Tarps. Why not use bungies instead of cord?
- Thread starter The Lord Poncho
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I used bungees all the time in the TA but now tend to use cord. Cord is stronger, lighter and more versatile and it's only downside is that you have to learn a few knots, but isn't improving such skills all part of the fun anyway? Off-the-shelf bungees are heavy but in the military context this was never much of an issue as you tend to carry so much weight anyway that they make a negligible difference. If I were to go back to bungees I would make my own using 3mm shock-cord and tensioning knots with perhaps a single nylon clip at the tarp end if I thought the 45 seconds tying-on was a luxury I couldn't afford.
I also used bungees all the time in the TA as did nearly evryone else!
main reason because they're so quick to use(and take down in a hurry!:theyareon ),
we were advised if we didn't use bungees then keep a knife handy to cut down the poncho cords as you wouldn't have time to untie the knots if the enemy were on their way! (which is also why string was advised, as it is less expensive and less useful than Paracord)
some soldiers used to bend the hooks so they never came off the poncho.
they had other uses like straping gear on to your bag/webbing.
the bungees I used to make the poncho shelter also held it together when wrapped up in the poncho roll.
If you walk through an army training area, you'll find the odd "Bungee tree" where the soldier wasn't quite fast enough with his bungees and in haste left them!
Just as a side point The bungees i used in the TA around 1990 I still use today!
(shows how long lasting they are!)
I have gone through phases of using cord but I always find they're more fiddly having to do knots etc and then winding it back up, especially if wearing gloves.
I've recently got some of these:
http://www.rvops.co.uk/field-kit-81/essentials-20/small-cleat-1797.html
which make life even easier (watch the clip you'll see what i mean!).
I now have 4 DIY 1.5m long bungees 1 at each corner of my tarp,
with cleats so adjustable from 0 to 2m (approx).
Lazy or not, I'll be under cover before you!
main reason because they're so quick to use(and take down in a hurry!:theyareon ),
we were advised if we didn't use bungees then keep a knife handy to cut down the poncho cords as you wouldn't have time to untie the knots if the enemy were on their way! (which is also why string was advised, as it is less expensive and less useful than Paracord)
some soldiers used to bend the hooks so they never came off the poncho.
they had other uses like straping gear on to your bag/webbing.
the bungees I used to make the poncho shelter also held it together when wrapped up in the poncho roll.
If you walk through an army training area, you'll find the odd "Bungee tree" where the soldier wasn't quite fast enough with his bungees and in haste left them!
Just as a side point The bungees i used in the TA around 1990 I still use today!
(shows how long lasting they are!)
I have gone through phases of using cord but I always find they're more fiddly having to do knots etc and then winding it back up, especially if wearing gloves.
I've recently got some of these:
http://www.rvops.co.uk/field-kit-81/essentials-20/small-cleat-1797.html
which make life even easier (watch the clip you'll see what i mean!).
I now have 4 DIY 1.5m long bungees 1 at each corner of my tarp,
with cleats so adjustable from 0 to 2m (approx).
Lazy or not, I'll be under cover before you!
Good. I like nice bits of kit. Can they also work on the ridge line or do you end up with 6 tie outs?
Ohh that sounds like a race for a meet
I was about to buy some of these when I noticed his "line loks" http://www.rvops.co.uk/sleeping-cooking-76/hammocks-ponchos-68/line-lock-lock-it-1930.html.
I think these are the same as the ones mentioned by Steven Andrews earlier, but at 35p each its got to be worth a punt. The interesting thing is that in the attached video clip he says that he now recommend these over bungees, even though he is going to make far less money out of it!
I don't know what it is about that site, but I find myself trusting them!
Zodiak
They look the same as, or very nearly the same as the Hilleberg ones.
I have bought from RVOps before and can recommend them. (I think they're ex-Royal Marines and they know their products)
I have bought from RVOps before and can recommend them. (I think they're ex-Royal Marines and they know their products)
Mind you he calls "Guy" lines "Guide" lines which on the grand scheme of things is trivial, but as a Scout Leader you tend to notice these things
Hmm - I find that thing kid of annoying as well...in the same vien as calling a knife sheath a "sheaf"...attributing the name of one specific item to another item in print due to misconcepetion and pronounciation...
It always makes me mistrust the proficiency of the writer to understand what the heck they are writing about as an in depth knowledge would have shown them their error....
This always looks bad to me - far worse than spelling errors/typos etc
For my bashas I always carry cord AND bungies - versatility rules!
It always makes me mistrust the proficiency of the writer to understand what the heck they are writing about as an in depth knowledge would have shown them their error....
This always looks bad to me - far worse than spelling errors/typos etc
For my bashas I always carry cord AND bungies - versatility rules!
Hmm - I find that thing kid of annoying as well...in the same vien as calling a knife sheath a "sheaf"...attributing the name of one specific item to another item in print due to misconcepetion and pronounciation...
It always makes me mistrust the proficiency of the writer to understand what the heck they are writing about as an in depth knowledge would have shown them their error....
This always looks bad to me - far worse than spelling errors/typos etc
I agree. His use of "guide lines"
looks really bad. Much worse than spelling errors and typos.It's probably best to avoid buying from him, just to be on the safe side.
Yeah - no question!
I'm sure he knows much more about amphibious warfare than most of us..
But he is selling camping kit not military tactics
I am sure he would get frustrated if I called a Marines combat Smock a combat Frock.....
Both work equally well however bungees are well known for their ability to 'hide' in the woods at which time the ability to tie a taught line hitch is very useful.
I use paracord permanently attached to my shelters the hitches pre-tied only occasionally having to retie a knot my luxury is 'twizzle pegs' from Arktis (no connection but donations gratefully received) these are excellent and I get really grumpy if I lose one.
Pothunter.
I use paracord permanently attached to my shelters the hitches pre-tied only occasionally having to retie a knot my luxury is 'twizzle pegs' from Arktis (no connection but donations gratefully received) these are excellent and I get really grumpy if I lose one.
Pothunter.
I was setting up a basher for my daugher to play under in the garden and managed to ping a bungee into a neighbours roof gutter 30 foot away. I've now bent the hooks onto the eyelets.
so how hard were you pulling the bungee?
I've never had this problem...or the hook in eye, am i just being more careful?
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"I took a bungie in the eye once, "
Not joking but it is a risk I have heard of someone losing an eye
"I took a bungie in the eye once, "
Not joking but it is a risk I have heard of someone losing an eye
Paracord if there are youngsters around the camp - bungees if its a bootneck / craphat 'storm the hills' job.
Then all bets are off and the tarps are 2 feet off the ground and bolted down and scrim thrown over. That way the deer actually stand in puzzled amusment because dammit they can smell us but can they see us? fat chances.
Then all bets are off and the tarps are 2 feet off the ground and bolted down and scrim thrown over. That way the deer actually stand in puzzled amusment because dammit they can smell us but can they see us? fat chances.
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