I love mine have had it for over 4 years and have had no issues with it. It is not the quietest in the woods but if you take your time it is pretty quiet. It is very comfortable and very steady once in the tree. I pack mine in on public land and it is average wieght, I am used to mine and don't find it to be that bad and I have added alot of extra weight to mine for convience features. I would recommend getting the foot rest though. I also cut my hand climbing extensions off the top section. Now it is just the arm padded area that meets the flat connection bar. I cut off the 4" protruding piece for better clearance. It grips the tree to no end, I have climbed some slick trees and some shag bark hickory's with no issues. The best thing I have found with the API to improve then is to dip the chains in Liquid rubber on the area that goes around the tree. It has made it extremely durable and I will not have to re-shrink tube the chains for years.
Hope this is of help. ~Jeff