Only used stabilisers until my confidence grew, to much hasstle and time consuming, but don't let my comments put you off, use them for H&S reasons. For the past eight years I have used a wooden wedge I keep in my top pocket, Never let me down yet.
Stand-off's I use for guttering all the time, so much safer than putting your ladder onto the guttering that is easy to slip from, and saves Damage to it aswell.
