monsoon rainfly, any comments?

[fred1diver]

hey all, so I'm in the market for a decent tarp, any thoughts on the monsoon by hennessey?
the price is nice for the amount of coverage, the weight isn't to bad
just wondering what you all think, is it a good candidate or not

thanks

[SilvrSurfr]

Headcracker had one at the Fall MAHHA 2011 group hang, and I must say, for $79.95, I think it's a helluva value. Those blast doors look like they would be good in rain or snow.

While I would love to get a Cuben fiber tarp, Santa has already brought me a Hammock Gear 20* Burrow TQ and Phoenix UQ. I just can't afford the Cuben fiber tarp. Therefore, I think I'm going to buy one of these to get me through this winter.

[danfromnb]

I have one but haven't had a chance to try it out in poor weather. It looks like it will work nicely though.

Also where as the doors are attached with velcro you can leave them behind and just use the main tarp as well.

[Red Wing]

also the Chinook tarps are great for their value.. I think my old 12x14 by them was around 2.5 lbs.. managable for winter hanging for sure. Think you can find them for as cheap as $50 if you search the net.. maybe try nextag.. Thing is like a condo.

If you do get a big tarp, it's worth the extra 5 bucks to get the tarp pullouts from JRB, comes in a pack of 4.. adds tons of space inside and work on about any tarp.. definitely any cheaper tarp

[HappyHiker]

I guess that depends on what you need it for. Whats the most important factor for you - weight/size/cost? I'm assuming size/cost....

As an all around 3 season tarp, it will work fine. It is a rather minimal tarp though - the side dimension listed is the farthest point out on the side, the majority of the side is shorter (if that makes sense). On my Typhoon I have to have the tarp pitched pretty much on the SRL of the hammock or the bottom of the hammock hangs below the edge of the tarp. As mentioned above, when the weather is nice you can leave the doors at home and save some weight (I always carried them anyway - they can be used to create additional covered area/shade).

As a Winter/4 Season tarp it's just not enough coverage IMO.

Personally I prefer my Hex tarp - it sees far more usage due to just giving better all around coverage. Always intended to make a set of doors for it but haven't yet. Just end up using my poncho as a door if needed. And I just ordered a Winter tarp that will likely become my go-to 4 season solution.

The Chinook tarps mentioned by Slo are also available in a 12x9 1lb 13oz version on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Chinook-Chinoo.../dp/B005KQYYHY

(strangely the 12x14 is cheaper than the 12x9 )

IMO get the biggest tarp you can afford/are willing to carry.

HTH