I just got the Python xls yesterday I think its going to be a great stand. Chief I can understand your confusion with the shoulder straps, I took me awhile to figure that one out. With the seatback folded the straps come from behind seatand protrude outward when they get closer to the shoulder area. When I place the stand on my back the seat cushion rests on my lower back area. Kind of hard to put into words but it seems to work ok like this without any discomfort. I used the green strap to tie the two sections together, and if wrap it around the bars a couple of times it stays pretty still without making any noise. I just need to figure out what to do with the small cables for the gun rest to keep them from clanking. The full body harness is nice but it would be lunchtime before I ever got that thing on. Confusing enough when its light, cant imagine getting it on in the dark.