As most of you probably know, the new Guide Gear "12x12" tarps are actually measured 12' on the diagonal ( see Here ) I have been hanging under one of the old Guide Gear 9x9 camo tarps (aka Neo Tarps) for a while and always look up and think "this would make a nice minimalist hex tarp. Well, fast forward to yesterday evening upon arriving @ home and finding my new tarp on the doorstep. After reading the info in the above mentioned thread, I was not surprised by the size of the tarp, but I was VERY surprised by the weight. 15.9 oz with the stuff sack. The old 9x9 was 22.3 oz on my scale. Due to the weight difference, I'm a bit concerned about what that means for the waterproof properties of this tarp and the long term durability, but I'll try to report more on that later.
Of course, I could not help but try modding this already much lighter tarp. Well after a trip to Joann Fabric, and a SIGNIFICANT amount of time figuring out how to set up the bobbin on my wife's old sewing machine, the tarp was reborn. I chose to cut @ the tieouts to save sewing new ones, but you could cut it to have shorter sides if you don't mind sewing on the tieouts. I then did a simple hem on the cut edge and was done. After removing the carry handle from the stuff sack and replacing the drawcord with dynaglide and a mini cordloc. the final weight was 13.83 oz. When I stuff it, I stuff to the bottom, twist the loose end and pull it back over the whole tarp to make it smaller. I am very impressed with how small it packs, and the weight. Especially at the price ($18 + shipping).
Below are the pics of the modded tarp. I will try to get a pic of it pitched and a closeup on the tieouts on the cut side in the daylight, but it was about midnight when I finished it up, so only indoor pics for now. (Please excuse the messy house) There is also a comparison pic of an unmodded one and a maccat standard to give you an idea of coverage. (credit to Bannerstone for that pic.)
It may only be 2 oz saved, but hopefully this will help those who aspire to be gram weenies but are too cheap to buy expensive gear.
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