Another Warbonnet Blackbird Review

Firstly, Brandon, thanks for all the tips and suggestions...

I took my newly aquired Blackbird (Double layer 1.7 od green) for her maiden voyage, a quick over nighter at Allens Creek on Lake Monroe, IN. Hung on hillside running 25' to the waters edge. Only in a hammock!

Positives
The lay is amazingly flat. I thought I was flat in my other hammocks but I've now seen the light! (head and feet should be hung about even height IMO) I put my feet all the way down into the footbox and my left shoulder was just under the zipper. I slept on my back, left and right sides comfortably

Foot/shoulder room is HUGE! I can put my arms back behind my head with NO restrictions.

This is my first ridgeline and while I didn't orginally think I would like it, it helps me get a consistent hang. It is a great barometer of how your hammock is set up.

The shelf ROCKS! I've always missed having certain gear accessible at night. I was able to take additional clothes and stash them in the shelf (in case the temp required them). You can put your water bottle up there...mp3, watch, glasses, book, packtowel. It really is one of the best features.

I love the olive color.

Cons

Really, only one.
Because of the width of the hammock, I really struggled with 1. Placement of my gossmear gear CCF pads. I (there is so much room in between the layers that I had to adjust, adjust, adjust). 2. Even once I placed the pads correctly (I was using 2 - a 1/8" thick, 32" wide base with a second 3/8" thick, 19" wide on top of the base) I always had an elbow unprotected and touching the side. I have used the 32" wide pad in a HH and a Claytor and never came close to needing more coverage. I have pretty broad shoulders but nowhere near that wide. I checked and rechecked to make sure the pad hadn't somehow "folded" over and reduced its coverage but it was fine. I was never cold (45 deg) but annoyed would be a better description.

I really don't have a guess on the problem. 32" wide coverage should be the same in a 48" wide hammock or a 60" wide. Maybe the asym lay changes how the pad "fits". I'm really grasping for ideas...
I plan on using this hammock as my primary during this winter, so I better get a handle real soon. Would an UQ give better coverage? IF so, how wide should the UQ be? I might to to modify my DIY TQ and use that with the 3/8" thick pad...

Overall, awesome craftsmanship, support and design on this hammock. Once I nail down the insulation issue, this will be a out-of-the-park grandslam!

pics

was it moved over as far toward the zipper as it would go? if so, maybe cutting the corner off the pad would allow you to slide it even farther toward the zipper, or some kind of shaping to allow you to move the side over a bit more. since it goes in diagonal, the corner hits the side of the hammock and the pad stops even though the side of the pad is not quite to the edge.

my 41" wide uq seems plenty wide, and have not had any complaints about it being too narrow. it is mobile so it can be positioned right where you need it though. a fixed quilt might need to be wider.

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Originally Posted by warbonnetguy

was it moved over as far toward the zipper as it would go?

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yea, that was part of the adjust, adjust, adjust part. It was right there (eventually)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by warbonnetguy

if so, maybe cutting the corner off the pad would allow you to slide it even farther toward the zipper, or some kind of shaping to allow you to move the side over a bit more. since it goes in diagonal, the corner hits the side of the hammock and the pad stops even though the side of the pad is not quite to the edge..

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I had already rounded everything for using it in my Claytor...what would you think about the pad folding as I got into the hammock and unfolding as I got out...possible? If so, any solutions?

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Originally Posted by warbonnetguy

my 41" wide uq seems plenty wide, and have not had any complaints about it being too narrow. it is mobile so it can be positioned right where you need it though. a fixed quilt might need to be wider.

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My TQ is wider than 41" so I might have to modify it and see if it helps. Could you email me some detail pics of how you suspend your UQ? IF you don't still have my email, PM me and I'll give it to you again.

It is GREAT learning new gear!

uq just has hems/channels on the sides of the quilt. there is 1 big loop of shockcord (about the length of the perimeter of the torso uq)that runs through both channels and i hook the shock cord over the ends of the hammock. thats it.

i donj't think the pad is folding while between the layers, i think the corner of the pad is hitting the inside edge of the pad pocket and keeping the edge from being able to move as far left as you want it to be. you should be able to feel through the fabric and feel exactly where it is without having to get out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by warbonnetguy

uq just has hems/channels on the sides of the quilt. there is 1 big loop of shockcord (about the length of the perimeter of the torso uq)that runs through both channels and i hook the shock cord over the ends of the hammock. thats it.

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Do you have to close off the ends or does a body in the hammock fill that in?

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Originally Posted by warbonnetguy

i donj't think the pad is folding while between the layers, i think the corner of the pad is hitting the inside edge of the pad pocket and keeping the edge from being able to move as far left as you want it to be. you should be able to feel through the fabric and feel exactly where it is without having to get out.

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I could absolutely feel that pad..both of them. I had to get out to adjust them (they don't move well with me inside the hammock [lol])
Assuming what you said is true (corner of the pad is hitting the inside edge of the pad pocket and keeping the edge from being able to move as far left as you want it to be) wouldn't I have additional pad on the other (right) side? I didn't. I was 1" short on the left and had an extra 1" on the right (or visa versa if I moved) but I never had the expected extra 6" anywhere around my elbows.
The mystery continues...

Maybe we should nickname the Blackbird the "Bermuda Triangle of Hammocks." Pads just disappear in the cavernous interior... :jj:

Pads will buckle when you lay on them but it shouldn't be that drastic of a change, especially if you've used these pads in other hammocks with no issues. Why don't you bring it inside the hammock with you and get it situated? That way you can see exactly what it's doing and the solution may be obvious. Then you'll know what it should look like when you put it back inside the pad pocket.

I bet it's something to do with how that shape mates with the pad pocket, as WBG suggests.

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Originally Posted by Just Jeff

Why don't you bring it inside the hammock with you and get it situated? That way you can see exactly what it's doing and the solution may be obvious. Then you'll know what it should look like when you put it back inside the pad pocket.

I bet it's something to do with how that shape mates with the pad pocket, as WBG suggests.

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Good advice...I will try this tommorow.

wise advice.

also, you probably don't need the pad to cover your elbows unless it is really cold. the colder the weather the wider pad you will want and if it's warmer, just covering your core will be enough. i used a 29-30" pad in really cold weather for full arm coverage, but bigger folks might need a wider pad. 30+ seems like it should bhe wide enough.

as for the uq, it needs to fit snug on the end edges too. the design i was referring to was shaped so the un-cinched ends fit snug. this will likely not be the case with a rectangular design though.

I really think UQ is the way to go.

I have the "thepreacherswife" 1/2 UQ (Post #74).
It's a rectangular 1/2 Down UQ.

Before the Blackbird i used a kind of fixed suspension,
that didn't work on the Blackbird.

So i followed Brandon's advice and i added tubular webbing on both sides of the UQ.
Through those tubular webbing goes two shock cords from the head end to
foot end.
That makes the UQ adjustable.

On the short sides, small diameter shock cord was preinstalled by the thepreacherswife, works great to snug the UQ up against the hammock fabric,
by simply tightening it.

Over all it works great!
Does it makes sense?

you could just use fabric to make the side hem, doesn't have to be made of tubular webbing.

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Originally Posted by moski

I really think UQ is the way to go.

I have the "thepreacherswife" 1/2 UQ (Post #74).
It's a rectangular 1/2 Down UQ.

Before the Blackbird i used a kind of fixed suspension,
that didn't work on the Blackbird.

So i followed Brandon's advice and i added tubular webbing on both sides of the UQ.
Through those tubular webbing goes two shock cords from the head end to
foot end.
That makes the UQ adjustable.

On the short sides, small diameter shock cord was preinstalled by the thepreacherswife, works great to snug the UQ up against the hammock fabric,
by simply tightening it.

Does it makes sense?

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Absolutely...I have ideas for mods on my TQ.

I will test them later this week

Quote:

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Originally Posted by warbonnetguy

you could just use fabric to make the side hem, doesn't have to be made of tubular webbing.

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I was thinking of 5 or 6 gossgrain loops per side instead of a full length channel..think that would work?

channel would be better. you could even go to joannes and get some light weight polyester ribbon that is ~2" wide and use that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by warbonnetguy

channel would be better. you could even go to joannes and get some light weight polyester ribbon that is ~2" wide and use that.

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It's really nice to have them wide , when you are going to feed the shock cord through.

i just run it through with a coat hanger after it's sewn on, you could put it in there while yopu sew i suppose.

Update...

Went out last weekend...2 nights

set-up -
30 deg Marmot Arroyo used as TQ...DIY UQ (3.7 oz/yd Climashield {good to @35 F as a TQ} 68"x48")...3/8" 20" wide oware CCF pad
Weather -
28-35 F damp at night.

Result-
AMAZING! sweating, hot, flat! I couldn't believe how warm and comfortable I was...best night I've spent in a hammock

I'm a convert to UQs! I have ordered the materials to make 2 more UQs of various temp ranges (both of Climashield).

Thanks for your help Brandon

PS...I had a total of 5 different people stop and ask me about the Blackbird. They all took the time to lay in it and all reported that they loved it. I hope you get some additional business! (I directed them to HammockForums) psst..you need a website!

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Originally Posted by animalcontrol

you need a website!

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Agreed! Brandon, any new news on getting that company to sew them for you? I've gotten a LOT of curious onlookers at my setup, and I'd love to be able to direct them to your website where they could place an order right away. This is such a clever design that it needs to be available to more people so they can appreciate what you've done here.

How long until they're sold at REI? :D:D

warbonnethammocks.com is available...better get it while you can!

i've got warbonnetoutdoors.com registered, as soon as i get some reliable help to replenish inventory i'll get the site up quick. been busy making stuff lately and need do a couple other things first.

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Originally Posted by warbonnetguy

i've got warbonnetoutdoors.com registered, as soon as i get some reliable help to replenish inventory i'll get the site up quick. been busy making stuff lately and need do a couple other things first.

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I'm happy to hear that business is good enough to need additional help!

I was showing some pics around work today and had some other interested parties...
"Success favors the prepared" (or something like that) :rolleyes:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by animalcontrol

"Success favors the prepared" (or something like that) :rolleyes:

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"Dans les champs de l'observation le hasard ne favorise que les esprits préparés."
"In the fields of observation chance favors only the prepared mind."
- Louis Pasteur - Lecture, University of Lille,7 December 1854

That's long been a favorite quote of mine.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by animalcontrol

I'm happy to hear that business is good enough to need additional help!

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oh, i'm not quite that busy, i'm not getting enough steady orders to keep doing this full time so i'll have to go back to work soon, and i need someone who can make stuff while i'm working, then i don't have to rely on getting enough orders to pay the mortgage.

Just got my Blackbird in the mail and can't wait to get out there this weekend and try it out! The workmanship looks top rate. I have read the previous posts on how the JRB quits should work fine, but am wondering if there are any hints on using them before I get out there in the cold outdoors. I was planning on just using the standard JRB suspension on each end, and not worry about the missing loops along the side tieout locations. Has anyone actually evaluated this on the new Blackbird yet?

Thanks

koaloah has used his with the mt wash i believe, maybe he'll chime in. i'd say you've got the right idea there.

I've used the Blackbird with the JRB Nest and Mt. Washington with the supplied JRB suspension set up. They work great. As with any underquilt just make sure the quilt is set up properly.

The Mt Washington requires minimum tweaking for a nice warm fit. I just pull the suspension and ends relatively snug and enjoy the night. Excessive tightness might reduce the quilts ability to wrap around you shoulders. Haven't tried to really set up the quilt with excessive tension. With the differential cut you would really have to try hard to flatten the loft. Unnecessary tension on the quilt stitching might become more of an issue before loft compression.

The Nest requires you check on the tension. Similar to its use on any other hammock. Too loose mean air gaps between hammock and quilt. Too tight means compression of the quilt loft.

Don't use the side HH position tie outs. Sometimes I need to reposition the lateral lay of the quilt. Usually it has been my left shoulder/deltoid area that is exposed. A 10-15cm "re-centering". Easy to do while laying in the Blackbird. Just unzip the netting and reach down pull on the quilt.

I'm a small person (164cm/57kg). The quilts have more than adequate coverage.

Side note: The HH SS ocf + space blanket using the WS2 in place of the HH undercover works on the Blackbird.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by warbonnetguy

i've got warbonnetoutdoors.com registered, as soon as i get some reliable help to replenish inventory i'll get the site up quick. been busy making stuff lately and need do a couple other things first.

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Brandon if I were you I would also purchase warbonnethammocks.com and redirect it to warbonnetoutdoors.com. It would be worth it. Maybe even buy warbonnethammocks.net too.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by attroll

Brandon if I were you I would also purchase warbonnethammocks.com and redirect it to warbonnetoutdoors.com. It would be worth it. Maybe even buy warbonnethammocks.net too.

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good idea, i'll look into that. thanks troll

Thanks for the helpful information koaloha05. It doesn't sound like I'll need to do anything special then, just the usual Nest adjustments. Am looking forward to giving my Blackbird a try this weekend. This really looks to be a significant enhancement over my HH Hyperlite, with no weight penalty. I also really like how well the included BB bag works. One step closer to hammocking nirvana.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by koaloha05

I've used the Blackbird with the JRB Nest and Mt. Washington with the supplied JRB suspension set up. They work great. As with any underquilt just make sure the quilt is set up properly.

The Mt Washington requires minimum tweaking for a nice warm fit. I just pull the suspension and ends relatively snug and enjoy the night. Excessive tightness might reduce the quilts ability to wrap around you shoulders. Haven't tried to really set up the quilt with excessive tension. With the differential cut you would really have to try hard to flatten the loft. Unnecessary tension on the quilt stitching might become more of an issue before loft compression.

The Nest requires you check on the tension. Similar to its use on any other hammock. Too loose mean air gaps between hammock and quilt. Too tight means compression of the quilt loft.

Don't use the side HH position tie outs. Sometimes I need to reposition the lateral lay of the quilt. Usually it has been my left shoulder/deltoid area that is exposed. A 10-15cm "re-centering". Easy to do while laying in the Blackbird. Just unzip the netting and reach down pull on the quilt.

I'm a small person (164cm/57kg). The quilts have more than adequate coverage.

Side note: The HH SS ocf + space blanket using the WS2 in place of the HH undercover works on the Blackbird.

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