Has anybody seen any pictures of the Flex-180 yet? I was about to pull the trigger on an NX250 but saw a new model! I think I'll wait now!
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Has anybody seen any pictures of the Flex-180 yet? I was about to pull the trigger on an NX250 but saw a new model! I think I'll wait now!
It's worth waiting for. I have the very first production sample of the Flex 180
I promised Clark I would wait to post any pics or details until after they officially
put the details on their website. Wish I could tell you more right now.
Spencer told me the details should be on the web site any day now.
Fritz
It reads interesting.
Flex 180
from the website: 'The interior vestibule of the FLEX-180 doubles as a second bed for an occupant up to 190 lbs'
Gotta see the weight stats on this one. Now if two hikers could split up the weight then maybe....would be cool if two hikers found a spot with only very limited trees :)
Well I guess I better drive to Salt Lake City and take a look at the **** thing. Spare guest bed?, I need that.
Fritz, i'm hoping you have a huge review with plenty of pics waiting for us :)
I am curious about the vestibule too. I might have to take a trip in to the city to check it out.
This looks promising. I like my NX-250, but may have to check this one out when it come available. I'd love to see some pics. :)
The 8 pages of patent pics look interesting at http://ip.com/patent/US7627913#
I'm intrigued by the whole thing. I really wish they had a picture up on the website.
Clark now has a pic up on their website, but no video. Can't see much from the pic except to see it looks similar to the vertex.
I recieved a reply from Clark, they said a video will follow in the next month or two. They don't consider it as a four season as there are no pockets on the bottom.
Guess I'll be waiting a little longer for a Clark, just to make sure the flex180 isn't the choice I should be making.
Yikes!!! I saw this thread - and heard for the first time about this new hammock - just 10 minutes after sending payment to a fellow forum member for an NX250. I was worried that after more than a year of pining away for the NX250, that maybe I missed an even better setup for me.
Not to worry - the Flex180 will probably be a great hammock, but for me at least, it won't take the place of the NX250.
So, still anxiously waiting for the UPS truck and absolutely no 'buyer's remorse'.
It's. very similar to a NX250, except:
No storage or pouches under the hammock. It's a single layer bottom with a second piece
of fabric sewn in the center for strength.
It's also like a smaller Vertex in that it has three suspension points. Two on one end
and one on the other. You have the choice to either use all three suspension
points or just two. Three makes it wider like the Vertex while two makes it more
like the NX250. It has similar poles to hold the netting and weather shield.
Their is Velcro sewn on the bottom perimeter edge all the way around
I attached Dutch quilt hook to strips of velcro to quickly add the Dutch quilt hooks to this
hammock without sewing.
I also removed the rope suspension and added whoopies.
Easy to get a flat diagonal lay as the bottom is very wide.
The netting and weather shield zip together, but do not store at either ends
similar to other Clark models. Netting is also not under and significant tension
so no need for multible netting sections
I added a bungie core for and internal ridgeline. Their are shown tabs to
allow for this. No inside pockets, but sewn tabs to connect a stuff sacks, etc
I will post some pics this weekend.
Fritz
http://www.junglehammock.com/models/...ages/flex5.jpg
New pics are up on the site since Friday; illustrating the phases of the hammock.
http://www.junglehammock.com/models/flex180/index.php
Ordered mine earlier in the week, just based on the description. Been looking looking for my first hammock and researching for quite some time now. Tired of ground camping and was considering either the NX-250 or the Vertex, but this one seems to have hit the jackpot. Needed something for the missus and me, or at times just me.
Looking forward to the Flex-180 for when I get off work mid to late next month. Will try it out first solo in Penang Hill; a tropical island off Malaysia where my folks live and then in Lake Seliger; between Moscow and St. Petersburg in Russia- with the missus. The weather should be nice when we get there (summer) and wouldn't need an underquilt just yet. Hopefully there will be a good one out before end of the year for the Flex-180 model.
Will share a little once we've tried it out. Cheers :)
checked the site few days ago pics are up
A video or detailed pictures would be great
The site says they do plan on making a zliner for it. However, I would recommend just getting standard underquilts. You can get a down UQ for pretty much the same price, that will take you down to lower temps, pack smaller, and be compatible with other hammocks.
Down UQs can also serve pretty well as topquilts if you ever end up tent camping, or need an extra blanket for someone on the couch.
If you want synthetic, you will have about the same packability as the zliner, but probably cheaper, and still get the compatibility with other hammocks.
The only advantage to the ZLiner is that you can leave it on the hammock when you pack it up. It will be interesting to see how they make the zliner for this, since it seems like the width can change significantly depending on configuration. The zliner uses velcro to hold it up, which I would think would lead to interesting tension issues.
I note that the flex is different in one way compared to all the other clarks - it does not have an integrated stuff sack for storage.
Where does the netting and cover store if there is no storage area like in the other Clark hammocks????? I would miss the pockets on the bottom, :( I love them. :)
Forget the Z-Liner!!!!! :(
I love the concept though, and will keep my eye on this. :)
Baja : The flex does not have "under" pockets, and therefore no stuff sack, but I believe it still does have the foot "cover" pocket for the weathershield, like the NX and vertex
My prayers have been answered! This baby looks tall person certified.
No storage place included in the UL, the only model missing it. Hardly a deal breaker when a stuff sack with a loop can so easily be sewn to the hood near the tail.
Anyway, not to rain on parades, but not all Clarks with storage for net or covers give unconditional access to that storage when the other one is deployed. Stuffing the netting blocks a zipper. Solution is to cut a seal-able slit as a port in the bottom layer of the hood and stuff from underneath.
I will add some input & pictures or video as soon as it comes... my brother ordered one last week... looks like we have another hanger.
Hoping it will be perfect for him & his 8 year old son on our canoe trips.
Thanks for all the tips guys.
This site has been very useful. Been reading a lot and trying to decide on underquilt options. I really like the hammockgear quilts. JRB have also got some interesting quilts that can function as under and also top quilts.
My main concern is they might not fit in 2 person mode. The width of the underquilts are 44", and two people in the Flex-180 may take up more than that. Any ideas on this?
The Flex180 will probably arrive next week, but I may not be able to try it out so soon, as I may get stuck at work for an extra month :(
Can wait to just get out there and hang.
Could someone put up a couple more pictures of the flex?
Would be great!
After weeks and weeks of anticipation and waiting, I've finally come home to a DHL delivered Flex-180. The import duty in Malaysia cost 41% of what the hammock is worth, which was a bit of a pinch, but im nevertheless happy to receive it (just thinking its a couple of nights-out drinking money with the boys; makes me feel better :lol:).
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery..._1978_copy.jpg
Other than my GTUL hammock which I've never used for overnight camping, I'm looking forward to taking this baby out tomorrow for a trip in the jungle. I couldn't resist checking it out right now anyways, so here are some pics of my findings so far:
Spread out on the floor, it looks like this:
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery..._2024_copy.jpg
There is a strap at the bottom of the picture; (removable) connecting the main rope to the flex rope, preventing the hammock from being pulled apart should it be hung incorrectly.
The flex-rope (slightly thinner) is on the left of the picture.
The WeatherSheild and mosquito netting open up as per below; not all the way. The larger main bed is to the right of the picture, hence, the zipper opening is on the side of the main bed.
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery..._2016_copy.jpg
The WeatherSheild and netting can be zippered together. There isn't a foot-end pocket for the WeatherSheild and netting.
They are simply flopped over to the unzippered side, and attached to the fiberglass pole-ends by 2 swiveling snap hooks onto sewn webbing tabs on the WeatherSheild (which I've not yet attached), to secure the WeatherSheild (and netting) from being blown around in the wind.
Notice also the wider black base area indicating the side of the larger bed.
http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/2678/img2016k.jpg
The zippers and square ring.
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery..._2020_copy.jpg
The other square ring: for attaching small ropes to hold up netting when poles are not in use. A sewn webbing tab on the WeatherSheild (for one of the swivel snap hooks) can also be seen here.
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery..._2017_copy.jpg
Time for a test hang:
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery..._1980_copy.jpg
The wider (two-rope) end is fitted with 5 sections of fiberglass poles when the hammock is attached to 3 supports. It is fitted with 4 pole sections when the hammock is attached to only 2 supports (just like a conventional hammock).
The narrower (single-rope) end is fitted with 4 sections of fiberglass poles.
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery..._1981_copy.jpg
With the WeatherSheild and netting open, one can see the narrower bed.
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery..._1983_copy.jpg
The Vertex tarp is HUGE, and is extremely lighter than I had expected.
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery..._1985_copy.jpg
The underside of the hammock reveals the path of the Velcro for future Z-liner add-on.
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery..._2025_copy.jpg
It appears to be able to cover the single occupant's head to toe in flex-mode for diagonal sleeping. But it does not seem to cover the second person in 2-person mode?
The Hammock, suspension ropes and Vertex tarp all fit nicely in the stuff sack. The cap shown is for size estimation (and an optional extra :D).
The Poles just fit into the stuff sack, but only just. Probably better to store separately in order to not damage the stuff sack.
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery..._2039_copy.jpg
The Tree Straps are also optional. I believe they may come with 3 straps when ordered now, but mine only came with 2 when I opted for the treestraps for some reason? (could have been my mistake- cant remember)
The 2 swivel snap hooks are pictured next to 3 Drip-Rings. The Drip-Rings are neither listed along with the other contents in the Owner's Manual, nor did I order them. Perhaps Santa has come early or my tree-strap order got mixed up with an order for Drip-Rings?
Who knows, but anyway, I'm extremely stoked and very impressed with the quality of lightweight materials, and workmanship / build of this Clark Hammock.
Will post a report on my trip when I get back. Hope the info and pics help satisfy some of your curiosity! :)
Regards,
Russ
Thanks for the photos! I've been wanting to get a better look at these. :)
Great pictures & explanation above, here is a video from this morning it shows my brothers new Flex-180, but didn't go into detail with it.
http://youtu.be/sN9rZ5mzhrU
Nice video there Woods Walker.
Just a quick update, currently about to head back into the hammock for our night's sleep.
So far so good, and there are actually 4 treestraps! Haha.. I'm happy. It looked like only 2 but it was actually two pairs bundled together. Thanks Clark!
:)
Some pics of our Sunday night setup.
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery..._2117_copy.jpg
Irina is quite petite, thus she was pretty comfortable in the smaller bed. She moved over to the wider bed while I was outside and found it much more comfortable though (hence the front looks lower than the rear in the photo).
The trees at the 2-rope end were a little closer than I had liked them to be, so we were a little pressed together at the shoulders. A spreader-bar idea had come to me in the night, and using one of our trekking poles to flex the hammock- worked very well.
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery..._2083_copy.jpg
Here are some of the weathershield swivel snap hooks and the other handy tabs and straps.
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...d_original.jpg
Overall I'm very happy with this hammock.
I can't wait to get mine! It should ship out tomorrow and I too will post some pics when I get it set up.
I know these are new on the market and no one has much experience with the Flex 180 but how does single sleeping feel on the diagonal? Is it better to just use on rope on the foot end for one person?
I have a NX 150 and it is fine but I would like the larger sleep area and I need to make a choice between the Flex and the NX 250 fairly soon so I can use it this summer.
Also interested in how wide the bottom of the Flex is when set up for one person? I'm wondering about UQ fit...especially the Underground quilts?
Love the NX 150 and it looks like the Flex can only be more of the same good stuff. Just did a 9 days of hanging around Sand Point, ID and it kept the bug invasion at bay the whole time. I was warm with the pockets filled with pillows and using a poncho liner...temps in the upper 30's at night wearing Sitka Kelvin pants and jacket. 12'x12' Kelty Noah tarp worked great.
Comments appreciated!!
Lowrider: How big are you? Ht, wt, and suit size?
@ 5'7", 170 and 42 suit, I found on returning to the smaller bed Clark WITH SPREADER HOOPS, from a larger bed NX-250, that I was not lacking for space and feeling of roominess. The hoops (and standard Clark firmness) matter, but the hoops matter a lot.
(NA and Tropical owners): I'll report on a separate thread on great happiness with adding hoops -- esp at the head end -- to those models.
Flex owners: Could you specify in words or measures how the hmmk hangs? 3 trees? One tree and both sides of a second large diameter one?
Demostix I would be curious to see your report on the addition of hoops to the NA.
5'10", 200, 46 coat, but....I'd like more room than the 150 provides. I do sleep comfortably in the 150 but I can't sleep on my side at all which is not mandatory but would be nice. Recent shoulder surgery makes it tough to get comfortable sometimes too. Kinda like a twin bed will work but a queen is a lot better.
My thought is turn the 150 over to my wife and get a more roomy one for myself...hence the 250 or the Flex. Also, having room for some extra covers on a cold night on the inside would be nice too.
I'm thinking rather than using two trees to hang the Flex, why couldn't you make a spreader bar out of PVC pipe or aluminum pipe and use that to spread the hammock and make a yoke that only requires being hung from one tree. The spreader bar would give the full width (whatever that might be) to the hammock and simplify the hanging process not unlike the old military style Jungle hammock which I spent many a night in once upon a time in a land far far away.
I'm also thinking of trying a sleeping bag to rig an underquilt but without the width measurement it's hard to figure out if that would work and should be better than the NX250 pockets anyway. An unzipped bag would surely be wide enough...I think. I guess fairly soon the UQ industry will start making a quilt wide enough anyway.
A spreader bar would have the issue of possibly raising the total center of gravity for the hammock (depending on how it was attached), and as well making the single connection point on the tree a pivot on which the two beds can swing in a see-saw fashion. This would significantly reduce the "untipability" of the hammock. This would be espeically pronouced if one side was significantly heavier than the other
Hey there guys,
You know, if there's one thing I thoroughly regret right now, is that I didn't jump into the hammock in 1 person mode when I had the chance. I was trying to make camp quickly in the dark after a very strenuous hike, and get my lady to relax as soon as I could. It was her first time out in the woods with me, so the priority was to get it right as quickly as I could in 2 person mode.
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...1/img_2069.jpg
In the morning, we had to de-rig quickly to reach our waterfall destination and get home before dark, as I only had a very short break from work. So, I didn't get to test the flex-180 in 1 person mode, as much as I wanted to.
As for the width of the hang, without a tape measure and from memory; I'd say easily 4.5 feet across, shoulder to shoulder across 2 occupants. As for an underquilt, it would have to be at least 5 feet across or more I would say, to curve round the 2 occupants.
Here's a pic to help 'guesstimate' the width:
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...1/img_2080.jpg
As for using a sleepingbag as an underquilt to experiment, I was thinking the same. Would be great if someone made a flex-180 specific one soon. Even at 26C (79F), the breathable base was very 'breathable' and even felt a bit chilly on my back in the morning without a sleeping bag. And I'm normally comfortable under the sheets at 23C (73F) bedroom temp.
Lowrider, you know, I think a spreader bar may only work well with 3 trees in total (Gaijin42 is right). You could probably use a spreader bar with 2 trees (conventional hammock style) but only to flex the hammock slightly- AND in single occupant mode.
The reason I say this is; the hammock would 'roll/tilt' quite a bit as its attached only to 1 point. One side of the head-end would almost/if not touch, the ground during the tilt as the first person jumps in. The spreader bar could end up near vertical and not horizontal, if you know what I mean.
But if the single tree is wide enough; then it may not be a problem to use a speaderbar to flex the hammock out to the maximum flex.
With 3 trees in total, the spreader bar worked fine, eventho the head-end trees were fairly close together. As long as there is a sag, ie 30 degree hang, and the ropes are not too tight unoccupied; it would be difficult to tip.
If there is space between trees top and bottom end, the hammock head-end could be moved closer to the 2-tree end to help flex the hammock more if required. I just didn't have that extra distance with the trees I used.
Note: Be sure to read the Clark supplied manual well. Take special precaution not to stretch the hammock apart on the 2 rope-end if the trees are too wide apart. It isn't designed to take too much stress between the 2 rope-end (hence the safety strap).
Ok, so when I got home tonight, my Flex 180 was waiting on my doorstep for me. I swapped out the stock ropes for three all in one whoopie slings and hung it before it got dark in my back yard. I'll mess with it more tomorrow, but for now, all I have to say is this thing is HUGE! I think you could have a party in there! I actually laughed out loud when I first got in because it was so roomy. More to come later.
First I did not even know this model existed until one was for sale here on the site.
This appears to be the closest to a bridge and the flattest laying hammock Clark makes?
Cannot wait to try it and thanks for all the pics and info on the flex. .
Next going to order and Underquilt a zepplin and will get it wider to meet the extra room of the flex maybe 52"???
Will have to decide and get help from Underground quilts and see if they have made one yet?
Thanks
Thanks so much for the photos russ is there any chance you could take some measurements of the central wedge shaped pannel (the grey one) Ive got a lot of material and plenty of time on my hands at the moment and this looks like a fun challenge.
That hammock looks so cool, I love that you can sleep two people at once, this would really benefit someone who is trying to get their kids into hammock camping.
Just ordered a flexible lady in camel from Clark
also spoke to Paul and underground quilts and ordered a 20° full-length zeppelin
it will be 55 inches wide
have draft dollars
three additional ounces of down
and decided to get the hyperbolic down
should be here in about three weeks to try with the flex 180 will post more information when I get them both
Bill
I`ll be sticking with the NX 250 as a fine piece of sleeping lit it is .......
any more report backs on the flex? thinking of switching out the nx250 for one..
Thanks for the pics Keith... might copy some of your ideas ;)
Sorry for the late post, been really busy this past 2 weeks, but here are some pics of my setup 2 weeks ago in Cameron Highlands. About 16'C (61'F) during the day and 11'C (52'F) during the night.
Wanted to find a suitable underquilt for the Flex-180 and decided to try the JRB Sierra Stealth which is actually a top quilt with 1.5" loft, but unlike most underquilts- is a pretty wide at 52 inches.
Here are some pics:
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...1/img_4613.jpg
Used the trekking pole as a spreader bar- just like last time, but this time attached to only 1 tree.
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...1/img_4614.jpg
Used some Grip Clips from JRB on one end of the quilt.
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...1/img_4616.jpg
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...1/img_4620.jpg
There were some bits hanging on one side of the quilt (for top quilt mode) that I used to tie on to the hammock poles to make it extra snug. Would like to sew some lines on the other side of the quilt for the same effect- or use small strips of velcro.
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...1/img_4619.jpg
This side didn't require Grip-Clips as there are existing loops to use the micro biners and shock cord to attach to.
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...1/img_4622.jpg
However, Im not too happy about this end. I set-up the hammock and quilt in the dark with just a headlamp and it did keep me warm at night. But sometimes I felt a draft on this end, and I couldn't find a way to get it up snug. I could have used another grip clip (if I had an extra) and secure the middle portion of this side of the quilt to my trekking pole. But mainly I think I should have moved the quilt further to this end as it is a little too much toward the other end.
The view from inside. Lots of room for one person and my backpack to my right.
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...1/img_4630.jpg
The bulky backpack was kind of pressing on my shoulder, so I slept the other way round with my head and shoulders on the grey portion of the bed- Loads of headroom.
I believe with a width of 52 inches, this would be sufficient for keeping 2 people warm in moderate weather. I would like to try the Hammockgear 0'F Incubator for camping in cooler temps. At 44" width, Im confident it will be sufficient for 1 person mode; as I don't think the missus would like to be camping with me in the freezing cold. :scared:
The FLEX-180 looks very interesting. I was pretty set on the NX-250 but, after seeing this, I might change my mind. Question, I purchased a pair of Whoopie Slings, does anyone know how this would work? Would I need another whoopie sling?
Thanks
after tinkering with mine a bit i will probably be looking to sell it. doesn't quite fit my needs. if anyone is interested pm me, i don't have enough posts to list it.