Modded new Guide Gear "12x12" Tarp as Hex

[theflb]

As most of you probably know, the new Guide Gear "12x12" tarps are actually measured 12' on the diagonal ( see Here ) I have been hanging under one of the old Guide Gear 9x9 camo tarps (aka Neo Tarps) for a while and always look up and think "this would make a nice minimalist hex tarp. Well, fast forward to yesterday evening upon arriving @ home and finding my new tarp on the doorstep. After reading the info in the above mentioned thread, I was not surprised by the size of the tarp, but I was VERY surprised by the weight. 15.9 oz with the stuff sack. The old 9x9 was 22.3 oz on my scale. Due to the weight difference, I'm a bit concerned about what that means for the waterproof properties of this tarp and the long term durability, but I'll try to report more on that later.

Of course, I could not help but try modding this already much lighter tarp. Well after a trip to Joann Fabric, and a SIGNIFICANT amount of time figuring out how to set up the bobbin on my wife's old sewing machine, the tarp was reborn. I chose to cut @ the tieouts to save sewing new ones, but you could cut it to have shorter sides if you don't mind sewing on the tieouts. I then did a simple hem on the cut edge and was done. After removing the carry handle from the stuff sack and replacing the drawcord with dynaglide and a mini cordloc. the final weight was 13.83 oz. When I stuff it, I stuff to the bottom, twist the loose end and pull it back over the whole tarp to make it smaller. I am very impressed with how small it packs, and the weight. Especially at the price ($18 + shipping).

Below are the pics of the modded tarp. I will try to get a pic of it pitched and a closeup on the tieouts on the cut side in the daylight, but it was about midnight when I finished it up, so only indoor pics for now. (Please excuse the messy house) There is also a comparison pic of an unmodded one and a maccat standard to give you an idea of coverage. (credit to Bannerstone for that pic.)

It may only be 2 oz saved, but hopefully this will help those who aspire to be gram weenies but are too cheap to buy expensive gear.

[dragon360]

I like the idea! I understand the problems of the mis-representation of the product and all the chaos it has caused but I am looking forward to doing my best at liking what I still have recieved and this mod goes a long way!


You need to soak that bad boy and let us know how it holds up.

[Corncob]

Nice work, thanks for the pics and the detailed description/instructions!

[theflb]

I like the idea! I understand the problems of the mis-representation of the product and all the chaos it has caused but I am looking forward to doing my best at liking what I still have recieved and this mod goes a long way!

You need to soak that bad boy and let us know how it holds up.

I fully agree that the mis-representation is a bad thing, but the tarp seems to be quite a value even at the actual dimensions. I'm hoping to do a soak test soon, but it may not be until the weekend.

Nice work, thanks for the pics and the detailed description/instructions!

Your Welcome!

I look forward to hearing about the results if anyone else does this mod.

[sweetmusic]

Talk about making lemonade! What a great idea - you might be able to find the fabric to diy for close to this price, but this way most of the work is already done for you.

[FLRider]

Great mod there, theflb! Honestly, for me, the ease of set-up would outweigh the weight savings (terrible pun, that) in this mod. You need two less stakes, and thirty seconds less to set it up--and, if you've ever been caught by a 3 PM thunderstorm down here, well...y'know...

What's the dimension horizontally across the tarp? The GuideGears are 12 x 12 on the diagonal, so it's 12 x ? now, yes?

Thanks!

[Mikums]

I can mod this tarp and save myself $30.

[NCPatrick]

I modified a GG 9x9 tarp a few years ago. It turned out nice. A bit small and minimalist though, but nice.

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...9800#post39800

[theflb]

Great mod there, theflb! Honestly, for me, the ease of set-up would outweigh the weight savings (terrible pun, that) in this mod. You need two less stakes, and thirty seconds less to set it up--and, if you've ever been caught by a 3 PM thunderstorm down here, well...y'know...

Very good points, and same reasons that I like my other square/diamond tarps, (I have a true 12x12 & a 9x9) but I have found that with the single tieout point on each side it is hard to get a really tight pitch. I hope that this will be better for that. Plus it was just something interesting to try

What's the dimension horizontally across the tarp? The GuideGears are 12 x 12 on the diagonal, so it's 12 x ? now, yes?

Thanks!

it is about 94" width from one cut side to the other. I had planned to cut it @ 6 ft width, but I was too lazy to sew the tieouts on. I also figured it would be easy to cut it more later if I wanted to.

[theflb]

I modified a GG 9x9 tarp a few years ago. It turned out nice. A bit small and minimalist though, but nice.

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...9800#post39800

Love it! That was exactly my thought process. seeing the seams on the old 9x9 started this train of thought.