Looking to buy a cheap starter hammock

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04-21-2009, 15:44
rugbypike#11

Looking to buy a cheap starter hammock

I'm going to try out hammock camping, but I'm a full-time grad student so I'm on a very cheap budget.

I've seen the Skeeter Beeter and Moskito Traveller out there pretty cheap so I think those will be fine for me to start out. If you can beat $40 for the Traveller or $42 for the Skeeter Beeter, please let me know.

For a tarp, I think I'm going with the Guide Gear 12x12 for $30. Again, if you can beat that, I'm all ears.
04-21-2009, 15:51
rigidpsycho

Is the skeeter beeter the pro or just the regular skeeter beeter
04-21-2009, 16:02
rugbypike#11

It looks like the regular Skeeter Beeter is $42, or I can get the Pro for $51.
04-21-2009, 16:06
Cannibal

For $9, bet your butt I'd be opting for the pro model. It's 7 oz heavier, but I think the material would be much more comfortable and probably more durable over the long haul.
04-21-2009, 16:11
rugbypike#11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cannibal

For $9, bet your butt I'd be opting for the pro model. It's 7 oz heavier, but I think the material would be much more comfortable and probably more durable over the long haul.

Thanks for the feedback. I was more concerned about the weight than the extra $9 but still kind of leaning towards the Pro after I went back and found it. Is the general consensus that the Skeeter Beeter is superior to the Byer hammock? I saw the message from the SB President about personally guaranteeing customer service. All else being equal, that would be a tie-breaker in itself!
04-21-2009, 16:14
rigidpsycho

The guys at Grand trunk are awesome. I love my Skeeter Beeter Pro and Canibal assumptions are right the material is very comfortable. It is a very spacious hammock.
04-21-2009, 16:19
Cannibal

Quote:

Originally Posted by rugbypike#11

Thanks for the feedback. I was more concerned about the weight than the extra $9 but still kind of leaning towards the Pro after I went back and found it. Is the general consensus that the Skeeter Beeter is superior to the Byer hammock? I saw the message from the SB President about personally guaranteeing customer service. All else being equal, that would be a tie-breaker in itself!

Yes!

If for no other reason than the suspension. The Byer mosquito hammock tried to take a cue from the Brazilian hammocks (greatest in the world IMO) with their suspension system. It works (mostly) but the end result is a mess of tangled line everytime you unpack it. Not a good thing when you've been hiking all day and just want some zzzzzzzzzs.
04-21-2009, 17:20
stumpy

I have the regular skeeter beater and a guide tarp. They work just fine for me. :)
04-21-2009, 17:25
Take-a-knee

I've seen Hennessy Backpacker UL's sell for $60 bucks on ebay.
04-21-2009, 21:06
amac

I haven't used or seen a Skeeter Beeter, but do have a Byer (was my first hammock). The tangling of the lines can easily be avoided by attaching a ridgeline and keeping it attached. No tangled lines. I just watched the Skeeter Beeter video at http://www.thetravelhammock.com/prod...keeter_pro.htm. The Byer definitely packs up smaller and is over 10 oz lighter than the Skeeter. To be fair, in the video, the Skeeter looks like a nice hammock. I think either one ought to be a good intro to hammocking. I bought my Byer at EMS, so I could inspect it personally before buying. Let us know which way you go, and how you like it.