I purchased the Lone Wolf Alpha hand climber three seasons ago. Like you, I found the climbing method to be far too gymnastic: I devised a method where I sat on the seat and dragged the platform up using the straps, but this was still a pain. This was before the strap that Lone Wolf now includes to provide a form of "sit and climb", so I don't know what that is like.

Furthermore, I found the hand climber seat to be horribly uncomfortable. I added a pad over the standard seat pad, but it was still uncomfortable.

However, I loved the light weight and compactness of the stand, so I ended up purchasing the seat portion of a "Sit n Climb" (about $140 at the time). I have been very well pleased with the stand (essentially a "Sit n Climb" model) since that time: it is still compact and light weight, but it is now easy to climb with (I do not have any issues with swinging into the tree) and sufficiently comfortable for my typical 3-4 hour hunts.

Most of my hunting is from ladder stands or, occasionally, a pop-up ground blind, so the Lone Wolf is not a major part of my hunting. However, I am glad that I have it and have no intention of searching out a different climbing stand.