RE: Climbers vs. Hang-ons
I would choose a light weight hang-on and a set of screw in steps or climbing sticks. A hang on can be just as portable as a climber with some backpack straps and portable stics. It will also go up a lot more trees.
Buy the stand and mark your ranges on trees surounding the areas you want to hunt. Pace the distances or borrow a friends range finder to help.