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Who is hunting from a JX3 ? (I'm seeking input)

I’ve tried wild edge steps (that’s its own separate topic) and API huntin sticks. For some reason I just don’t feel secure climbing with it. If I use a linesman rope on a regular safety harness I’m fine. I just couldn’t get used to the JX3 and the way it felt to climb with. Then once I was up it was a real challenge to transition from the steps to a platform and then finally hook the tether up onto the hybrid. I just felt like I was going to fall the whole time I dunno why. And sitting in it and balancing on that whale tail thing in between the seat I felt like I was going to swing around out of control or something. I honestly think it’s just me. Nothing wrong with the saddle, I just felt insecure about the whole thing. Like I said I’ve tried “faking” the feel of a traditional saddle with the lineman’s rope hook up on my regular safety harness and I feel fine about all of it. I encourage anyone who wants to to buy one and try it. It’s a cool as hell product. It just wasn’t for me I guess.


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It sounds like you are having a issue trusting the gear. If you haven't hunted out of saddle like treestands before I suggest just setting up at ground level. I at first didn't like my mantis until I set it up a few inches off the ground and then jumped around in, I even got myself to go upside down and after that I was comfortable relying on it.
 
It sounds like you are having a issue trusting the gear. If you haven't hunted out of saddle like treestands before I suggest just setting up at ground level. I at first didn't like my mantis until I set it up a few inches off the ground and then jumped around in, I even got myself to go upside down and after that I was comfortable relying on it.

Gotcha. Makes sense. I have worked with it several times a couple feet off the ground. It’s not bad in that set up. It’s when I get to height that I lose it.


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Gotcha. Makes sense. I have worked with it several times a couple feet off the ground. It’s not bad in that set up. It’s when I get to height that I lose it.


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and you feel safe in traditional treestands at high heights?
 
I do. Sometimes takes me a couple minutes to acclimate to the height but overall I feel ok in traditional stands. And climbers.


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So I feel safe enough to say that I think it's just a height thing for you. I'm not sure how long you've been hunting but I can tell you I had this problem pretty bad when I was a teen. The person that taught me the beginning stages of hunting was not the safest person (still to this day he doesn't use a safety harness) so I had to learn the safety side of hunting on my own. It took some time but over the years I began to trust my equipment. I would do things like setting up a treestand 4 feet off the ground and intentionally fall off so I'd know what to do incase I did fall at 25'. Through my years of hunting, every mistake I made was because I was in a hurry. I have found that hunting is a lot more enjoyable if you just take your time.

Also saddle hunting isn't for everyone and that's 100% ok. Even though this is a saddle hunting forum, the amount of things you can learn from these guys here is priceless. So stick around!
 
So I feel safe enough to say that I think it's just a height thing for you. I'm not sure how long you've been hunting but I can tell you I had this problem pretty bad when I was a teen. The person that taught me the beginning stages of hunting was not the safest person (still to this day he doesn't use a safety harness) so I had to learn the safety side of hunting on my own. It took some time but over the years I began to trust my equipment. I would do things like setting up a treestand 4 feet off the ground and intentionally fall off so I'd know what to do incase I did fall at 25'. Through my years of hunting, every mistake I made was because I was in a hurry. I have found that hunting is a lot more enjoyable if you just take your time.

Also saddle hunting isn't for everyone and that's 100% ok. Even though this is a saddle hunting forum, the amount of things you can learn from these guys here is priceless. So stick around!

That’s really bad not to use a safety harness. Hopefully he changes that before it’s too late. Yes you’re right it is a height thing with me and that is a hurdle I’m continuing to get over. I do want to try saddle hunting though. Seems like the best you can do for portability and mobility. I feel like a traditional saddle will be better for me than the JX3. Although the JX3 was very cool, I just don’t think it was for me. Yes you’re right, rushing is the worst thing it seems like. Definitely planning on sticking around. Always learning something new.


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I’ve commented on other posts with similar replies, so I’m a bit of a broken record here, just my opinion... I also feel the same way about climbing and setting up the JX3. Starting two weeks ago I’ve layered a rc harness under it, I advance the tether the whole way up hooked to that harness, and then once I’ve switched the tether to the JX3 I girth the lineman’s and hook that to the rc harness. I feel much safer. I also climb and descend with the seat folded up and I pull my bag up with a rope, I don’t climb with that added weight. This is my first saddle, and I’m also really struggling with weak side shot angles, I’ve pretty much given up on that so I put a lot of attention to tree selection. The higher the tether and the narrower the tree, the more coverage I have. So there’s a ‘sweet spot’ for trees. From the time I’m at the base of the tree, I’m about 35 mins to being setup. I might be able to shave a little time as I practice, but for me the reality is there’s quite a few steps involved and I have to pay so much attention to details I really need to be deliberate. I’m committed to this thing, but there’s a learning curve.
 
Also I like the whale tail. I use two Ameristeps set a touch higher than my top double step (no platform). When I’m kicked back the ameristeps with a foot on each side of the tree provide a lot of comfort and good control for slow rotations to new positions.

I’ve also added (1) a thin foam pad on the seat for this cold weather, (2) two fleece bags, (3) diy load lifters (4) molle elastic gear retainers that let my gear ropes spool out as I climb, (5) plastic molle clips to hang two sticks as I climb, and (6) a string and clip to ensure the seat doesn’t swing down when climbing.
 
Also I like the whale tail. I use two Ameristeps set a touch higher than my top double step (no platform). When I’m kicked back the ameristeps with a foot on each side of the tree provide a lot of comfort and good control for slow rotations to new positions.

I’ve also added (1) a thin foam pad on the seat for this cold weather, (2) two fleece bags, (3) diy load lifters (4) molle elastic gear retainers that let my gear ropes spool out as I climb, (5) plastic molle clips to hang two sticks as I climb, and (6) a string and clip to ensure the seat doesn’t swing down when climbing.

That all sounds pretty cool. For me personally though I really am pushing to be as simple as I can with a little amount of gear as possible with the ability to get up the tree hopefully within 10-15 min max. Based on how I feel when climbing and trying to achieve all these other goals with the system, I’m going to try the traditional saddle route and see how it goes for me. I think the JX3 is really cool and it is insanely comfortable. Aside from sitting back and relaxing when finally set up, I just couldn’t get the experience to be what I wanted to be with it. Sounds like it’s working for you with the mods. Glad to hear it!


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That all sounds pretty cool. For me personally though I really am pushing to be as simple as I can with a little amount of gear as possible with the ability to get up the tree hopefully within 10-15 min max. Based on how I feel when climbing and trying to achieve all these other goals with the system, I’m going to try the traditional saddle route and see how it goes for me. I think the JX3 is really cool and it is insanely comfortable. Aside from sitting back and relaxing when finally set up, I just couldn’t get the experience to be what I wanted to be with it. Sounds like it’s working for you with the mods. Glad to hear it!


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I hear ya, it can be a chore. I will say, the more I think about slipping on a stick or a stick failure, the less I like the lineman as my only attachment point. We had a baby last year maybe that’s what’s changed my thinking... but I would encourage you to try tether all the way up a few times (whatever you’re hunting from), it only adds a couple mins, cheap insurance policy.
 
I hear ya, it can be a chore. I will say, the more I think about slipping on a stick or a stick failure, the less I like the lineman as my only attachment point. We had a baby last year maybe that’s what’s changed my thinking... but I would encourage you to try tether all the way up a few times (whatever you’re hunting from), it only adds a couple mins, cheap insurance policy.

Yeah you’re right. My thinking changed a lot when I had kids too. Safety is the most important. I’ll give the tether a try next time I climb. I like the idea the more I think about it.


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That all sounds pretty cool. For me personally though I really am pushing to be as simple as I can with a little amount of gear as possible with the ability to get up the tree hopefully within 10-15 min max. Based on how I feel when climbing and trying to achieve all these other goals with the system, I’m going to try the traditional saddle route and see how it goes for me. I think the JX3 is really cool and it is insanely comfortable. Aside from sitting back and relaxing when finally set up, I just couldn’t get the experience to be what I wanted to be with it. Sounds like it’s working for you with the mods. Glad to hear it!


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Mine is scheduled to be delivered tomorrow. Can you post a picture for ideas?
 
My jx3 will be here within the next hour so I'll get mine on the tree either this afternoon or tomorrow morning and I'll see if I can see what you guys are saying about the transition from standing to sitting down. You guys got me a little nervous that I won't like it and I'll have to axe my plans to sell my mantis and predator platform setup lol
 
I'm also looking to do the one stick climbing method. I'll let you two know what I think since y'all like having the tether around the tree for climbing
 
My jx3 will be here within the next hour so I'll get mine on the tree either this afternoon or tomorrow morning and I'll see if I can see what you guys are saying about the transition from standing to sitting down. You guys got me a little nervous that I won't like it and I'll have to axe my plans to sell my mantis and predator platform setup lol
Enjoy!

Everybody is their own person, but I don't know how you could not love this thing.

I have zero issue with climbing (LB or 1-stick with tether), and zero issue going from standing to sitting. You'll have to be your own judge of what works for you, but I wouldn't be worried.
 
My jx3 will be here within the next hour so I'll get mine on the tree either this afternoon or tomorrow morning and I'll see if I can see what you guys are saying about the transition from standing to sitting down. You guys got me a little nervous that I won't like it and I'll have to axe my plans to sell my mantis and predator platform setup lol

Lol don’t take my word for it. Just try it yourself and see what you think. I think I was the problem, not the saddle.


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To add to a few of my prior comments, I have no issue transitioning from climb to hang, since my top step is my platform. Standing and adjusting the prussic height is a little bit awkward though.
 
I’ve been hunting from mine all season. I one stick climb and I have had no issues. When you get to the top and sit down you should take your backpack straps off and fold them behind you. That opens the stand up for shooting.


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