Well I have yet to use mine since I got it for Christmas but I am excited to try it out soon. I have my platform (predator) in the exterior panel and on each side I have 2 sticks. So far walking around the house set up, it is noise free. I did mod mine for my doyles gear hoist--I burned a hole in one of the side water bottle pockets and added a grommet so it's permanently in there. Now I was going to get a waist belt for it before it arrived and now I am glad I didn't. Without a waistbelt, the pack should hold nice and low profile to the tree. Now I wouldn't hesitate to take a shot on a used one. I couldn't find a used one at the time so mines new. As luck would have it, there were some used ones going around $80.
Thank you such! I don't think I have the ability to use the classifieds on this forum yet. I'm going to surf fb and see what I can't dredge up. Man, seriously thank you for the reply. Now I gotta sweeten momma bear up somehow to pull the trigger on this pack! If I'm lucky, I'll be able to grab one used. Would you happen to have a photo of your bag kitted out? I would love to see it.