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

[predatorhunter]

When I get to the next to the last steps of my climbing sticks is when I take my spurs off. I will place one foot at a time on top srep to remove my spur. At that time, I will hang each spur on the next to last steps then step to top off ladder stick to hunt. Spurs are out of way.
Reverse everything as you climb down.

Interesting, so you are taking a single stick with you to help manage spurs and as a "platform" Sounds interesting. I am ok with the transition from spurs to predator platform in my Kestrel. With the JX3, i was trying without a platform and managing the spurs has proven to be tricky.

 

[Autumnrider]

Interesting, so you are taking a single stick with you to help manage spurs and as a "platform" Sounds interesting. I am ok with the transition from spurs to predator platform in my Kestrel. With the JX3, i was trying without a platform and managing the spurs has proven to be tricky.

Yes on the single stick

 

[Gator]

Just got my hybrid and I've never been in a saddle before at all. I was able to climb with my helium sticks and rappel down multiple times over the weekend. Issues I ran into,
1. once I got to hunting height I attached to the tether and then had issues every time trying to undo the linesman rope. Any tricks? The linesman loops end up underneath the tether loops making it hard to detach.
2. I was wanting to SRT climb but the bridge length is way too long (could only move a few inches each move) and there's no extra room to attach a shorter bridge to those same loops. I tried using the linesman loops but that was a horrible hip pinch. Any suggestions?
3. Tried to use a ropeman 2 on the linesman just on the ground (again complete newbie). First attempt to move it, it caused a big snag in the outer sheeting of the linesman rope. Is this normal? Do I need to make sure to fully open it before trying to move it? That seems counterproductive to one handed operation.

Thanks for any help

 

[kyler1945]

Just got my hybrid and I've never been in a saddle before at all. I was able to climb with my helium sticks and rappel down multiple times over the weekend. Issues I ran into,
1. once I got to hunting height I attached to the tether and then had issues every time trying to undo the linesman rope. Any tricks? The linesman loops end up underneath the tether loops making it hard to detach.
2. I was wanting to SRT climb but the bridge length is way too long (could only move a few inches each move) and there's no extra room to attach a shorter bridge to those same loops. I tried using the linesman loops but that was a horrible hip pinch. Any suggestions?
3. Tried to use a ropeman 2 on the linesman just on the ground (again complete newbie). First attempt to move it, it caused a big snag in the outer sheeting of the linesman rope. Is this normal? Do I need to make sure to fully open it before trying to move it? That seems counterproductive to one handed operation.

Thanks for any help

What method did you use to climb the tree?

I am having a hard time understanding the issue with the lineman's loops in problem 1. Pictures might be helpful.

There are options to shorten the bridge - but first, try hooking to your tether at ground level with no bridge - just hook both bridge loops to the carabiner on your tether. Report back if you experience it pinching your sides and hips too much or if it is comfortable. I can help you from there.

Ropeman 2 is not conducive to one hand operation in a climbing situations, at least not from what I've found.

 

[Gator]

What method did you use to climb the tree?

I am having a hard time understanding the issue with the lineman's loops in problem 1. Pictures might be helpful.

There are options to shorten the bridge - but first, try hooking to your tether at ground level with no bridge - just hook both bridge loops to the carabiner on your tether. Report back if you experience it pinching your sides and hips too much or if it is comfortable. I can help you from there.

Ropeman 2 is not conducive to one hand operation in a climbing situations, at least not from what I've found.

Climbed using climbing sticks using a linesman belt for safety initially. Once at height, after connecting to tether and while attempting to disconnect the linesman belt is when I had issues. The seat bridge loops cover up the linesman loops once i sat down making it hard to undo the linesman carabiner.

I'll try your method for SRT connection and let you know how that goes (without trying, it seems like that should work).

 

[kyler1945]

Climbed using climbing sticks using a linesman belt for safety initially. Once at height, after connecting to tether and while attempting to disconnect the linesman belt is when I had issues. The seat bridge loops cover up the linesman loops once i sat down making it hard to undo the linesman carabiner.

I'll try your method for SRT connection and let you know how that goes (without trying, it seems like that should work).

I typically set tether girth hitch, guess at friction hitch height and sit down with lineman's still attached. Once I get my fork set and seat level by adjusting the friction hitch, I'll stand up grab tree or tether with one hand, and loosen my lineman's belt. I can also do it sitting down, but more fidgeting. You can loosen your belt up too once seated, this helps access lineman's loop from the outside of the saddle

 

[Gator]

I typically set tether girth hitch, guess at friction hitch height and sit down with lineman's still attached. Once I get my fork set and seat level by adjusting the friction hitch, I'll stand up grab tree or tether with one hand, and loosen my lineman's belt. I can also do it sitting down, but more fidgeting. You can loosen your belt up too once seated, this helps access lineman's loop from the outside of the saddle

Ok that makes sense. Since I was just test climbing, I was trying to hook into my rappel rope and sit all at once which has a grigri in there which needs loaded (too many moving pieces to feel comfortable standing back up to unhook linesman while standing). I was also in way too big of a tree. Hard to find small trees at my house but I need more practice time near the ground for the JX3 portion (I should probably get the JX3 straight before worrying about getting up and down)

 

[TNSTAAFL]

A little practice time in the Hybrid this afternoon. Climbed with a 1-stick Stacked Outdoors polymer stick. That part was pretty easy. Toss up between the Muddy and the Stacked. I do like the wider 1-piece top step I'd the Stacked stitch once setup. Paired with a small ROS and I was all set. Around 4 lbs lbs to get up the tree abs have a place to stand. Not bad.

One issue I had at height, and has occurred before, is moving effectively around the tree. Sometimes I find that it is really hard, even impossible to move very far before my tether is pulling me back to my starting spot. I tried to solve it by lengthening my tether. Reached as high as I could, but it didn't help much. The tree did have a little lean in that section and I know that was fighting me. I also wonder if the tree was too big. It was about "basketball sized". Do you guys find thinner trees to work better?

 

[kyler1945]

A little practice time in the Hybrid this afternoon. Climbed with a 1-stick Stacked Outdoors polymer stick. That part was pretty easy. Toss up between the Muddy and the Stacked. I do like the wider 1-piece top step I'd the Stacked stitch once setup. Paired with a small ROS and I was all set. Around 4 lbs lbs to get up the tree abs have a place to stand. Not bad.

One issue I had at height, and has occurred before, is moving effectively around the tree. Sometimes I find that it is really hard, even impossible to move very far before my tether is pulling me back to my starting spot. I tried to solve it by lengthening my tether. Reached as high as I could, but it didn't help much. The tree did have a little lean in that section and I know that was fighting me. I also wonder if the tree was too big. It was about "basketball sized". Do you guys find thinner trees to work better?

Smaller trees will always work better with a saddle, and the longer tether always helps too. If I have a choice in early season(till about halfway through December in south la) I’ll hunt in 7-10” diameter tree with lots of cover below me if I can help it. Come late season, I like larger trees to help hide, and get more choosy on shooting angles and such.

Like every other saddle, leaners aren’t your friend. But you’ll at least be comfy in the hybrid

 

[Gator]

I still haven't actually tried shooting out of it yet but I just don't see how I could. My hand touches me and the bridge at the same time (and I don't even have binos or a jacket on yet) if I simulate drawing a bow unless I push off the tree with my feet into a leaning position versus a sitting position. I've got a saddle on the way now so we'll see how I like that once it gets here but thus far, I'm not digging the JX3. Not giving up yet but...

 

[parkersdad]

I was shooting out of mine last night. It was so easy I couldn’t believe it. Even coming across and drawing on my weak side was easy for me and I was accurate. I did drop my poundage down to 61 this year though for the hybrid.The bow holder is extremely nice on the JX3 for a hunting situation.


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[parkersdad]

I still haven't actually tried shooting out of it yet but I just don't see how I could. My hand touches me and the bridge at the same time (and I don't even have binos or a jacket on yet) if I simulate drawing a bow unless I push off the tree with my feet into a leaning position versus a sitting position. I've got a saddle on the way now so we'll see how I like that once it gets here but thus far, I'm not digging the JX3. Not giving up yet but...

First have you loosened the back section up to recline back some? Also slide back in the seat until your butt hits the back portion. That will give you more room. Hopefully some of this helps. I have plenty of room for shooting.


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[Gator]

First have you loosened the back section up to recline back some? Also slide back in the seat until your butt hits the back portion. That will give you more room. Hopefully some of this helps. I have plenty of room for shooting.

I did loosen to recline but wasn't sure I'd be able to shoot leaning back. I thought about possibly not having my butt all the way back after I had put everything away because I do have bad posture and slouch a lot. Thanks for the tips.

 

[kyler1945]

If you can shoot sitting down on a stool, you can shoot sitting down in the hybrid. The only limitation is that you're starting out with the bow more out to the side, not in your lap - so you can't be overbowed(you shouldn't be anyway, it is kind of pointless for pressure situations of hunting and cold weather clothes).

The hybrid is designed for you to be shooting from it sitting down. However, you can lean just like a regular saddle and make all the same shots.

I need to make a video of every shot angle in the hybrid, versus the kestrel. It's really no different.

 

[parkersdad]

I did loosen to recline but wasn't sure I'd be able to shoot leaning back. I thought about possibly not having my butt all the way back after I had put everything away because I do have bad posture and slouch a lot. Thanks for the tips.

Put your tether as high as you can reach. The tether height on the web doesn't matter like it does on the web. Also leave your waist belt on and take the backpack straps off and put them behind you. This gives you more freedom to shoot

 

[7bru]

Put your tether as high as you can reach. The tether height on the web doesn't matter like it does on the web. Also leave your waist belt on and take the backpack straps off and put them behind you. This gives you more freedom to shoot

I have a few vertebrae in my lower back fused. Im 52 and fat too.
I cant clear the bridge that came with the jx3 enough to shoot on the weak side.
Do you guys twist a lot to pull that shot off?
I can rotate around the strong side enough to still cover that zone if needed but its a lot of movement.

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[kyler1945]

I have a few vertebrae in my lower back fused. Im 52 and fat too.
I cant clear the bridge that came with the jx3 enough to shoot on the weak side.
Do you guys twist a lot to pull that shot off?
I can rotate around the strong side enough to still cover that zone if needed but its a lot of movement.

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If you're coming over the bridge you'll have to twist - I'm not sure you'll be wanting to pull that off with your back/health situation.

If you have to go around tree, or behind you to shoot, it's no different than any other saddle as far as the overall amount of movement. I can complete the movement very smoothly in the jx3 though using the fork to work around the tree.

I think there's a common misconception about saddles and the ability to shoot all the way around the tree. You can, but it requires certain movements, and positioning that you may not be able to get away with if deer are close by. I know folks differ in their opinions on movement, but I do everything I can to get the tree between me and the deer ahead of time. I anticipate the direction of travel, and where they'll be when I shoot, and I do what I can to have that window between 7-12oclock. It doesn't always work. I've plugged a couple of them over top of bridge at 3-4 oclock, and one of them damn near underneath me at that angle in the kestrel. It takes practice.

You can hook up with an extremely low tether height which will pull the bridge away from your chest, but you'll be limited on how much you can work around the tree.

This is the same tradeoff as with any saddle.

Keep in mind too - when your adrenaline is pumping, your body is capable of crazy things. I have trouble recreating one of the shots I made in practice

 

[7bru]

If you're coming over the bridge you'll have to twist - I'm not sure you'll be wanting to pull that off with your back/health situation.

If you have to go around tree, or behind you to shoot, it's no different than any other saddle as far as the overall amount of movement. I can complete the movement very smoothly in the jx3 though using the fork to work around the tree.

I think there's a common misconception about saddles and the ability to shoot all the way around the tree. You can, but it requires certain movements, and positioning that you may not be able to get away with if deer are close by. I know folks differ in their opinions on movement, but I do everything I can to get the tree between me and the deer ahead of time. I anticipate the direction of travel, and where they'll be when I shoot, and I do what I can to have that window between 7-12oclock. It doesn't always work. I've plugged a couple of them over top of bridge at 3-4 oclock, and one of them damn near underneath me at that angle in the kestrel. It takes practice.

You can hook up with an extremely low tether height which will pull the bridge away from your chest, but you'll be limited on how much you can work around the tree.

This is the same tradeoff as with any saddle.

Keep in mind too - when your adrenaline is pumping, your body is capable of crazy things. I have trouble recreating one of the shots I made in practice

I hear ya. I had the teather pretty high to go around the tree. I will try the low extreme. Learning everytime i go up and shoot.
Its gonna be great.

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[TNSTAAFL]

I shot some arrows out of the Hybrid this afternoon. Strong side shots were money. No issues with bridge whatsoever. Weak side was a challenge, but I was using a terrible tree that I would be unlikely to hunt out of. It allowed almost no repositioning, but it's the tree I have to work with in my yard. As I've mentioned I plan to gun hunt out of it this year, but wanted to test out some arrows and I can see how folks are finding success with it for archery. Like anything, takes practice. And what a comfy way to practice!

 

[7bru]

I shot some arrows out of the Hybrid this afternoon. Strong side shots were money. No issues with bridge whatsoever. Weak side was a challenge, but I was using a terrible tree that I would be unlikely to hunt out of. It allowed almost no repositioning, but it's the tree I have to work with in my yard. As I've mentioned I plan to gun hunt out of it this year, but wanted to test out some arrows and I can see how folks are finding success with it for archery. Like anything, takes practice. And what a comfy way to practice!

The tree i am using in my yard is a worst case scenario also. It has really showed what i can do and not do. Its a leaner and crooked.
A good straight tree will be easy to hunt out of.

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