I got a few cents worth to add here. My ladder stands are 12' to the platform, maybe another 3' to rail that I can and have used for a rest. My baits for bear are 17 yds from base of the tree, shot w/ range finder on the ground from bait to base of tree. I have hauled my target out there, got up on stand w/ Emax and my 20 yd xhair is dead nuts under those circumstances.I personally believe unless you are way high in the tree or target [deer, yote, ect] is a goodly difference away, [beyond 20 yds] it's alot of hoopla about very little. I'm intending to prove this theory if I can ever get a bear to cooperate, lol. My point is, check your stuff out at the proper height at various ranges in advance!!