What Makes a Entry Level Hammock?

[gRaFFiX]

Haha, neither can I. I just say as long as the point gets across that's all that matters.

[plowhorse]

I saw the pic of your hang up by fall river, very NICE!!!!

[pineapplenewton]

my first hammock was/is a diy from jeffs page. about to sleep in it for the first time tonight. but i hve slept in one before

[VaFish]

I can only speak for myself,

But as a pretty recent convert to hammocks, Price was the factor in choosing my first hammock, and my 2nd one too for that matter.

I'm still a newbie and playing around with what I like. I don't want to drop $200-$300 to find out I don't like something.

So for me a beginners hammock needs to be inexpensive and flexible. The HH hammocks may have everything in one package, but I wasn't sure I wanted to go with all their stuff. I chose the Byer Moskito because it was only $39 at the local REI and I could play around with the tarp and suspension straps myself. Sort of a combination of buying and DIY.

[whitefoot_hp]

[*]The ridgeline prevents incorrect hang angle[*]Entry slit avoids zippers[*]Attached tarp means no tarp tieouts to trees[*]Attached tarp has ony 2 side tieouts[*]HH lashing avoids learning ring buckles, carabiners, etc.[/LIST]
In theory the HH should be the hands-down winner. Many newbies get tripped up by the bottom entry and some even fall out the bottom, so the bottom-entry simplicity hasn't been fully achieved.
The stock tarp is easy to deploy once attached, but not easy to attach the first time and impossible to get a taut pitch. Again, only 1/2 the goal attained.
The lashing unfortunately also takes some learning and has adjustment problems, so not a full score there.

HH does offer a full system solution: snakeskins for packing, SS for under-insulation, etc. You can buy the whole shebang from one company.

Food for thought and discussion.

--Kurt

unless, of course, that happens to not be the right ridgeline for you.