HH vs HH?

[Shas]

I tried to find this in previous posts, really I did.

I'm six foot, three inches, 260 pounds, and a crippled antique.
I am excited to finally buy my first camping hammock,
after lusting for one since the 1970s.

Looking through the online HH catalogue,
I am unable to find significant differences
between the various 'Big and Tall' models.
Using the Safari Deluxe Asym Classic as a standard,
I see only fabric, fly, and colour differences between it
and the much more expensive Survivor Asym Woodland Camo.
This is equally true for the Survivor Asym Universal Camo.
Spectra rope may be nicer than polyester,
but it ain't worth $80 to me.

I suspect the various models offer real advantages
for different people and purposes.
I just wish I could discover what those advantages are
before plunking down my dollars.
Can someone direct me to a page in which the various models
are actually compared and contrasted in a meaningful way?

Thanks very much.
I appreciate the friendly and helpful attitude I see in these forums.

Shas

[meanmoe]

IIRC, some of the Survivor series hammocks are GSA compliant, meaning made in the US and assembled in Canada per their web site. The other Hennessy hammocks are made in China.

[weird1]

You will be hard pressed to beat the Safari for big and tall it is the California King I love mine, but it packs big and is "heavy".

[Shas]

Thanks for the responses, weird1.
I can no longer walk long distances,
so my camping is from either a motorcycle or canoe.
A pound or two doesn't make much difference.
In fact, if I need to save a pound
the best way would be to skip that afternoon beer!

The Safari looks great.
So does Clark's NX-250.
Comments?

[Roche]

The Deep Jungle XL is another option for you, fits up to 7' and 300#. I have no complaints with mine.

[Busky2]

I have the NX-250 and the Safari and I use them both. I would choose the Safari for comfort and on hot evenings, and there is no doubt in my mind that the NX is the hands down winner for those cold winter nights. They both fit into my kayak equally well.

[Ramblinrev]

IMO the big problem with the Safari is you have to use an underquilt for bottom insulation because the Super Shelter doesn't fit it and it's only a single layer so the reflective pad would not be a very good option.

[BillyBob58]

Thanks for the responses, weird1.
I can no longer walk long distances,
so my camping is from either a motorcycle or canoe.
A pound or two doesn't make much difference.
In fact, if I need to save a pound
the best way would be to skip that afternoon beer!

The Safari looks great.
So does Clark's NX-250.
Comments?

The Deep Jungle XL is another option for you, fits up to 7' and 300#. I have no complaints with mine.

The safari is (IMHO) the comfort king of those I have tried(have not tried Clatks or TTTG SBs). The DJ XL is another fine one, fairly close in overall comfort, and has double layer if you ever think you might want to use pads for insulation, or to resist mosquitoes. The Safari is not quite as heavy ( not that it matters to you) as the specs indicate, because a lot of that weight includes a fairly heavy tarp. I find that my Safari ( net removed so several oz there) is about the same weight as the DJ XL, WBBB 1.7 double and JRB Bridge. But all of those others include the weight of nets and zippers and double layers, so not quite apples to apples.

The Safari is much bigger than any other HH, more so than the factory specs indicate. Those specs actually list ridgeline length as hammock length. So the Safari only shows as 4" longer than the Explorer/DJ. But believe me, the dif is greater than that. It is just that the Safari has a whole lot more hammock hanging under that RL, for a lot more sag. Lots of folks feel that more sag = more comfort with most hammocks.
HH site:

The Safari Deluxe was developed for people who like really big hammocks. This is our deepest, widest and most comfortable hammock for larger people

I think this is an accurate statement.

Laying in this hammock, my long arms can barely reach the RL. In my Explorer, the RL is only 6" to a foot above my face. Big difference.
Notice the RL position here in the Safari, with me sitting( RL WELL above my head) and laying down:




In this pic I am sitting in my Explorer. Notice the RL hits the back of my neck/shoulders:


This difference would not be hinted at by the HH specs, IMO. Still, that is not to say an Explorer or DJ XL would not suit you just fine, they are both great hammocks. And they have useful features ( for some ) like double layer or lighter weight. But the Safari is by far the largest. And I also think that, among a lot of comfortable hammocks, it is at the very top. But you will either have to get a quilt for insulation, or struggle with a pad inside the hammock. Course, most folks end up with UQs anyway, so.....

[Shas]

"The only major offering I’ve not tried is the Hennessey, because I want at least a view of half of the sky. Like I said, I’m big on the night sky."
http://ccorbridge.wordpress.com/2009...ammock-review/

Comments?
Is the view really restricted?

[Ramblinrev]

any time you put a tarp over the hammock you will restrict the night sky. I'm a hennessy user because with my mobility issues it is the only hammock I can get out of. The bottom entry is made for me. I can't get out of a top or side loader in the field. Just something to consider. The Safari was my first hammock and I found it very comfortable but I wanted to be able to use the Super shelter because of cost issues. I now use the Explorer UL and like it tremendously.