How complicated was it, really? Climbing and setting up?
What brand do you have?
I have the Tethrd Phantom XL. Easier than a lock on stand for sure, sameish level of exertion as a climber, but way smaller and less bulky.
Climbing sticks are the same as if you are using a lock on, so that is pretty simple...attach first one at ground level, climb up, attach the second and so forth. The platform attaches to the tree sort of like a miniature lock on. What I really like about the saddle are that you never detach from the tree even for a second...you use your lineman's belt until the tether is in place, leave both connected while you test the tether, then you detach the lineman. I really like putting the tree between me and the deer, just extra camo. Very easy to maneuver maybe 320 degrees...to get right behind you is trickier but doable. I find leaning more comfortable for long periods of time.
One thing to note: Not really ideal for a traditional crossbow because you'd have lean fairly wide out of the tree to make sure the bow limbs don't smack the tree...that's why I bought the vertical. Ravin makes a vertical now too, if you've got the bucks. If you shoot a comound bow, your are golden. Another nice thing is that the bridge- which is the piece of rope that crosses in front of your body and attaches to the tree tether is always under tension and makes a stable rest for shooting...I've also seen videos of guys using a bow holder to hold their rifles with a strap and then using the same bow holder to steady the barrel..so some good options.
They are not cheap, that is for sure, saddle, sticks, platform, necessary accessories and a pack that can accomodate it all is probably close to $1000 all said and done for a nice setup. But, most of the time I have to hunt public or semi-public land, so I need a system that I can take in and out with me every day and rather simply. This seems to fit the bill for me so far...Now I just need to learn to scout a whole lot more effectively than I do.