I've got both upppers, now. Jury's still out on the hand climber upper. I DON'T like the fact that I have to constantly adjust the belts on the upper to accomodate tree size.
I personally don't use the sit and climb method and use it as a hand climber.
Neither DID I. But, the guys at LW (I called them on an unrelated matter) suggest NOT doing this. He told me it would rack the upper and make it unusable. So....do so at your own risk.
I'll tell ya....I don't hear too many guys who've owned these stands complaining. It's like driving a Porsche with a heavy accelerator and "complaining" about that....when your other choice is driving a Yugo.
Been up in mine over 150X in 2 seasons. If there was a better stand available to me, I'd definitely own it. It doesn't exist.