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!
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!
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!