It's just...a little crush... - Review of the JX3 Hybrid Saddle

[kyler1945]

Anyone know if you can switch sides on the bow holder clips?

Yes, the saddle is symmetrical.

 

[BassBoysLLP]

I have one on order after trying it at saddlepalooza. It's 1-2 lbs heavier than my other guidos webs but the features added are worth it. Extremely well thought out design. Perfect for those all day rifle hunts in single digit to sub zero temps or any hunt where taking a nap is of equivalent priority as killing a deer.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[PJC]

I’ve got to get one ordered. I had to save up for a while. Every time I get a few bucks I find something else that takes up some of my JX3 budget.
Broadheads, arrows, decoys, clothes...the beat goes on...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sdonx]

The two favorite backpacks I run with are around 5 pounds. My JX3 is around 10 pounds. But Im figuring its a 5 pound net gain minus a lesser saddle, so lets say a 4 pound gain?
For an all day saddle, for days where i know where i am going. ...its a perfect solution.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ImThere]

I still ain’t buying the whole don’t need a back pack sell. Where you putting you gut kit? Water bottle? TP? Snack? Extra clothes?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BassBoysLLP]

I still ain’t buying the whole don’t need a back pack sell. Where you putting you gut kit? Water bottle? TP? Snack? Extra clothes?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You still need a backpack for anything that you can't fit in your pockets.

I self film. My filming gear doesn't fit in my pockets. So I will have a small lightweight pack regardless with this option.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[skyjacker]

I still ain’t buying the whole don’t need a back pack sell. Where you putting you gut kit? Water bottle? TP? Snack? Extra clothes?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What about some type of chest pack or dare I say, fanny pack.

 

[ImThere]

What about some type of chest pack or dare I say, fanny pack.

I use a fanny pack all season.

I get it. I just keep seeing people say you don’t need a backpack or it doubles as a back pack and that’s not 100% accurate.

Don’t get me wrong. I spent some time with John and think the JX3 is awesome. It’s well laid out. And puts a lot x’s in a lot of boxes.

 

[ImThere]

I was really thinking along the lines of something modular on Molle on the back. It would be nice you could put a few different pockets and just leave the tp and the gut kit in there.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TNSTAAFL]

I use a fanny pack all season.

I get it. I just keep seeing people say you don’t need a backpack or it doubles as a back pack and that’s not 100% accurate.

Don’t get me wrong. I spent some time with John and think the JX3 is awesome. It’s well laid out. And puts a lot x’s in a lot of boxes.

I hear you. There are unavoidable weight tradeoffs. It is not a minimalist approach. Whatever strategies one takes to mitigate the weight penalty through cutting weight elsewhere (climbing method, smaller or lack of backpack) could also be done with a regular saddle. So that makes an unfair comparison.

All boiled down it is about some degree of personal comfort gain against some degree of weight & bulk gain.

I still haven't got out in a tree with it yet but I imagine it (and justify the expense) this way: It is basically the comfort level of my Millennium M100U while saving 5 lbs ish of carry weight. That is worth it to me.

It may not be worth it to others for a variety of reasons, such as available funds, comfort in more minimal saddles, hiking distances and weight/bulk tolerances. Still others might use this for all hunting applications, again, based on a variety of personal factors.

@kyler1945 has some great videos about how to use it without a backpack. He also makes a great point about the benefits/tradeoffs of packing out a deer, something I have never done and don't think I intend to do, but may be applicable to others who are doing full weight comparisons.

 

[BassBoysLLP]

I carry my binos, head lamp, milkweed and other small essential in an AGC chest pack with the max pocket. I just need a small pack for my cameras, arm, base, fluid head, extra batteries, etc.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[kyler1945]

I use a fanny pack all season.

I get it. I just keep seeing people say you don’t need a backpack or it doubles as a back pack and that’s not 100% accurate.

Don’t get me wrong. I spent some time with John and think the JX3 is awesome. It’s well laid out. And puts a lot x’s in a lot of boxes.

What all do you carry on a typical hunt? List everything you bring with you.

 

[ImThere]

What all do you carry on a typical hunt? List everything you bring with you.

Early season: I carry my binos, head lamp, back up flash light, milkweed, rattle horns, gut kit (gloves, knife, wipes), first aid, thermacell, toilet paper, snack and drinks, cameras, arm, base, fluid head, extra batteries, sticks, bow and arrows, sometime scents. Would be my basic all day sit. I feel like I’m forgetting something.

Late season: leave out the thermacell add a layer or two, hot hands, Boot blankets, Gloves,

Short 3 hr sit. A drink and TP



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[kyler1945]

Early season: I carry my binos, head lamp, back up flash light, milkweed, rattle horns, gut kit (gloves, knife, wipes), first aid, thermacell, toilet paper, snack and drinks, cameras, arm, base, fluid head, extra batteries, sticks, bow and arrows, sometime scents. Would be my basic all day sit. I feel like I’m forgetting something.

Late season: leave out the thermacell add a layer or two, hot hands, Boot blankets, Gloves,

Short 3 hr sit. A drink and TP



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The only things I see extra for you here are rattling horns, first aid kit, and binos. Binos i'd imagine you could wear around your neck or a chest rig. First aid kit can be fixed permanently to the strap under the seat - you can never forget it that way too. Rattling horns i suspect you could just strap on back of the seat inside the leg straps while walking, and pull up with your bow. Everything else you listed I have a couple videos showing how i carry. The only thing I had in my pocket was my release and keys. Lots of that stuff can be put into cargo pockets, or a cheap small fanny.

On the filming side - the lightest thing I found to tote base and arm/head was the bag my kestrel came in. just sling the straps over the tops of the hybrid frame, and sandwhich in between while walking. Once you've climbed up reach over shoulder and swing around. Another option is to pull up from the ground.

You're carrying enough crap to make a pack of some sort make sense. But it can be done pretty easily - minus film equipment. The only thing I've added to the hybrid is a pouch made for binos - I either carry my camera or bolts in it.

At most you could use whatever ultralight backpack you want. Honestly a duffle of some sort would work since it would be sandwhiched between the seat and frame - it doesn't have to have straps.

 

[kyler1945]

Early season: I carry my binos, head lamp, back up flash light, milkweed, rattle horns, gut kit (gloves, knife, wipes), first aid, thermacell, toilet paper, snack and drinks, cameras, arm, base, fluid head, extra batteries, sticks, bow and arrows, sometime scents. Would be my basic all day sit. I feel like I’m forgetting something.

Late season: leave out the thermacell add a layer or two, hot hands, Boot blankets, Gloves,

Short 3 hr sit. A drink and TP



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I leave my bow hoist and skinning knife permanently attached to webbing under seat. I leave extra flashlight, gloves/meat bag, toilet paper, and a granola bar in the space between the frame and mesh material. Milkweed is permanently attached to shoulder strap. I zip tied a bino pouch to the right side of the harness in the same position the bow hooks are on the left side of the harness. Bolts/drill,phone,headlamp, snack, etc. easily fit in there. I typically carry 2 liters of water with me on an all day sit or one with more than a mile in and out. But I drink the first one before I get in the tree 99% of the time. I can carry everything without a pack and have done it several times. The first couple times I used the hybrid - I used a pack and realized it wasn't necessary if I'm not filming. When I did film - I just put the arm/base in the kestrel sling pack thing, bolts in my pocket, and camera in the bino case on the harness.

At most I would need a fanny pack with an extra liter of water and food if I was hunting/hiking hard all day.

 

[ImThere]

Yes I carry a lot of crap for an all day sit. But dang I don’t want to be miserable and hungry just so I can hang out in the woods. I think I would try to Molle a few pouches to the Molle pack frame.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ImThere]

I’m still saving for JX3 it is going to be a while for I can give any real world of reviews anyways


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Daren Russell]

I'm going to use my sling bag I got from cabelas.Thats what I carry all archery season no matter if I'm in a treestand or my saddle.Will just hang on back of hybrid until I get to hunting height

Sent from my SM-J327V using Tapatalk

 

[TNSTAAFL]

Well.... first sit in my new JX3 (at ground level) and my oh my! This is every bit as comfortable as imagined.

The seat and backrest are obviously key to comfort, but the surprise is the effect of the whale tail. Instant relief from all leg strain!

Due to the high tether height to be able to easily maneuver around tree and for shot angles the bridge is up in your business more than other approaches. It should make for excellent gun steadying and resting though. For archery you don't really draw in this area anyway.

I'm using 4 Ameristeps in the cardinal directions on a medium tree and it is working well. The two on the sides are perfect spots to simply place your feet. The other two are just where they need to be to maneuver around.

Using my Kite with either ROS or platform I've never felt this level of foot and leg relaxation. It is kind of ridiculous how comfortable it is. All this thing needs is a place to put your beer!

 

[Ontariofarmer]

You still need a backpack for anything that you can't fit in your pockets.

I self film. My filming gear doesn't fit in my pockets. So I will have a small lightweight pack regardless with this option.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

I was wondering about a pack rabbit chest pack or a fishing vest


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro