View Full Version : NX-250 First Time Out
Hello, I am posting for the first time.
I recently purchased a Clark NX-250 with an RX-250 camouflage rain fly. In my opinion; the design, workmanship, and overall quality of Clark’s products are impressive. The pole design included on the NX-250 spread out the hammock over my head and provided a very roomy feel.
I have only had time to complete one quick 3 day trip so far. Here is my report. I hope it is useful.
I took the NX-250 hammock out on the Highline Trail which is located in Arizona below the “rim country”. Trail elevations are generally above 6,000’. The habitat is primarily Ponderosa forest with intermittent perennial streams coming off of the rim. The temperatures on this trip ranged from the low 40°s at night to daytime temperatures approaching the upper 70°s. The winds were light to moderate.
On each of the nights that I was out, I picked well sheltered areas off of the trail to set up camp . My sleep system inside the NX-250 included an old style 20” x 72” Thermarest mattress (R = ~ 3.5) and a 20° NF semi-rectangular down bag. I slept in heavyweight capilene underwear, wool socks, and a stocking cap. My trail clothes and a few pack items were stuffed in the NX-250 hammock’s under pockets. I zipped in the NX-250's weather shield to increase the warmth. Overall, I slept very comfortably. Towards morning, I cooled off a bit and put on a wool shirt which helped to warm me up. I think my approach to insulation needs work.
In the past I have been a lightweight tent camper. I have limited hammock experience, and I definitely have lots to learn. I decided to make the full jump out of my tent and into the NX-250 hammock primarily to help lighten my pack load and to increase my options for "rough country" camp locations. So far so good!
TinaLouise
05-13-2009, 07:30
sounds like a fantastic first time out trip!
When you're at home, do you have trees in your yard or a park nearby that you can "practice" hanging?? This way you can try different sleeping arrangments to see what works for you and what doesn't. Finding out that something isn't keeping you warm while out on a trail is not fun!!
Hey longbow, Welcome to hanging! It's good to see another AZ hanger. We've got a fast growing community out here. It's a good time of year to be up in Rim country for sure. There's plenty of insulation options to explore. These folks will steer you right.
Glad to hear your first time went well! I think you'll be very happy with the Clark; I know I am!
As for better insulation options you may want to check out the pocket quilts that RAW had made a while ago for his Clark. That and a half-UQ would probably do the trick.
EDIT: Here's a link to the Pocket-UQ thread RAW's Pocket-UQs (http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showpost.php?p=98474&postcount=1)
I just have purchased the NX-250 and have only been able to hang it under my shop once. I cannot wait until I can get out for real camping after I feel that I have beaten the learning curve al little. I am glad some others are now going to start posting about their 250's. I have been reading all over this forum and really enjoy everyone's enthuasium and knowledge. I had a question about the head pole. I am guessing that when I put mine up I did not stretch it tight enough because the pole was leaning towards my feet, I read somewhere that it needed to streched it tighter. So, i guess my question is how tight you streched your hammock, did it have any sag at all before you laid in it. I have never posted before, I am a new member and cannot wait to start hammocking!
thank you, I will post some pics from an upcoming trip as soon as I can. Have a wedding this weekend and family coming in town next weekend. Hopefully I can get out real soon after the 23rd.
Regarding the question from mbubbz regarding the head pole position on the NX-250; I pitch my NX-250 with only a slight sag. I have found that to be the most comfortable position and it keeps the head pole upright. I have been experimenting, and learned that pitching the NX-250 too tightly can stretch the system and somewhat impede the smooth operation of the zippers on the netting and weather shield. After only a few nights out in the NX-250, it is now easy to “eyeball” the correct degree of sag so everything works out smoothly.
Thanks to bernc3 for the insulation tip on the Clark. The recommendation among the Forum members in favor of an UQ setup of some type in cold weather seems like good advice. I sometimes camp during the winter months in northern Arizona. Depending on the location, winter nighttime temperatures can easily get down to 15° and even lower if the sky is clear.
I’m looking forward to rigging out the NX-250 to keep me warm in winter. I’ll be experimenting with different insulation set ups; closer to home as suggested by TinaLouise.
BillyBob58
05-16-2009, 08:15
Welcome Longbow and mbubbz!
Longbow, good to read about your successful first hammock trip out there in beautiful AZ! There seems to be a relatively rapidly increasing number of hangers in AZ for just one western state. There is getting to be quite a gang of you folks! But I can understand the increase when I think back on that country I loved, but before I was a hanger. There is so much perfect country for hanging- as well as spectacular country! I don't believe I ever actually hiked the Highline Trail, though I was all over other areas near the Mogollon Rim and lot's of other AZ spots. But it sounds great. Looking forward to pics!
Thanks to bernc3 for the insulation tip on the Clark. The recommendation among the Forum members in favor of an UQ setup of some type in cold weather seems like good advice. I sometimes camp during the winter months in northern Arizona. Depending on the location, winter nighttime temperatures can easily get down to 15° and even lower if the sky is clear.
I’m looking forward to rigging out the NX-250 to keep me warm in winter. I’ll be experimenting with different insulation set ups; closer to home as suggested by TinaLouise.
Glad to hear you're enjoying your hammock so far. Just a heads up before you spend money on UQs; you may want to wait a bit as Clark is releasing their own UQ insulation system. Here's a quote from one of their Reps.
"Hi all,
Okay, so some of you have apparently noticed the velcro strip that has been put on all 4-season models since April 1, 2009 (North American, NX-200 and NX-250). The strip runs across the hammock where the pockets end. The strip also runs between the pockets and the footend of the hammock along the sides of the base material.
This velcro strip will help in the application of our new insulation system, intended for temperatures below freezing. The system will include insulation pads which are filled a high quality synthetic insulation. This is a higher quality insulation than is found in many sleeping bags. These pads will work with our insulating pockets to increase the insulating properties of the hammock.
Six of the pads will fit nicely in the 6 insulating pocket sof the hammock, and will utilize the velcro already available in all of our 4-season models to keep cold air from getting in between the insulation and your body. The pockets will still be useful for holding other items such as boots and gear. One large pad will use the new velcro strips to be secured under your legs and feet.
We anticipate that this new system will weigh the same or less than underquilts currently on the market. We also anticipate that this system will cost far less than many underquilts of similar effectiveness.
So what are the benefits of this insulation system? We foresee that installing this system will be simple, eliminating worries about cold spots or adjustments. You will have the option of installing your insulation before leaving home so that you don't need to worry about it on the trail.
More about Clark's new insulation system will be available in the coming months.
Spencer"
cavediver2
05-16-2009, 10:51
Regarding the question from mbubbz regarding the head pole position on the NX-250; I pitch my NX-250 with only a slight sag. I have found that to be the most comfortable position and it keeps the head pole upright. I have been experimenting, and learned that pitching the NX-250 too tightly can stretch the system and somewhat impede the smooth operation of the zippers on the netting and weather shield. After only a few nights out in the NX-250, it is now easy to “eyeball” the correct degree of sag so everything works out smoothly.
Thanks to bernc3 for the insulation tip on the Clark. The recommendation among the Forum members in favor of an UQ setup of some type in cold weather seems like good advice. I sometimes camp during the winter months in northern Arizona. Depending on the location, winter nighttime temperatures can easily get down to 15° and even lower if the sky is clear.
I’m looking forward to rigging out the NX-250 to keep me warm in winter. I’ll be experimenting with different insulation set ups; closer to home as suggested by TinaLouise.
I have been to those temps easily with just a pad,sleeping bag,and the right clothing in mine. But to each there own.
I am glad to see that your getting along with yours. Have fun with it.
Gordzilla
05-17-2009, 11:14
Those NX 250s are a nice looking unit. I look forward to hearing about them more.
I agree.... I'm dying to get one. Some of you guys with the 250's need to post up detailed pictures. I'm gonna sell my NA for one.:scared:
-ZA
Darkstar214
06-21-2009, 22:36
After reading about this hammock on the Clark site, I'm interested in hearing more too...
Some of you have requested pictures of the NX-250. So, I am including a few from a solo backpacking trip that I made this past weekend to an area about 30 miles southeast of Flagstaff, AZ. I was camped at about 7,400' altitude. Temperatures ranged from ~ 40 - 75 degrees. The wind was gusty to about 25 mph.
I have used the NX-250 on quite a few nights since receiving my order from Clark in May 2009. On this most recent trip, I was out for two days and slept with the RX-250 tarp installed both nights. I filled the under pockets of the NX-250 with miscellaneous stuff as recommended. For sleep clothes at this time of the year, I wear mid-weight polypropylene long johns and a stocking cap. My sleeping bag is a semi-rectangular NF-20 degree down bag. I used a regular Thermarest pad inside the NX-250 for additional insulation. As an experiment on one night, I installed an improvised UQ using two military poncho liners
On this trip, I slept warm in the NX-250 with just the Thermarest pad and down bag which has proven to work fairly well for me; down to temperatures in the high 30's. On the second night out, I tested the improvised UQ which added some welcome warmth. At some point in the future, I think I might move towards a "full out" down UQ. I would like to leave the pad at home to save weight. Although the Thermarest does a good job in the NX-250, I also find myself chasing it around a lot. In looking for an UQ, I'm going to check with Clark to see if they have any UQ products upcoming. I also like the look of the JRB Mt. Washington UQ.
I apologize for any shortcomings in my photography. I hope you enjoy the pictures.
cliff355
06-24-2009, 07:12
Thanks for posting those. That underquilt of poncho liners looks like it worked out slick - the NX-250 seems to have good attachment points for them. If you used two of them, it appears from the pictures they were used as a "double thickness" liner - is that correct?
My NX250 should get here today, and I am also waiting to see what Clark's rendition of the underquilt will be. Hopefully they will have something out before Fall, but it sounds like they are hard pressed to get just the hammocks made right now.
Roadtorque
06-24-2009, 09:04
Great pics. I think Clark has some of the coolest looking hammocks
Regarding the improvised UQ that appears in the pictures of the NX-250; I used two Thinsulate poncho liners, which I had obtained from Brigade Quartermasters a while ago. Together, they created a double thickness UQ. I was just experimenting to see how they would work. I would definitely use them again. At one point in the night using the improvised UQ, I was actually too warm with temperatures in the low 40's. I threw off my sleeping bag and just slept in a t-shirt and polypro pants for a while.
I'm glad the poncho liners worked, and I'll probably use them again. I would also like to consider getting a lighter weight (down) UQ as on option at some point in the future. The poncho liners are 22 oz. each for a total pack weight of 44 oz. A JRB Mt. Washington UQ is 28 oz. if I recall correctly.
IMO, the NX-250 has good attachment points for an improvised UQ. I snaked a line through the hoop pockets then tied the UQ into the stakeout loops at each of the four corners of the hammock. Tieing in through the hoop pockets keeps upward tension on the UQ. I think next time I can improve the rig by using bungee cord to tie the UQ in a gathered configuration then onto the main support lines at each end of the NX-250.
Good luck with your new NX-250.
cavediver2
06-24-2009, 19:07
Well I am finaily at a computer and can now say great pictures and trip report that thing looks so cool it will be fall before I a can get one but I will no bout a dout it.....
How did you hang your pack to the tree?
For many years, I have used a single extra-heavyweight bungee to hang my backpack on a tree. My initial pack weight for a four - five day trip is about 45 pounds. In Arizona and northern Mexico, I usually pack 4 liters of water for safety. If you are consuming water as recommended out here, your pack weight will drop pretty fast. The weight of the heavyweight bungee is ~4 oz.
In the picture I posted, I hung my pack on the same tree that is at the "head end" of my hammock. I just take one loop with the bungee around the tree (hopefully catching a branch on the backside), then hook the bungee to the haul loop on my pack, and let gravity do the rest. It's really fast and easy. At night, if it looks like it might rain, I wrap my silnylon poncho over the pack and its all good; even in a downpour. My long haul pack, shown in the picture is an Arcteryx Bora 80.
I think that most folks would like the way that the stretch in the bungee is easy on the tree, it holds well, and the pack suspension acts as additional padding against the bark. In the end; my aim is get the pack at about waist height so I can work out of it while not doing careless damage to the tree. Sometimes, I just work off the ground and stack my pack under the hammock at night.
I like to leave my camp area pretty much as I found it. If I'm hunting, I even pick up my brass; a hold over from my military days.
hangnout
06-25-2009, 18:23
Great Pics!
You can fold the poncho liner in half to get a double layer UQ that is about 45" x 61". With all the tieouts it is easy to join the ends and have points to attach the suspension. Great for late spring to early fall for most. When temps drop into the 40's and below it is hard to beat a good UQ for warmth.
I like to leave my camp area pretty much as I found it. If I'm hunting, I even pick up my brass; a hold over from my military days.
With a name like longbow why are you picking up brass?:D
I just ordered a NX250 today after selling my NA. I'm stoked! Thanks for the really nice pictures... they sealed the deal for me.
-ZA
Roadtorque
06-25-2009, 22:52
I just ordered a NX250 today after selling my NA. I'm stoked! Thanks for the really nice pictures... they sealed the deal for me.
-ZA
Make sure you post how you like the 250 vs the 200. I have wondered if it is really worth the extra $$$
Hangnout... that's a terrific idea you have about folding the poncho liner in half. I'm going to try that. It should fit well under the NX-250.
As for picking up brass while hunting, with a name like "longbow", well... that's a "long" story. Your comment gave me a great laugh, thanks very much.
I'm a two season hunter; for sure... no guns on the bow hunts. I have been working to learn instinctive shooting with my bow. Traditional archery fits in well with lightweight backpacking. But, man you really need to get close to make a safe bow shot.
Roadtorque
06-26-2009, 12:51
darn, I was hoping with a name like longbow and living in AZ you flew the AH-64. I was really looking forward to hearing about picking up brass!