View Full Version : DD hammocks
Timinwales
13-04-2007, 00:38
Hello Folks
I'm after a wee bit of advice, has anyone got any experiance of the aforementioned Hammocks?.
If so, how do you rate them?, they seem fairly well priced and it would seem you get alot for your money (tight fisted Yorkshireman that I am). Then again theres a bit of me that insists you only get what you pay for.
Any info, thoughts, experiance would be greatfully recieved.
Thanks Tim
Ogri the trog
13-04-2007, 00:49
I don't have one but I've heard they can be a bit short.
The company has apparently listened to customer comments and is now making them slightly bigger - again I have no first hand experience.
You could do a lot worse than join the list for Magikelly's 8th or 9th group buy hammocks - fanbloomintastic.
Or make your own http://www.imrisk.com/testhammock/testhammock.htm like this.
ATB
Ogri the trog
Matt Weir
13-04-2007, 07:10
Hi Tim,
I have just bought a DD hammock, mossie net and tarp combo and am expecting it to arrive soon (hopefully today). I have heard that there have been improvements made so I will let you know what I think although to be honest this is the first hammock I have ever owned so have nothing to compare it to.
The lot bought as a combo costs £49.99 (separately it's £65.98) so I decided to go for it. I'm about 5'11" so should be ok.
Like I said, I'll report back with initial findings.
Too short and certainly not wide enough to be comfortable. My children like it, however. For them, the dimensions match up. :)
Jim_aramis
13-04-2007, 12:06
I used a DD hammock for the first time over the easter weekend and found it really comfortable. I'm just over 6' and the length was fine and my sleeping mat kept the width out.
The only problem I had was the amount of stretch in the tie off line but it was slow enough for me not to wake up on the floor.
Silverback
13-04-2007, 12:25
I have one that I use for my little lad when I take him out with me - he loves it!. One of the things I do like about the DD is the double skin that allows you to put a roll mat or self inflater underneath avoiding the inevitable hammock wrestle when taken inside along with you. I have a HH A-sym and have just bought an underblanket from the group buy so I hopefully will not have that problem again either. I would say the competition beats the DD but then the competition is twice the price and hammock camping is not for everyone so better to find that out before shelling out too much money :)
Matt Weir
13-04-2007, 13:47
hammock camping is not for everyone so better to find that out before shelling out too much money :)
That was my thought also; better find out if I can cope in a hammock first and if not then the kids will enjoy it.
Is it advisable to use some kind of roll mat year round as part of a hammock set-up or is it just when temperatures are low?
That was my thought also; better find out if I can cope in a hammock first and if not then the kids will enjoy it.
Is it advisable to use some kind of roll mat year round as part of a hammock set-up or is it just when temperatures are low?
when its hot i just sleep in the hammock with no sleeping bag or mat
leon
Matt Weir
13-04-2007, 14:32
Aiye but you're a young lad Leon. I've reached the ripe old age of 35 and you start feeling it then mate :lmao:
lol, its a very hot day today and im trying to set up my DD hammock in the garden, problem is i only have a tree to secure one end as the fences are nearly falling down lol, but i have thought up a plan, attach the other end to a step ladder and fasten the ladder down with pegs, guidropes anything i can get my hands on lol
leon
Matt Weir
13-04-2007, 14:58
lol, its a very hot day today and im trying to set up my DD hammock in the garden, problem is i only have a tree to secure one end as the fences are nearly falling down lol, but i have thought up a plan, attach the other end to a step ladder and fasten the ladder down with pegs, guidropes anything i can get my hands on lol
leon
Be careful Leon. I've got visions of you landing on your @rse with the step ladders on top of you :eek: :lmao:
lol thats probably whats going to happen, i better ring the paramedics and get them to watch over me as this daring stunt could go wrong, haha
leon
Scots_Charles_River
13-04-2007, 15:37
I setup the tarp as a shade yesterday, see it below. The original guys for the corners are crappy cord but the rest is excellent.
Nick
Can't get the pic to show it' in the set below
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/scott_vzr_black/album/576460762397597954
Matt Weir
13-04-2007, 16:22
Right chaps,
The hammock and tarp have just this minute been delivered so I'm off into the garden to play. :D
make sure you put pics up matt
leon
oldsoldier
13-04-2007, 17:22
I ordered one from them, & it wasnt sewn together completely. So, unfortunately, I never got a chance to actually use it. I can say, however, that their customer service was excellent. I offered to send it back, they simply told me to keep it, & refunded my money. I had it re-sewn for $10. So, I got the DD for almost nothing. My nephew will be trying it out soon, as it will most likely fit him very well (he's scrawny).
im sleeping in my garden in my DD tonight, its better than not getting out at all
leon
Matt Weir
13-04-2007, 18:44
The tarp,
It seems to be a decent quality; quite substantial yet not too heavy. There are decent fixings on each corner with both loops and eyelets. It came supplied with a good 6 meter ridgeline rope but I think that a longer length might be handy (as you can see from the pictures I set it diagonal and there wasn't a great deal to play with). For the money I'd say it's a pretty good tarp (I'm comparing this with my other cheapo one that cost me about a tenner).
The hammock,
Again decent quality (well I've not ripped throught it yet and I'm packing about 17 st) and good that it is double layered. Regards length, I'm 5'11" and found it to be just about ok but I wouldn't advise anyone over 6' to get one.
One grip is that the ropes aren't long enough. As you can see I wasn't able to set the hammock under the tarp when using the diagonal fix as the ropes no where near reached the same fixing points (I will look into replacing these - any suggestions?).
It was though, quite a buzz to be lying and chilling in the hammock listening to the birds singing and calling. I have hung a lantern from the ridgeline so the kids (honest :o ) can sit out under the tarp later on.
Anyway - here you go Leon ;) :
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j40/mattweiruk/hamtarp1.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j40/mattweiruk/hamtarp3.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j40/mattweiruk/hamtarp2.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j40/mattweiruk/hamtarp4.jpg
whats that extra piece of string coming off the hammock ? is it to keep the top up so it doesnt cover your face ? did you put hat there or was it already there as i dont think mine has one
leon
Matt Weir
13-04-2007, 18:56
whats that extra piece of string coming off the hammock ? is it to keep the top up so it doesnt cover your face ? did you put hat there or was it already there as i dont think mine has one
leon
It came with 2 lengths of cord Leon. They were coiled up and attached one either end on the loops on the mossie net. I assumed they were for tis reason; i.e. a workaround to lift the netting away from your face and feet to keep the little sods from munching you.
Gailainne
13-04-2007, 18:57
I bought one a while ago, have only strung it up under the carport so far, the length is fine, stitching is good, tarp is far to heavy, 1.7kilos. I bought a KT replacement, bigger and weights under 600 grams. TMKTK suggested cargo straps and tensioning buckles, I have yet to look into that, but may be a viable option, if your not into knots :)
Stephen
oh right i dont have the mossie net
leon
One grip is that the ropes aren't long enough. As you can see I wasn't able to set the hammock under the tarp when using the diagonal fix as the ropes no where near reached the same fixing points (I will look into replacing these - any suggestions?).
You could try pulling the rope through the hammock till there's about 2ft spare, tie that in a loop ( bowline should work ) then pull cord up to the hammock and thread the long end through that. Virtually doubles the length of rope avaliable for tieing to supports.
Alternatively thread carabinas through the hammock ends and tie to those, gives a good quick release system with easy adjustment.
Timinwales
14-04-2007, 00:47
Thanks for the info guys,
especially Matt at about six and a half feet and a wee bit heavier than you are your write up has answered most of my questions, and it looks like the DD might be a tight squeeze.
Ogri thanks for the link which led me through to an American site
That said though Tom at Mosquito Hammocks is being really helpful and so long as the dollar is worth about fifty pence it looks like there are some serious bargins to be had (specially if your taller or broader than the national average)
still in negotiation at the moment but looks promising. If all goes to plan I'll post pics and a brief write up in a couple of weeks.
Cheers Tim :)
MitchelHicks
14-04-2007, 22:48
Hi Tim,
I have just bought a DD hammock, mossie net and tarp combo and am expecting it to arrive soon (hopefully today). I have heard that there have been improvements made so I will let you know what I think although to be honest this is the first hammock I have ever owned so have nothing to compare it to.
The lot bought as a combo costs £49.99 (separately it's £65.98) so I decided to go for it. I'm about 5'11" so should be ok.
Like I said, I'll report back with initial findings.
Where abouts did you get it from
I bought one a while ago, have only strung it up under the carport so far, the length is fine, stitching is good, tarp is far to heavy, 1.7kilos. I bought a KT replacement, bigger and weights under 600 grams. TMKTK suggested cargo straps and tensioning buckles, I have yet to look into that, but may be a viable option, if your not into knots :)
Stephen
I would recommend them cargo straps too, the self tightening ones you can get from builders merchants.....Very easy to use and they don't cut into trees....
Timinwales
15-04-2007, 00:57
Where abouts did you get it from
Try this link : http://stores.ebay.co.uk/DD-Hammocks
Cheers Tim
Matt Weir
15-04-2007, 02:51
Hi Mitch,
Aiye, as Tim says - DD hammocks of off th'ebay.
You could also buy them direct from http://www.ddhammocks.com/ :rolleyes:
I got mine a few days ago and can confirm that it's well made as is the tarp. If you're new to hammocks, then check out the tips on the homepage - very helpful (you can also see pictures of how the netting can be kept even further away from the face through the use of sticks).
The tarp is excellent (though it seems a little on the heavy side as far as tarps go) - mind you, it is 3m by 3m.
Yup, there isn't sufficient rope but then again, you get so many differing opinions regarding the use of rope, tape, snakeskins sleeves, etc that I guess DDHammocks are leaving it up to the owner to choose what setup they prefer. Me? I'm using some rope I found in the woods. Cheap and cheerful.
I've tested mine with a Slim Airic self inflating camping mat (from www.alpkit.com)which fits superbly. Comfort is great without it but even better with. I'm only 5'8" (13 stone of solid muscle :) ) and I fit fine.
Hey, MattW, I'm 36 (the hammock was a recent birthday present - hurrah) and I don't feel the cold. I itend to sleep NAKED in the hammock. If it's cold, I'll just fill it with hot water from the stove. I am of course joking. The water would just run out of the hammock.....
Shame there's no loop inside/outside the netting for hanging a torch from / attaching the netting to a central guy. There's a risk that you'll rip the netting off the hammock if you're not careful so I guess that's why it's not used.
Mind you, being a heterosexual male, I'm sure to get some strange looks when I tell people that I've been sleeping in my hammock with Eric (the "Airic" camping mat).
MitchelHicks
15-04-2007, 19:12
Yeah but i dont think they come with insect netting on ebay and I cant find anything about netting on their site. I wandered where the netting came from as Leon said he didnt get any with his?
MitchelHicks
15-04-2007, 19:17
Dont worry I got it there are 2 types
Normal and then Travel Hammock I though the travel hammock was the same just had the bit for roof supports but on ebay you can just see through the netting I thought it was just the nylon hammock material my bad.
Thanks
Heh! We all do it some time.
Me more often than most :o
Scots_Charles_River
21-04-2007, 23:24
I used mine last night on Inchcailloch, Loch Lomond, no wind but some rain. I had the head end slightly higher than the ft end,mistake. The thermarest slots in perfectly. The guys needed moved out after a bit of rain. The mozy net is easily held out the way by attaching it to tarp ridge line.
We were canoe camping but solo I would want another 1m aded to the tarp. So my dry bags etc were under it. It's quicker than a tent. Used branches and rocks for guys.
It's amazing to wake up at dawn gazing out of your sleeping bag across a glassy foggy loch, from the comfort of the hammock. :)
Nick
It's quicker than a tent. Used branches and rocks for guys.
Nick
Bold words and depends on the tent ;)
Scots_Charles_River
22-04-2007, 10:28
It is. What tent is quicker ? Inc pegging out and guying out ? The decathlon 2 sec tent is quick but needs flat, even,no rocks on the ground and guyed out.
Nick
Scots_Charles_River
22-04-2007, 20:48
Hi,
Has anyone added a few sections of velcro to the edge, bottom on the mozzynet one, of the hammock so you can fix in a thermarest and still sleep in between the layers,cocoon like ?
Also, has anyone done this sort of thing ?
http://www.tothewoods.net/ImagesStayDry/TarptentClosedYoungblood.jpg
wentworth
23-04-2007, 13:16
Youngblood uses a 10 by 10 foot tarp for that setup. I believe he only uses it in foul weather, as the condensation would be overpowering unless there was a strong wind.
JRB are bringing out something similar soon I believe.
Still, you couldn't get much mre protected from sideways rain than that!
Scots_Charles_River
24-04-2007, 22:13
I suppose if it was a few inches off the deck you may get a venturi effect to suck the moisture away.
Cool setup though. :)
Nick