SuperShelter pseudo-tests
Just wanted to give a small report since Ive been using the SS in my room the past 5 nights (temps according to my therm are normally 55-60 F with the window closed, I always sleep with the window completely open, but I dunno why I always forget to check how much the temps change with its open) and I am very happy: it met my expectations, and is actually better than I thought. I had planned a trip with my smallest sister to test it outdoors but she got sick (no, not swine flu, thankgod), so the real test will have to wait a bit more.
First setup was not difficult at all, and i did it alone! This might have been thanks to all the info already available on the subject, though it should be noted that I followed the instructions exactly as they are on the supershelter stuff sack -using the extra glove hooks and such. Only extra info used was the "more horizontal less vertical" tip for the tie outs. The OFC pad is removed when i need to get the hammock of the way, and this is also much easier than I thought.
No condensation problems so far, even thought I have not used the heatsheet, which is in its box, brand new. Only using Undercover, Underpad, cotton boxer, cotton tshirt, and a very thin fleece blanket. The first night I used a 40F bag but i was melting in my hammock 10 min after getting in, so i tried the blanket and its working great.
I do have problems getting in since i feel it always is a bit more of pad to my right than my left so after I hope in, i have to stick my hand out the slit to adjust the pad better under me, even thought its really not necessary... I just need to feel i am perfectly positioned with the pad. It should be noted that since my room is very small, I can't really hang my hammock with the right ridgeline tension or put the tie outs high enough.
Besides from this, no problems. If its worth anything for people looking into buying the HH system, even good reports here make make it seem way more difficult and problematic than what I encountered, so please try it first, it is worth it IMO. Much much better than using a pad in the hammock....
I obviously need to test it under real circumstances to have a better criterion. Till then, Good hanging fellow hammockers...
Added the heatsheet... Pros and Cons..
Okay, after seeing the AMK heatsheet nicely packed for more than a week on my desk, I decided to open it and add it to the SS. I must say its really nice piece of gear. Easy to handle and very strong for such a thin material, and not noisy at all, the undercover makes more noise.
It definitely adds a lot a warmth, so much, im now not using a fleece blanket for top side, but a very thin cotton blanket only for the bottom part of my body to not feel so exposed.
Pros an cons of adding the heatsheet to the system so far:
Pros: adds warmth to the system, and in the outdoors might have other uses, like in emergencies. If you wrap the ocf pad with it, is make it slippery so its easier to adjust once your in the hammock.
Cons (kindof): i was hoping i could uses the snakeskins to pack the hammock and undercover,, and stock tarp together, keeping the ocf pad and heatsheet separate. Had to ditch that idea, and now it will all go stuffed in a big stuff sack (bishop sack a s soon as I get my sewing machine back form an aunt), with out the stock tarp. I can easily get it compressed so it fits in the bottom compartment of my back pack were i used to put my sheltering gear (hammock, tarps, straps, etc). Now the tarp and straps have to go in another place, maybe the straps would fit if i compress the big sack more but i rather not.
BIG CON: My loved HH is becoming a PITA! And these are indoor tests, Im not sure how it will do outdoors... The feeling that i should have gotten an UQ instead of the SS is growing by the day. Yes the SuperShelter works, but it has taken away most of the simplicity I loved about my HH. Im actually even considering of spending my Aarn backpack money on a double layer BackBird... I can't believe Im saying this... OH LORD...