MMG IX Universal has arrived, with pics!

[Rat]

Okay, so i just the MMG IX Universal in today, we ordered three of them. I hung the hammocks in the front yard and started fitting them up, paying special attention the issues I have read about with others and their IX Quilts. First I saw that the head and foot gap was pretty big. I never could get the head gap to close, I guess my shoulders aren't wide enough, even with the end under my shoulders. Roz was next and I found the same thing on her quilt, Gage was just swallowed up whole; he could use it as a taco quilt!

Here you can see the initial fit and a few shots of the head and foot gaps.
Initial Fit out of the box


Head Gap


Foot Gap


As you can see there was quite a gap in the head and foot ends. So, I ran inside and assaulted it with the sewing machine; I sewed a shock-cord loop on the head and foot end. I used some 1 1/4" poly webbing I had and overlapped it on the ends, sewed it on with a zig-zag stitch and then ran the shock-cord through. It worked great!

Fitted head end


Fitted foot end


I made the foot end cord channel a little shorter to keep the nice foot-wrap feature. You can see the foot wrap here.


Final fit after it was adjusted and with Roz lying in it.


Scheduled forecast for tonight is freezing and, as I am a warm sleeper, I am going to see if I can get to freezing with just the MMG IX Universal. Roz has ordered some poncho liners for supplemental insulation.

This is my first real foray into underquilts, unless you count the Frankenpod (which few even remember, hopefully), so I am EXCITED!!! Roz just wonders why we didn't do this earlier...

[Alan]

RAT,

Will these debut at the Texas Hang???

[MacEntyre]

In looking closely at these pictures, I don't see any corner darts, nor any end darts.

Rat, how many darts are inside each end?

Are there any in the corners?

If there are no darts on the ends, nor the corners, that would explain why so many people are having problems getting the ends to close up. I'll contact Tree to Tree and find out!

- MacEntyre

[dejoha]

Thanks for sharing this!! This is exactly what I want to do with mine to see if it will improve the warmth. I'll also check to see if my quilt has darts on the ends, but ultimately the gathering looks like a winning combination.

[MacEntyre]

Dejoha, this may explain our divergent views. The reason I dart so heavily is to avoid the need for a channel and drawstring. IX doesn't gather well. Darts work, unless they are not present.

I eagerly await your dart count!

[Hanson]

In looking closely at these pictures, I don't see any corner darts, nor any end darts.

Rat, how many darts are inside each end?

Are there any in the corners?

If there are no darts on the ends, nor the corners, that would explain why so many people are having problems getting the ends to close up. I'll contact Tree to Tree and find out!

- MacEntyre

Mac,

I also received my MMG IX Shamu yesterday, and it has darts on the ends and in the corners (if that helps your query). But I noticed that of the 4 corner loops that the shock cord attaches to, 3 are white and 1 is black. Is there a significance to that?

Rat,

Would you be interested in modifying mine?

[MacEntyre]

3 are white and 1 is black. Is there a significance to that?

On the IX UQs that have no nylon cover, the odd loop corresponds to your right shoulder, to help you rig the UQ right side up.

Would you be interested in modifying mine?

Don't you want to try it first, to see if you need a mod?

Rat's UQ appears to lack darts, which you said that yours has.

[Hanson]

"Don't you want to try it first, to see if you need a mod?

"Rat's UQ appears to lack darts, which you said that yours has."

Yes, I do! I posted my request to Rat before seeing your response (makes perfect sense).

[MacEntyre]

I just spoke with Rat... turns out the IX UQ that didn't fit is a prototype, not a production model!

The other one he ordered has the proper darts.

Folks, those darts give the UQ a teacup shape on the ends, so that it doesn't need a drawstring channel. All you have to do to make it fit is 1) don't be afraid to tighten the suspension, and 2) lay in it with your shoulders on the head end edge.

- MacEntyre

[dejoha]

Okay, I just inspected mine. I have two darts on the ends, none in the corners. It doesn't cup on the ends dramatically; it is still pretty flat but there is a differential between the layers. Mine acts much like the photos above. I'll see if I can get a willing accomplice to lay down so I can get photos.

I'll try to get photos of my experience on how the IX hangs when I lay flat on my back and on my side. I hope this helps in diagnosing what I am doing wrong.

I should also mention that I am on a trip and the only hammock I brought was the nano. I don't think it will bias my results too much, but I just want to lay that out at the front.