This was my first archery season and this is the stand I bought. I killed my first deer from this stand with no problems. I weigh 140 lbs and had no problem hiking the climber in the woods about 3/4 of a mile. It is noisy, but with some spray insulation and some duct tape I was able to make it as quiet as a mouse. I also held it tightly togeather with 3 large undoable zip ties.Its a bargain. Go for it. Theirs nothing wrong with this stand and it climbs great for me and is very stable although I have nothing else to compare it to. It serves its purpose which is good enough for me.