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JX3 or kestrel flex?

O

Ols

New Member
Joined
Dec 14, 2019
Messages
24
I think I have got myself down to the Flex or the JX3 as my first saddle. Both are intriguing and was wondering if anyone had tried both And what their thoughts were. Is the JX3 as mobile ad the Flex? Can it be used in any tree or is it more limited? I really love the idea of the JX3 with what I ha've read and seen, and appears to be the most comfortable. But is it as versatile as the Flex? Or does the comfortability At least make up for any lack of versatility?
 
Ols said:
I think I have got myself down to the Flex or the JX3 as my first saddle. Both are intriguing and was wondering if anyone had tried both And what their thoughts were. Is the JX3 as mobile ad the Flex? Can it be used in any tree or is it more limited? I really love the idea of the JX3 with what I ha've read and seen, and appears to be the most comfortable. But is it as versatile as the Flex? Or does the comfortability At least make up for any lack of versatility?
Click to expand...

I started with the JX3 as my first saddle too. Personally I do t consider it really a saddle, which I guess they don’t either, hence the “hybrid”. Yes the JX3 is insanely comfortable. You could easily sit in it all day and then some.

Here was my problem with it. I am not a fan of heights and but was a lot for me to to get used to trying to climb with it and feel comfortable setting it up at height. So much so that I ended up selling it so I could fund a regular saddle. I ended up buying an H2 saddle and I love it. Incredibly mobile just like any other saddle of its kind would be.

One more thing that was a hurdle for me was the 2 prong “whale tail” that comes out of the front of the JX3. I would say it is necessary because it’s what you lean against the tree with, but i thought it felt awkward to try and maneuver and certainly felt weird trying to make a shot with it.

With having no experience in a saddle style set up, I felt it wasn’t the best choice for me as my first one. However with a little experience under my belt now, I would consider buying another JX3 again sometime.

Your experience may be different than mine. I’m just telling you that while I loved the concept like you do, I just couldn’t make it work for me in the beginning.

I believe they may be coming out with a newer style of the JX3 before long. Heard that it might have a smaller platform for the seat, which IMO will be a good thing. Also there might be up to 3 points of contact on the front of the seat where the whale tail is to help pivot around on the tree. I also think that would be beneficial. If you can wait, you might consider waiting to see how the new model looks.

I can tell you you won’t regret it from a comfort standpoint, but can’t tell you if you’ll like it from a shooting standpoint. It wasn’t exactly what I hoped for in that regard. Also was not as portable as I hoped for compared to a regular saddle. But maybe I just didn’t give it enough chance. Like I said I may try one again sometime.

It is a nice product. Really well built. If you get one you’ll have to tell us what you think of it.


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I owned both and sold the Kestrel Flex and kept the JX3. Its really apples and oranges. They are very different. You should buy both, play around in the offseason, and sell the one you dont want. You won't take too much of a hit on selling.

The JX3 is going to be a weight penalty. Maybe 5-6lbs? You wont want a platform with the JX3, just a ros. So factor that in.

Comfort is insane. I don't use a pack with the JX3 either...just some Dan O pouches attached to molle connectors.

I have no issue shooting but I'm a gun and xbow guy.
 
I’ve owned trophy line saddles, aerohunter saddles and a JX3 Hybrid. I would pick the JX3 everyday of the week and twice on Sunday. It weighs a little more but the comfort and flexibility are unmatched.


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Ols said:
I think I have got myself down to the Flex or the JX3 as my first saddle. Both are intriguing and was wondering if anyone had tried both And what their thoughts were. Is the JX3 as mobile ad the Flex? Can it be used in any tree or is it more limited? I really love the idea of the JX3 with what I ha've read and seen, and appears to be the most comfortable. But is it as versatile as the Flex? Or does the comfortability At least make up for any lack of versatility?
Click to expand...

Anyone who tells you you can hunt in any tree with a saddle is lying. Yes, you can hang you in a saddle in any tree. But it might not be comfortable and you may not be able to take any shot that you couldn’t with a hang on.

Any tree you can hunt with any othersaddle you can hunt with the Jx3.

Now, what do you mean by versatile? It’s hard to answer whether or not one is more versatile than the other, when we don’t know what you’re measuring by.

If you mean that the saddle is useful in more situations that just 20’ up in a tree, yes the hybrid is more versatile - as it can be used as a ground chair. And a frame pack. And a canoe seat. And eventually a blind chair.

Best advice that was given was to try both, and sell the one you don’t want.
 
Well I guess it depends...... it’s not a traditional saddle so you’ll be giving that experience up as your first setup. I have zero complaints about the Jx3 the only drawback is it’s bulk. I think it should be a tool in everyone’s kit! I think you should own a traditional saddle especially to start ( now here’s the drawback) not every saddle is meant for everyone some are downright uncomfortable. With some tweaking almost any saddle will work. So all that wasn’t to knock the Jx3 ( I love mine) but it’s mostly a sitting experience. I like to lean a bit more than sit so based on your question I would pick the flex ( but would eventually add the Jx3 to see what you’ve been missing)
 
I had a Hybrid and for me It was just not a good fit for the way that i hunt as a general rule.I didn’t like the amount of movement it took for me to shoot on my weak side and i really dont like shooting from a seated position.But it is very comfortable and i liked doing away with a pack.If i gun hunted out of a saddle or x bow hunted It would be my choice.May get another one day to gun hunt out of.You need to try both and see if it is a fit for you and your style of hunting.Presets with this thing would be great.JMO
 
kyler1945 said:
Anyone who tells you you can hunt in any tree with a saddle is lying. Yes, you can hang you in a saddle in any tree. But it might not be comfortable and you may not be able to take any shot that you couldn’t with a hang on.

Any tree you can hunt with any othersaddle you can hunt with the Jx3.

Now, what do you mean by versatile? It’s hard to answer whether or not one is more versatile than the other, when we don’t know what you’re measuring by.

If you mean that the saddle is useful in more situations that just 20’ up in a tree, yes the hybrid is more versatile - as it can be used as a ground chair. And a frame pack. And a canoe seat. And eventually a blind chair.

Best advice that was given was to try both, and sell the one you don’t want.
Click to expand...

There are plans to have a blind chair attatchment?
 
That would be great. I guess when I posted I was referring to versatility in the sense of can you take the JX3 in any tree you could take a traditional saddle. But it is good to know that all of these other options are available to. Is there any word on a possible time frame for when new improvements or new accessories may come out? If it could be this spring I may just wait for the updated stuff otherwise I would like to order sooner than later to just start practicing in the off-season
 
I’d email the website and john directly for inquiries regarding deliveries. I’m just a dude that really likes the hybrid.

I’m also probably in the minority on this site in thinking that saddles don’t get me in any more trees than a hang on stand does. It’s the same in that regard. And yes a hybrid can be used in any tree a saddle can. I also lean regularly I the hybrid, not sure where the trouble is had there.
 
I have had a kestrel aerohunter
a mantis a flex a fleece saddle a sit drag and a Jx 3

My favourite a JX 3
I have sold most of the others which are good too. But I prefer the JX3


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I know there are many guys with multiple saddles, but if I was to only buy one it would be the JX 3 no questions asked. The comfort is undisputed, and as far as versatility I think it’s unmatched. The JX 3 is my pack frame. Opening day of bow season I carried the JX 3, Lonewolf hand climber day pack loaded down with water for over five hours through very steep mountainous terrain. As far as comfort goes, while I do prefer sitting, I will stand and lean every few hours for 15 or 20 minutes. I have to scratch my head and wonder when I hear somebody say they were not comfortable leaning in the JX 3. Since you can adjust the angle of the back rest you literally have unlimited options for leaning positions as well. I will admit there is a little learning curve to figure out your tether height as well as whale tail extension length, but that is true with any new saddle. The first time I sat in one was at saddlepalooza last February. It felt a little foreign to me in the 10 minutes I initially spent in it, but once I received my own and was able to spend enough time to get it dialed in it has literally become perhaps the best piece of hunting equipment I have ever purchased.
 
I lean in mine all of the time. You don’t have to shoot sitting down. As a matter of fact when I shoot to the weak side I push off the tree to lean and draw the bow.


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If you can afford it, get both. As stated before you can sell the one that doesn't fit your style of hunting. I have the jx3 and it's an amazingly versatile multi use hunting tool. Deer hunting up at height and at ground level, turkey hunting and even duck hunting can all be done in the jx3. I've used the Flex also, and now have one on order. I found it to be very comfortable, easy to wear and use, and best of all built like a tank. I think they both have their place, and in the end they are just tools in your deer hunting tool box. I highly recommend both.
 
Flex was my favorite of the three traditional saddles I had but sold it after I hunted in the jx3 a few times. Just as easy to lean, pivot etc. and super comfortable. And keeps me warmer in cold weather because I can wear more layers. And I love not having to carry or setup a platform. Definitely try both if you can.

Sent from up in a tree
 
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