My favorite stand is at about 18-20'...but deer can come from any direction and the wind has a habit of swirling in the bottoms I hunt.

My pine tree set-up is only about 8-10' but its almost impossible to see into the fields any higher...you have to play the wind just right on that one. The pines are set 25 yards in from the fields with 3 shooting lanes out.

My early season stand is at 30' in the only halfway sizable tree in a great clearing...taken a dozen good deer from that stand alone over the years. I agree the angle is steep and you got to wait for 30+ yard shots to lace both bagpipes at that height....plus it keeps other hunters out of it...lol

All of the others I have around I do believe are at anywhere from 15-18'...all ladder stands that are easy to get into for morning sits and out of for " spot and stalk days ".

I guess it all comes down to what the wind does...hence the multiple stands at different heights, what the terrain is like and where you feel comfortable. If you're scared to death of falling or the height bothers you, you ain't going to have fun and then whats the point. Just my .02