RE: 1st stand, buy it or no way.
I have a similar stand made by Hunters View and I love it, its a little on the heavy side and paid about the same price. Its a satnd you can sit in all day long. on a scale to 1-10, 10 being the highest heres howI voted mine:
Hunters View Climbing Hawk.
Weight:5
Comfort:10
Ease of use:9
Cost:10
Stealth:8
Portability:8
The stand you are looking at is IDENTICAL to the hunters View Climbing Hawk 4000. Aluminum is much lighter but steel is more stable and heavier. Personally Id go with Hunters View.