Does anyone know about the new 2010 HH. with a zipper entrance? Is the bottom entrance better? Im new to the Hammock Forms but have been using a twenty dollar hammock for years. Great to have discovered a place to learn new hanging tecniques. I do like the features of the HH just not sure if I should try the new model or stick with the bottom entrance?
Thank for any feedback
From what I have read the bottom entrance can make it difficult to use an underquilt. Before HH offered the side zippers, members here were having their hammocks modded by getting zippers added.
I've never used an HH but I envy how you can pitch the tarp very close to the hammock and have no troubles getting in (with the bottom entry).
Other than that I've never really seen the big advantage. Also, people do use UQ's with bottom-entry HH's, it's just not quite as easy...
I'm one of the many hangers who bought a standard bottom entry HH and sent it out to have a zipper installed by 2Q & ZQ. The zipper changed the hammock experience for me.
hammock with bottom entry = slight improvement over ground dwelling
hammock with zipper entry = great improvement (IMO of course)
Festus Hagen does make a good point the stock tarps from HH are rigged quite close to the hammock and the bottom entry would have an advantage. However I am sure HH offers larger tarp options these days.
I have the HHexped with original bottom entrance. HH are good hammocks & there are a number of owners on this forum happy to share they're knowledge & experience.
At first I hated the bottom entrance but have come to appreciate some of it's advantages. However, if you're used to a hammock with a top entrance then you might want to stick with that and HH now has that option. I had a #2 zipper mod done by 2Q&ZQ. Best of both worlds & maybe the most flexible set up out there, I love options.
The bottom entrance allows for a very tight fit of the rainfly which can be an advantage in driving rain. It also allows you to keep virtually all those biting pests outside while accessing the hammock. I have also found that on some terrain the bottom entrance is safer & more convenient for me as I have some physical issues.
That said, if I could only have one I would choose top/side entrance. I also installed the HHSS and would highly recommend you consider a dual layer bottom. This stops nasties from biting you thru the bottom layer and gives you a number of options to keep warm as a hammock tends to get cold on the bottom much under 70 degrees. It also adds weatherproofing if the rain gets to splashing.
The older I get the better I used to be. Superhero status is near.
i have a new ultra light backpacker for sale bottom entry 150
as for side zipper i just got one i like the bottom entry much better. less fiddling around with after a long day. i just got back from the jmt and the side zipper lets in alot of bugs. it is a bit easier to find a sweet spot as you can just jump in.
Side zip makes getting your sleeping gear organized and checking your underquilt (while in the hammock) easier. Bottom entry is the ultimate in bug protection.
Starting from scratch, I'd go with side zip this time. Both my bottom entry models got the zipper mod from 2QZQ.
Knotty
"Don't speak unless it improves the silence." -proverb
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if you want a side zip go with a black bird
I have used both bottom entry models, and side zip. I started with the Expedition. The bottom entry is a neat idea, but I found it tedious after a while. I now have the Explorer Deluxe with zipper, and LOVE it. So much easier to get in and out. And I have camped in a couple of places where the mozzies were thick, and have no complaints. I highly recommend the Explorer Deluxe.
I should have a review of the side zip done in the next day or so.
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