are comfortable and have lots of room but I cannot get them completely quiet. The later in the year and the colder it gets the more noise they make. They squeak or pop whenever I get up from the seat. It cost me a nice buck two years ago. I've taped the joints where the ladders come together. I wonder if part of the problem is the bars that go against the tree squeak? A few people have mentioned owning these in this thread, what have you done to quiet them? I need to buy two more stands but I'm reluctant to buy these again and hate to spend more than $200 per stand.
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I think I have somewhere around six of these. By far the best value for a ladder stand that is out there.I've got three of these Big Game 1.5 ladderstands. I've used them for three or four years now. They are comfortable and have lots of room but I cannot get them completely quiet. The later in the year and the colder it gets the more noise they make. They squeak or pop whenever I get up from the seat. It cost me a nice buck two years ago. I've taped the joints where the ladders come together. I wonder if part of the problem is the bars that go against the tree squeak? A few people have mentioned owning these in this thread, what have you done to quiet them? I need to buy two more stands but I'm reluctant to buy these again and hate to spend more than $200 per stand.
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These are really comfortable stands...but they are noisy - out of the box. So, I added nylon washers at any point where metal touches metal. You can get those washers at Menards. Also, upgraded to a thicker and larger bolt (thinking 5/16) so I can really wrench them, and to have room for the extra washers. That took care of most of the noises, except that horrible base. Since they only welded every other strand of the expanded metal, that is where much of the noise comes from. So, I spot welded every strand. Then, I welded all the metal base pieces together (and left them bolted). Front base section to the back base section, and the back base section to the upright piece. They are quiet now but takes some effort. I wondered if you could use some JB Weld where the expended metal meet the base, but haven't tried it.I've got three of these Big Game 1.5 ladderstands. I've used them for three or four years now. They are comfortable and have lots of room but I cannot get them completely quiet. The later in the year and the colder it gets the more noise they make. They squeak or pop whenever I get up from the seat. It cost me a nice buck two years ago. I've taped the joints where the ladders come together. I wonder if part of the problem is the bars that go against the tree squeak? A few people have mentioned owning these in this thread, what have you done to quiet them? I need to buy two more stands but I'm reluctant to buy these again and hate to spend more than $200 per stand.
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Thanks, that's probably a good idea. I was looking at the directions for the stand and it does include nylon washers but not for all the metal on metal points. I hate the idea of taking down my existing stands and placing nylon washers where needed but I'll try and get it done before the start of the season.I think most of the squeaking happens either in the ladder or the platform. I haven't seen or heard very much yet, but I've considered ordering a nylon washer tackle box from Amazon to make sure that every metal on metal point has some nylon.
Ok, thanks for posting this. I only wish I could weld! I might try the JB Weld.That took care of most of the noises, except that horrible base. Since they only welded every other strand of the expanded metal, that is where much of the noise comes from. So, I spot welded every strand.