Stock spectra & tree huggers
Straps w/Speers 4-way Wrap
Straps w/Buckles
Tell us more about the "O" rings please. I've seen them used before but not applied to anything bearing serious weight. Any problems with slippage or releasing tension? Do you tie an extra knot after the rings as a backup. I'd love to see pictures.Originally Posted by southmark
I just switched to a buckle system but find the buckles a bit heavy. They certainly make it simpler to hang and/or adjust. Where can you purchase the "O" rings?
Thanks, Miguel
You get the good O rings at places that sell boat fittings. You can also get titanium ones. The stainless yacht O rings can handle several tonnes, so you don't really need to worry about strength.
It's basically the same arrangement as was used on belts, backpacks and motorcyle helmets in 'the old days'. They don't really slip unless you use a very slippery material.
To attach them to a line you just make a loop or tie a loopy knot like a bowline, then put the loop through the rings and then the rings through the loop. You could probably get away with a clove hitch around them, but because the rings move against each other a loop is better.
Using O rings or buckles is one of those things that seem brilliant in concept, but they can be eliminated with just a little bit of skill. Once you get the hang of setting things up so that you get it right first time, every time, then they're just an added complication that serves no purpose. Like training wheels on an adult's bike.
Skill doesn't cost or weigh anything, doesn't wear out or break and it takes up no space. Of course, one should never underestimate the universal nature of human stupidity
You get the good O rings at places that sell boat fittings. You can also get titanium ones. The stainless yacht O rings can handle several tonnes, so you don't really need to worry about strength.
It's basically the same arrangement as was used on belts, backpacks and motorcyle helmets in 'the old days'. They don't really slip unless you use a very slippery material.
To attach them to a line you just make a loop or tie a loopy knot like a bowline, then put the loop through the rings and then the rings through the loop. You could probably get away with a clove hitch around them, but because the rings move against each other a loop is better.
Using O rings or buckles is one of those things that seem brilliant in concept, but they can be eliminated with just a little bit of skill. Once you get the hang of setting things up so that you get it right first time, every time, then they're just an added complication that serves no purpose. Like training wheels on an adult's bike.
Skill doesn't cost or weigh anything, doesn't wear out or break and it takes up no space. Of course, one should never underestimate the universal nature of human stupidity
Do I smell an old schooler/purist here? (meant in the best possible way of course!) It seems several people on this site have recently ordered buckles. Before I thought they were being innovative but on second thought maybe they're just "stupid" like me!
Thanks for the info, Miguel
You left out one option which is very easy - stock straps and cord with a carabineer in the system. Works great for a fast set up and tear down. Wrap the strap around the tree - attach the bineer to the two holes, and then tension the hammock with the rope in the bineer using a non-slip Knot - it goes up fast. And if you have to bug out, you just unhook the bineer from one side of the strap and it is off.
Hey!! That's a GREAT idea!!! Only thing I can think of that could prevent this from working is if the tree were too large a diameter to be able to clip the biner to the tree hugger holes. The place I go here in Michigan doesn't have very many small diameter trees, but I'm going to start going off the beaten path and stealth camp for now on, which will give me a much larger selection of trees. What load capacity biners do you recommend, what type of gate (wire, bar, screw type). **** Rock, I'm going out for 2 nights on Fri. and Sat. and now I'm going to have to stop at the outfitters before I leave!
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It does work well - that's actually how I was doing it from the beginning. It definitely makes takedown quicker. I went away from it because I didn't want to have to take the time to lash and adjust.Hey!! That's a GREAT idea!!! Only thing I can think of that could prevent this from working is if the tree were too large a diameter to be able to clip the biner to the tree hugger holes. The place I go here in Michigan doesn't have very many small diameter trees, but I'm going to start going off the beaten path and stealth camp for now on, which will give me a much larger selection of trees. What load capacity biners do you recommend, what type of gate (wire, bar, screw type). **** Rock, I'm going out for 2 nights on Fri. and Sat. and now I'm going to have to stop at the outfitters before I leave!
You want climbing-rated 'biners for sure. I didn't use a locking-type or anything; pretty much any gate should work. The one snag (literally) that I had was getting the Spectra caught in the gate notch when I tried to slide the Hennessy lashing off the 'biner. You can do it, but it takes some playing with.
Sarge has been using his stock setup all along, though, so he's probably got it down to a science.
"Physics is the only true science. All else is stamp collecting." - J. J. Thompson
Yep, what blackbishop says. I only use this sort of rig at work where getting torn down in a great hurry is a necessity. When I hike I only use the stock set up and save the extra ounces that the caribeeners would add. Always the gram weenie when it comes to hiking. Gotta keep that base weight under 10 pounds.
I was at my local drug...um, equipment dealer's place the other day and I looked at a few climbing 'biners that could take 1000 lb + load. They were frikkin' huge, and heavy too.
By 'stupid' I didn't mean that using buckles or rings was stupid - I was referring to the stupid things that every human does every day - myself included. Have you ever put your boots on, laced them up and then realised you weren't wearing any pants? Or how about coming home and realising that when you went out you put the key in the lock and unlocked the door instead of locking it? I do stuff like that all the time.Do I smell an old schooler/purist here? (meant in the best possible way of course!) It seems several people on this site have recently ordered buckles. Before I thought they were being innovative but on second thought maybe they're just "stupid" like me!
Thanks for the info, Miguel
Thus I figure buckles or rings might help alleviate sudden attackes of stupidity by allowing adjustments after messing up the tie outs.
I'm going to try the simplest options first, then elaborate if necessary - rather than the other way around.
Heavy is a realtive term. I use some of these: http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/st...berId=12500226
Hold 24 Kn closed - that means about 5,400 lbs for the Americans.
Work so far and only weigh 1.8 ounce (49 grams) each. Of course two of them together weigh about as much as my entire first aid kit - but for work the extra 3.6 ounces (98 grams) are worth it.
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