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

[razorsharptokill]

I'm not sure a kid has the presence of mind to safely climb and set up a saddle. I guess the only way to find out is let them try it on the ground or a foot or two up.

 

[kbetts]

Question for you guys. What do you think would be the smallest size person could use a JX3? Thinking about for the kids. Worried it could be to big and loose. But could help keep the wiggles down.

Wrong saddle imo. There is too much slop factor with a jx3. Lots of wiggle room. One move and you could be sideways on the bridge. Not an issue if you have some experience. Could get dicey if you don't.

 

[JC3]

Question for you guys. What do you think would be the smallest size person could use a JX3? Thinking about for the kids. Worried it could be to big and loose. But could help keep the wiggles down.

I tried it on my 10 yr. old grandson, it was too big.
I'm thinking you might need to be about 100 - 110 lbs. minimum.

 

[Bratch]

I think I am set up and ready to go for October. I have a half dozen practice climbs and a 5+ mile hike in with this set up. It’s been over a 100 degrees here the last couple weeks so once that breaks I’ll get to climbing again

I have a Condor Gen 2 battle belt, on the belt I’m running an UltimAider OsPack with my lineman’s belt, gear line, ROS and a back up tether/lineman’s. On the other side I have @beaston roll pouch with my rappel rope, gloves and Safegaurd. I have a couple kydex clips on the belt to hang my sticks from to climb. I’m running the pack someone recommend on here for my hydration bladder and a few odds and ends.

LytHarvest Tactical Molle Hydration Carrier (Bladder is not Included), Tactical Mobility 3-Liter Hydration Pack for Hiking, Biking, Climbing https://a.co/d/bSm08h3

Not pictured are two of the JX3 dump pouches on the pack I’ll use for my ASAT leafy and down on the hike in.

I’m looping my beast sticks over the fork and using one of the straps to tighten everything down.

It carries great, I had no problems or hot spots on my 5 mile ruck

I’m excited to get out and put it to real use.

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[Bratch]

In practice I keep wanting to slide out the front of the seat unless I really focus on standing a little and shifting my hips to the very back of the chair. Once I shift my butt to the back I’m good to go for the sit. Is this normal or do I have something a little off with my setup?

 

[neonomad]

In practice I keep wanting to slide out the front of the seat unless I really focus on standing a little and shifting my hips to the very back of the chair. Once I shift my butt to the back I’m good to go for the sit. Is this normal or do I have something a little off with my setup?

Just a guess here, but slightly lengthen your tether and maybe bring the seat angle up a little. The closer the seat is to level and the less you’re reclined would imagine the less your legs would slide forward.

 

[Bratch]

Just a guess here, but slightly lengthen your tether and maybe bring the seat angle up a little. The closer the seat is to level and the less you’re reclined would imagine the less your legs would slide forward.

Thanks

I’ve tried to get the seat level after seeing it mentioned on here, I’ll make sure to keep paying attention to it.

 

[neonomad]

Thanks

I’ve tried to get the seat level after seeing it mentioned on here, I’ll make sure to keep paying attention to it.

I will admit, not sure if it’s like this on the latest generations of the jx3 but sometimes I can’t decide if I want the seat back kinda “hooked” against the back of the seat bottom, or sliding around on top of it, if that makes sense. Usually I have it sitting on top of the seat bottom. But If it’s too reclined like that it does have the tendency to slide too far forward.

 

[five]

Maybe have your tether higher or loosen your shoulder straps or remove them. Usually I still have the shoulder straps on when I am fighting the slipping forward feeling. But I know exactly what you're talking about. Nowadays, it's just part of what I do, is to remove them, then place my hands on bottom of JX3 and move it forward and position the back correctly and then usually it's done for the day. But early days, I'd always feel like I was sliding forward.

 

[neonomad]

Maybe have your tether higher or loosen your shoulder straps or remove them. Usually I still have the shoulder straps on when I am fighting the slipping forward feeling. But I know exactly what you're talking about. Nowadays, it's just part of what I do, is to remove them, then place my hands on bottom of JX3 and move it forward and position the back correctly and then usually it's done for the day. But early days, I'd always feel like I was sliding forward.

Ah that’s true too, I take the shoulder straps off as well, but I’m also in a redundant RC harness for what that’s worth.

 

[Bratch]

Maybe have your tether higher or loosen your shoulder straps or remove them. Usually I still have the shoulder straps on when I am fighting the slipping forward feeling. But I know exactly what you're talking about. Nowadays, it's just part of what I do, is to remove them, then place my hands on bottom of JX3 and move it forward and position the back correctly and then usually it's done for the day. But early days, I'd always feel like I was sliding forward.

I’m getting my tether about as high as possible, I’ll try playing with the shoulder straps. I plan to take them off to hunt but usually forget to during my practice climbs and keep them on.

 

[JC3]

Snug up the leg straps.

 

[tullybluejay]

I think I am set up and ready to go for October. I have a half dozen practice climbs and a 5+ mile hike in with this set up. It’s been over a 100 degrees here the last couple weeks so once that breaks I’ll get to climbing again

I have a Condor Gen 2 battle belt, on the belt I’m running an UltimAider OsPack with my lineman’s belt, gear line, ROS and a back up tether/lineman’s. On the other side I have @beaston roll pouch with my rappel rope, gloves and Safegaurd. I have a couple kydex clips on the belt to hang my sticks from to climb. I’m running the pack someone recommend on here for my hydration bladder and a few odds and ends.

LytHarvest Tactical Molle Hydration Carrier (Bladder is not Included), Tactical Mobility 3-Liter Hydration Pack for Hiking, Biking, Climbing https://a.co/d/bSm08h3

Not pictured are two of the JX3 dump pouches on the pack I’ll use for my ASAT leafy and down on the hike in.

I’m looping my beast sticks over the fork and using one of the straps to tighten everything down.

It carries great, I had no problems or hot spots on my 5 mile ruck

I’m excited to get out and put it to real use.

IMG-1079 hosted at ImgBB

Image IMG-1079 hosted in ImgBB

ibb.co

IMG-1077 hosted at ImgBB

Image IMG-1077 hosted in ImgBB

ibb.co

IMG-1078 hosted at ImgBB

Image IMG-1078 hosted in ImgBB

ibb.co

I like the idea of the battle belt over the belt of the JX3, but my question is, do the pouches on the side get in the way when you are sitting in the hunting position? Since the belt is inside the straps when you are tethered in, it seems like they would push against the straps, and/or be difficult to get access to. Am I thinking correctly? Or do you get everything out of the pouches BEFORE you are in the seated position?

I hope this makes sense in what I'm asking. I did not do very well with wording what I am thinking.

 

[tullybluejay]

Bratch,

After looking at your picture again, it seems like the pouches would be more forward than I originally visualized where they would be when sitting; more on your front in your lap; and easier to access.

Anyway, I would still love some feedback on how it works for you when in hunting position.

Thanks!

 

[sureshot]

Bratch,

After looking at your picture again, it seems like the pouches would be more forward than I originally visualized where they would be when sitting; more on your front in your lap; and easier to access.

Anyway, I would still love some feedback on how it works for you when in hunting position.

Thanks!

Ah that’s true too, I take the shoulder straps off as well, but I’m also in a redundant RC harness for what that’s worth.

Wrong saddle imo. There is too much slop factor with a jx3. Lots of wiggle room. One move and you could be sideways on the bridge. Not an issue if you have some experience. Could get dicey if you don't.

Bb

Sent from my SM-G973U1 using Tapatalk

 

[Bratch]

I like the idea of the battle belt over the belt of the JX3, but my question is, do the pouches on the side get in the way when you are sitting in the hunting position? Since the belt is inside the straps when you are tethered in, it seems like they would push against the straps, and/or be difficult to get access to. Am I thinking correctly? Or do you get everything out of the pouches BEFORE you are in the seated position?

I hope this makes sense in what I'm asking. I did not do very well with wording what I am thinking.

Bratch,

After looking at your picture again, it seems like the pouches would be more forward than I originally visualized where they would be when sitting; more on your front in your lap; and easier to access.

Anyway, I would still love some feedback on how it works for you when in hunting position.

Thanks!

First disclaimer is I am new to all of this and still on a steep learning curve; this will be my first season to hunt out of a saddle.

I have not noticed any problems with the pouches getting in my way. My current process is: get to tree and put up first stick, open up roll pouch and hook up my tether, mad rock and backup hitch, connect my linesman and start climbing. At hunting height I open the OsPack and setup my ROS and gearline. As of now I won’t need to get back into the roll pouch or OsPack until it’s time to rappel down. I do all of this standing as you suspected.

I can’t shoot out of my practice tree but have hauled my crossbow up there and moved it through all the positions without any problems.

Not the best of pictures but I had these that kind of show how things are resting while seated.

 

[neonomad]

I’ve been having some “testicular” issues, mentioned in another post, with soft saddles. So this weekend did some more serious back country sits with the JX3; after 4-5 years and not even with late season loads yet, I’m officially a bit frustrated with the overall size of the thing, the strappiness of it, and always having my bag sandwiched in and strapped when I need to access something while prepping or hiking. At 6’ 165lbs a skinnier version a few lbs lighter would be ideal, but that doesn’t exist so this is the best option I have, I’m committed to simplifying the thing, probably cutting off anything extra like the seat ground brackets, and tempted next year to try different hip / shoulder strap options like @kyler1945 did. I’ve got to rethink the system, probably stop sandwiching the pack, I’m just too slow and clumsy, still. It’s great once it’s set, but you’ve really gotta be on the ball for all before and after processes.

I’m so tired of the climb / setup / takedown time I’m tempted to go back to hang ons or climbers for a couple years, we’ll see. I think what’s put me over the edge is the long rappel / tether which I’m convinced is worth it for safety, but all the gear and the ropes add up.

 

[Chandler96]

I tried mine out this past weekend and do not like it at all...To the classifieds it goes lol.

 

[Plebe]

I tried mine out this past weekend and do not like it at all...To the classifieds it goes lol.

I like your efficiency.

Probably saddles are all 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. lol.

 

[neonomad]

I tried mine out this past weekend and do not like it at all...To the classifieds it goes lol.

To backpedal a bit, I do like a lot about it and the more I use it the more wrinkles I iron out. But the comfort does come with some cons, and I need to think about a process makeover. To @Plebe ’s point, making any system “smooth” in and out of the woods, up and down the tree, is not easy. I was 35 minutes on Saturday from starting to takedown, to walking away from the tree, and I was not fiddling around. I think strapping it tight with all gear non-sandwiched riding on the back is a good start.

I live in the burbs, wish I had one good tree in the back yard to put reps on, gonna tell my wife we need to move and pick up an 8% mortgage.