Blackbird 1.1DL entry side tie outs

**ScottH61** · 08-29-2011, 14:59

Does anyone else find the tie outs on the entry side to be a PITA? Why in the world are they tied to the netting, instead of the hammock itself? If they were on the hammock, you could flip the netting over to lay uncovered (if desired), and still have the tie outs holding the hammock open.

Also, does the double layer openings on the entry side sag extremely loosely for anyone else, or is it just mine? I doubt that I'm just "doing it wrong" as there is really only one way to set these things up. I'm not a stranger to hammock tents either, having one of the original Hennessy's and a Clark NX-250 as well as the Blackbird...

**shumway** · 08-29-2011, 15:40

After a Hennessey, especially the bottom entry kind, the WBBB takes some getting used to. I do find the zip side tie out to be a pain. My solution was to remove the little split ring from the loop part of the tie out, and reattach with a mini carabiner. The I left the ring on the shockcord side to keep the adjustability. When I want to tie back the net I unhook the shock cord so there's less to tangle. It's also helpful for entering/exiting the hammock, though I rarely unclip it for that. It's easy enough just to lift the net as long as you don't have the shock cord adjusted too tightly.

As to the DL fabric sagging... it does sag on mine too. I just make sure to grip both layers in my hand before sitting down. It snugs up fine when I do that.

**Lonely Raven** · 08-29-2011, 15:41

I asked myself this as well. We have two Blackbirds in the family.

Yes, the fabric on that side does seem a bit loose.

As for the tie out being on the netting...that's to help hold the diamond shape and give you space inside. I've seriously thought about adding a second set of loops on the lower fabric and mitten clips to cord so I could move the tie outs on the netting if I wanted that big space feel, or on the lower section if I want to throw the netting over to the other side.

**ScottH61** · 08-29-2011, 18:41

I understand why the tie out is on the side, but it would do the same thing if it were attached to the hammock directly, instead of on the netting, wouldn't it? I mean, on a Hennessy, the tie outs are tied to the hammock, and not the net. I understand that the Hennessy is a different design, being bottom entry and all.

Just seems to me that you'd have less entry hassle if it were tied to the hammock and not the net, and you'd gain the fact that the hammock would hold it's diamond shape whether or not you're using your netting.

One more thing for Brandon to consider: How about an option to have the footbox on the zip side? I can't see why it couldn't be done, and I wouldn't have to twist my body to get in or out. Just a thought... not a complaint. :-)

Originally Posted by Lonely Raven

I asked myself this as well. We have two Blackbirds in the family.

Yes, the fabric on that side does seem a bit loose.

As for the tie out being on the netting...that's to help hold the diamond shape and give you space inside. I've seriously thought about adding a second set of loops on the lower fabric and mitten clips to cord so I could move the tie outs on the netting if I wanted that big space feel, or on the lower section if I want to throw the netting over to the other side.

**lymphocytosis** · 08-29-2011, 18:44

I did something quite similar to Shumway. I just added a tiny S-biner. There when I want it, detatched when I don't.

Personally, I see why Brandon didn't attach it to the hammock body. I think it would be a bigger pain to try to get in and out with the tie out potentially under your leg or worse, getting tangled with your feet in the middle of the night. Then its a safety issue. With it on the upper part, you just push it up and away when you get out.

**The Weezer's Dad** · 09-02-2011, 10:36

Everytime I get in my BB I curse the tie-outs. They really should be on the hammock and not on the netting. Other than that, it is an awesome rig. I'm gonna have to look into adding some loops to the hammock to move the tie-out down.

My son has a HH Zip and his tie-out is on the hammock, so his net flips up and over. It is a much better design in that respect.

I really would like to know why Brandon designed it like that.

**ScottH61** · 09-02-2011, 21:58

I was starting to feel like I was the only one that thought that! Thanks for your post! :-)

Originally Posted by The Weezer's Dad

Everytime I get in my BB I curse the tie-outs. They really should be on the hammock and not on the netting. Other than that, it is an awesome rig. I'm gonna have to look into adding some loops to the hammock to move the tie-out down.

My son has a HH Zip and his tie-out is on the hammock, so his net flips up and over. It is a much better design in that respect.

I really would like to know why Brandon designed it like that.

**HamMike** · 09-03-2011, 07:28

Originally Posted by lymphocytosis

I did something quite similar to Shumway. I just added a tiny S-biner. There when I want it, detatched when I don't.

Personally, I see why Brandon didn't attach it to the hammock body. I think it would be a bigger pain to try to get in and out with the tie out potentially under your leg or worse, getting tangled with your feet in the middle of the night. Then its a safety issue. With it on the upper part, you just push it up and away when you get out.

I did this exact same thing when I was out at Zaleski a couple weeks ago. Works great.

**weaver2469** · 09-03-2011, 08:15

Originally Posted by lymphocytosis

Personally, I see why Brandon didn't attach it to the hammock body. I think it would be a bigger pain to try to get in and out with the tie out potentially under your leg or worse, getting tangled with your feet in the middle of the night. Then its a safety issue. With it on the upper part, you just push it up and away when you get out.

I agree. If they were on the hammock body, you would have to step over and around them every time you got in or out. At some point in the middle of the night, I would put my foot between the lines and bring the whole thing crashing down. As it is now, you merely have to duck under the bug net, but don't have to worry about getting your legs tangled. Also, it is kind of nice to have the cord attached to the netting for when you want to pull it over to the other side. I think it is a good thing to have them as they are. It isn't a big deal to slip the loop from the stake if you want to undo the netting. Just my 2 cents.

**BillyBob58** · 09-04-2011, 21:32

Originally Posted by ScottH61

I understand why the tie out is on the side, but it would do the same thing if it were attached to the hammock directly, instead of on the netting, wouldn't it? :-)

Not necessarily. At least on my HH UL Explorer, one of my constant complaints was the bug netting wanting to sag down enough to touch my face. I really had to have the side pull outs perfect to avoid this. The main thing is to try hard to make sure the pull outs are attached to something higher than a stake in the ground. When attached to the ground, after hammock sag, the pull outs would always loosen up a lot and allow the net sag.PITA. But attaching to something higher is not always easy due to the tarp. Not for sure I had this problem as much with other HHs, but sure did with that Explorer, which is in fact now a no net hammock!

But about the first thing I noticed about the WBBB was a much appreciated distance between my head and any netting, due to the actual net area being pulled away by the tie outs. The net has never given me any grief once inside.

Yes, I agree it is a bit of a PITA when getting in. But like so many things I have considered to be (technically) a PITA, it really does not seem like that big of a deal for me overall. And if I want pull outs with the net flipped out of the way, it will be a simple mod to add some Grossgrain (sp?) to that area but on the bottom. Actually, good idea now that I think about it.