Used them, don't like steps of any kind really, but I feel safer on the bolts. Use Grade 8, this is very important, as they are the strongest you can get. Pre-drill your holes in the tree with a bit that is one size bigger than your bolts, put them in at an angle, slide your botls in, climb away. By pre-drilling, moving stands is simple, just ake the bolts out. With any amount of pressure on the step, they aren't going anywhere.