hey, i went out yesterday and tried mine out just for the heck of it. in the manual it shows stacking them up and then straping them to your stant. this really worked well w/ no rattles at all mine came w/ on stick that had a velcro strap to strap the sticks together really works. then i strapped them to the stand w the strap w/ the hook and there were know rattles at all. it took no longer than 5 min. to put the 3 sticks up and the treestand and about the same to take down and put back together. That being my 1st time i'm sure i can cut that down. probably just as quick as most climbers w/ the advantage of sitting in more trees (crooked, limbs, ect.). i probably got 13-15 feet i guess as far as height. This is an incedible stand!!