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

[kbetts]

I think part of my apprehension is being a trad bow shooter. Using a compound wouldn't affect me. Of course I don't know until I try. Maybe I'll climb a tree with it today and find out. I was originally planning to use it primarily for gun hunts.

 

[Aeds151]

I think part of my apprehension is being a trad bow shooter. Using a compound wouldn't affect me. Of course I don't know until I try. Maybe I'll climb a tree with it today and find out. I was originally planning to use it primarily for gun hunts.

Better TRY it out NOW/Practice BEFORE any hunt


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[kyler1945]

No. But I rarely use the .5 seat for anything other than a kneepad. I couldn't finish a hunt sitting on the metal .5 seat.

I'm not downplaying the comfort of the JX3. It's pretty awesome. Why I've kept it.

The JX3 is superior in two ways, imo. 1. NO knee pressure. 2. You can completely unweight feet, resting them on ROS (also possible on a stand with foot rest).

But "not close", I disagree with that. I'm really comfortable in my saddle with the .5. Leaning or sitting. And I think having the option to fully stand adds a comfort position that most JX3 setups aren't going to offer. I've spent some time standing and leaning shoulder or back to the tree and it can be less fatiguing on the neck and/or less movement inducing than trying to cover blind spots in the JX3.

Anyway, both great choices imo.

Maybe we're operating off of different priors.

I'm making the assumption that very few folks would be considering dropping 500 bucks for a hybrid because they're mildly uncomfortable while sitting in their soft saddle.

I'm making the assumption that very few folks who are quite comfortable standing and leaning, regardless of the system they choose, wouldn't be interested in a hybrid, where it's primary use mode and purpose is to sit comfortably.

I'm making the assumption that very few folks who are mildly uncomfortable using a hang-on stand as a hang-on stand would be considering dropping 500.00 for a hybrid.

I'm operating on the assumption that most folks using the above systems, who are inquiring about a hybrid, are doing so because they are at least somewhere close to 500.00 worth of uncomfortable. Or carrying 13lbs worth of uncomfortable. Or listening to me babble on worth of uncomfortable.

Given that context, and taking my personal experience into account, the difference between the hybrid and the 3 situations described above, is material.

There's nothing about the hybrid itself that prevents you from standing like you would in any soft saddle. You'd be adding a platform, and thus increasing the weight of your entire system, to something equivalent or heavier than a hang-on/sticks or climber. Again, I make an assumption that if standing is important, folks wouldn't even consider spending 500.00 on a hybrid whose primary focus is sitting comfortably.


I often say that all climbing methods are about the same when you consider all aspects of using them - price, effort to research, effort to practice, storing them, packing them to hunt, carrying them to hunt, unpacking them to climb, climbing up, climbing down, packing them to leave, carrying them out. In terms of time/money/effort/suffering, they're all about the same. The only one that seems slightly out of this box for me is bolts. But part of that is personal, and the difference is slight.

I view "things you sit in, in a tree" the same way. When you weigh all that goes into it, they're more similar than not. And again, I view the hybrid the same as bolts - slightly out of that box. But when comparing in a more narrow view, based on the above priors, and specifically in regards to comfort(ability to sit still longer, and over time), it really does stand out. That's where my "not close" comes from.



Of course, if you're very comfortable in a soft saddle, a hybrid would not be significantly more comfortable. My assumption is that anyone researching a hybrid isn't very comfortable. I also have a suspicion that many more people are not as comfortable as they tell themselves, but that is a different subject!

 

[kbetts]

Better TRY it out NOW/Practice BEFORE any hunt


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That's kinda a given with most any new system. The gun thing wouldn't be an issue. Definitely need to try the bow first.

 

[Plebe]

Maybe we're operating off of different priors.

I'm making the assumption that very few folks would be considering dropping 500 bucks for a hybrid because they're mildly uncomfortable while sitting in their soft saddle.

I'm making the assumption that very few folks who are quite comfortable standing and leaning, regardless of the system they choose, wouldn't be interested in a hybrid, where it's primary use mode and purpose is to sit comfortably.

I'm making the assumption that very few folks who are mildly uncomfortable using a hang-on stand as a hang-on stand would be considering dropping 500.00 for a hybrid.

I'm operating on the assumption that most folks using the above systems, who are inquiring about a hybrid, are doing so because they are at least somewhere close to 500.00 worth of uncomfortable. Or carrying 13lbs worth of uncomfortable. Or listening to me babble on worth of uncomfortable.

Given that context, and taking my personal experience into account, the difference between the hybrid and the 3 situations described above, is material.

There's nothing about the hybrid itself that prevents you from standing like you would in any soft saddle. You'd be adding a platform, and thus increasing the weight of your entire system, to something equivalent or heavier than a hang-on/sticks or climber. Again, I make an assumption that if standing is important, folks wouldn't even consider spending 500.00 on a hybrid whose primary focus is sitting comfortably.


I often say that all climbing methods are about the same when you consider all aspects of using them - price, effort to research, effort to practice, storing them, packing them to hunt, carrying them to hunt, unpacking them to climb, climbing up, climbing down, packing them to leave, carrying them out. In terms of time/money/effort/suffering, they're all about the same. The only one that seems slightly out of this box for me is bolts. But part of that is personal, and the difference is slight.

I view "things you sit in, in a tree" the same way. When you weigh all that goes into it, they're more similar than not. And again, I view the hybrid the same as bolts - slightly out of that box. But when comparing in a more narrow view, based on the above priors, and specifically in regards to comfort(ability to sit still longer, and over time), it really does stand out. That's where my "not close" comes from.



Of course, if you're very comfortable in a soft saddle, a hybrid would not be significantly more comfortable. My assumption is that anyone researching a hybrid isn't very comfortable. I also have a suspicion that many more people are not as comfortable as they tell themselves, but that is a different subject!

I'm not making any assumptions. I have both a JX3 and a .5 and am simply sharing my experience. I disagree with your statement. You disagree with my take. It's a healthy balance for folks considering either, imo.

I can say I was easily dozing while sitting with my knees against the seat pad of my .5. It may not work out like that for others, but the right saddle and a .5 gives me great comfort and a bit more versatility than the JX3.

The .5 is a platform, so I'm not going to ignore what is inherent to that component when it comes to comparing comfort to the JX3. Being able to stand freely and/or supported is pretty nice. Not unlike getting out of a vehicle to stand and stretch after a long drive. However, as I mentioned a few posts ago, I think comparing full systems improves the conversation greatly and I am not arguing that a JX3 system can't accommodate that.

For folks who can't find comfort in a saddle, it may be they aren't using the most suitable saddle, but universally the JX3 is a fine option with easy comfort and no knee pressure while sitting.

 

[kbetts]

Part of my problem may be that the Drey distributes weight over a larger area.....which makes it far and above more comfortable than other saddle styles for me.

Obviously, IMO.

 

[Plebe]

Part of my problem may be that the Drey distributes weight over a larger area.....which makes it far and above more comfortable than other saddle styles for me.

Obviously, IMO.

I've never tried a Drey, but heard some say it pulls the legs together. The Classic 2 did that for me and while not uncomfortable, it wasn't my preference. JX3 allows wide leg positioning and mobility.

 

[LAKY]

The Drey was on my shortlist, but I didn't want to fool with kneepads or a tree pad anymore. Plus, I still needed to pack a deer out without going back to the truck. And, I didn't want to put on a harness plus a saddle anymore. With the JX3, I can pickup one thing and go. Walk to the tree, unpack nothing, and start climbing.

 

[kbetts]

I've never tried a Drey, but heard some say it pulls the legs together. The Classic 2 did that for me and while not uncomfortable, it wasn't my preference. JX3 allows wide leg positioning and mobility.

It will pull the legs together if you pull it down behind your knees. If you fold it back or adjust it further up toward your butt....its a seat with a full back rest.

I bought one out of the classifieds to try. I traded that one and immediately bought a one off in ASAT 3d from another member.

 

[Plebe]

The Drey was on my shortlist, but I didn't want to fool with kneepads or a tree pad anymore. Plus, I still needed to pack a deer out without going back to the truck. And, I didn't want to put on a harness plus a saddle anymore. With the JX3, I can pickup one thing and go. Walk to the tree, unpack nothing, and start climbing.

how do you climb?

 

[LAKY]

how do you climb?

Bolts. Drill and bolts are in the zipper compartment on the back of the JX3 bino harness.

 

[Plebe]

Anyone rope climb with the JX3?

 

[TNSTAAFL]

Anyone rope climb with the JX3?

There's an SRT vidv with it on YouTube I believe.

I've thought about it but not tried. My primary use is in gun season, where I'm less likely to be up a tree before sunrise, in which case I wondered if the throwball experience might be more palatable. Won't do presets. Don't want to buy and carry SRT stuff. JRB was intriguing but don't like that much rope and uneasy about the system given complexity and recent events.

Sorry I'm not your intended audience of your question. Just an interested listener who's been thinking about it.

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[kbetts]

The Drey was on my shortlist, but I didn't want to fool with kneepads or a tree pad anymore. Plus, I still needed to pack a deer out without going back to the truck. And, I didn't want to put on a harness plus a saddle anymore. With the JX3, I can pickup one thing and go. Walk to the tree, unpack nothing, and start climbing.

I don't think you'll pack a whole deer out in/on a jx3. There is room for gamebags, maybe. For hauling, a dedicated system made for such work is going to be far better.

 

[LAKY]

I don't think you'll pack a whole deer out in/on a jx3. There is room for gamebags, maybe. For hauling, a dedicated system made for such work is going to be far better.

I debone mine. I've hauled a ton out in an Alps Pathfinder that way. I don't see why it wouldn't work. The seat becomes the shelf, and you strap the bags to the frame.

Edit to attach pic of load hauling straps. Seat becomes shelf.

 

[kbetts]

I debone mine. I've hauled a ton out in an Alps Pathfinder that way. I don't see why it wouldn't work. The seat becomes the shelf, and you strap the bags to the frame.

I haven't flipped the seat all the way around as that is a huge "shelf". I figured you had to debone.

Have you used it as such, yet?

 

[LAKY]

I haven't flipped the seat all the way around as that is a huge "shelf". I figured you had to debone.

Have you used it as such, yet?

I haven't packed a deer out with it yet this year. This is my first year with the JX3. I'll know by the end of the season. The seat would not close all the way, nor would it lay flat, parallel to the ground. The seat would be brought up enough to help pull the load to the frame and tightened with the leg loops.

 

[kbetts]

I haven't packed a deer out with it yet this year. This is my first year with the JX3. I'll know by the end of the season. The seat would not close all the way, nor would it lay flat, parallel to the ground. The seat would be brought up enough to help pull the load to the frame and tightened with the leg loops.

I'll be interested to hear how it works. My initial reaction is that it's a good thought, but not sure how well it's going to work. Seems alot weight is going to end up high on the shoulders and sticking out a bit.

 

[kbetts]

I debone mine. I've hauled a ton out in an Alps Pathfinder that way. I don't see why it wouldn't work. The seat becomes the shelf, and you strap the bags to the frame.

Edit to attach pic of load hauling straps. Seat becomes shelf.

View attachment 74195

Where's the seat?
And that ain't no pack of meat....

 

[Aeds151]

I don't think you'll pack a whole deer out in/on a jx3. There is room for gamebags, maybe. For hauling, a dedicated system made for such work is going to be far better.

My jx3 sternum strap blew off the guide rail and the plastic piece broke under extra load of a climbing platform. Im curious to see under heavy load from meat.


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