Summit Viper SD Review | Tree Climber

Great choice for deer hunters looking for a high quality tree stand.

Review Summary

Product Name:

Summit 81120 Viper SD Climbing Treestand

Product Type:

Tree Climber

Summary:

This review provides an in depth look at the quality and performance of the Summit Viper SD Tree Climber

Rating:

Check Price at Amazon

Treestands come in many designs, sizes, materials, colors and models. It is no doubt a very important decision as you will be spending hours on end perched within the structure of your stand. It is imperative that you choose a stand that can meet your needs.

The 81120 Viper SD Climbing Treestand from Summit Treestands is considered to be one of the most popular climbing treestands from one of the most popular. For almost two decades now, the 81120 Viper has been a favorite among hunters of all caliber, hailing from countries across the globe.

This versatile stand is lightweight and uniquely engineered with the hunter in mind, and it shows with consistent nine- and ten-star reviews from reputable sites and clients. So what makes Summit’s 81120 Viper SD such a great buy? Let’s take a look.

Summit Viper SD Aluminum Frame

The 81120 Viper SD boasts a frame that is constructed from extruded aluminum. Extruded aluminum is the ideal construction material for such a stand as this due to its strength and longevity.

At a fraction of the density of steel, the aluminum of this stand can maintain its rigidity against the bulk of both hunter and gear.

As compared to the plastics of some cheaper stands, the aluminum stands for longer and under harsher conditions. The Summitlokt structural enhancements provide maximum strength and rigidity by utilizing precision welds. Every joint of the frame is locked in place prior to being welded permanently.

This minimizes the stress on the joints, prolonging the longevity of the weakest points of the frame all while encouraging even more silence. Density is a direct determinant to weight, making this lightweight aluminum an ideal choice here, as you know, because this stand will often be carried by hand or backpacked into and out of the wilderness.

Additionally, aluminum does not readily rust, so adverse weather conditions will not contribute to further wear and tear on the 81120 Viper.

Summit Viper SD Climber Design

The closed-front style of this stand acts to not only stabilize the stand, but also to secure you while sitting in the stand. Many users have also praised the closed-front style for its effectiveness as a rifle mount and for stabilizing themselves in other ways.

This stand features a suspended-foam padded seat with a backrest for total support and comfort no matter how long it remains in use. Weighing in at a measly 20 pounds, the 81120 Viper can hold up to 15 times its own weight, the green utility straps acting as the seat suspension are rated to 300 pounds.

The backrest, seat cover and frame covers are designed to disappear, utilizing the blending capability of Mossy Oak Break-Up Infinity camo.

Summit 81120 Performance

Summit has clearly spent a lot of time dissecting what hunters need and want in a treestand.

The 81120 Viper SD is easy to set-up and simple to break-down. Issues often arising from complex parts systems or cheaply made mechanisms have been eliminated leaving you with a quality product that is straightforward and effective.

Lightweight materials and attention to details often missed by inferior treestands enable the 81120 Viper to embellish your strengths as a hunter instead of hindering you.

Summit Viper SD Features

One of the most exciting and helpful features of the 81120 Viper SD treestand is its Full-Body Fall Arrest Harness System, designed to be non-restrictive, comfortable and completely reliable. Nobody intends to fall, but accidents happen. Summit has taken every precaution to help you avoid any such accidents.

The DeadMetal Sound-Deadening (SD) technology promises silence when you need it most. By filling the platform with a specialty-expanding foam, Summit has effectively muted your movements while suspended in the 81120 Viper SD. Both the frame itself and the seat manage to move with you in a sense, preventing any unnecessary noises.

Summit has also included a state-of-the-art QuickDraw® Cable retention system, indeed exclusive to Summit, that guarantees the necessary ease and strength required from an attachment system. No longer will you need to dally with any pins or bolts, wasting time, energy and concentration when you should already be sighting.

Simply adjust the cable to the diameter of the tree you intend to use, insert the cable into the suspension arm bracket and pull the trigger. Voila! The cable is locked tightly in place until you are ready to release it.

Summit Viper SD Pros and Cons

The first thing you’ll notice about the 81120 Viper is that it is a complete package. This is awesome as you will not need to purchase any extra or accessory parts. The day you get it you are ready to use it.

While the stand is rather straightforward, Summit includes written instructions as well as a DVD of functions, taking all the guess-work out of using the 81120 Viper and helping build confidence in first-time climbing stand users.

The seat height can be adjusted to better your view through branches if need be. This is also a highly-functional feature for hunters who use both bow and rifle periodically.

Summit utilizes RapidClimb Climbing Stirrups to keep your feet firmly attached to the platform. Easily adjustable and ergonomically engineered, these stirrups can easily adjust to any shoe and foot size while maintaining comfort

It is clear by the attention to detail that Summit designed and crafted this treestand for hunters. Strong attempts at silence, comfort, longevity and stealth are incorporated into every aspect of the 81120 Viper SD and it shows when you use it, or rather it doesn’t show.

Summit Viper SD Final Thoughts

Overall, this is a very impressive treestand. Really the only issues that can be raised with it occur during transportation. While the seat of this stand is quite comfortable, even over longer periods of time, it does tend to be a nuisance whenever transporting the stand. Though the seat does detach and reattach fairly quickly, it is still something we wish we didn’t have to deal with altogether.

The straps designed for the actual transport of the stand tend to be rather frustrating as well. They have a tendency to slide back and forth while you are walking, causing the weight of the stand to throw you off-balance. This seems to become particularly difficult if you are navigating through brush and branches.

There are many choices when it comes to treestands, but you can rest assured that by making the choice to purchase an 81120 Viper SD Climbing Treestand from Summit Treestands will leave you with nothing but great stories and great racks. Summit has successfully combined, innovative technology with lightweight portability to maximize the effectiveness of this stand, and we are sure you will agree.

Get The Summit Viper SD Climbing Tree Stand Today

A high quality tree stand for big game hunters.

Check Price on Amazon

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.