Most of my stands are at 20’ my tree stand height is normally dictated by the tree being used and the amount of cover it offers to the amount of canopy that would have to be opened up to be able to shoot any amount of distance. One of my favorite stands is in a white pine and probably only 12’ up. I do have 2 stands sitting at 24’
As far as the range finder issue, I range all my practice targets from my 17’ elevated practice platform which is the same thing I do from my hunting stands check my reference points on the ground while sitting in my hunting stand, that’s how my bow is sighted in, and with the real thing a Montec G5 broadhead, with this there is no second guessing and all pure confidence. For my setup as far as speed there is very little difference as far as impact from being elevated to standing on the ground which may compare to what most folks would see.
But you take a slower, lower poundage setup shooting a heavy arrow or a youth setup and they will be dead on at a ranged 20 yards shooting on the ground, but you set them up 15-20’ and they will more then likely shoot up to a foot high, this is why you should always take the extra step at set your sights from the height that you plan on hunting.
A few years back while down in Nelson WI. Buffalo County Country I was at a camp and had them set up a ladder stand and a buck at 20 and 30 yards right next to camp, and it was amazing watching some of the hunters struggle trying to shoot from the ladder stand most of the time you heard comments like they were all nerved up with us watching, my comment was that when a big old buck steps into range, your going to be more rattled then you are now so lets get things figured out now not later when your hanging your head with grief.
The arc system – not to hijack a great thread started
This became a spin off from Outdoor Field shooters, from NFAA and Redding Classic thru the years. When shooting Redding Ca. our yardages shot range from 4 yards to 102 yards in the mountain range area of CA. and with this you will be shooting dang near straight down and or straight up in the NFAA Outdoor Field round the ranges will be just as twisted but the yardages run from 20 feet out to 80yards.
In these games a bulls-eye can be as small as a arrow shaft close up to the size of a bottom of a gallon paint can at 102 yards, perfection in impact is the game and yardages at these distances can relate to half yards to stay on top of your class. The era of inclinometers came about and the majority of the folks that were in the freestyle and pro classes depended on these to stay in the game score wise. Some of these units were basic and some would tell exactly what had to be cut to the foot, meter or yard. Just so you know for the most part with a bow shooting 280 FPS you would only cut on the average 1 to 2.5 yards even out to 80 yards on extreme uphill or down hill shots – note extreme uphill as well as down hill you always take off yardage – you never add! from this increasing fad or trend of inclinometers came the new arc rangefinders, Sales are sales to say, a new fad or trend working it’s way into bowhunting world, this may help in the extreme angle bluff shot or out west on a long shot on an elk in the mountains.
I range my practice targets from17’ feet up and I range my area when in my hunting stand using just a simple rangefinder and my arrows fly true to the spot, or a least the intent is there.
Good Luck folks this Fall!
Definitely wear a safety harness in that one
. IMO the arc and similar range finders for archery hunting are overly marketed. I do see a good use in certain instances for rifle hunting in the Hills or Mountains, but for most Midwestern states, no need for them. 
Just ask my wife. 