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Michigan Bow Hunting - Older Guy - Cruzer XC/Archon or JX3 Hybrid

Which Saddle

  • Total voters
    18
parkersdad said:
Since they manufacture their own stands, they’re not going to premote something else I can tell you that
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John E doesn't have a stand. His name is on a Tethrd saddle, but apparently he receives 0 commissions on that. It's a can of tuna that was opened on a separate thread.

Still, hardly worth caring about what a couple of celebrity hunters promote if it doesn't work for ya.
 
GeoFish said:
I wonder what would happen if you gave John Eberhart and Dan Infault a JX3. If either of them gave up their current system for a JX3, I will buy you a case, yes a whole case of Bud Lite.
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So you had a chance to “try it one time at a meet up, but took one look and kept going”. You sure have strong opinions about the JX 3 considering you’ve never even tried it. If you ever have a chance to truly try it out for a few hunts, it might surprise you.
 
Plebe said:
John E doesn't have a stand. His name is on a Tethrd saddle, but apparently he receives 0 commissions on that. It's a can of tuna that was opened on a separate thread.

Still, hardly worth caring about what a couple of celebrity hunters promote if it doesn't work for ya.
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He also recently said on a podcast that he hasn't received a dime from Scentlok, despite having his name and likeness on their branding and website.

Seems odd to me, but I don't think he's a liar. It's one thing to say he doesn't get a commission on Tethrd sales....OK, may be he got a one-time flat payment for putting his name on the design, that would not be the same as commissions. But it's another thing to say he's never received a dime from a company that uses his name. Can't get around that one with words.

So I dunno...

 
Spartan said:
He also recently said on a podcast that he hasn't received a dime from Scentlok, despite having his name and likeness on their branding and website.

Seems odd to me, but I don't think he's a liar. It's one thing to say he doesn't get a commission on Tethrd sales....OK, may be he got a one-time flat payment for putting his name on the design, that would not be the same as commissions. But it's another thing to say he's never received a dime from a company that uses his name. Can't get around that one with words.

So I dunno...

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I know this thread has nothing to do with JE, so lets not drag another one down for the benefit of nobody.

Have you tried a JX3 or the Cruzer saddles?
 
Plebe said:
I know this thread has nothing to do with JE, so lets not drag another one down for the benefit of nobody.

Have you tried a JX3 or the Cruzer saddles?
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Was just replying to your comment.

I own a Cruzr, and I cast my vote already and also gave the OP my advice in a post in this thread. Which, in my opinion, still stands as the most sound advice given so far. OP actually spending a few hours in these saddles is worth more than 10,000 words of opinions about how other people like these saddles.
 
jbogg said:
So you had a chance to “try it one time at a meet up, but took one look and kept going”. You sure have strong opinions about the JX 3 considering you’ve never even tried it. If you ever have a chance to truly try it out for a few hunts, it might surprise you.
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I'm sure it's just a case of milage varying. Different hunting styles, scenarios, preferences, wants, needs, etc. You like what you like, he likes his.

I own a JX3 and it's sat the bench for the couple of seasons since I purchased it. Doesn't mean it's not the slice of heaven OP desires. Nor does it mean I don't like it. Were that the case, it'd be down the road.

For me, however, I do think it's best suited to gun/crossbow hunts. And there is upside to other gear choices, situationally, whereas I've not gone with the JX3.

But it's still a slick piece of kit and I see why it can be effective and why it has a strong following.
 
Plebe said:
I'm sure it's just a case of milage varying. Different hunting styles, scenarios, preferences, wants, needs, etc. You like what you like, he likes his.

I own a JX3 and it's sat the bench for the couple of seasons since I purchased it. Doesn't mean it's not the slice of heaven OP desires. Nor does it mean I don't like it. Were that the case, it'd be down the road.

For me, however, I do think it's best suited to gun/crossbow hunts. And there is upside to other gear choices, situationally, whereas I've not gone with the JX3.

But it's still a slick piece of kit and I see why it can be effective and why it has a strong following.
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And this is a good example of worthwhile feedback. Someone who has actually given it a fair shake. Just curious though, what was your issue shooting a compound out of it?
 
jbogg said:
And this is a good example of worthwhile feedback. Someone who has actually given it a fair shake. Just curious though, what was your issue shooting a compound out of it?
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Having consistent form is a bit challenging for some of the shots I might want to take in a hunting scenario.

I don't like twisting from the waist to cover a field of fire, which of course can be avoided by walking the saddle into the ideal shot position. But in a hunting situation when things happen fast, I think it can be hard to effectively make sometimes necessary quick adjustments to get to that spot, whereas I can shuffle my feet relatively quickly on a large enough platform to change position and keep consistent form.

I'd probably do ok at my normal shot distances bow hunting from the Hybrid. But small margins of error in archery hunting can weigh heavily on outcomes, imo, so it's really just my own risk averse approach that I want to rule out any swag in my form.
 
For what it’s worth I did not enjoy my jx3. Very big and bulky and didn’t like shooting a bow out of it. Gun hunting I could prob get past the bulk and weight. But I personally don’t feel it’s as comfortable as a saddle so yea

Anyway go to an event meet up or two and rest some out…otherwise I bet if you just asked/checked who’s local someone would meet up and let ya try out the different setups
 
I owned and hunted out of the Guidos Web tree saddle, which appears to be just like the JX3 Hybrid. I killed deer out of it, but it is clunky, heavy, not very mobile, compared to a Cruzer OR any other similar saddle. Seems like an enormous step backwards having used it AND several more recent saddles.

IF it were me in your shoes, I'd be headed to the Mobile Hunters EXPO in Kalamazoo, which is happening this weekend AS we speak. Tomorrow is the big day with lots of speakers, including Dan Infalt. The perfect opportunity to get all sorts of insight and hands on time with all the gear. You can try gear on and hang from a mock tree on sight. DON'T miss that.

Good luck.
 
Kevin2 said:
I owned and hunted out of the Guidos Web tree saddle, which appears to be just like the JX3 Hybrid. I killed deer out of it, but it is clunky, heavy, not very mobile, compared to a Cruzer OR any other similar saddle. Seems like an enormous step backwards having used it AND several more recent saddles.

IF it were me in your shoes, I'd be headed to the Mobile Hunters EXPO in Kalamazoo, which is happening this weekend AS we speak. Tomorrow is the big day with lots of speakers, including Dan Infalt. The perfect opportunity to get all sorts of insight and hands on time with all the gear. You can try gear on and hang from a mock tree on sight. DON'T miss that.

Good luck.
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If given the choice between a guidos web and a soft saddle, I’d choose the soft saddle as well, all things considered.

The JX3 is in principle, the same as a web. But the devil is in the details. 4 specific things make it a better tool than the web:

- adjustable fork
-single strap with 2finger adjustment on side strap
- ability to use as a frame pack
- mesh instead of solid panels on seat and back

These, added to the reduction in force felt anywhere the hybrid touches you, compared to a soft saddle, make it more comfortable than a soft saddle for many users.


Conflating the hybrid and the web in this context is misleading. Comparing the two outright is more useful. And the only useful parallel between the two are that they’re going to be materially more comfortable than any soft saddle for most people most of the time.

Comfort is a single variable. But it’s a big one.
 
Kevin2 said:
IF it were me in your shoes, I'd be headed to the Mobile Hunters EXPO in Kalamazoo, which is happening this weekend AS we speak. Tomorrow is the big day with lots of speakers, including Dan Infalt. The perfect opportunity to get all sorts of insight and hands on time with all the gear. You can try gear on and hang from a mock tree on sight. DON'T miss that.

Good luck.
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I was already headed to Iowa tomorrow morning for the weekend. I'm going to leave in time to make it to Kzoo right when it opens. Thanks for the heads up!
 
I've been reading all of your collective thoughts and taking them into consideration. I appreciate all of it! Thanks, everyone!
 
Sweet. Might see you there! Enjoy, it looks to be awesome.
Spiider said:
I was already headed to Iowa tomorrow morning for the weekend. I'm going to leave in time to make it to Kzoo right when it opens. Thanks for the heads up!
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When looking at just comfort, and which saddle provides an acceptable level of comfort to the widest range of body types , the JX3 has it. The trade off is reduced mobility and higher weight.

The Cruzr has a narrower comfort range of body types, but gains a lot in mobility and reduced weight.

Considering your health limitations, are you at a higher risk of passing out, Blackout or low blood sugar periods? If that's a consideration, I would recommend the JX3 as it will provide more support and structure if you find yourself in a bad spot.

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
Assuming the seller is legit, there’s a smoking deal for a hybrid in the classifieds right now.
 
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