You guys should all either spot me the $280 - or better yet, message me and I'll give you my address to ship one of these to me! I would happily let you know if both ankles/knees are still straight at the end of the season.
I think this is one of the greatest potential climbing aids for saddle hunters to come along in a very long time. Every method of climbing has it's own distinct hazard(s) and we accept them all with our own climbing method but this seems pretty safe to me. The biggest 'risk' would happen if you had lots'o slack in your tether which is something that none of us should do anyhow.
This may not be the best option for everywhere people hunt, but for here in Florida having something to ascend poker-straight pines without getting sap all over the place would be the ticket. I am still trying to find a welder to make one of Mr. Price's 3.0 masterpieces. Today I found one who would make it out of 6061 aluminum (3/16 wall thickness) for $230. Price is getting better but still a LONG way off for what that stand is.
The climber on this thread looks like a winner to me. I would climb just short of my hunting height then put on a ROS with only 2 steps at 3:00 and 9:00 then inch this platform up the tree until it was perfect for the ROS height and gripe it down.