RB,

I used a Fletchhunter for a few years, still have it I believe. Very good release in it's day, and still nicer than alot of other mid-priced offerings today. Has the travel you are looking for, but the trigger is very far behind the head. Smooth shooting release..PITA to use with a loop unless it's a very big loop, IME.

I don't have any personal experience with the new JD series, but I've heard from Len there is an issue with the hook model with the string slipping off or the release going off by itself. So I would look into the closed head jaw IIWY.