• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

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

jbogg said:
I fully agree that it would only take a little tweaking by the manufacture for it to be perfect for this use. I always have a backup rope easily accessible and attached to my JX 3 so I can get to the ground should it ever fail.
Click to expand...

For me the JX3 is an precarious equation. Almost 14lbs bare + hand climber seat at nearly 4.5lbs = about 19lbs.

LW Sit and climb combo = about 19lbs.

I can't figure a better number for the JX3 where I hunt (no bolts).

Still, the JX3 fits me well and I'm working with it.
 
TNSTAAFL said:
How do you manage your feet once settled? Given that the JX3 pushes feet towards the tree, and the LWHC doesn't do well with weight towards the tree.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Extend the fork all the way out. Feet in the corners of the platform, it's 16" wide. Run a strap.
 
Last edited:
Jay_Disarray said:
Who here uses the lwhc seat in conjunction with the jx3? Seems to me like they would be a good fit. The jx3 would keep your knees out of the tree and let your feet be free enough to lift.

I had a lwhc before with a soft saddle, but the problem I had was I got stuck. I would get to a spot in a tree where progress would essentially stop, and my body/mind/situation wouldn't allow me to go any further.
Click to expand...

I have used them several times for a few seasons. In fact, i hunted this morning with jx3 + 10 pioneer steps + pioneer steps ROS. It was about a 20 minute set up. Loud and I was drenched. It was a early morning quick spot. I rappelled down and cam strap steps sucked the ease and fun out of that. I moved up to a spot late morning i have never hunted that i found 3 days ago. Since the strap step was too much to manage/tedious, I grabbed the lwhc i keep in truck. I set up late morning on a White Oak about 13” diameter at breast height (DBH) and although I prefer climbing with linemans belt over a tether (overhead work is sweatier), setting the tether high and then taking little bites using safeguard is nice. Then you have to let out a lot of slack from safeguard (NOT SAFE) to then raise tether high again. It was quieter than my strap/step set up earlier. Does came in to acorn trees. Letting out tension of sides of “recliner” makes loud zip noises. Im large with 32.5” draw 36” ata bow so i need max room without being pinched in by bridge. I found another good trail and tried to set up in a 15” DBH white Oak. The bark on this tree flaked out more curling upwards (no not a shagbark hickory). I spent 10 minutes trying to get the lwhc to lift up. Those teeth on the Belt grab too much. I was sweaty again and much frustration as I was only 4-6ft up tree. I just got down and hiked out kinda seeing red.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Aeds151 said:
I spent 10 minutes trying to get the lwhc to lift up. Those teeth on the Belt grab too much.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I put a chunk of clear dishwasher hose on my belt which helped with that problem quite a bit.

Elevating the arm angle with taped rope or bolt mod also helps.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk
 
TNSTAAFL said:
I put a chunk of clear dishwasher hose on my belt which helped with that problem quite a bit.

Elevating the arm angle with taped rope or bolt mod also helps.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

There is a chunk of the hose on the belt. I have done bolt mod and it broke my first seat, i believe in 2018/2019. Its just not the best design for something you want to slide up a really rough surface as easily as possible. Also, they are a pain to adjust while climbing. I can easily reach down, pull the locking system open, pull more of the belt but then the locking system never wants to cam back where I have pulled it so that process adds fiddle factor.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
TNSTAAFL said:
How do you manage your feet once settled? Given that the JX3 pushes feet towards the tree, and the LWHC doesn't do well with weight towards the tree.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

i will use a small caribiner to hang a full water bottle off of the front end of the LWHC, or even a small stuff sack with a 2 lb rock which is normally easy to find in the mountains. It doesn’t take much weight on the outer edge of the stand to secure it nicely and keep it from kicking loose. However, most of the time my feet are resting on two Cranford screw in steps on either side of the tree.
CAA6386D-C545-4462-87F7-C418BCD7477C.png
 
Plebe said:
For me the JX3 is an precarious equation. Almost 14lbs bare + hand climber seat at nearly 4.5lbs = about 19lbs.

LW Sit and climb combo = about 19lbs.

I can't figure a better number for the JX3 where I hunt (no bolts).

Still, the JX3 fits me well and I'm working with it.
Click to expand...

Iv’e got the JX 3 Gen 1 and without the 4 lb LWHC the JX3 is right at 10 lbs if I remember correctly. If I was still 30 I could use a Lock on, but these days I couldn’t sit comfortably in one of those for 30 minutes. I sat for 11 hours straight last week in my JX 3 waiting on a bear. There is no way I could have done that in any other saddle or light weight lock on. Throw in the fact that the JX 3 carries itself, and I save another 5 lbs not needing to use my frame pack to carry it. It’s not right for everyone, but it is perfect for me.
 
Aeds151 said:
I have used them several times for a few seasons. In fact, i hunted this morning with jx3 + 10 pioneer steps + pioneer steps ROS. It was about a 20 minute set up. Loud and I was drenched. It was a early morning quick spot. I rappelled down and cam strap steps sucked the ease and fun out of that. I moved up to a spot late morning i have never hunted that i found 3 days ago. Since the strap step was too much to manage/tedious, I grabbed the lwhc i keep in truck. I set up late morning on a White Oak about 13” diameter at breast height (DBH) and although I prefer climbing with linemans belt over a tether (overhead work is sweatier), setting the tether high and then taking little bites using safeguard is nice. Then you have to let out a lot of slack from safeguard (NOT SAFE) to then raise tether high again. It was quieter than my strap/step set up earlier. Does came in to acorn trees. Letting out tension of sides of “recliner” makes loud zip noises. Im large with 32.5” draw 36” ata bow so i need max room without being pinched in by bridge. I found another good trail and tried to set up in a 15” DBH white Oak. The bark on this tree flaked out more curling upwards (no not a shagbark hickory). I spent 10 minutes trying to get the lwhc to lift up. Those teeth on the Belt grab too much. I was sweaty again and much frustration as I was only 4-6ft up tree. I just got down and hiked out kinda seeing red.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I don’t have to deal with Shag Bark Hickories thankfully, but I do climb a lot of White Oaks and have never had an issue with the LW belt. I’m guessing that is the result of my completing the bolt mod as soon as I got it. Without the mod it was tough climbing.

Another option that works well is the seat of the Summit Open Shot. I had a small 4” piece of Stainless Steel welded across the front of it to create a small platform. It feels much safer/more solid than the LWHC, and climbs muck easier on all trees. However, it doesn’t fold flat and pack as well, and it is 3lbs heavier than the LW. Hard to believe that more manufacturers have not seen the opportunity here.
 
Jay_Disarray said:
Who here uses the lwhc seat in conjunction with the jx3? Seems to me like they would be a good fit. The jx3 would keep your knees out of the tree and let your feet be free enough to lift.

I had a lwhc before with a soft saddle, but the problem I had was I got stuck. I would get to a spot in a tree where progress would essentially stop, and my body/mind/situation wouldn't allow me to go any further.
Click to expand...
I do. Use it with a classic 2 as well. I almost abandoned it until i added summit stirrups. With jx3 i dont sit down all the way when climbing. About halfway n hold myself out from tree.
 
muzzypower said:
I do. Use it with a classic 2 as well. I almost abandoned it until i added summit stirrups. With jx3 i dont sit down all the way when climbing. About halfway n hold myself out from tree.
Click to expand...
I will say too that with the stirrups the bolt mod isnt needed imo
 
muzzypower said:
I will say too that with the stirrups the bolt mod isnt needed imo
Click to expand...

Is there a big difference in summit stirrups vs a piece of webbing across the seat for the feet to go under? Im wondering if its worth moving my climber stirrups over to lwhc. Maybe that pulls it at different angle than the webbing over the feet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Aeds151 said:
Is there a big difference in summit stirrups vs a piece of webbing across the seat for the feet to go under? Im wondering if its worth moving my climber stirrups over to lwhc. Maybe that pulls it at different angle than the webbing over the feet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Absolutely! At least for me. I tried the strap in multiple locations too. I wouldnt go back!
 
I will try it out today and see if I can get up the white oak i need to and see if not folding flat is a deal breaker for me. The next big issue is how loose the lwhc is while trying to rotate for shot. Some tree are solid, some will get you busted and mess up a shot


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
You can put the lwhc between the back n seat by resting the stirrups on the seat(so they face backward). You can still hook the jx3 together
 
I'm fiddling with a jx3 right now. Taking me some time to figure things out. I need a small pack for a ROS and my bolts. Probably get some sort of molle attachment and/or repurpose a side carry type bag for small items.

I started getting the idea behind this "reverse" system yesterday as I tinkered. Best way I can explain it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top