I have maybe 7- 10 stands set up each year and use a climber on some occasions. I use a rangefinder to check distance initially.....to that big oak, to the blow down , to the trail. All reference points around me.I do this when it gets light enough the first couple times in a given stand.
I hunt ALL woods stands.
This way I know the 30yrd and in points.
I have never used it on an approaching deer within those points.

First, I don't want to make any extra movement.
Second, I have enough to think about and don't need to be worrying about banging the rangefinder off the stand or something.

I like the verification aspect of a rangefinder. Things look different from every stand. I might be on a hillside or a flat or a different height.