I've pretty much decided on an HH Explorer UL. What is y'all's experience with the standard tarp? Or do you recommend the Hex?
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I've pretty much decided on an HH Explorer UL. What is y'all's experience with the standard tarp? Or do you recommend the Hex?
No brainer - get the Hex.
Hex has more coverage but the standard is lighter.
Both will keep you dry if set up right for the situation you are in.
If you would like a place to sit and hang out in a large downpour while cooking and still be able to look around outside I would get the Hex. If that's not as important to you the stock tarp will work, but if the weather turns bad you will have to close it up (Tighter to the hammock) to stay reliably dry. Both work just fine. I used the stock tarp for quite a while here in the PNW and never got wet.
I have moved onto a even larger tarp most of the time now days.
I prefer being able to have a friend hang out and chat when in storms and my tarp is big enough that if I had to go to ground I could easily fit under it without issues.
I have an expedition with stock tarp, and I do kind of wish I had a larger tarp for a little more room. With that said, I've never had a problem staying dry with the stock tarp... and I do like that I only have to stake two points.
Coverage. Where I live, rain (or any other precipitation) doesn't fall vertically very often. There's this thing called wind that makes precipitation sometimes move horizontally or diagonally. The stock Hennessy tarp, in my experience,
just doesn't provide the coverage for that. Sure, you can ratchet down the stock tarp till it's all in your face, but it still won't keep you dry.
The Hex will provide infinitely more coverage. However, if the rain in Texas (or wherever you're camping) always falls vertically, then ignore my advice.
I have the standard. Never used the Hex, but I think I would like it better. There have been nights I would of like to be tucked-in a lttle better than I was able to be with the standard tarp. That said, I am thankful for what I do have!
My brother and I used the ASym tarp happily for 5 years, including through hurricane Hannah in 2009, with no complaints.
The next year, tropical typhoon Nicole brought 40 mile-per-hour horizontal gusts of rain, and we got wet. Last year we got the hex flys, and feel safer (but of course, you rarely get a hurricane to test it in). To us, it's worth the extra weight, even if no rain is in the forecast.
I just ordered the HH Explorer Deluxe with Hex fly. :D Now I have to wait. :(
Be patient, you will enjoy your new purchase. Have fun playing with it and tweaking it to meet your needs.
Hammocks arrived yesterday. Two Explorer Deluxes with Hex flys & 2 Scouts - one for me, one for son, & the 2 Scouts for my daughters. I stopped at REI for climbing grade carabiners and some descending rings (saw it on one of the many setup videos I've watched).
Set it up this morning in my backyard. No pics yet.
The folks at Hennessey Hammock are awesome. I screwed up the order and missed the Hex flys. They fixed it for me no problemo.
I have the standard tarp but plan on replacing it eventually. Definately not gonna replace it with a Hennessey though. Looking at the Tadpole right now. There are alot more larger and lighter tarps made by other companies.
My son, a US Marine, swears by the Typhoon in sil with the removeable doors. GREAT value!
http://hennessyhammock.com/catalog/p..._30D_silnylon/
T:)
Only have the standard fly. I've been looking at upgrading to the hex, but so far the standard one has kept me dry, even in an all night rain.
Did you get the Sil Hex or the one that is a free swap out?
You can't go wrong with any of the three. If you had got the stock diamond, it would get the job done, as you can see from the responses here. It saves you some weight and bulk, and as several have said, it would keep you dry if pitched just right. AND IT ONLY NEEDS TWO STAKES! I have only used mine with the addition of the Super Shelter. That has gone through one of the most horrendous storms you could imagine, with tornadoes near by and very heavy wind, and not a drop got in. Except for about a tablespoon in the lowest point of the undercover, but nothing in the hammock was even damp, nor was the HH pad.
But with the larger tarps, you have a lot more luxury and living room, and friends can come to visit! And, if you don't have a Super Shelter or sock, it will be much easier to block wind. Fun either way!
Theosus, have you been in any wind driven sideways rain? did you do OK?
I like having a larger tarp. In my case, I've got the HH Hex 70d, and had 2QZQ add silnylon doors to either end with velcro closures.
I've not yet been out in weather that warranted buttoning the whole thing up tight...but I plan on it! :)
Weight is less of an issue for me over comfort...so my purchase made sense for me.
Hex tarp all the way. Wish I'd ordered mine with that instead of the standard tarp.