Questions, Just got my Speer III yesterday

[Mule]

I just got my Speer yesterday and some friends and I have been kicking around the pro's and cons. Maybe some of you with Speer experience would help.

1. What mods to the hammock have you made. I am thinking of adding a Zipper to one side, but still make it so the bugnet can be completely removed but its hook and loop fasteners.

2. Permethyrin? Have any of you used this and does it harm you in any way. Mosquitoes will be more of a problem in the speer than my claytors, but I love the weight and fabric and simplicity Speer Hammocks deliver.

3. How many of you are die hard Speer users?

Thanks for your comments.

[angrysparrow]

What mods to the hammock have you made?

I have a Speer hammock. The only mods I have made to are using a different suspension (changed webbing, cinch buckles) and when I did that I relaxed the tautness in the sides by rewhipping. That wasn't necessary, it just suited me.

Permethyrin?

I regularly use permethrin on my gear and clothing while hiking. I use it less for mosquitos than for ticks and other crawling insects, though.

How many of you are die hard Speer users?

I'm not a 'die hard' Speer owner, but I do really like my Speer hammock (and SnugFit, and TopQuilt).

[headchange4u]

I think adding a zipper and removing the Velcro would be a good mod.

[Hector]

Permethrin is the camper's friend; a heck of a lot better than wearing DEET where practical. Don't forget to treat your suspension system at the tree, too, to keep ants from walking the lines to your hammock.

[T-BACK]

Permethrin works well for ticks and ants but will not protect you from mosquitos in my experience. It is great on clothes (again for ticks) and is harmless once dry.

My wife owns a Speer hammock and really likes it "as is" but then again she's not in it as often as I would like her to be! All of my homemade hammocks are based on the Speer design. This allows a modular setup that I can taylor to differnt terrain and expected weather.

[Jim Bowie]

Is the change to the Speer's suspension necessary, or even just preferable? What does the standard suspension consist of?

Edit:

It appears to a strap, but is there any buckle, or is Ed's suggestion just to tie a knot? Can a buckle or carabiner be easily used with little/no sewing?

[Youngblood]

Is the change to the Speer's suspension necessary, or even just preferable? What does the standard suspension consist of?

Edit:

It appears to a strap, but is there any buckle, or is Ed's suggestion just to tie a knot? Can a buckle or carabiner be easily used with little/no sewing?

It is a strap with no buckle.

When the trees are of small enough diameter and close enough together, you can use a multi-wrap technique. That is the most tree friendly technique as it spreads out the force over multiple wraps of webbing. Otherwise you tie off with a knot you can easily untie, like a couple of half hitches with the last one slippery or a slippery bowline, etc.

[Jim Bowie]

I did a cursory search, but didn't find anything for "multi wrap". Is this like it sounds: wrapping it enough times that no knot is needed? If so, how many wraps are sufficient, and is there any type of safety needed?

[Youngblood]

I did a cursory search, but didn't find anything for "multi wrap". Is this like it sounds: wrapping it enough times that no knot is needed? If so, how many wraps are sufficient, and is there any type of safety needed?

Yes, in some cases you can wrap it enough times so that no knot is needed if you wrap carefully and tightly and tuck the bitter end under one of the loops to let the pressure on it hold it.

There are different variations of it and I personally use a couple of half hitches as a safety, making the last one slipped so it is easier to untie. The variation I like is where the loops go around the standing end and reverse directions. That has a couple of interesting properties. First it tends to center the standing end on the tree. The second property I like is when I use it on my tarp ridgeline-- it allows you to add tightness and maintain the tightness very easily while you tie the knot.

[Hooch]

I did a cursory search, but didn't find anything for "multi wrap". Is this like it sounds: wrapping it enough times that no knot is needed? If so, how many wraps are sufficient, and is there any type of safety needed?

The Speer Four Wrap Knot. The knot is very easy to tie and, more importantly, untie. I've used it a few times now and it works like a charm, very secure.