Climbers have their benefits. Their mobility is the greatest aspect to them. The downside is you have to have a straight tree.

As far as stability and downward angle of the platform, etc... You have to set it up at the trunk so the top section and bottom/platform section are both at an angle so the ends are higher then the teeth section that bites into the tree. As you climb, and the tree gets narrower, the stand will equal out and balance out and be perfectly stable and squarely aligned to the tree.

I love my Summit Viper X4 and won't leave home without it!