API crusader climber tree stand

Hello,
I'm new to the site and new to bow hunting. Season just opened in CT, not thrilled about hunting from the ground, so I decided to get a stand. Had my eye on the summit viper, but my local cabelas was sold out. Decided to go with the crusader from API. Bear in mind it's my first tree stand... But so far it seems like a good pick up. First with the cons. The adjustment of the chain which raps around the tree is done with a pin mechanism. Not as convenient as the summit trigger system. The pins are attached to the stand (to prevent dropping the pins when they are removed)with a cheap plastic tie that breaks easily. Some zip ties are an easy fix for that. The foot platform isn't the biggest I have seen. Other than that, the stand seems to be comparable to the viper...and at 70 bucks less. It's comfortable and sturdy.

If anyone has any experience with these stands, I would appreciate some feedback. Couldn't find many reviews online today while I was at cabelas... And I was initially a bit hesitant to buy the stand. Decided to go with it as opposed to driving home without a stand at all.

Cheers

Welcome to the forum, glad you joined us. I don't know anything about the stand, but found this info for ya.

http://reviews.basspro.com/2010/12031305005517/api-outdoors-api-outdoors-alumi-tech-crusader-climbing-treestand-reviews/reviews.htm

http://www.cabelas.com/climbing-treestands-api-outdoors-crusader-climbing-treestand-1.shtml

For a climbin stand i like an ol man

Thanks Dave, I appreciate the links. I would agree with the reviews there. Hoping to harvest my first deer out of it this season.

Well, I'm taking the stand back. The v shaped brace that connecs the chain with the rest of the seat portion of the stand flexes quite a bit. So much so that it was not grabbing the tree very well...which of course I noticed about 20 feet in the air. Only climbed 3 trees with it, cant imagine what it will look like after a season or two.

I have read reviews that tell similar stories / experiences. I think it may be a structural flaw in the design of the stand, and I would not recommend that you buy one. Ordering a summit viper now, which is what I probably should have done in the first place.

Bourbon to quiet the nerves after the brief scare of being stuck in a tree...or worse

Sorry to hear about the stand failure. Going with a Summit is a good move. They are very well built stands. One more thing since you said you were new to stands, never leave the ground without your safety harness. Also tie in while climbing not just while hunting.

Thanks for the advice. I'm attached to the tree from the minute I climb in the stand until I climb out.

As Cbigbear said, you won't regret the Viper purchase. I've had mine for 6 years now and aside from the paint chipping off here and there and having to replace the shrink wrap on the cables every 2 years or so it's been trouble free.

Hey bro I used a Summit Viper for an entire season before I switched over to the Guido's Web. I absolutely loved my viper. Sorry you found out the hard way but I sat in several before I got my viper. Nothing compares. Not gorilla,API,Lone wolf and a few others. The only problem I had was trying to stay awake. In fact I am going to buy other just to have another option in case. I'm looking at the Viper Elite or the Specialized. it's liter than the viper SD.