Any recommendations? Never hunted in one, much less bought one, but i want to start this year. thanks for the input

Don't care what they send with it to hold it to the tree, add an extra ratchet strap to keep it from moving. It also works as a second safety incase the one they supply breaks.
Be sure and loosen it up after hunting season to allow for tree growth, it is amazing how much a tree grows in a good wet year.

X2

Take it down after season and the straps will last a long time.
The only hang on I can recommend is the one I bought a few years back. It's a aluminum stand. Easy to hang and very comfortable. I have sat in this stand from daylight to dark a number of times. I have shot 2 wall hangers from this stand, so it makes zero noise. They quit making them, but contacted them last fall, because I would love to have a second one. They told me to look at 2017 line up.
The stand is made by Rivers Edge!!!
Look them up!!

Lots of them out there that will get the job done, but please ALWAYS wear your safety harness and know how it works. Please. Hauled my brother out of the ETx woods with broken back several years ago from falling out of one. Safety first! Good luck!

hunted on them for years, 2 ratchet straps, place your stick ladder taller than stand so you climb higher than stand and step down/even on to your foot platform (not stepping/climbing upwards). Invest in a good safety harness and use it EVERY TIME no matter height. I've been lucky in my younger days of a couple falls. experience wiser now and it was first thing in my gear I have laid out in prep for an upcoming bear hunt.

Anybody using the Tree Stand buddy system for multiple set ups and using 1 lock on?