RE: beginner question...
I am not crazy about hieghts either. First of the season I go up 15ft-18ft. Now towards the end after living in a climber for months, I try to find trees I can up to 25ft-30ft. Go up 12ft at first. When it starts getting comfortable, go up more. All you are gaining is visibility mostly. You can work with the enviroment to hide you.
My first treestand was a warren sweat. The ones with the blade on it, I hated this thing. It was uncomforatable, dangeraous, and squeaks. I finally got an older summit, and still use it after 8 years 90% of the time.