I would start using them. No knaider/swaider. No aiders just the steps. By the time you can tie the knot with the right amount of tension for a proper cam over 90 percent of the time on the first try they will be plenty stretched. Then you can start adding extra stuff like aiders if you choose to use them. They are pretty safe even if not perfect until you add all the extra stuff to them.
Yes, you need to stretch the ropes. Best to put them all on a tree and let them on for about 24 hours. It helped a lot with mine.
I tried out the perch on some non stretched ropes (we didnt know at the time) and that thing wiggled the step loose in a matter of one minute. But once we used the steps that had been stretched it was way more solid
i dont own the perch i just used it for a short while testing it. so i dont have extensive use. I used on an oak and a pine tree. Obviously the pine tree was a little more loose. I do believe that if you move around a bunch while you are hunting it will wiggle loose. essentially what you are doing is using the leverae to dig the standoffs and the V-bracket deeper into the tree which loosens the step. not necessarily that the ropes are stretching. Obviously the more you weigh the faster it will happen
