If you don't have it...Get it (Jacks R Better Hammock)

**BackPackHiker** · 05-31-2012, 14:51

I have been testing out the Jacks R Better Bear Mountain Bridge hammock and have been posting videos on my youtube channel backpackhiker. This is seriously one of my most comfortable hammocks. I love sleeping in this hammock. I like to sleep on my back, stomach and side and in this hammock I can do everything in comfort. The only downside to this (bearly a downside) is it isn't comfortable to just sit around in, for that I use my Grand Trunk Nano 7. If you want to see some videos highlighting this hammock check out the 12 months in a hammock series on youtube.

**R00K** · 05-31-2012, 15:15

I also use a BMBH UL and a Nano 7 depending on the trip. Two great hammocks.

**photohiker** · 06-04-2012, 03:12

Nice series BackPackHiker

Here's a link to the first in the series:

Are you going to review the UL BMB?

**BackPackHiker** · 06-25-2012, 08:35

Originally Posted by photohiker

Nice series BackPackHiker

Here's a link to the first in the series:

Are you going to review the UL BMB?

I will see what I can do, I would love to demo it for everyone.

**BillyBob58** · 06-25-2012, 09:26

Originally Posted by Tonks

One of the reviews that I read said the bars were really hard to install and a bit temperamental. Did anyone have trouble with that?

Originally Posted by lazy river road

I've only set up the UL BMBH before and the whole set up goes up super fast and easy. No problems with the bars what so ever. Just my experiences with it. Just as long as you don't grab the bars while in the hammock cause then they will snap. The bars have stayed in place with no slippage. I do feel (and not just with the BMBH UL) that a Bridge feels more tipsy then a gathered end but once I am in, man I just fall asleep like a baby. I'm just a bit more careful sitting down in one regardless of the maker.

Originally Posted by more

My wife and I have both models. The spreader bars are a bit harder to put into the rings on the deluxe model. The spreader bars on the UL model practically fall into place. I am not sure if this is a true model difference or if it is just a matter of deviation in assembling the hammock.

Originally Posted by Peter_pan

The spreader bars are actually super easy to install...

The only time there is an issue is when there is the classic "operator error" of stringing the hammock up tightly...When this occurs the sprader bars are hard, if not impossible to install....THIS A CLEAR SIGN THAT ONE IS DOING SOMTHING WRONG.

There is an often stated misperception on this forum that a bridge style hammock should be strung tighter or flatter than a a gathered end hammock... THIS IS WRONG. Bridge style hammocks get suspended at the same 30* down angle as any other properly hung hammock.

Pan

Originally Posted by Boulderman

With this in mind, how do I know when the UL is set up correctly? When I had the regular BMBH, I thought I was supposed to tighten it until the bugnet was tight, then back it off a little. With my new UL hung at the proper 30*, the bugnet is rather loose...

The directions on my UL still say to pull the net tight and then back off untill a slight sag in the net, which is about the same as the directions on my older no zip model. But it also says for a maximum of 8'9" between the outer rings, which is a shorter distance than on my older no zip model, which I think called for 9'6" MAX.

But on the above posts, don't understand a problem or difference. I have both and seems identical to me and neither has ever been a problem whatsoever. But like Pan said, maybe if you set up with a certain technique there could be problems. Still, I think it would be the same with either one.

I always hang the hammock loosely and put the bars in ( always super easy with either ) and THEN tighten things up. Although when I have a RL installed this order does not seem to be needed. But with out a RL, if I pulled the hammock snug BEFORE putting the bars in, I'm sure it would be a bear to get them in place. But, I never do that.

**Terræntrolden** · 06-04-2012, 03:20

Can you please make the videos playable for phone's on your channel....

**BillyBob58** · 06-04-2012, 21:04

You know, another great thing about this hammock is how easy it is to insulate it. With the original model, I can use a pad with more good result than with any other hammock. Really, I have often almost gone the pad only route with this hammock, forsaking my down UQs. Almost, but I have never taken the leap of faith yet, except using a 20" wide torso sized pad in warmer weather. But I have often been tempted!

But OTOH, there are probably few hammock UQ combo's that work as consistently and with as little overall hassle or fiddle factor as does this hammock and an MWUQ, full length or short. ( probably other UQs too, but I have not done much testing except with the MWs). And the reason is in the fit, the match up between hammock and UQ. like this with a short UQ:

Or like this with a full length:

There are no gaps or - what's the word? Ridges? Like an accordion or a fold up fan if you know what I mean. No places for the cold air to funnel in. And there really is not much to adjust or go wrong. You just hang the UQ onto the hammock tabs and that's pretty much it. Best of all, it beats all other combos I have tried ( except for PeaPod ) for staying 100% put and being impossible to roll off of or have it slip off of my shoulder. That stuff just does not happen with this combo.

I also think my WB CS Yeti is great and has it's advantages, weight and water resistance etc, but it is not as good as the above JRB combo in the areas mentioned. Most especially regarding staying on the warm spot.

And I still remain a major PeaPod with Claytor No Net fan. Really hard to beat that very versatile system. But the JRB system comes really close to doing so, and if I needed to slip in my 20" wide torso pad for a warmth boost, it might become the over all champ.

I have a UL BMBH now. Feels a little roomier in the shoulders ( kind of like when a pad is in the original). I will miss the pad pocket but it saves me some weight, even with a zippered net added. I figure it will work just as well with the UQs, but have not tried it yet.

Great hammocks in several ways!

**spaceweaseal** · 06-05-2012, 22:22

I love the BMBH but the UL , I was not a fan of....

**affreeman** · 06-06-2012, 06:15

Originally Posted by spaceweaseal

I love the BMBH but the UL , I was not a fan of....

Because? Don't leave us in suspense!

**BillyBob58** · 06-06-2012, 08:11

Originally Posted by spaceweaseal

I love the BMBH but the UL , I was not a fan of....

Originally Posted by affreeman

Because? Don't leave us in suspense!

Agree, fill us in, because at least one here has felt just the opposite. In fact, that review was my push to go ahead and get a UL.

I have not yet had time to put it to the full test. But based on short back yard afternoon hangs, I can see some benefits to the UL but am not yet ready to throw out the original.

The major advantage for me is in the name: saves me roughly 1/2 lb wt especially if I use WS suspension which I can do without having to cut off the webbing. ( so far, just using the webbing )

Next, it helps with a problem for some people but really not a problem for me: shoulder room. Maybe because I am so used to the original model, so that the shoulder thing just does not bother me any more. And maybe because I so often end up on my side anyway. Still, IMO there is more shoulder room in the UL, enough to notice, and I think without having to increase spreader bar width.

But other than that, I certainly have not yet noticed any comfort improvements over the original, in fact there may be some advantages to the original- though nothing major. Is it my imagination, or is the original slightly longer? But I won't know the exact comparison until I do some overnights, and from the trees, not from my flexy stand.