Briand60I went all in before last season. full on Tethrd setup. Trophyline knee pads plus a heater seat. My knees were a train wreck in short order. It’s because of age and bursitis. Not much is going to change that so I sold everything and went with a LWCG 1.0 lock on stand. I do take anti-inflammatory supplements but can’t reverse aging. It bums me out as I loved the saddle setup. I which I could be in a saddle but don’t see how that’s going to happen. I hunt in heavily pressured NJ where all the deer seem to look up so I don’t see how to conceal a JX3 In a skinny tree. I can’t deal with aiders of any kind so I’m limited to about 16’ with sticks or WE steps on public So concerned about the JX3 sticking out The JX3 seems like a great way to go but I like getting into a crook of a tree as much as possible. I did love being in a tree with my phantom facing the tree. Seemed like such a perfect setup.
I hunt in NJ (Hunterdon Cty) and I am quite successful.
The JX3 is better than the hang-on's because you have the tree between yourself and the deer, initially, not to mention the comfort.
I setup higher, usually no lower than 22' so that helps.
I still swear by ASAT camo as just this past Sunday I had deer looking right at me with no concern.
My knees are also a problem for me, so the JX3 is very helpful in that respect.
Most of the trees I hunt in are at least 14" dia and up to 24" dia. and I try to position myself so the deer approach me with the tree between us.
If you can, give the JX3 a try, I think you will be surprised at it's effectiveness, occasionally they pop up on the classifieds.