Bolts or screw in steps are great for presets, but climbing sticks/tree ladders are arguably much easier to setup. Cost-wise screw ins/bolts are probably marginally cheaper than the cheapest climbing sticks, but far more effort to install. With bolts and screw ins you're really not limited by the type of tree you can climb with them, but with climbing sticks/tree ladders you will be. With screw ins/bolts some people like to remove the bottom 3-4 steps to prevent others from climbing their trees, but if there's not a stand in them they're not likely to hunt them anyway. You also have to take care to pilot the holes generously enough so that they don't close up narrower than the step diameter before season starts.
You should decide if you want to try and use your screw ins/bolts as a platform or haul your predator in for each hunt. Screw ins/bolts are generally the least comfortable platform option simply because of their narrow profile. The last few times I hunted presets I brought my predator in with me and was much happier I did. You might be OK with standing on bolts / screw ins - be sure to try it around the yard first to see if you like it.
With screw ins I am generally able to use about 10 steps to get to at 20-25ft depending on the tree and 2-3 more for the platform if that is what I am using for the platform.
When you goto prep your trees I would bring the following gear and plan on 30min-1hr per tree depending on how much work needs to be done:
- saddle with linemans belt (it really is the best piece of tree prepping gear out there)
- 12ft extendable pole saw
- small folding hand saw
- small set of pruners
- compact cordless drill with 1/2" or 5/8" drill bit and a fresh battery OR one of those tree step sledge things. There is also a woodpecker drill that is popular with bolt users, but i've never used it.
- rubber mallet
- heavy duty gloves
- heavy fanny pack or backpack to store most items
- large 64oz nalegene water bottle
- 30ft+ of bow pull cord
- small accessory hooks
It may seem like a lot but this will allow you to completely prep your tree and not have to come back until the season starts.
Start by identifying the tree you want to hunt out of. Taking your cordless drill pilot a hole 1-2" deep so you can get the step inserted but not so deep that you don't leave anything for the threads to bite into. Install your first step however high from ground level as you need to match the height of legs as you climb, generally about foot to knee, though if you're a little more flexible you might be able to get away with them spaced more generously.
Continue installing until you've gotten to the height you want to hunt at. If you are installing screw ins/bolts for a ring of steps then proceed to pilot holes around a tree 6-10" above the last step you installed. Take some care that they are somewhat on the same 'plane' because if one foot is higher than the other it can cause some discomfort.
Don't forget about the rubber mallet you brought too if you need to turn your screw ins a few extra turns but lack the elbow grease to do so.
Once you've got your ring of steps/platform installed you can step up and figure out where you want your accessory hooks to go. Install those based on your preference, but one on each side of the tree will give you a place to hang your weapon and your pack. I like to hang my pack a little lower so I can reach into it without having to stretch up, and similarly with my weapon hook I want to only have to extend my arm outward slightly to grab my weapon.
Next mentally flag any trees/limbs you will need to remove for shooting lanes. If you remembered to bring your hand saw and pruners you can trim up your tree while you're still up there as well, or on the way down. On the ground use the pole saw to continue trimming up shooting lanes.
Now since you probably worked your tail off already sit down and have a slurp or two of H20. Hopefully you remembered gloves and your hands aren't raw and you want to go and prep another one right after this one, right?
Good luck! Prepped trees are the best once you have them set.