2Q and ZQ Sewn-On Doors!

Hey everyone..

2Q and ZQ were kind enough to let me be the first to try their new sewn-on doors modification service for the MacCat Deluxe and MacCat Ultra tarps. So, I happily sent them my MacCat Ultra to measure and work with. As we've all come to expect from Tim and Donna, what I received back is nothing short of superb!

First, they started with a well-considered door panel size, such that the door pairs not only match the tarp perfectly, but form a generous vestibule when staked out. Then, they finished each door by binding the entire perimeter edge securely with grosgrain, and added a reinforced corner guy-out panel and webbing loop. Next, each door is handily bound to the inside edge of the tarp with grosgrain with the same great sewing details that ZQ amazes us with... Finally, they added an elastic cord loop with barrel-toggle for rolling up and securing the doors when not in use. All added up, it creates a VERY secure door with 'factory' fit and finish that can be deployed or stowed at will.

I have now had the pleasure to use this tarp on two multi-day hikes and I couldn't be happier with it. It has stood up not only to driven wind and rain, but also to the icy wind and snowy conditions at Mt Rogers...all with perfect ease.

If you would like to 'storm-proof' your existing MacCat...the answer is here!

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http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery.../4/3_thumb.jpg http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery.../4/8_thumb.jpg http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/..../4/4_thumb.jpg http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/..../4/6_thumb.jpg

That looks great on function and quality. I am curious how you / they determined what size the doors would be. Did you pick a pitch angle or distance or ...?

All the design considerations were by 2Q and ZQ. I'm sure 2Q will chime in later.

Very nice indeed! They currently have my hammock. Looks like I have another piece of gear that I will have to ship to them. Any idea on how much weight the mod added?

Also, do you notice any wind noise when the doors are rolled up and secured? Curious is the doors being bundled up are secure enough to keep them from flapping a bit, creating noise.

I don't have a pre-mod weight for that tarp. I will weigh it this afternoon, though.

No noticeable noise when the doors are stowed. In fact, I routinely leave one of the doors (on the leeward end, of course) stowed overnight. No issues at all.

Very nice looking mod. I might consider that mod for my MacCat Deluxe. Don't need it really now but it would be cool. After getting my Superfly I am really liking doors. I don't see the mod listed on the 2Q/ZQ site yet. Would be interested to know how much the mod costs.

I like it. OK 2Q hurry up and production this so you can have more of my money =P

That looks like an awesome MOD, very nice work 2Q and ZQ

That really looks good! Kudos to The Qs!

Sorry if I am letting folks know your secrets, AS... but IIRC, you said that MacCat Ultra was stowed away for the future, when your black MacCat wears out.

I think I would swap them. Put the black Cat on the shelf and use the Ultra... at least in the winter.

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Originally Posted by MacEntyre

Sorry if I am letting folks know your secrets, AS... but IIRC, you said that MacCat Ultra was stowed away for the future, when your black MacCat wears out.

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I think 'had been stowed away' is the best description. ;)

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Originally Posted by MrToot

That looks great on function and quality. I am curious how you / they determined what size the doors would be. Did you pick a pitch angle or distance or ...?

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We hung the tarp and played around with pitch angles. I decided to go a little fatter than thinner in pitch. I wanted to have enough door overlap for those that may pitch fatter with a BMBH or just like it that way. I do myself. But then I use the same tarp year round. I found the doors are handy in blowing rain conditions as well as for winter use.

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Originally Posted by pizza

Very nice looking mod. I might consider that mod for my MacCat Deluxe. Don't need it really now but it would be cool. After getting my Superfly I am really liking doors. I don't see the mod listed on the 2Q/ZQ site yet. Would be interested to know how much the mod costs.

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We will have pics (Thanks to AngrySparrow) and information on our website this week. The charge will be $36.00 for one set (enclosing one end of the tarp) plus return shipping.

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Originally Posted by Flounder

Also, do you notice any wind noise when the doors are rolled up and secured? Curious is the doors being bundled up are secure enough to keep them from flapping a bit, creating noise.

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About the weight...we will weigh the next set we do and post it here and the website. It has to be less then the Grizz beak, probably 1/2 the weight, so probably 3 oz. is a guess.

About the door noise, I usually roll the door up to the tarp and secure it versus a gather and secure approach. Makes it tighter and less noticeable.

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Originally Posted by 2Questions

About the weight...we will weigh the next set we do and post it here and the website. It has to be less then the Grizz beak, probably 1/2 the weight, so probably 3 oz. is a guess.

About the door noise, I usually roll the door up to the tarp and secure it versus a gather and secure approach. Makes it tighter and less noticeable.

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What are your plans for the Spinn OES tarps? Are you going to offer sewn on doors for them also? Would they be made out of Spinn or Silnylon? Would their be a price difference?

I am interested in sewing on some doors to my OES Spinn Deluxe.

Thanks,

dg

I would go with Sil doors, were it my tarp.

Spinn doors are kind of a nightmare. Unless you have your tarp pitched *just* right, they are never tight and any looseness accentuates the noise of the Spinn fabric in the wind.

I have tinkered with a prototype OES tarp with spinn doors with no good result. And Brandon from Warbonnet makes only Sil doors (even for his Spinn tarps) for that reason.

Just my .02

ZQ here.....Angrysparrow, Thanks for answering the question about using spinn for the doors.

About putting the doors on a spinn OES tarp....As long as the tarp is a deluxe or ultra, and the sizes are the same as a slynylon OES, there shouldn't be a problem putting Silnylon doors on your spinn.

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Originally Posted by 2Questions

We will have pics (Thanks to AngrySparrow) and information on our website this week. The charge will be $36.00 for one set (enclosing one end of the tarp) plus return shipping.

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Great! I'll definitely be sending my tarp in for the mod then when you have it up on the website.

OK, this looks great! But, these are sewn on permanently, correct? So what would be the pros and cons of this vs the Griz Beak(GB)? Obviously, the beak is removable and can be left home entirely, or just one could be taken and added to the windward side as needed. So there might be a potential weight savings, I suppose.

But what are the advantages of this compared to the GB? Maybe more stable and wind proof? And, you would not have to bother to attach anything once in camp. Anything else? Stronger?

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Originally Posted by angrysparrow

I would go with Sil doors, were it my tarp.

Spinn doors are kind of a nightmare. Unless you have your tarp pitched *just* right, they are never tight and any looseness accentuates the noise of the Spinn fabric in the wind.

I have tinkered with a prototype OES tarp with spinn doors with no good result. And Brandon from Warbonnet makes only Sil doors (even for his Spinn tarps) for that reason.

Just my .02

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That was kind of what I thought when we played around with them on that day hike to "Virgil Cain" ( actually, Spring Hill) cemetery. I had the feeling that sil's stretchability might have actually been a benefit on those doors, and you wouldn't really need the extra waterproofness of spin. It(sil) would add a very small amount of weight.

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Originally Posted by BillyBob58

OK, this looks great! But, these are sewn on permanently, correct? So what would be the pros and cons of this vs the Griz Beak(GB)? Obviously, the beak is removable and can be left home entirely, or just one could be taken and added to the windward side as needed. So there might be a potential weight savings, I suppose.

But what are the advantages of this compared to the GB? Maybe more stable and wind proof? And, you would not have to bother to attach anything once in camp. Anything else? Stronger?

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Originally for me I was kicking around getting a larger tarp for more coverage in rainy/windy conditions. As it turns out, the doors allow me to carry a smaller, lighter tarp and it still provides greater protection than the larger would have without the doors. I use my doors year round, it can get nasty in the warmer months also and the doors keep me dry with my stuff off the ground in the vestibule area.

Very nice.AS is this the doors i was asking you about?HS

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Originally Posted by hikingshoes

Very nice.AS is this the doors i was asking you about?HS

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I think we talked about the beaks, which are also made by 2Q/ZQ.

UPDATE......Sewn on doors are now on our website.

Just got a chance to open up my MacCat Deluxe tarp with the door mod. Got it strung up in my apartment right now and wow...what a nicely done mod. Excellent workmanship. I can't wait to set it up in the outdoors over my Blackbird. I may have to get out yet again this weekend for another overnighter just to play. It seems as of late I've been hammock camping every weekend...I think the last four or five weekends in a row now!:lol: I'll try and maybe do a little video review of the tarp. I'm not real good with videos but I may have to give it a shot. The tarp looks fantastic though. Thanks 2Q & ZQ!

Pizza (the happy customer with a new toy)

I'll be backpacking at Table Rock State Park with the scouts this weekend.
My MacCat Ultra with doors will be there. I'm really excited about taking it out again.:lol:
There is just something to be said for the peace of mind knowing while it's raining, you and your gear are protected.