A-ghost, I did a lot of apples to apples when I decided to go with a ladder stand myself. Definately a lot of mfgs out there with pricing $69(very wobbly) to a few hundred dollars. My first tree stand was and is a Summit Single Shot "Magnum" which is advertised as a "man and a half" stand. I am 5' 11" 235 and this stand is the sturdiest one I could find. Nice and roomy, I like it well enough that I purchased another Summit "Magnum" and their "Summit Double Barrel" two man stand. I don't believe any other mfg builds a ladder stand as stout as Summit.

I purchased a "The Chameleon Blind" by Cooper Hunting that is waterproof and it totally encloses my stand. Of course all of this is my opinion and I have to stick to my guns and arrows. www.cooperhunting.com