I wore both a facebow with cervical strap, and a pair of j-hooks with a high-pull headgear (not simultaneously) during my treatment in the mid-1970s.

I remember the j-hooks being much more comfortable and less of a hindrance than the facebow.  If I had to choose, I'd definitely take the j-hooks despite the extra visual impact of the high-pull headgear with the padded thingumbob to keep the j-hooks properly aligned and presumably to prevent accidents.

Which raises two questions:

1.  For anyone who has also worn both, was your experience similar?

2.  Does anyone have any idea why it seems that j-hook headgear is currently far less commonly used, at least in western countries?