There are things that I think, and there are things that I know.
Things I know...
I know that bolts beat the crap out of screw-in steps.
I absolutely know that screw-in Ameristeps are the worst (insert profanity here) things made. They hands-down suck.
Cranford EZ Climb are pretty nice. I have a bunch of them, but I like bolts better.
Even Cranfords aren't always easy to start, or screw, or break free on some trees. And sometimes they are so tight to break free, that I have to change my body angle to get enough leverage. I hate that loud "snap" they make on some trees when breaking the free to unscrew.
I have had, and heard of, the pin breaking on Cranford steps. I was at ground level when mine broke. They aren't as bomb-proof as grade 8 bolts.
And sometimes Cranford lags actually need to be pried out of the body when folded. Kinda sucks to be half way up the tree and need to use the lag from one step to pry free the other lag so I can screw it in.
Pointy lags on Cranford, if not totally closed (and I have ones that won't totally close), will end up jabbing holes through packs and pockets.
Cranford stow okay but not nearly as small and quiet as bolts.
Cranford ain't cheap$$$
Bolts are cheap.
Bolts take slightly longer to install the 1st time but then are lightning fast to remove or replace afterward.
Yeah it takes a little more time to drill holes, but it also takes less effort. Some trees are damn tough to screw steps into. Hard trees drill easily.
Bolts pack so nicely. They take up a fraction of the pack space that steps take.
The best coating for grade 8 bolts is high quality heat shrink tube. the good stuff is more durable than rubber dip and is fast and neat to use. No need to dip, drip and wait to dry. Just cut the shrink tube to the right length, slip it on the bolt and heat it...done and ready to use in less than a minute.
I'll still keep my Cranford for certain applications (like soft trees) but I know bolts are now my go-to step method. I love them!