My first saddle experience was the complete Hawk kit. I bought it because it was available and my choice was backordered like 6 mos at that time. The ropes are garbage that come with the kit and I'm truly surprised someone hasn't been hurt and sued at this point. The saddle itself was functional but not very comfortable and no adjustments.
I'm 230# as well and didn't have any problems with the platform failing, I just had a problem getting it to bite and cam over. The teeth on it concave the wrong direction. I learned to stay put because you could not put a smidgeon of side pressure on it or it was kicking out. I replaced the teeth with a LW teeth and it still wouldn't take side pressure. Also, it did make a noise when I was really trying to cam it over tight. It didn't fail but did not give me the warm and fuzzies.
I'm 230# as well and didn't have any problems with the platform failing, I just had a problem getting it to bite and cam over. The teeth on it concave the wrong direction. I learned to stay put because you could not put a smidgeon of side pressure on it or it was kicking out. I replaced the teeth with a LW teeth and it still wouldn't take side pressure. Also, it did make a noise when I was really trying to cam it over tight. It didn't fail but did not give me the warm and fuzzies.