Couldnt decide whether this needed a new thread or should have gone under Beer Monsters post.
Hammock arrived yesterday - Asym Expedition ( sorry said Explorer first time round ) plus snake skin. Collected from couriers today - so what follows is very much initial view and result of putting it up twice and a quick siesta this afternoon!
You will have gathered that, despite brain as big as a planet etc etc - I can be pretty dim on the uptake; so polite pointers/ observations welcome.
Comes in a nice bag with instructions printed on it. Leaves no one within 10 metres in doubt that you are in the Hennessy Club!
Nicely put together and on first glance well finished. Was a little concerned at longevity of the system given tension appears to be carried through a thin 'paracord' and the base fabric. Got impression that if it goes/ rips - it'll go spectacularly.
I repeat - only had for a few hours and slept in it for all of an hour; very early days. But at risk of sounding picky, I am not convinced this is £80 plus worth of kit.
Secondly, the web straps to protect the trees etc ( a very valid point ), were effectively car seat belt material. Seems over engineered for task - consequently a relatively heavy addition to an otherwise touted light-weight system. What are the tapes like on the Ray Mears/ Eco system?
It went up quite easily - would go along with 3 minute up claims etc. I have read and re-read the instructions and assume there are supposed to be two fly attachment gizmos - one on each support line? I got one only, so had to go field expedient to put the flysheet up. Coming back to price, an irritating ommission ( if I'm correct ). However, I did like the prusik knot system - neat, simple and effective - very in spirit of Bushcraft.
Despite following guide on height setting and tensioning, I had to redo several times to actually get airborne under full weight. OK, I'm a porker, but system had a considerable degree of strrrreeettttcch
I know why no video of actually getting in appears on the website! It is as simple as they describe - just not lady like! Getting out with cat-like grace is going to take some practise and digging out the Rosemary Conley video.
The integral midge screen is a bit strange and could be claustrophobic at times. But did rapidly get used to it and even gentle breeze did filter through. Doesnt seem to carry any load - very tempting to look at making one side demountable. Anyone been there?
They are absolutely spot on - once ensconced, it is comfy - suited aforementioned porker very nicely! Will be trying it tonight in the top field.
Final gripey bit - whilst snoozing, started to notice maybe two dozen or more snags in the netting. Nothing outrageous and must have been there at packing. Hi-lighted because I was looking out at a clear blue sky. Nothing was ripped or torn, just symetry of the weave was pulled. It did however result in gaps plenty large enough for midge invasion. Depends whether they do or not - time will tell.
Snags didnt seem to really be a manufacturing defect - just a consequence of having a fine and light weight net.
So - thumbs up or down? To be honest - kinda neutral for the moment. I need some field time with it. With a phrase that drives marketing men and quality control bonkers... ' guess I expected something a bit 'more', but not sure what'.
How does this accord with you guys?
Oakleaf
Hammock arrived yesterday - Asym Expedition ( sorry said Explorer first time round ) plus snake skin. Collected from couriers today - so what follows is very much initial view and result of putting it up twice and a quick siesta this afternoon!
You will have gathered that, despite brain as big as a planet etc etc - I can be pretty dim on the uptake; so polite pointers/ observations welcome.
Comes in a nice bag with instructions printed on it. Leaves no one within 10 metres in doubt that you are in the Hennessy Club!
Nicely put together and on first glance well finished. Was a little concerned at longevity of the system given tension appears to be carried through a thin 'paracord' and the base fabric. Got impression that if it goes/ rips - it'll go spectacularly.
I repeat - only had for a few hours and slept in it for all of an hour; very early days. But at risk of sounding picky, I am not convinced this is £80 plus worth of kit.
Secondly, the web straps to protect the trees etc ( a very valid point ), were effectively car seat belt material. Seems over engineered for task - consequently a relatively heavy addition to an otherwise touted light-weight system. What are the tapes like on the Ray Mears/ Eco system?
It went up quite easily - would go along with 3 minute up claims etc. I have read and re-read the instructions and assume there are supposed to be two fly attachment gizmos - one on each support line? I got one only, so had to go field expedient to put the flysheet up. Coming back to price, an irritating ommission ( if I'm correct ). However, I did like the prusik knot system - neat, simple and effective - very in spirit of Bushcraft.
Despite following guide on height setting and tensioning, I had to redo several times to actually get airborne under full weight. OK, I'm a porker, but system had a considerable degree of strrrreeettttcch
I know why no video of actually getting in appears on the website! It is as simple as they describe - just not lady like! Getting out with cat-like grace is going to take some practise and digging out the Rosemary Conley video.
The integral midge screen is a bit strange and could be claustrophobic at times. But did rapidly get used to it and even gentle breeze did filter through. Doesnt seem to carry any load - very tempting to look at making one side demountable. Anyone been there?
They are absolutely spot on - once ensconced, it is comfy - suited aforementioned porker very nicely! Will be trying it tonight in the top field.
Final gripey bit - whilst snoozing, started to notice maybe two dozen or more snags in the netting. Nothing outrageous and must have been there at packing. Hi-lighted because I was looking out at a clear blue sky. Nothing was ripped or torn, just symetry of the weave was pulled. It did however result in gaps plenty large enough for midge invasion. Depends whether they do or not - time will tell.
Snags didnt seem to really be a manufacturing defect - just a consequence of having a fine and light weight net.
So - thumbs up or down? To be honest - kinda neutral for the moment. I need some field time with it. With a phrase that drives marketing men and quality control bonkers... ' guess I expected something a bit 'more', but not sure what'.
How does this accord with you guys?
Oakleaf
