I don't think they ever were very popular, compared to some other offerings. When I got mine and posted a review in Dec 07, the decision to take the leap was based on very little input from other users. All I was really going by was 1: Ed Speer's reputation and what he had to say about this approach in his book and his newsletters and yahoo site and 2: All of the very few pod users who occasionally chimed in seemed very satisfied with the product. 3: comments/review by JustJeff And 4(the clincher): I could not find anyone( of the few) who had been using the Pea Pod who had not been at least warm enough at the rated temps and above, or sometimes below rated temps. Usually warm from their first time using it, IOW not much learning curve. This definitely did not always apply to several other options out there, though I think in most cases those who failed to be warm were dealing with learning curve problems more than inadequate product.
But I think the pod's lack of popularity came from several reasons: 1: perceived cost and weight, as many forgot that it was both a very warm UQ PLUS a pretty good TQ, particularly with the more narrow hammocks. Plus, many were using their sleeping bags for top insulation, no need to pay for more on top.
2: a couple of years ago, the HHs were still major contenders for most popular hammock. It mostly seemed to be a choice between Speer and HH hammocks for most folks back then. The Pea Pod was not an option with popular(at that time) HHs, or the JRB Bridge. Now, the WBBB seems to be the most popular hammock. Unlike the HH, the pod can be used with it. But it is not exactly an optimal combo as the net must be out of the way and the wall is a bit in the way and the shelf use gets a bit weird. It is still not bad but not the best combo. ( a Traveler, OTOH, would probably be excellent used with a nice draft free pod).
Last edited by BillyBob58; 06-02-2010 at 11:30.
I think I agree with you for the most part BillyBob. Only thing I would add is that the PeaPod is also somewhat limited because it confines the diagonal sleeper. Correct me if I'm wrong since I have not yet had the pleasure of using one. For folks like me, that tend to sleep on a hard diagonal, I imagine the PeaPods don't allow as much freedom of movement.
Am I correct on that assumption?
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I would agree with that, sorta. I can still get diagonal, but there's probably some compression of the pod at both ends.
Otoh, I find my feet escaping under quilts from time to time, necessitating some midnight tugging.
I haven't yet figured out how to skin this cat to my satisfaction.
Dave
"Loneliness is the poverty of self; solitude is the richness of self."~~~May Sarton
“I think that when the lies are all told and forgot the truth will be there yet. It dont move about from place to place and it dont change from time to time. You cant corrupt it any more than you can salt salt.” - Cormac McCarthy
I hang my PeaPod loose, by cinching the Pod ends well inside the ends of the hammock. That allows a bit more of a diagonal lay without compression. Since it creates a gap right under my torso, I pile a yard of IX inside, and if it's really cold the whole thing goes inside the IX hammock sock.
- MacEntyre
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For me( 6'1", 210), there has been really no dif for my diagonal norm, that I can tell. But I'm sure that could vary some according to how tight both the pod and hammock are hung.
But that's just me. There was one user here ( sorry can't remember who it was) who got rid of his pod because it would not allow him to get as far diagonal as he wanted to in his ( I think) Eno Double.
What about it, Stevebo? Aren't you a pretty big guy, like 6'5" or so? Have you been able to diagonal ok? Or has it been a problem for you?
A problem I did not mention above is possible claustrophobia problems. In the sense that I don't think you can get the most out of it warmth to weight wise unless you close it most of the way. And I have a friend who could not stand that. But OTOH, I have another quite claustrophobic friend who considers the pod to be his least claustrophobic approach. He uses it(55*F model) with a TQ and pad under the hammock down into the 20s. So he never really needs to close it of much around the face, and feels this is a really roomy approach.
Cannibal, it does not compute that you have never owned-or even used- a PeaPod. What's up with that?
BTW, on that small learning curve thing I mentioned, and how most folks are easily warm on first try in the pod, here is an example:
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=13407
post #1 Stevebo:Heres the deal, its freaking cold in GA right now(coldest its been in 20 years) I have a new peapod Ive never used (Christmas present) Its going to be in the high teens this weekend, and like any sane person I am planning on taking my peapod out on its maiden voyage. (My wife thinks Im crazy!)..................
post #7:Update: I slept out last night in 20 degree weather, with a slight breeze------it was amazing, I was actually too warm! The peapod is really cool---glad i bought it! I was wearing thermal underwear, sweat pants and top, a rayway bomber hat and a balaclava. This opens up a whole new world forme---I love winter camping!
I played, and enjoyed, golf for about a decade. Once I got a hole in one, I lost interest. As they say, mission accomplished. There was no where to go from there!
I fear the PeaPod might have the same effect on my insulation collection. Can't have that, there are entirely too many geese flying around.
That's my story, now leave me alone.
Trust nobody!
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