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Talk me out of a JX3

kyler1945 said:
I use the versa pack system from JX3. Unless I’m carrying 2-3 liters of water, I use the bino harness and one small pouch only. Rarely use the big bag. I’m firmly in the don’t need a large pack camp and can’t understand the need for em to hunt deer really.

Lots of info on my system here in a couple threads I’ve started. Some YouTube videos too.

I climb different ways. Sticks, bolts, ropes. Sit on the ground.
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I read through the big JX3 thread you started. I’ll check out the YT. Got a link?
 
Crawdaddy4 said:
I was actually considering a JX3 someone is selling in the classifieds.

Curious, do you use a platform or ROS with yours?

I find myself "leaning" most of the time because it's the best on my old back. Guess that's because I'm just "softer and lazier"? Curious if you ever/can stand or lean in the JX3?
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Latitude X-Wing is pretty decent with the JX3. It’s a bit harder to transition to standing on the platform compared to a soft saddle, but you can achieve a true upright standing position that ROS doesn’t really afford.

The wings are pretty decent for seated position foot comfort but not as perfect as ROS, and ROS is better suited for walking the tree.

You can pair them together for the best of both.
 
Some food for thought, & maybe some new ideas, & nothing more...

I've read the whole thread. You ordered a JX3- I'll say this-good for you! For what it's worth, here's how I use mine, when I use it. I probably hunt 90 % from the ground-it's a sickness-I like to "beat 'em at their own game," which is why I come home most of the time empty-handed! To me, it's not about the number of kills, it's about how I kill 'em! :wink:

But when I use the JX3, it's like this:

First, I'm a Wild Edge Step guy. I have sticks, but usually only use those when I'm hanging my trail cams. I can put a sack of 10 steps inside the JX3 & fold the seat up with no problem. I usually only need 7 of the 10, because I get about 5 ft between each step with a knaider/swaider. So, 3 steps usually gets me up to the height that I want. then another step is used above the 3rd step to mount a WE Perch. That's all I need for my feet to rest on with the JX3. 2 more steps go on each side of the tree. Now I can go all the way around it if I need to. Another step goes above the Perch step-it has 2 purposes- first, it lets me step a little higher to set my rappel rope (which is also my tether, and the higher it's attached to the tree, the more adjustability I have with the JX3,) and second, it's a handy "hand-grab" for me to use if I want -I'm an old guy-61 yrs, and sometimes I need to be able to grab a fixed point quick! :wink: The extra steps are there in case I get up there & realize that I need to be higher.

For extra layers/raingear, whatever, I just use a dry bag & stuff everything in that. There's plent of places to attach it to the JX3, or I put it above the steps before folding up the seat. The leg straps passed around the seat keep everything cinched down. Once at the tree, any extra pants I have go on before I climb, & jackets can be donned once I'm up.

I bought a small hydration pack from Amazon-it holds my water bladder, binocs, 1st aid kit, protein bars, & other doo-dads. I looped a piece of paracord around 2 loops on the pack, & it hangs nicely from the hook that the seat hangs on.

I have other "traditional" saddles. But In my opinon, they are not near as comfortable as the JX3.

Comfort matters to us old guys-not so much for young guys!

Hope that this helps!
 
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kyler1945 said:
Note: every tree and person and circumstance different.

In most cases, tether as high as you can reach with the hybrid. This will give you the most utility of being able to pivot on the fork.

Reach as high as possible, tighten girth hitch.

Get to know your hitch/device, and the hybrid bridge, and what height to typically set it at while standing on your platform.

Note: it is best to set your hitch slightly too high and work down, rather than the opposite.

Set hitch roughly above where it should be to get you level.

Sit down. If your fork doesn’t contact the tree perpendicular to gravity, with your knees bent 90*, adjust.

As I said in that video - you should be able to pick up your feet, the and fork not slide up or down.
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^^^^^^
This. I’m 6’5”, and always slide the tether as high as I can reach. Once in a while If I slide back in the seat the fork would want to slide up the tree, but I found if I extend the fork all the way out this was never an issue.

Also, I’m mainly a sitter, but it’s nice to lean from time to time on long sits. It’s every bit as comfortable leaning as it is sitting. Since I use the LWHC as my platform my feet are a good ways from the tree, so I don’t have to adjust my prussic on the tether. However, if I was using a ring of steps I would definitely raise the prussic 4” - 5” up the tether so that I would not be leaning back at such an extreme angle.

Lastly, when I first stand into a leaning position I will reach down and grab the sides of the seat with both hands and slide it several inches up towards my back. The leg straps are still buckled so there is no way you will slide out of the seat. Then I will reach behind me with one hand and tuck the backrest inside the back of the seat so you are completely unaware of the backrest. I can do this slowly and quietly with animals coming in to view with no issues.

I’ve likely got over 150 sits in the JX 3, with a handful of dark to dark sits. I’m still learning little things about it that make it even better. I would encourage anyone who wants to try it to give it at least several sits before passing judgment. It’s worth the little extra time required to figure out how to make it best work for you.
 
TradBowGuy said:
I'll have to give that a try! When I want to stand & lean, what I've been doing is just extending the side straps that let the seat back recline, then I just stand up & lean with the seat hanging where it does.
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I’m gonna give your method a try as well. Might be easier. I started doing more leaning this year as this was my first fall season using a Recurve. 62 inch AMO. I can shoot it while seated, but seem to get a little better string clearance if I’m in the leaning position.
 
I'm 6-5 and also have a JX3 in my inventory as well. When I take it to a tree in the morning there's no thought about how long I can sit that day. I can sit all day in my JX3.
 
Liking it more and more as I get used to it. It sure is nice on these long rut sits. I want to switch to 8mm oplux tether. Is there any reason why that’s a bad idea. The rope it come’s with is to bulky.

All that being said.

IT DOESN’t WORK AT ALL!!! I have seen a mature buck yet. Junk.
 
Lumberman said:
Liking it more and more as I get used to it. It sure is nice on these long rut sits. I want to switch to 8mm oplux tether. Is there any reason why that’s a bad idea. The rope it come’s with is to bulky.

All that being said.

IT DOESN’t WORK AT ALL!!! I have seen a mature buck yet. Junk.
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If I didn’t already have smaller ropes, I would just stick with the stock stuff. It’s not worth it to me personally.

That said, I use smaller ropes because I already had them. Get yourself a different tether that makes you happy, and keep the stock ones as backups.


I went through a similar season. I would take hybrid, try to film hunts, see nothing.

Take any other stand or saddle or sit on ground, kill deer. I’d be lying if I didn’t think it had something to do with it. Broke the curse and it’s been smooth sailing the last 3 seasons
 
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