After sitting in several different types of stands for the first time last year, I have to say that I prefer lock-ons with one key assumption - you can put your stands up and leave them there for months at a time. Lock-ons seem much more flexible than other types of stands to me (ladder, climber, and tower). Based on my (experienced bowhunter) brother's advice and my very, very limited experience (exactly one deer season in 15 years or so) I also prefer the Blackwater Creek Binders over the others I've sat in (strictly a satisfied customer, no other relationship with BC at all). The web seat is really comfortable and the platform size is nice (20x28 as I recall). I like the chain binding system as well (seems really easy to get 'em tight and sturdy). I have three Binders which we put up a couple weeks ago (before the GA woods get to hot and to get the animals accustomed to 'em), two North Starr Steel Stars (good values at less than $50 a pop), and two Cabelas steel EZHangs (no relationship with either of those manufacturers, either). After putting them all up, the Cabelas are certainly the easiest to hang, but they are the least comfortable and have the smallest platform of the three. The NS are relatively comfortable and have a nice sized platform, but the straps that come with them are not as sturdy as I'd like. All of the stands were hung from 24' to 32' with Big Game climbing sticks. I have pics of the stands up if anyone is interested.