Question for JX-3 guys who also own another saddle...

[dlist777]

I ordered a Kestrel Flex back in May. While waiting, I bought a used JX-3 on this site. I've spent the last month or 6 weeks really dialing in the JX-3...figuring out how to climb, how to shoot, how I'm going to pack my gear, etc. I may have a few more tweaks between now and season, but I'll definitely be ready to go and so far (only in practice), I love the JX-3.

Well, my Kestrel arrived this weekend. Now I'm thinking about going through the same process with the Kestrel . The problem is that the JX-3 is so different....it's going to be hard to switch up saddles on the fly. I could definitely see moving gear from my JX-3 to my pack to use on the Kestrel, or my climbing method, and getting to the tree and realizing I forgot something. I could invest in two complete full sets. I could have a pack full of stuff I use ready for the Kestrel and then have the same gear (2nd copies) all attached to my JX-3 frame...keep my sticks attached to the JX-3 frame and another set of sticks on a strap in case I use the Kestrel...but that seems so wasteful.

So, I'm wondering: for guys who use the JX-3 as their primary saddle, do you keep a secondary?
If so, what situations would the Kestrel out perform the JX-3 so that it's worth having two saddles ready to go?

I know a lot of guys just don't like the JX-3. But I do, so I'm really interested in what guys who use the JX-3 as their primary think,.....

 

[DanO]

I don't have the JX-3 yet, but see myself picking one up in the future. Trades anyone?
That said, I do have multiple saddle setups and at the bare minimum I keep pouches with lineman/tether sets for each saddle. I do have multiple climbing methods but not dedicated to each saddle really - this summer hasn't provided me time to organize my gear yet.

I have a backpack that carries sticks well and it would be a pain to move back and forth so I see the dilemma. For all other gear, I would use a small backpack like @kyler1945 showed that could be mounted to the JX-3 or easily taken off and carried on its own. Now that I think about it, I'd probably pick up a molle frame pack or get one like @Squirrels made so I would have something very similar to the JX-3 and could move the sticks/bag between the two.

 

[kyler1945]

Get two bow hoists if you use them - I had three hunts last year where I forgot to swap my hoist from my pack to my hybrid and had to carry bow up on my back.

Get a small pouch or bag to hold the "essentials" that go on every hunt - license, keys, wallet, release, windchecker, headlamp, grunt tube, etc. This pouch goes where I go. It sits on the kitchen counter the night before, the console of my truck, and then whichever setup I'm hunting. This cuts down on the "I have to go back to the truck" stuff.

I only use one pack when I'm hunting with the kestrel - the MR popup - because I want the ability to pack critters out. I'm not swapping between a bunch of different bags. But when I was, the above essentials bag kept me from screwing up.

Climbing method can easily be swapped between whatever you're using.

I've acquired enough rope and climbing hardware that I keep a lineman's belt and tether with each saddle.

I have only found a single downside to the hybrid - and it's not one that will affect most people. I'm about as narrow as they come - and that 20" seat sticks out on either side of my waist. One of the advantages to being tall/thin is slipping through thick cover easier - long stride and less surface area. I am able to get through nasty stuff a little easier with just a pack that sits inside my shoulder blades over a hybrid. Most folks are going to be a little wider across the waist/shoulders that the seat, and it won't be an issue.

Having said that - I was about 50/50 last season once I got the hybrid. I anticipate spending the vast majority of my hunts in the hybrid this season. It's simply too comfortable and convenient to use. When compared to a stand and busting through brush, it's no comparison because of the soft material covering the frame. And honestly, it really was more in my head than anything. I am typically still hunting/scouting my way into an evening hunt and I'm usually close to deer. For most folks who know where they are going, and aren't tromping all around, the issue I have wouldn't come up.

Some folks seem to struggle with the hybrid, and get overwhelmed by "all the straps". I don't know if it just never bothered me, or if hunting out of a guido's web for a few seasons helped me get used to it. But it's really no different from an efficiency standpoint than a minimal saddle. It takes about 45 seconds to get situated once you're at height. The key difference in my opinion is to learn to shoot sitting down if you don't already. The real advantage of the hybrid is being able to cut down on large sudden movements. Your upper body should never be moving, and you're just working your legs and the fork around the tree to get a different angle. You can still lean and make every single shot you can in a minimal saddle. But not being overbowed, and learned to shoot sitting, and getting around the tree to do so, will take a little practice and effort.

 

[Bigterp]

My JX3 is in the mix , I wouldn’t call it primary or secondary just another tool to utilize for right setup. I use a small tenzing sling pack for kite & Jx3 so my small items are interchangeable( tether, gear hanger, water snacks, range finder, binos, tp & kill kit) . On my kite, wearing it in w/ lb daisy chained on left side & bridge attached on both sides & tucked in belt. Sticks on shoulder strap or LWHC over shoulder as well. Jx3 has its own LB & bridge attached (similar setup), sticks or LWHC strapped on back, bag sandwiches in B/W. So really just 2 extra ropeman 1’s & an extra LB is only duplicate, but your not forgetting anything that way. So for short sits or I just wanna be lighter I’ll go in w/ my kite. Longer sits or muzzloader hunts I prefer JX3 & take the weight penalty for comfort.....
I think you just grab what you feel like. I’ll give a better review after a heavy pack out w/ my JX3....

 

[EricS]

As of right now I only plan to rifle hunt from the hybrid. Our bow season is hot and hunts are usually short. I also prefer shooting my bow out of a regular saddle vs the hybrid. I don’t see myself using the hybrid for srt either. I love sitting in the hybrid but how much I like it overall will he decided in the woods.

 

[Nutterbuster]

As of right now I only plan to rifle hunt from the hybrid. Our bow season is hot and hunts are usually short. I also prefer shooting my bow out of a regular saddle vs the hybrid. I don’t see myself using the hybrid for srt either. I love sitting in the hybrid but how much I like it overall will he decided in the woods.

That kinda reflects my thoughts on it. I'm not sitting long enough in October to justify carrying it over a 1lb cloth saddle.

 

[elk yinzer]

I still occasionally switch between a saddle and the evil, dreaded t-word that shall not be mentioned, and run into the same issue where I found it just a lot easier to have duplicate setups. Not to the extent of having two sets of sticks, tethers, clothes, that's all easy enough to transfer and clothing I'm used to varying each hunt based on weather anywho. But I use a different pack for each, now each one has its own pullup rope, bow hooks, flashlight, tp, knife, spare batteries, that kinda stuff. Just seemed to me worth the cost of duplicating the accessories to where I only had to make a couple quick transfers.

 

[EricS]

That kinda reflects my thoughts on it. I'm not sitting long enough in October to justify carrying it over a 1lb cloth saddle.

Absolutely. The jx3 shines in comfort. On those all day sits it will be golden. When I’m climbing a tree at 4am in a bedding area knowing it will be a couple hours before I can even pretend to see deer I will be glad I’m in the hybrid. Set my alarm on vibrate and take a nap. Wake up refreshed and surrounded by deer. Could I make it work as my one and only saddle? I think so but I don’t see it happening and don’t think that was the intention of the jx3. I may totally change my mind and sell everything else to buy some squirrel steps so who knows.

 

[Gator]

I'm about as narrow as they come - and that 20" seat sticks out on either side of my waist. One of the advantages to being tall/thin is slipping through thick cover easier - long stride and less surface area. I am able to get through nasty stuff a little easier with just a pack that sits inside my shoulder blades over a hybrid. Most folks are going to be a little wider across the waist/shoulders that the seat, and it won't be an issue.
.

JX3 seems extremely wide to me. I could easily lose 4" of width and probably more.

 

[kyler1945]

JX3 seems extremely wide to me. I could easily lose 4" of width and probably more.

I think 2" max, for narrow people. You have to remember, your legs are going on either side of the tree, so it opens your thighs up. If you're on an 18" tree, and having normal sized legs, you could be pushing out on the sides of the straps, eliminating the main advantage of the hybrid over the saddle - no side pressure. You could use it with a platform, and keep feet/legs together, but then it wouldn't be comfortable because you'd be using your leg muscles, not the fork to keep you away from the tree.

A lot of thought went into the design of the web, and then the hybrid. They didn't just randomly select that width. As I've said, my complaint about the width is very subjective. It's a non issue for 99% of the people who will use it.

 

[TNSTAAFL]

So, I'm wondering: for guys who use the JX-3 as their primary saddle, do you keep a secondary?
If so, what situations would the Kestrel out perform the JX-3 so that it's worth having two saddles ready to go?

I have a Kite that I hunted out of last year and a JX3 to use in addition to the Kite this year. I don't think I'll be inter changing them though. I plan to use the Kite throigh Sept/Oct archery season then put it away and break out the JX3 for Rifle/Muzzle (ours is late). So my plan is one set of everything and just change out the setup once.

I don't do long sits during archery and I was plenty comfortable in the Kite last year, especially on a platform (Primal). The gun seasons are cold up north. Lots of clothes for long days. Eating and drinking. Sitting and glassing. All things that seem to call for the Hybrid. I used a millennium m100u one year and it was a dreamy sit (and terrible to carry with sticks!). The Hybrid is my attempt to recreate that experience in a lighter format.

I like the open feel of the Kite and a platform during archery. To me it's kind of like the difference between my old Summit Viper and the Lone Wolf Hand Climber I replaced it with. Major difference in the "open air" feeling which I found helpful with bow hunting. I know others use the hybrid for archery but I just feel better maneuvering and drawing in my Kite setup.

Could just be me. Or just me justifying my purchases! I like both systems and plan to stick with both. For this year I'll use them as specialists. Next year? Maybe one will be in the classifieds!

 

[parkersdad]

I've owned five saddles now. Three minimalist saddles, the web, and the JX3 Hybrid. The only one I still have is the JX3 Hybrid. I am glad to carry the extra weight to sit in comfort and be completely still. Also it is built out of material that breaths so the problem that the web had of being hot in my opinion is gone.

 

[EricS]

I think 2" max, for narrow people. You have to remember, your legs are going on either side of the tree, so it opens your thighs up. If you're on an 18" tree, and having normal sized legs, you could be pushing out on the sides of the straps, eliminating the main advantage of the hybrid over the saddle - no side pressure. You could use it with a platform, and keep feet/legs together, but then it wouldn't be comfortable because you'd be using your leg muscles, not the fork to keep you away from the tree.

A lot of thought went into the design of the web, and then the hybrid. They didn't just randomly select that width. As I've said, my complaint about the width is very subjective. It's a non issue for 99% of the people who will use it.

I agree. I do think a shorter (front to back) seat will be a good addition in the future also. I’m 6’1” and it’s about perfect width and depth fit me.

 

[Sheldon]

I agree. I do think a shorter (front to back) seat will be a good addition in the future also. I’m 6’1” and it’s about perfect width and depth fit me.

+2. I am short but I am fat. At 5’7” with short legs a version with a couple inches off the length would be perfect! In its current state not a huge problem, just have to slide forward a bit. Still figuring everything so I don’t have the issue with the frame on top the seat (I think) which then allows it to “recline” regardless of how tight you have the back tension adjusted. Problem solved by scooting all the way back but the front of the seat hits below the knee. More of a case of “You out of the gene pool!” as can’t account for absolutely every body type when making something like this. Will figure it out but is by far the most comfortable piece of gear I’ve tried.


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[skyjacker]

Man I have zero issues with the JX3. I freaking love this thing. Still practicing and getting used to it. I think the chair mode gets overlooked because none of us want to sit on the ground. Sometimes I don't have a choice when going into territory I've never hunted before (like western Oklahoma). I was packing a Crazy Creek Hex 2.0 chair. Which is not nearly as comfortable as the JX3 in chair mode. Legs would go numb in that CC Hex chair after a couple hours but it had back support. So there's that.