View Full Version : hammock
firebreather
21-03-2007, 01:01
I have just bought one of these from evilbay i hope its ok. I will get some piccys up and my thoughts on it when it arrives.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=018&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=280088046555&rd=1&rd=1
If anybody buys one ,use the buy it now option and dont bid as it will save you £2 on postage.
I have just bought one of these from evilbay i hope its ok. I will get some piccys up and my thoughts on it when it arrives.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=018&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=280088046555&rd=1&rd=1
If anybody buys one ,use the buy it now option and dont bid as it will save you £2 on postage.
It looks quite small in the picture - are you sure its big enough for you?
firebreather
21-03-2007, 20:59
If its as big as the sizes say then i should be. Its cheap and cheerfull so not much lost if its a bit naff.
I know what your saying, I bought the DD hammock thinking it would be plenty big enough for me, I am 6'2" and 16st, when I fastened it to the trees it looked long enough but found out to my dissatisfaction that it wasn't and I had a very uncomfortable night!
Good luck with yours though I hope it works out for you.
Thats a good price and it looks ok, let us know how you get on with it FB....
firebreather
21-03-2007, 21:33
I know what your saying, I bought the DD hammock thinking it would be plenty big enough for me, I am 6'2" and 16st, when I fastened it to the trees it looked long enough but found out to my dissatisfaction that it wasn't and I had a very uncomfortable night!
Good luck with yours though I hope it works out for you.
Should be okay for me then as im only 5'7 and 16 stone , but it has really been bought for my Mrs to use at the delamere meet. So i might not get a sniff in lol. If its anygood i might get one for myself.
So you have a DD hammock just lying around waiting for someone to offer a trade .......nudge nudge wink wink lol.
firebreather
29-03-2007, 09:41
Dum de dum .........tapping my fingers on the table. Im still waiting for this to arrive. Oh well it should be here soon.
Should have got the DD hammocks one I ordered their tarp the day after and it arrived the mega fast and seems a nice piece of kit. me and my money saving ideas........
firebreather
29-03-2007, 22:10
Whoo hoo it arrived about ten mins after posting the previous post .......whistles and looks in the air trying to look all innocent lol. It looks ok yet to try it out yet but the cords are very short but other than that seems ok. It will get a proper testing at delamere by the mrs. then i will report more.
I've ordered this un from the same guys..... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/THE-ULTIMATE-TRADITIONAL-US-ARMY-STYLE-CAMPING-HAMMOCK_W0QQitemZ280084759994Q QcategoryZ19296QQtcZphotoQQcmd ZViewItem
Like you say cheap and cheerful. I'm only 5'6" so all should be peachy
Hi guys - how did you get on with the hammock? I'm torn between the DDHammock and the Ultimate ones you've grabbed from evilbay. There isn't much in the price (comparing the ultimate + 3m x 2m tarp and the DD travel hammock with tarp) just 10 quid difference (including P&P).
I would err on the side of the DD as I believe the build quality is probably better (being hand rather than factory, made). However, the DD does appear to weigh a heck of a lot more (the tarp alone weighs 1.6kilos). Do the weights quoted by the ultimate ad include the cordage? Is the DD tarp more weather proof? I'm trying to cut weight down but at the moment, the DD + tarp seems to be pretty heavy for a hammock (2.5kilos for the DD, whereas the Ultimate is only 950gms incl the tarp).
Finally, is a 3m x 3m tarp that much more usuable than a 3m x 2m tarp?
I'm 5' 8" and weigh just over 13stone, so either hammock should suit.
Many thanks for your help guys..... : )
firebreather
31-03-2007, 15:49
The tapes are soooooooooooooooooo short its unreal they fit through the hammock holes and then leave a bit over, about a metre. I tied mine into a loop and used some old climbing rope to strap it to the trees. Not happy about the rope but its a pest more than a dont buy point as im sure most people would get more rope anyway. im going to get about 10- 15 meters and then cut it down if that seems overkill.
Other than that it seems ok just got to wait for delamere to give it a full nights testing ..just a quick update.
The tapes are soooooooooooooooooo short its unreal they fit through the hammock holes and then leave a bit over, about a metre. I tied mine into a loop and used some old climbing rope to strap it to the trees. Not happy about the rope but its a pest more than a dont buy point as im sure most people would get more rope anyway. im going to get about 10- 15 meters and then cut it down if that seems overkill.
Other than that it seems ok just got to wait for delamere to give it a full nights testing ..just a quick update.
I got my DD Travel Hammock a few days ago. Yup, I agree with you on the tapes, they are rather short - though mine are not as short as yours by the sound of it (fnarr). I have several metres left over but have also employed a little extra rope.
Matt Weir
16-04-2007, 15:56
I've just had a word with my Dad and he is going to drop off a couple of meters of rope later.
What knot is best for this? I'm thinking sheet bend as you are working with disparate cordage?
A quick-release knot is nice but if you're going for different thicknesses of cord, then a double sheet bend would be better than a single. Hell, mess around and take your pick - there's a lot to choose from :)
I tend to try different knots out and last time I set it up (yesterday) I used a figure of 8 loop on each end of the rope going round the tree, looped this rope round the tree until both ends were close to the trunk, then ran the hammock tapes through both figure of 8 loops with a a couple of round turns to take the strain off a couple of half-hitches. A karabiner through a figure of eight loop on the tapes and then through the loops on the tree is also a very swift setup (though exessive if you're into lightweight hiking).
Oh, and the free ends of the tapes are handy as drop ropes for stopping rain running down into the hammock.
So you have a DD hammock just lying around waiting for someone to offer a trade .......nudge nudge wink wink lol.
I'm afraid not Firebreather, I'm using the material to make myself an underblanket similar to the group buy ones, and the tapes have been used on my new group buy hammock which is the dog's dangly bits:D !
Gailainne
16-04-2007, 20:54
Interesting that you find the tapes are short on your DD, I thought so at first also till I bunched the ends, that released way more than I needed.
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t213/Gailainne/Picture008d.jpg
The posts are 4 metres apart, and there was still plenty tape left over, and that was after wrapping it around the pole twice.
A couple of things I frowned at;
the paracord was'nt finished, I had to seal half the ends.
the tape does'nt look that brilliant, it will do the job, but again it looks like its just cut from a roll, no finishing.
I've only swung on it in the garden (under a carport :eek: ) but this weekend I try it out for real. :D
Looking forward to it.
Stephen
firebreather
16-04-2007, 21:33
I'm afraid not Firebreather
lol no worries i have spent way too much recently :lmao:
firebreather
16-04-2007, 21:38
Interesting that you find the tapes are short on your DD, I thought so at first also till I bunched the ends, that released way more than I needed.
Stephen
Ahh sorry bit of crossed wires i think, mine isnt a DD its an evilbay purchase from vietnam
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....46555&rd=1&rd=1
Cheap and cheerful with short tapes. The tarp i got from DD and its great with speedy delivery cannot fault them at all. The problem has been solved now by getting some more rope and all i have to do now is learn how to put it up, or the missus will fall out of it at the weekend.
Matt Weir
16-04-2007, 23:46
A quick-release knot is nice but if you're going for different thicknesses of cord, then a double sheet bend would be better than a single. Hell, mess around and take your pick - there's a lot to choose from :)
I tend to try different knots out and last time I set it up (yesterday) I used a figure of 8 loop on each end of the rope going round the tree, looped this rope round the tree until both ends were close to the trunk, then ran the hammock tapes through both figure of 8 loops with a a couple of round turns to take the strain off a couple of half-hitches. A karabiner through a figure of eight loop on the tapes and then through the loops on the tree is also a very swift setup (though exessive if you're into lightweight hiking).
Oh, and the free ends of the tapes are handy as drop ropes for stopping rain running down into the hammock.
I have recently used quick release knots on the ridgeline for the tarp as per the Ray Mears way (http://www.outdooridiots.com/features/200606/pitchingatarp/pitchingatarp4.asp) as recommended by Spikey in this (http://www.bushcraftuk.com/community/showthread.php?t=19018) thread and it seemed to work fine.
As regards tying knots for the hammock tapes I used the basic shoelace knot with a double wrap around the fix point and a double bow for security.
Sounds good. I've also set the hammock up in the garden without trees (like a bivi bag) but with the tarp suspended over guy lines attached to two vertical hiking poles. Works in a pinch.
8thsinner
19-04-2007, 14:05
It seems to me that no one here ever seemed to use the net hammocks, are they crap? too open to air?
Surely the net ones pack down smaller and are just as tough with the same sharps cautions?
Spikey DaPikey
19-04-2007, 15:32
I mainly use the net hammock to keep my gear in, as im abit tall to sleep in one !
It seems to me that no one here ever seemed to use the net hammocks, are they crap? too open to air?
Surely the net ones pack down smaller and are just as tough with the same sharps cautions?I started off in one, and it was OK for a few years, but I have replaced it with a group buy one from here.
The netting one had a few limitations,
It was too small to get my feet in comfortably
the support cord broke after a few years
It was too tight to turn over
Ironically I found it warmer tham my new one but I think that is because the sleeping bag pokes through the holes in the net, so doesnt get as squashed and traps more air.
I intend to repair it this summer using a spacer bar instead of the ring and run a bit of paracord along the edges for a bit of added strength, but wether I actually get round to it now I have the new one remains to be seen :)
firebreather
23-04-2007, 22:53
Right feedback as promised.
The hammock is great for what i paid for it. I didnt get to sleep in it because my missus was in it and i was on the floor but i did get a snooze in one afternoon.
The hammock is a little short but nothing to worry about for me (5'6) too much. One of the solutions to it feeling a little narrow ( not sure if this is me never using one before) was to climb inside and use it as a single skin rather than use a sleep mat in between the fold.
As stated before the tapes are definatly too short, but this was solved by using rope and karabiners on the end. One of the advantages for this method was it created a line for hanging kit on.
All in all i am very happy with it and the million dollar question is would i buy another ?........ yes ......if i was skint and broke and looking for a really cheap bit of kit, if i had extra cash then i probably would go for the DD as its a little bigger.
Onto the tarp from DD.
I just love it, its huge, it works and does exactly what it says on the tin. Easy to set up in different styles and quick to dry when i got home. It does weight a lot but it is well built.
Would i buy it again ? yes definalty
Sorry for the delay since posting this originally but time, cash and work has put paid to any serious testing until this weekend at delamere. Hope this helps with any of you wondering whether to get one. :p
Thanks for the review m8-T
Matt Weir
24-04-2007, 07:41
Right feedback as promised.
The hammock is great for what i paid for it. I didnt get to sleep in it because my missus was in it and i was on the floor but i did get a snooze in one afternoon.
The hammock is a little short but nothing to worry about for me (5'6) too much. One of the solutions to it feeling a little narrow ( not sure if this is me never using one before) was to climb inside and use it as a single skin rather than use a sleep mat in between the fold.
As stated before the tapes are definatly too short, but this was solved by using rope and karabiners on the end. One of the advantages for this method was it created a line for hanging kit on.
All in all i am very happy with it and the million dollar question is would i buy another ?........ yes ......if i was skint and broke and looking for a really cheap bit of kit, if i had extra cash then i probably would go for the DD as its a little bigger.
Onto the tarp from DD.
I just love it, its huge, it works and does exactly what it says on the tin. Easy to set up in different styles and quick to dry when i got home. It does weight a lot but it is well built.
Would i buy it again ? yes definalty
Sorry for the delay since posting this originally but time, cash and work has put paid to any serious testing until this weekend at delamere. Hope this helps with any of you wondering whether to get one. :p
Just to add - I did get to sleep in mine and will say that I was very comfortable and I'm 5'11". I used a roll mat in between the double layer and my back was warm all night and fine in the morning. As far as the narrow feeling as noted by Firebreather above I think that the roll mat alleviates this considerably as when initially testing the hammock in the garden without a roll mat the other week I also got the feeling of snugness.
Shaun (McDonald) tried it for size and Shaun said he thought he could just about get away with the length and your what Shaun? 6'1"ish?