Chameleon Owners: What are your likes & dislikes?

[Mike2541]

Biggest dislike so far.. Dutch didn't tell us to buy 2 of the peak shelfs... Seriously if you buy 1...buy 2 lol.

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[danah.]

Biggest dislike so far.. Dutch didn't tell us to buy 2 of the peak shelfs... Seriously if you buy 1...buy 2 lol.

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I agree completly! I needed two of those on the first hang. They look perfect.

[danah.]

Do Love the Chmeleon, it's very comfortable and well appointed. Works great, is wonderfully adaptable.

This is not a dislike of the hammock problem but I had carpenter ants ( I'm near certain) coming down my new Chameleon suspension on my first hang night they came right in the end opening where the CL is clinching the GE, the SRL comes in through that folded opening.
I thought I got the three ants I saw out each day I camped here in central PA. I camped in that spot maybe four nights total. Later I found they had chewed through the new bugnet and one of the mesh end zipper covers. Nine holes between 1/8" and 3/16" in diameter.
All in the netting. Two of the holes were up on the side of the mesh in the center. I used Tenacious tape pieces to cover the holes. This is a first of this kind in more than sixty years camping. I was not happy with these Pennsylvania ants. That mesh IS very fine and light BUT . . .I have been bitten or pinched by them in the past but have never known them to chew through mesh . . . Seems pretty aggressive. June seems to be a time for ants in the woods. Does any one have a similar experience?

[Mike2541]

Do Love the Chmeleon, it's very comfortable and well appointed. Works great, is wonderfully adaptable.

This is not a dislike of the hammock problem but I had carpenter ants ( I'm near certain) coming down my new Chameleon suspension on my first hang night they came right in the end opening where the CL is clinching the GE, the SRL comes in through that folded opening.
I thought I got the three ants I saw out each day I camped here in central PA. I camped in that spot maybe four nights total. Later I found they had chewed through the new bugnet and one of the mesh end zipper covers. Nine holes between 1/8" and 3/16" in diameter.
All in the netting. Two of the holes were up on the side of the mesh in the center. I used Tenacious tape pieces to cover the holes. This is a first of this kind in more than sixty years camping. I was not happy with these Pennsylvania ants. That mesh IS very fine and light BUT . . .I have been bitten or pinched by them in the past but have never known them to chew through mesh . . . Seems pretty aggressive. June seems to be a time for ants in the woods. Does any one have a similar experience?

This is why I plan on soaking everything in permethrin before I take it outdoors. Ants + Permethrin = no issues lol.

[Hangandy]

I was not happy with these Pennsylvania ants. That mesh IS very fine and light BUT . . .I have been bitten or pinched by them in the past but have never known them to chew through mesh . . . Seems pretty aggressive.

Hmmm. Dutch Pennsylvania ants perhaps? They have a mean streak a mile wide. I'm surprised Dutch doesn't have some type of 'Antz" hardware.

[WalksIn2Trees]

Do Love the Chmeleon, it's very comfortable and well appointed. Works great, is wonderfully adaptable.

This is not a dislike of the hammock problem but I had carpenter ants ( I'm near certain) coming down my new Chameleon suspension on my first hang night they came right in the end opening where the CL is clinching the GE, the SRL comes in through that folded opening.
I thought I got the three ants I saw out each day I camped here in central PA. I camped in that spot maybe four nights total. Later I found they had chewed through the new bugnet and one of the mesh end zipper covers. Nine holes between 1/8" and 3/16" in diameter.
All in the netting. Two of the holes were up on the side of the mesh in the center. I used Tenacious tape pieces to cover the holes. This is a first of this kind in more than sixty years camping. I was not happy with these Pennsylvania ants. That mesh IS very fine and light BUT . . .I have been bitten or pinched by them in the past but have never known them to chew through mesh . . . Seems pretty aggressive. June seems to be a time for ants in the woods. Does any one have a similar experience?

With any hammock this will be the case... The answer is not to hang on a tree that is occupied by Carpenter Ants in the first place... Seriously, you'll find them hiding in everything afterwards, but not only that... If they're in the tree, thats a sign that the tree might be unsafe to hang on anyway due to its already compromised state that is the reason they can nest there

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[kitsapcowboy]

I agree completly! I needed two of those on the first hang. They look perfect.

This

My first Chameleon had two peak shelves (one at each end), but my second has only one; I slept in the newer one last night, and the empty peak at the foot end just seems wrong after having had a pair of shelves for a few months now. Dutch is sending me a second peak shelf as we speak, so I'll be watching the mail until it arrives and I can solve my "problem"...

[Burg54]

Thanks again to everyone that contributed to this discussion. It was great hearing all your thoughts on this new hammock. I received my Chameleon yesterday. Seems like solid kit. Coming from my XLC it is going to take some time to get used to and I am looking forward to getting in the bush with it. Here are my initial thoughts after about an hr spent hanging:

- Hex2.4 (Net Only) Coyote Brown Chameleon -
The quality of the hammock seems top notch and about what I would expect from Dutch. Love the color. The feel and weave of the fabric is awesome. While I felt comfortable that the 2.4oz fabric would hold me (290lb), it was apparent quickly that it was a bit stretchier than my DL1.7 XLC. I found it to be quite comfortable and easy to find the sweet spot. I did have a much harder time getting my big body out of the hammock with the added stretch. I think in the end I do wish a DL 1.6 was available. Oh well. The netted top was easy to put on and the zippers seem great. A bit sticky but I am sure they will wear in.

- Peak Shelf (2x) -
Pretty slick. I like how you can adjust the tension on the net to make it bigger/smaller/tighter/looser. Very glad I picked up two shelves. Head end shelf doesn't seem to get in the way too much (although I haven't loaded with anything heavy yet).

- Storage Pouch -
Simple. Effective. I like that it is versatile and can go on the ridge-line or the D-rings. For $10 a no brainier. I wish the pocket openings were just a tad bigger, personally.

- Beetle Buckles/Staps -
Jury is still out on these. I feel a bit of stretch in them when I pull or sit on them. The buckles Are smart and fairly easy to adjust. But I already miss my Warbonnet webbing and cinch buckles. I thought I would love being able to disconnect my hammock from the suspension (and I still might..waiting for the next rainy trip when it will come in handy) but I quickly found that it makes using my LST a bit more difficult. Before I just cinched the LST around the WB cinch buckle with the carabiners hanging out the ends..but with the disconnected hammock I cant do that and have to just leave a hank of fabric exposed and hanging out. Not ideal. Oh well.

Potential Problem Area: I am going to watch the bug netting closely. I felt that there was quite a bit of stress put on the netting. It was VERY taut in some places. Also, I noticed that the adjustable ridge-line hooks used to attach the peak shelves to the RL have the pointy ends (where you pinch) facing up and it rubs on the very tight netting pretty bad. I can see this being an issue over time and possibly tearing/wearing a hole in the bugnet. I have a couple of holes in my XLC netting and Tear-Aid works great to repair...hopefully i wont have to use it on the Chameleon.

Ill post more thoughts when I get a chance to hang a bit more.

[Fickle1]

- Hex2.4 (Net Only) Coyote Brown Chameleon -
The quality of the hammock seems top notch and about what I would expect from Dutch. Love the color. The feel and weave of the fabric is awesome. While I felt comfortable that the 2.4oz fabric would hold me (290lb), it was apparent quickly that it was a bit stretchier than my DL1.7 XLC. I found it to be quite comfortable and easy to find the sweet spot. I did have a much harder time getting my big body out of the hammock with the added stretch. I think in the end I do wish a DL 1.6 was available. Oh well. The netted top was easy to put on and the zippers seem great. A bit sticky but I am sure they will wear in.

I initially got mine in the 1.6. Being 300lbs myself, it was way too much stretch for my taste. I could hardly get out of the thing. I have a 2.4 on order. Hopefully it is better. I am coming from the DL1.7 XLC as well.
One other thing I noticed is the lack of ability to sit in "chair mode" in the hammock. The body stretched so much under my butt and the edge with the zipper is doesn't stretch. Combined with the thinner bug net and the lack of reinforcement like the XLC has, I couldn't sit comfortably. That was one of my favorite parts of my XLC is being able to lounge around comfortably. Have you had the same issue with the 2.4?

Potential Problem Area: I am going to watch the bug netting closely. I felt that there was quite a bit of stress put on the netting. It was VERY taut in some places. Also, I noticed that the adjustable ridge-line hooks used to attach the peak shelves to the RL have the pointy ends (where you pinch) facing up and it rubs on the very tight netting pretty bad. I can see this being an issue over time and possibly tearing/wearing a hole in the bugnet. I have a couple of holes in my XLC netting and Tear-Aid works great to repair...hopefully i wont have to use it on the Chameleon.

I noticed the same thing on the clip for the peak shelf. I actually snagged the bug net with my fingernail while adjusting the clip. It didn't make a hole per say, but it is noticeable. Hopefully over time the clip doesn't wear away especially if you are adjusting it while inside with the bug net closed and there is tension on the net.

[Burg54]

I initially got mine in the 1.6. Being 300lbs myself, it was way too much stretch for my taste. I could hardly get out of the thing. I have a 2.4 on order. Hopefully it is better. I am coming from the DL1.7 XLC as well.
One other thing I noticed is the lack of ability to sit in "chair mode" in the hammock. The body stretched so much under my butt and the edge with the zipper is doesn't stretch. Combined with the thinner bug net and the lack of reinforcement like the XLC has, I couldn't sit comfortably. That was one of my favorite parts of my XLC is being able to lounge around comfortably. Have you had the same issue with the 2.4?


I noticed the same thing on the clip for the peak shelf. I actually snagged the bug net with my fingernail while adjusting the clip. It didn't make a hole per say, but it is noticeable. Hopefully over time the clip doesn't wear away especially if you are adjusting it while inside with the bug net closed and there is tension on the net.

Yep. Same issues..although I am SURE they are much less pronounced in the 2.4 vs the 1.6 fabric. I found the seated lounging and getting out to be not as comfortable/easy as on the XLC.

The amount of tension on the net made me a bit weary of its longevity. But I have not read one complaint about it so I hope its not an issue. Seems to be holding up for everyone just fine.