What's the Point?

**Two Tents** · 10-31-2011, 11:48

I was just pointing out some differences. Heck I eat cheap hot dogs sometimes too. If the gear gets you out then that is a good thing. It doesn't matter what it is made from or how much it cost.

**DemostiX** · 10-31-2011, 12:03

Originally Posted by scottpash

I am a little concerned about CF being translucent

I think of a tarp as a means for some sort of privacy and a light diffuser if I can ever stay in bed past sunrise ( I usually wake up the roosters)

CF owners how do you combat light issues and privacy issues

It would be unusual in materials that the transparency or translucency must be retained. Introducing compatible dyes or films to block light is relatively cheap and easy if the market demands it. Know the tranparent plastic film wrap that even your grocer uses to wrap and hold upright pallettes of piled boxes? Where opacity is desired --first level theft deterence -- the film is black, for about same film cost.

Or, go to shelter-systems.com to see a variety of fabrics with different light transmission properties.

**OutandBack** · 10-31-2011, 12:38

For me the weight savings is the only pro and the reason I bought one.
I don't really like anything else about CF when compared to my sylnylon tarps.
YMMV

**Boomer** · 10-31-2011, 13:59

So, CF is waterproof? That would be much better than a silnylon in snow.

Is there a difference between the HammockGear one and the OES one? I'd prefer to have storm doors - like my Superfly.

**Jazilla** · 10-31-2011, 15:17

rodwolfy, I still use my silnylon tarp and have no plans of getting a CF tarp at all. But I did sell my synthetic UQ and got a down UQ being made. Its all about what you feel comfortable carrying in the woods. CF just happens to be the new "thing" to talk about. Silnylon has been talked about on this forum since 2006. Not much more you can say about it that hasn't been said in the 5 years. CF will be the talk of the town until someone comes up with something better.

**Boomer** · 10-31-2011, 20:35

So, I take it if CF is not breathable, then it would not be as good for a down UQ as say eVent or GoreTex?

**default** · 10-31-2011, 21:47

there is a breathable version of CF which i believe is being used in UQ's.

**Fronkey** · 10-31-2011, 22:15

I've seen Hammockgears cuben underquilt where the top layer is made from cuben. It's actually pretty awesome looking and does save on weight too.

Fronkey

**Boomer** · 10-31-2011, 22:24

I saw that Raul had one. What was the price difference? An extra 2 yards, so $100?

**finskie** · 01-18-2012, 20:46

Originally Posted by Fronkey

I've seen Hammockgears cuben underquilt where the top layer is made from cuben. It's actually pretty awesome looking and does save on weight too.

Fronkey

Wags got a cuben upper 0* UQ from HG and it was 21oz on my scale, same as listed weight basically for a non cuben. My personal preference is not to use cuben in an UQ. I had one briefly and found that it did not feel that it worked as well as a non cuben inner. Not that I really had a cold spot or something, but just cold in general, not the reflected back heat feeling I get with other quilts. YMMV but it was enough that I returned it. It was cool looking though, and others have had a better go of it.

As tarps go, I have a cuben tarp and I love that I get more coverage for less weight. I have yet to test long term durability, but some data I see out there makes me concerned in that department. I wouldn't trade my cuben away now, but if I had it to do over, I would probably spend that money elsewhere and stuck with my sil tarp. The weight difference I could compensate for by doing a little heavier leg workout in the gym