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

[kyler1945]

I may have missed it but... what is the weight of this setup?

For those concerned about the weight of the JX3 Hybrid

I've edited the original content of this post. I screwed up my math in the handwritten stuff in later posts, but I correct it. In this post I've updated the weight of my setup based on the completed modification of the hybrid. You can check out how I have my hybrid set up right now here...

saddlehunter.com

 

[Grip]

I got my JX3 (a Gen 1) a few years ago. My first impressions were very good but I knew enough to know that I needed to spend time in it and with it before I took it hunting. I got it mid season and didn't get a chance to mess around with it before our season was over. Long story short, since that time I have been using it more and more every season. Having 3 decades of bowhunting from a stand and collecting them, it was tough to break from what I knew and was accustomed to. I am to the point now that when I am in a tree I am about 50/50 in a stand or in my JX3, and every time I sit in my JX3 I find myself wanting to just ditch all my stands. I can say that it has 100% taken the place of my Summit Climber. My longest sits this season have all been from my JX3. At my age I just can't sit in fixed stand that long anymore, but time seems to fly when I'm nestled in my JX3.

The only mods I have made are replacing the Gen 1 waist belt from the plastic to the metal hardware. The leg straps on the original were damaged in a freak E-bike accident and needed replaced. I'll save that story for another post. I also added the head rest and replaced the seat hook. The original was mounted to the pack frame with a vertical screw that got stripped out. John sent me a replacement hook mounted to the frame with a horizontal bolt. I have added a pair of drop pouches, the JX3 saddle bags and a small pack that hangs from the seat hook. Other than that I have not made a lot of changes to it. The only thing I might add is the seat cushion.

I have also recently picked up one of the new JX3 sticks with the wide top. My plan was/is to 1 stick with it when needed. I have done it a few times in practice and once hunting and it has only proven to me I need to refine my technique and get more practice. I can say that as a platform that wide top stick works perfectly for me. On the bigger trees I use it in conjunction with a Bullman Platform ROS with 3 steps. Trees that are on the slimmer side I only need the wide top JX3 stick. Once it is locked in, it is in! It stays put even with all the side pressure I can muster. I am fortunate enough to hunt private land and that allows me to preset sticks. So most of the time I ascend my preset sticks and simply attach my wide top JX3 stick at the top and I'm set.

I have hunted from it more this season then any season since I bought it probably 5, maybe 6 years ago. If/when I get my one stick method perfected there maybe a lot of treestands up for sale!

 

[kyler1945]

I got my JX3 (a Gen 1) a few years ago. My first impressions were very good but I knew enough to know that I needed to spend time in it and with it before I took it hunting. I got it mid season and didn't get a chance to mess around with it before our season was over. Long story short, since that time I have been using it more and more every season. Having 3 decades of bowhunting from a stand and collecting them, it was tough to break from what I knew and was accustomed to. I am to the point now that when I am in a tree I am about 50/50 in a stand or in my JX3, and every time I sit in my JX3 I find myself wanting to just ditch all my stands. I can say that it has 100% taken the place of my Summit Climber. My longest sits this season have all been from my JX3. At my age I just can't sit in fixed stand that long anymore, but time seems to fly when I'm nestled in my JX3.

The only mods I have made are replacing the Gen 1 waist belt from the plastic to the metal hardware. The leg straps on the original were damaged in a freak E-bike accident and needed replaced. I'll save that story for another post. I also added the head rest and replaced the seat hook. The original was mounted to the pack frame with a vertical screw that got stripped out. John sent me a replacement hook mounted to the frame with a horizontal bolt. I have added a pair of drop pouches, the JX3 saddle bags and a small pack that hangs from the seat hook. Other than that I have not made a lot of changes to it. The only thing I might add is the seat cushion.

I have also recently picked up one of the new JX3 sticks with the wide top. My plan was/is to 1 stick with it when needed. I have done it a few times in practice and once hunting and it has only proven to me I need to refine my technique and get more practice. I can say that as a platform that wide top stick works perfectly for me. On the bigger trees I use it in conjunction with a Bullman Platform ROS with 3 steps. Trees that are on the slimmer side I only need the wide top JX3 stick. Once it is locked in, it is in! It stays put even with all the side pressure I can muster. I am fortunate enough to hunt private land and that allows me to preset sticks. So most of the time I ascend my preset sticks and simply attach my wide top JX3 stick at the top and I'm set.

I have hunted from it more this season then any season since I bought it probably 5, maybe 6 years ago. If/when I get my one stick method perfected there maybe a lot of treestands up for sale!

Just for you. Piece of cord attached to other end of stick that hangs from fork. Can be removed with the seated folded up behind you when you’re ready to deploy.

 

[Jay_Disarray]

After using mine for a full season now, I'm fully satisfied with my JX3. My shikars fit nicely inside it, and don't stick out or catch on stuff. I hang a little pack from the JX3 hook with my ropes and stuff in it, I'm pretty minimalist, so I fit it all into a spanker hydration pack. My entire setup is below the 20lb mark, which doesn't much matter because it all just feels like a wearing a larger style backpack.

I feel like I can sit up in the tree and be much more still and comfortable than I ever could in a cloth style saddle, which was the entire reason I went to the JX3. I added a little foam style cushion that lives tucked in under the straps for the seat and that's about it.

About the only complaint I could say was that its sometimes difficult to locate the lineman loops under layers of clothes, while seated. This is part because the loops need to be on the side and I'm a decent size fella so the Jx3 is wide enough with layers on, but there isn't a ton of room on the sides between myself and the side straps. Not a big deal at all.

I saw the light

 

[iamcorey]

Well since we are sharing, I too have seen the light this season. Bought used so I’m not sure what was stock or not, but using spare compressions straps and g hook from the junk drawer, I was able to do a couple of basic mods. Added g hooks to leg straps. Added field repair buckle to create a load stabilizer between seat and back. Two vertical and one horizontal to hold WE stepps and holster. The brown thing on underside of the seat is a Hill People Gear pack bucket. It just serves as a protective barrier between the stepps and the mesh seat when closed. Any layers needed go on the rear.
I’m open to any suggestions for streamlining the setup.

 

[jbogg]

The JX 3 hybrid was definitely a game changer for me as well. Around seven years ago I started hunting Public land in the mountains exclusively. I learned in a hurry that packing my Summit Goliath up the side of a steep mountain for 800 vertical feet was not going to happen. I resigned myself to sitting on the ground, but really missed the additional field of view one gets by being 18 feet up a tree. Especially during bow season.

I met John at Saddlepalooza almost 4 years ago in south Georgia, and was able to try the hybrid for the first time. I will admit, it was not love at first sight. I was brand new to saddle hunting, and had no comfort level whatsoever with hanging from a tether. I returned home and ordered a soft saddle, as well as the JX 3 Hybrid. Within two weeks, the soft saddle was back in the classifieds, and I have never looked back.

The quality and the thought that went into the JX 3 hybrid is amazing. John has been fantastic to work with, and always took the time to respond and answer questions when I was just starting out. God willing, and the creek don’t rise, I will be hunting out of the hybrid for many years to come.

 

[razorsharptokill]

I have only practiced in the yard with mine but so far, I think its going to be a good fit. There are a few things to learn but over all it is a solid concept. I am still not sure how I am going to carry and deploy my W.E. steps. I have a gripper on the way, pretty sure it must be better than the military dump pouch I have been using.

 

[LAKY]

Loved the JX3 Hybrid and pack system this year. I attached a Molle II belt to it, and it packed deboned meat very well. Hard to beat a saddle that's also your frame pack.

 

[iamcorey]

I've only had a few sits in the hybrid. What's the trick to putting on layers while hanging? My bridge and tether loops don't allow much clearance for accessing pants pockets or putting on a jacket and being able to pull the back material down. It's also somewhat challenging to get the jacket material pulled around. Definitely doable, I am just looking for ideas on what I may be missing. Bridge length is approximately 34" (26" rope with 4" biners for each loop). Shorter bridge length? Higher tether? I currently set it about head height.

 

[kyler1945]

I've only had a few sits in the hybrid. What's the trick to putting on layers while hanging? My bridge and tether loops don't allow much clearance for accessing pants pockets or putting on a jacket and being able to pull the back material down. It's also somewhat challenging to get the jacket material pulled around. Definitely doable, I am just looking for ideas on what I may be missing. Bridge length is approximately 34" (26" rope with 4" biners for each loop). Shorter bridge length? Higher tether? I currently set it about head height.

Do you have a lot of temperature changes while sitting in the hybrid? Enough to merit layer adding?

I do everything I can to climb with all lower layers on. And most upper layers. Usually I’m completely dressed at base of tree.

But, shoulder straps off, waist belt really loose, back reclined way back. I can access everything I need to to there. Often times I’ll get them “on” inn that way, then sometimes I need to stand/lean to get to where I can pull everything into perfect place.

But really, get dressed on the ground.

 

[iamcorey]

Do you have a lot of temperature changes while sitting in the hybrid? Enough to merit layer adding?

Not really. North AL. Walk in can get me sweating. I usually don’t pause to cool down at the tree, but sounds like that’s what needs to happen or just layer up and tough it out.

 

[Plebe]

After using mine for a full season now, I'm fully satisfied with my JX3. My shikars fit nicely inside it, and don't stick out or catch on stuff. I hang a little pack from the JX3 hook with my ropes and stuff in it, I'm pretty minimalist, so I fit it all into a spanker hydration pack. My entire setup is below the 20lb mark, which doesn't much matter because it all just feels like a wearing a larger style backpack.

I feel like I can sit up in the tree and be much more still and comfortable than I ever could in a cloth style saddle, which was the entire reason I went to the JX3. I added a little foam style cushion that lives tucked in under the straps for the seat and that's about it.

About the only complaint I could say was that its sometimes difficult to locate the lineman loops under layers of clothes, while seated. This is part because the loops need to be on the side and I'm a decent size fella so the Jx3 is wide enough with layers on, but there isn't a ton of room on the sides between myself and the side straps. Not a big deal at all.

I saw the light

Nice.

How are you packing those Shikars. 17"s? I like what you did with your sticks, btw.

 

[kyler1945]

Not really. North AL. Walk in can get me sweating. I usually don’t pause to cool down at the tree, but sounds like that’s what needs to happen or just layer up and tough it out.

I hear ya. Same weather as I have.

Honestly merino every thing base layers, and outer layers unzipped open vented to let moisture out when you get up there. Then zip it all down once you’ve cooled.

I can climb without sweating if I take my time. Even with full lauers.

And I can walk in without sweating if I don’t wear anything. If I can’t avoid it, I dry off at tree before layering up.

Lots of ways to skin the cat. But you’re best off being dressed before adcent

 

[Jay_Disarray]

Nice.

How are you packing those Shikars. 17"s? I like what you did with your sticks, btw.

Thanks, I dig them too. i just set them in the bottom inside the frame of the jx3. They only poke out an inch or two each side

 

[devildog]

I've only had a few sits in the hybrid. What's the trick to putting on layers while hanging? My bridge and tether loops don't allow much clearance for accessing pants pockets or putting on a jacket and being able to pull the back material down. It's also somewhat challenging to get the jacket material pulled around. Definitely doable, I am just looking for ideas on what I may be missing. Bridge length is approximately 34" (26" rope with 4" biners for each loop). Shorter bridge length? Higher tether? I currently set it about head height.

I have no issues putting a jacket on from the JX3. I just lean to the one side or the other and stuff the sides and back of the jacket down (of course I have my shoulder pads off). If you can't do that I recommend setting up your sticks and tether completely and climbing down cooling off and getting dressed with all your layers for the final quick climb. I know it sounds like a lot more work but it is an option.

 

[Plebe]

Thanks, I dig them too. i just set them in the bottom inside the frame of the jx3. They only poke out an inch or two each side

Standoffs downward resting on the metal feet? Or standoffs straddling the webbing?

 

[Jay_Disarray]

Standoffs downward resting on the metal feet? Or standoffs straddling the webbing?

standoffs up usually, so they arent rubbing anything

 

[BuffaloBill]

Anyone else eyeballing the XOP climbing saddle platform? Don’t think it’s been officially announced but they mention it in their climber video.

 

[Plebe]

Anyone else eyeballing the XOP climbing saddle platform? Don’t think it’s been officially announced but they mention it in their climber video.

Ever heard of @Plebe

I think a climbing platform of that size/weight (or even smaller) could pair really well with the hybrid.

Initial concerns are:

1. Cable adjustment is a bit tricky with the XOP system. That won't be helped by JX3 use at all. Reaching down to adjust cable length is just going to be a pain, imo.
2. No tree strap. I think it will be harder to effectively walk the platform around the tree with a JX3 than traditional saddle. And it doesn't look like the XOP design includes any sort of anchor strap to keep the platform in place for pushing off like you would the top of a stick.

The cable adjustment might be a deal breaker for me even with a traditional saddle. I wonder if I could modify it to a LW style with what I've got lying about.

 

[CooterBrown]

Saturday morning I put my over pants and my jacket on after I was at hunting height in the JX3 it can be done. But I am a smaller guy, so I have more room to move around.