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

[matt76cmich]

Also, the search function really doesn't work on the phone app so sorry if this has been brought up already.

How are you getting your extra layers up in the tree when you're at hunting height? I used to just keep them in a pack and wear the pack up with me, but not sure if that will work with the JX3. I have thought about seeing if I could get a small pack with the straps fully extended on over the JX3 for the climb up.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[kyler1945]

I layer up at base of tree if it’s that cold. Only thing I ever carry up is a single light jacket in the 50-65 range. Below that I’m dressing on terra firma

 

[matt76cmich]

I layer up at base of tree if it’s that cold. Only thing I ever carry up is a single light jacket in the 50-65 range. Below that I’m dressing on terra firma

My only problem layering up at the base of the tree is how warm I get walking in, doesn't matter how cold it is. I usually have to cool off/dry off once I get up the tree and settled in. I have pulled up extra layers and my bow up at the same time before. The HME pull up ropes have a small crapy carabiner that I would use to go through the little coat hang up loop them somewhat girth hitch my bow. Maybe that will be my answer and then just hang the extra layers on my accessory strap where I have been hanging my pack.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[kyler1945]

I wear a single layer when I walk in, regardless of its 15 or 80. If I’m going to wear one layer in tree, I climb immediately. If I’m going to wear more clothes, I cool off as long as necessary to not sweat climbing while layered. Usually if it’s below 40 I’m not sweating.

I understand the issue you’re facing, my personal opinion is to just go slower on approach and take longer at tree to cool off. This is below 65 or so. Above that I’m sweating regardless so I just ignore it. I also am aware that some people just sweat like crazy no matter what. I don’t have a Solution for those folks. Though I suspect slowing down would solve a lot of it.

 

[matt76cmich]

I'm one of the lucky ones that sweats just going to get the mail lol. Here was my track from today. Took about an hour and a half to go 3/4 mile. I don't think that's too fast, but could probably go a little slower. It was 45° and I was pretty wet (swamp and sweat) when I got to my tree.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[jbogg]

You using the climber w/ the hybrid? Thought about it but hadn’t tried yet. For some reason the hybrid hasn’t made it to the woods yet. Decided to spend some time with it today cause I couldn’t hunt. Tried 1 stick and does make for a comfortable trip up. And as @kyler1945 mentioned in his video perfect for rappelling down. Guessing I need to put the saddle away and spend some time in this.

The LW Climber works great with the Hybrid. Be careful, once you spend some time in the JX 3 your other saddles are likely to start gathering dust.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[jbogg]

This is fairly typical of most of my spots. 400’ - 600’ vertical feet of climbing on average and I am sweating profusely regardless of the temps. Adding upper layers in the Hybrid is easy, but I haven’t figured a safe way to pull on some insulated puffer pants while in the tree.

 

[jbogg]

My first JX3 (first saddle) hunt was Sat evening, and I have some questions coming out of that, will limit it to 2 here: (1) I’m only 170 lbs and so default setup has the hinge elastic band pulling the backrest on top of the seat frame, plenty comfortable but it can squeak a little when I move... I can also push into the backrest and push that back off the edge of the seat, it kinda preloads the backrest but eliminates noise. Any thoughts? (2) I often take a little camera gear with me and let me tell you that added weight makes pulling that bag off and over my shoulder to hang on the tree - and reversing the process to leave - a real bear. I’m working on paracord attachments that are easier to reach, but I’d call it a fail in trip one. I may just rope my bag up when I have a camera, makes the climb easier anyway. With a pack in there I find the factory hook latch on the back to not get used much. Oh heck related comment (3) Im also attempting to pull the seat back up before I climb down (my preference) and I attached a rope to it to assist, so I’m sandwiching a pack in there and that was also a bear to squeeze it closed enough to click my rope to the top of the seat back. The sit was great, but my shoulders got a real workout reaching behind. Fun facts my beloved utility trailer was stolen from the property that night, the next morning I hunted anyway, stalked up on a big 10 point in his bed... I was 25-30 yards dead upwind of him, after about 20 minutes he finally stood up (couldn’t get a shot through the briars) and slowly walked away. Couldn’t believe how long it took him to wind me, I must have the Eberhart gene.

My first few hunts I was pulling up my crossbow with some paracord, but wearing my daypack on my back while I climbed. With 6 - 8lbs of water in my pack plus all my other gear it was very tiring moving my tether up above my head while I climbed up and down with my LW Handclimber. I ended up bringing a second 30’ piece of paracord to raise and lower my pack and it is much easier climbing and descending.

 

[whatever]

Just started sitting in my JX3 at ground level and it feels like I'm tilted forward tried lean seat back back but bottom is still making me slide forward. Know I'm doing something wrong

 

[Nutterbuster]

Just started sitting in my JX3 at ground level and it feels like I'm tilted forward tried lean seat back back but bottom is still making me slide forward. Know I'm doing something wrong

Tilt the front of the seat up? The fork will let you hold an angle to an extent.

 

[jbogg]

There are several adjustment points on the JX 3 which is one of the things I really like about it. After a few sits you will learn where you are most comfortable. For me, I extend the tree fork around 3 1/2 inches and then adjust the angle of the back rest with the straps accordingly. Also, I adjust the contact point of the fork and the tree either up or down depending on how I am sitting at the time. I’m probably making it sound way more complicated than it is.

 

[Bigterp]

There are several adjustment points on the JX 3 which is one of the things I really like about it. After a few sits you will learn where you are most comfortable. For me, I extend the tree fork around 3 1/2 inches and then adjust the angle of the back rest with the straps accordingly. Also, I adjust the contact point of the fork and the tree either up or down depending on how I am sitting at the time. I’m probably making it sound way more complicated than it is.

Agreed sounds like low fork or short tether

 

[whatever]

There are several adjustment points on the JX 3 which is one of the things I really like about it. After a few sits you will learn where you are most comfortable. For me, I extend the tree fork around 3 1/2 inches and then adjust the angle of the back rest with the straps accordingly. Also, I adjust the contact point of the fork and the tree either up or down depending on how I am sitting at the time. I’m probably making it sound way more complicated than it is.

Yes I tried putting fork higher on the tree but the slightest movement if falls forward. I connected my bridge to the holes right by the bridge holes (forward) and it works way better just don't know if those are safe to use

 

[neonomad]

Yes I tried putting fork higher on the tree but the slightest movement if falls forward. I connected my bridge to the holes right by the bridge holes (forward) and it works way better just don't know if those are safe to use

I honestly don’t see how if (1) the tether is fairly high, (2) the fork isn’t lodged too low, and (3) the seat is adjusted a little slanted back that the issue you are having isn’t resolved.

 

[parkersdad]

Put your bridge back where it belongs. Push the tether as high above your head as you can reach. Keep adjusting your prussic knot down until you are sitting level. It sounds to me like either your tether is to low or you are not adjusting your prussic down far enough. The fork only needs to be out 3 or 4 inches unless you are on a bad leaner.

 

[whatever]

Put your bridge back where it belongs. Push the tether as high above your head as you can reach. Keep adjusting your prussic knot down until you are sitting level. It sounds to me like either your tether is to low or you are not adjusting your prussic down far enough. The fork only needs to be out 3 or 4 inches unless you are on a bad leaner.

Problem solved,operator error (saddle smarter than the guy using it) fork was setting on a knot that was on angle, and I wasn't seeing it be cause I was looking at everything on the saddle. Thanks for all the tips. Seems to be different than sitting in kestrel

 

[Bigterp]

Problem solved,operator error (saddle smarter than the guy using it) fork was setting on a knot that was on angle, and I wasn't seeing it be cause I was looking at everything on the saddle. Thanks for all the tips. Seems to be different than sitting in kestrel

It’s definitely different than a kestrel, you’ll get a feel for it!

 

[matt76cmich]

It’s definitely different than a kestrel, you’ll get a feel for it!

That it is.

Just played around for awhile with the JX3 trying to 1 stick and figuring out how to get everything out and up with me for an all day sit. Granted this was my first attempt 1 sticking, but I don't think it's for me or at least my XOP sticks aren't the best for it with the buckle. Going to go with an extra paracord pull up rope for my extra layers.

Still with the JX3 loaded up with 12 WE steps, extra layers, the mini bag with kill kit and water is still lighter than my pack, saddle, 4 XOP sticks, platform, extra layers, water, and kill kit.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[neonomad]

That it is.

Just played around for awhile with the JX3 trying to 1 stick and figuring out how to get everything out and up with me for an all day sit. Granted this was my first attempt 1 sticking, but I don't think it's for me or at least my XOP sticks aren't the best for it with the buckle. Going to go with an extra paracord pull up rope for my extra layers.

Still with the JX3 loaded up with 12 WE steps, extra layers, the mini bag with kill kit and water is still lighter than my pack, saddle, 4 XOP sticks, platform, extra layers, water, and kill kit.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

As of right now I’ve resigned myself to a two rope setup as well, bow and bag. For me transitioning the bag off my back was too much hassle. Probably safer and easier to climb without that weight anyway.

 

[Old Man Hunter]

With my JX3 I've went to a small back pack that I used while mountain biking. it is a sling pack that I bought off of Amazon a few years ago. As I walk in I use the pack straps to fasten it to the outside of my JX3. When climbing I use the D loops to hold a LW stick on each side of me and the double D loops that you can use for a bow holder to fasten the handle of my pack to the saddle as I climb. I fasten my bow pull up rope to the pack. Once I'm tethered in I take my daisy chain out of the top pocket of the pack, set up my daisy chain with carabiners, fasten my pack to one side and the other has my bow holder. Pull up my bow and ready to hunt. The pull up rope is wrapped around a holder on the saddle. I have just bought a couple of the fleece pouches from DanO fastened one to the saddle for my linesman rope and one to the outside of the pack for my binoculars. I'm still tuning in my system but so far it is working out great. The D loops hold my pack easily while I climb with no interference in anyway. I do lock them back while holding the pack to insure they stay fastened.