View Full Version : Owned=6 Sold=5
Amelander
03-13-2012, 10:32
If you watch the For Sale thread on here you will probably notice my name every now and then. In the past year I have owned 6 hammocks and sold all but one of them. My wife calls me picky but I consider myself thorough. I am not made of money and when I spend that kinda money on a product, of any kind, I expect it to exceed expectations.
My list includes WBBB, WB Traveler, JRB BMBH, HH Expedition, ENO DoubleNest, and TTTG Switchback.
For me and my money the Switchback is the easy winner.
There is no sense telling you why all the others did not work for me(message me and I will). Because they might easily work for you. I will share my feelings about the SB to help you understand why I picked it.
It is simple. I have found that as advertised it is quite easy to hang. In fact just find two trees and string it up. In my experiments anywhere from 45* to 10* is fine, although it likes to be tighter. Anywhere in that range I can find a sweet spot somewhere in that hammock. It might not be the same place everytime, but its there. And I don't have to fiddle with a structural ridge line. Is it too tight, or too loose? Just hang it up and wiggle around till you find it.
It is comfortable. The first time I strung it up tight I was amazed at all the different sleeping positions I could comfortably sleep in. Back, left side, right side, fetal position; all were so very comfortable. And no ridge calf pressure, which use to put my legs to sleep in other hammocks. And all were very flat, which is good for my knees. I claim it is just as flat as a bridge, my knees agree.
It is durable. Ok so I should really hold of on this claim until I have for for a few years. But I have had hammocks that your could tell would never last within a few days. This one is crafted very well. And the more I use it the more I like it. No seam stressing here!
When you come to Hammock Forums as a noob you will find about 10,000 different opinions. But the same reasons that some people like mayo and others hate it are factors in hammocks. We are all different. Don't be afraid to experiment. Dont' be afraid to try. And don't be afraid to cut away from the crowd.
inspectorguy
03-13-2012, 10:35
I have a similar list of try-outs but I settled on a DD.
Amelander
03-13-2012, 10:37
I have a similar list of try-outs but I settled on a DD.
Please dont give me ideas :lol:
inspectorguy
03-13-2012, 10:49
Please dont give me ideas :lol:
HAH! sorry 'bout that...;)
I went thru three different hammock last month and I just purchased my third this month.
The TTTG Switchback 1.9 DL.
WooHoo!!!
Hetairoi
03-13-2012, 11:09
I've tried all of those and more (still have a bunch of them :eek:)
Then, at the 09 Mt Rogers Winter hang, I won a (net-less) single layer Switchback. Tried it out on the next trip and, though I occasionally wander and try something new, I always end up back in my switchback (huge thanks to Dale, John and the Jacks for all that gear in the raffle).
Like you say, simple, comfortable and durable (well over a hundred nights on the trail/river). I tend to move around in my sleep, starting on my back, then a bit of side sleeping, then stomach, then back to side, etc. No issues for me in the switchback, I can roll around and be comfortable in just about any position.
I love my Switchback. I toss & turn but sleep only in my sides. I think the Switchback was made for someone like me.
Sidewinder
03-13-2012, 11:24
I have all of those and a few more. I've kept the WB, Traverlers, Switchbacks but truth be told I don't use them anymore. I give them to the kids to use. I mostly use the Wilderness Logics Snipe. You may want to give them a try.
S
I like all of my hammocks, but for different reasons. The SW is really nice because you can actually see out both sides. I found that it actually works better if you have it strung a little tight. I've had 3 ENO Ds (still have 2), a Byer (kids ripped the bugnet), 2 WBBB 1.7ds, a WBBB 1.1d, a Kammock, my SB and now a GT Double on the way.
Thinking about a DangerBird...
Rain Man
03-16-2012, 12:04
Maybe it's just me, but I have no idea with a "TTTG Switchback" is. Who makes it? Got a link to the company? A photo? Anything?
Rain Man
.
Hetairoi
03-16-2012, 12:09
Maybe it's just me, but I have no idea with a "TTTG Switchback" is. Who makes it? Got a link to the company? A photo? Anything?
Rain Man
.
TTTG is Tree to Tree Trail Gear (http://stores.tttrailgear.com/StoreFront.bok)
The Switchback is one of their hammocks (http://stores.tttrailgear.com/-strse-Hammocks/Categories.bok)
It's owned/operated by forum members Darby and SmithOBX (They bought out Ed Speer and also have Macentyre doing some R&D for them).
The vendor forum is here (http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=96).
I don't know if it's just me, but when a vendor sells what appears to be a typical gathered end hammock I guess I need them to explain what (if any) features make it truly unique. Otherwise a $15 GTUL seems to make more sense than a $150+ version of what seems to be just about the same thing. I see this a lot. The Snipe for example, I didn't look at it's page on their site more than once because I didn't see what was different about it. It wasn't until Shug's review video that I saw what made the hammock unique. I still haven't found the hammock for me I suppose and it would surely help if there was clearer info out there.
mattblick
03-16-2012, 13:01
I have a similar list of try-outs but I settled on a DD.
I started with a DD, so maybe I will luck out? :D
Hetairoi
03-16-2012, 14:11
I don't know if it's just me, but when a vendor sells what appears to be a typical gathered end hammock I guess I need them to explain what (if any) features make it truly unique. Otherwise a $15 GTUL seems to make more sense than a $150+ version of what seems to be just about the same thing. I see this a lot. The Snipe for example, I didn't look at it's page on their site more than once because I didn't see what was different about it. It wasn't until Shug's review video that I saw what made the hammock unique. I still haven't found the hammock for me I suppose and it would surely help if there was clearer info out there.
I agree that there are many that don't seem to be very different (I honestly can't see anything but the name different between ENO and Treklight).
However, there are plenty of videos and threads discussing the differences in just about all the hammocks available, including the Switchback. One of the greatest benefits to attending the group 'hangouts' is the ability to try out and view many different styles of hammocks without having to purchase.
The switchback does have a few things that differentiate it from others such as the style of netting, sewn in pockets on both ends and loops sewn into the channel on each end to hang a peak bag or similar from. There are other things that make it different and many are listed on the manufactures site under the 'detailed description' for each product.
I'll go out on a limb about the SB and say it's the geometry + the other features that make it stand out. It truly is one of those that doesn't shine nearly as brightly as some... until you lie in it. :cool:
Maybe it's just me, but I have no idea with a "TTTG Switchback" is. Who makes it? Got a link to the company? A photo? Anything?
Rain Man
Rain Man: I have the very same hammock Rip showed in this video (bought his) with a couple little aesthetic mods:
LINK to Rips YouTube video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZL-ZW6daxY&feature=player_embedded)
Hope that helps.
Otherwise a $15 GTUL seems to make more sense than a $150+ version of what seems to be just about the same thing. I still haven't found the hammock for me I suppose and it would surely help if there was clearer info out there.
Rook, to start with, most of this stuff is made in the good ol' USA by locals. The cost of labor in China or Malaysia is a lot cheaper. Add to that the cost of materials, equipment & a little profit thrown in & you'll have to spend more money.
The Switchback has double zippers - one down each side. You can see out of it about twice as much as with a WBBB. It has a cavernous bug net with loops sewn across the bug netting on each end. You put a stick or an actual bar in there and it holds it open much more. 4 tie outs and a double thick bottom. Decender rings as part of the suspension - actually purchased by Darby from a mountaineering company. The list goes on.
Theres a photo of a SB 1.1d in blue in my gallery. I didn't have any sticks in the bugnet, but you can see the grossgrain across the end of the bugnet. The orange shockcord comes with it.
I've never seen a DD; however, from photos they look similar.
Owned three, sold one, one DIY... It's a lovely addiction.
WBBB 1.7 DL, HHDJ & SB1.7DL...WBBB...and Bridge for those wondering.
:D:cool:
For me and my money the Switchback is the easy winner.
Well said. I don't know what Dale does, or how he does it, but SwitchBack is just always right. I've got three different SBs - 1.1 dbl classic SB, Light Hiker, and 1.9 sl netless SB. They are all comfortable, but my favorite is the shorter Light Hiker. Can't explain it.
The only hammock that I've tried that comes close is a simple 11' length gathered end. SmokeHouse makes one, and I've got a WL Lite Owl. It requires a little more fiddle factor to get right, but it's comfy when it's done right.
However, there are plenty of videos and threads discussing the differences in just about all the hammocks available, including the Switchback. One of the greatest benefits to attending the group 'hangouts' is the ability to try out and view many different styles of hammocks without having to purchase.
There are other things that make it different and many are listed on the manufactures site under the 'detailed description' for each product.
I know the info exists if you search HF hard enough, and I've gone to MAHHA every time they've held one since I found out about them, but I was just talking about the websites and making a better effort to show (with photo or video) what makes the product unique.
Rook, to start with, most of this stuff is made in the good ol' USA by locals. The cost of labor in China or Malaysia is a lot cheaper. Add to that the cost of materials, equipment & a little profit thrown in & you'll have to spend more money.
The Switchback has double zippers - one down each side. You can see out of it about twice as much as with a WBBB. It has a cavernous bug net with loops sewn across the bug netting on each end. You put a stick or an actual bar in there and it holds it open much more. 4 tie outs and a double thick bottom. Decender rings as part of the suspension - actually purchased by Darby from a mountaineering company. The list goes on.
Theres a photo of a SB 1.1d in blue in my gallery. I didn't have any sticks in the bugnet, but you can see the grossgrain across the end of the bugnet. The orange shockcord comes with it.
I've never seen a DD; however, from photos they look similar.
I was just talking about the standard asym gathered end. Not the bug net models.
It seems like the difference in the standard asym gathered hammocks is primarily in dimensions and type of fabric used, and in really small features like an extra tie-out. I just don't see the $50-$150 difference from a $20 GT or Eno hammock (and enos are made in the USA).
TTTG = Tree to Trail Gear
Hetairoi
03-17-2012, 12:25
I know the info exists if you search HF hard enough, and I've gone to MAHHA every time they've held one since I found out about them, but I was just talking about the websites and making a better effort to show (with photo or video) what makes the product unique.
The information is there, but you are free to complain that it's not in a format your prefer.
I just don't see the $50-$150 difference from a $20 GT or Eno hammock (and enos are made in the USA).
That's a valid opinion, but you're stating it in a sub-forum for the specific vendor that's being discussed so understand if others don't share that opinion.
As I've said, I won my switchback in a raffle ;)
rip waverly
03-17-2012, 12:32
back to the original --
i have been thru, modded, sold, bought the same too many times.
bridge, wbbb, hhulbp, tttgsb, dangerbird, - would still like to try a clark.
my wife is finally giving in to hammocking. i've narrowed it down to 2 hammocks that offer what i'm looking for, and the tttg sb is one of them.
great build, a little heavy for gram nuts, but super comfortable and huge inside.