Skip to search.

Breaking News Visit Yahoo! News for the latest.

×Close this window

BackpackGearTest · A forum for posting impressions and eval

The Yahoo! Groups Product Blog

Check it out!

Group Information

  • Members: 5254
  • Category: Hiking
  • Founded: Aug 15, 2000
  • Language: English
? Already a member? Sign in to Yahoo!

Yahoo! Groups Tips

Did you know...
Message search is now enhanced, find messages faster. Take it for a spin.

Messages

Advanced
Messages Help
Messages 3901 - 3930 of 82135   Oldest  |  < Older  |  Newer >  |  Newest
Messages: Show Message Summaries Sort by Date ^  
#3901 From: "GearTester" <geartester@...>
Date: Thu Aug 2, 2001 12:59 am
Subject: Re: new to the group
geartester@...
Send Email Send Email
 
There are other lists that could probably answer that question more
appropriately. This one is just about gear. Enjoy your trip.
Jerry
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackpackGearTest : the most comprehensive
interactive gear reviews and tests on the planet.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Francisco Flores" <chispa@...>
To: <BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2001 5:02 AM
Subject: [BackpackGearTest] new to the group


> I will be heading for Portland,Oregon at the end of Sept.,I will be
> taking the entire month of October and bicycle Hwy 101 and old Hwy
> 1,destination San Diego,Cal.
>
>  Maybe some of you might give me some road conditions and savy places to
> pitch camp. This informations will be greatly appreciated.
>  Not testing any gear,just myself,wanting to go and explore.
>
>
> Thanks.
> From Texas,
> Cisco

#3902 From: cstarnes@...
Date: Thu Aug 2, 2001 1:58 am
Subject: Leki Test Monitor report
cstarnes@...
Send Email Send Email
 
The third report was due 6/18/01.  All testers except Roy P. Massena
have completed this phase of the test.  The longterm report is due
10/31/01.

Coy Boy

#3903 From: cstarnes@...
Date: Thu Aug 2, 2001 2:00 am
Subject: Safari monitor report
cstarnes@...
Send Email Send Email
 
ALERT!  The third report due date was 7/31/01.  All testers need to
turn in third report and upload it to files.  A.S.A.P.!!!

Thanks,
Coy Boy

#3904 From: "Michael Wheiler" <jmwlaw@...>
Date: Thu Aug 2, 2001 2:18 am
Subject: Re: BackpackingLight.com
jmwlaw@...
Send Email Send Email
 
Jerry:
 
The web site looks great.  It is easy to access the applications and information!
 
The weekly update on the Lawson Hammock reports is that all reports are in except for the final report from Sarah Bradley.  She reports that she has now completed the field testing and will file the report soon.
 
Keep up the good work.
 
Mike
----- Original Message -----
From: GearTester
Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2001 4:24 PM
Subject: [BackpackGearTest] BackpackingLight.com

We're on the home page with gear reviews. It wouldn't be a bad idea for you all to drop in and see what you think of the format. Pass the word. Thanks.
Jerry
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackpackGearTest : the most comprehensive interactive gear reviews and tests on the planet.


To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
BackpackGearTest-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com



Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

#3905 From: "Michael Wheiler" <jmwlaw@...>
Date: Thu Aug 2, 2001 2:26 am
Subject: Re: Report compliance
jmwlaw@...
Send Email Send Email
 
Jerry:
 
Seems like we've been discussing ways to insure compliance for a long time.  It is too bad it has gotten to the point that we are considering the credit card requirement.  But to steal a line from the movie "Twins,":  "money talks and bs walks."
 
I like the idea of calling for owner reporting on select equipment a lot.  From reading the comments and applications for testing, we have a very strong user data base from which to draw information about equipment use that ought to be utilized.
 
Mike
----- Original Message -----
From: GearTester
Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2001 5:25 PM
Subject: [BackpackGearTest] Report compliance

We still need to solve this problem. I'm currently considering requiring a credit card number and signed agreement be provided the manufacturer by each tester before the tester can receive the test item. The agreement would state that the tester authorizes the manufacturer to charge them full price for the test item if the manufacturer is notified by the list moderator that the tester is in report default.
It looks like, if it proves successful, that all our applicable reports will be linked through BackpackingLight.com as was done this week. This opens us up to much larger exposure and scrutiny. We have to get to the point that we have 100% compliance....one way or the other. I'm trying to not have a situation where only certain listers are chosen to report.
I'd love to hear other plans for curing this problem.
I'm also planning to start a owner review program. I (we) would pick and item and call for owners to give us reports on the selected item. This would allow a much longer experience report than we can now get. We could build a tremendous database of gear reports. What do you think?
Jerry
 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackpackGearTest : the most comprehensive interactive gear reviews and tests on the planet.


To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
BackpackGearTest-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com



Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

#3906 From: "GearTester" <geartester@...>
Date: Thu Aug 2, 2001 3:13 am
Subject: Re: BackpackingLight.com
geartester@...
Send Email Send Email
 
Give the praise to BigSkyRy....it's his baby. And a nice looking baby it is.
Jerry
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackpackGearTest : the most comprehensive interactive gear reviews and tests on the planet.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2001 8:18 PM
Subject: Re: [BackpackGearTest] BackpackingLight.com

Jerry:
 
The web site looks great.  It is easy to access the applications and information!
 
The weekly update on the Lawson Hammock reports is that all reports are in except for the final report from Sarah Bradley.  She reports that she has now completed the field testing and will file the report soon.
 
Keep up the good work.
 
Mike

#3907 From: "GearTester" <geartester@...>
Date: Thu Aug 2, 2001 3:12 am
Subject: Re: Report compliance
geartester@...
Send Email Send Email
 
I'm willing to try the owner report requirement as a prerequisite for new gear testing. I'm going to require that potential new gear reviewers must include the links to two owner reports that have been uploaded to BGT. I'll develop the requirements file and post it tomorrow....I hope. This will accomplish two goals: build our gear review database and try a less painless method of compliance.
Jerry
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackpackGearTest : the most comprehensive interactive gear reviews and tests on the planet.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2001 8:26 PM
Subject: Re: [BackpackGearTest] Report compliance

Jerry:
 
Seems like we've been discussing ways to insure compliance for a long time.  It is too bad it has gotten to the point that we are considering the credit card requirement.  But to steal a line from the movie "Twins,":  "money talks and bs walks."
 
I like the idea of calling for owner reporting on select equipment a lot.  From reading the comments and applications for testing, we have a very strong user data base from which to draw information about equipment use that ought to be utilized.
 
Mike

#3908 From: "GearTester" <geartester@...>
Date: Thu Aug 2, 2001 3:15 am
Subject: Re: Leki Test Monitor report
geartester@...
Send Email Send Email
 
I will be calling for all monitor to report any tester that didn't complete
their report requirements. These people will be banned from the list.
Jerry
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackpackGearTest : the most comprehensive
interactive gear reviews and tests on the planet.
----- Original Message -----
From: <cstarnes@...>
To: <BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2001 7:58 PM
Subject: [BackpackGearTest] Leki Test Monitor report


> The third report was due 6/18/01.  All testers except Roy P. Massena
> have completed this phase of the test.  The longterm report is due
> 10/31/01.
>
> Coy Boy

#3909 From: "GearTester" <geartester@...>
Date: Thu Aug 2, 2001 3:14 am
Subject: Re: Safari monitor report
geartester@...
Send Email Send Email
 
This is what I'm talking about. The bad part was that most, if not all, of
these testers have been with us awhile and know the requirements.
Jerry
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackpackGearTest : the most comprehensive
interactive gear reviews and tests on the planet.
----- Original Message -----
From: <cstarnes@...>
To: <BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2001 8:00 PM
Subject: [BackpackGearTest] Safari monitor report


> ALERT!  The third report due date was 7/31/01.  All testers need to
> turn in third report and upload it to files.  A.S.A.P.!!!
>
> Thanks,
> Coy Boy
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> BackpackGearTest-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>

#3910 From: chaynes@...
Date: Thu Aug 2, 2001 11:41 am
Subject: Re: Report compliance
chaynes@...
Send Email Send Email
 
I wonder if you would consider excludeing the use of previous tester
reportsas meeting the prerequisites for a new gear tester and
limiting the requirement to owner reports. The reason I ask this is
if tester reports are accepted as meeting the prerequisite, folks who
have already had an oppertunity to test have an unfare advantage.
There are already folks on the list who have had more than one
oppertunity to  test gear while the majority have not had an
oppertunity to participate as testers.

Also I wonder if it would be possible to reword the tester
requirements such that the tester by accepting gear has entered into
a contract with the list as well as the manufacturer to provide the
required report, an should the requirements not be meet, the list
could bill the noncompliant tester for replacement gear for anouther
tester, and should they not pay, perhaps at least try to get there
nonpayment on there credit report.


--- In BackpackGearTest@y..., "GearTester" <geartester@q...> wrote:
> I'm willing to try the owner report requirement as a prerequisite
for new gear testing. I'm going to require that potential new gear
reviewers must include the links to two owner reports that have been
uploaded to BGT. I'll develop the requirements file and post it
tomorrow....I hope. This will accomplish two goals: build our gear
review database and try a less painless method of compliance.
> Jerry
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackpackGearTest : the most
comprehensive interactive gear reviews and tests on the planet.
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: Michael Wheiler
>   To: BackpackGearTest@y...
>   Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2001 8:26 PM
>   Subject: Re: [BackpackGearTest] Report compliance
>
>
>   Jerry:
>

#3911 From: rosaleen43@...
Date: Thu Aug 2, 2001 4:13 pm
Subject: Hennessy Safari Hammock Report
rosaleen43@...
Send Email Send Email
 
Third Report:  Hennessy Hammock, Safari Model
Testers:  Family of Rosaleen Sullivan

Background info:

A call went out for hammock testers who were over six feet tall
and/or 240 pounds, and who were already
familiar with the Hennessy Hammock line.  Rosaleen (Mom) Sullivan had
recently purchased an original
model with which she was greatly pleased, and the four male family
members are all over six feet and
weigh from about 160 pounds to nearly 300 pounds.  One son is 6 feet,
seven and a half inches tall.  With
the consent of the guys, we signed up for a family test.

We have camped off and on as a family for close to thirty years, 15
of those years with Boy Scouts.  We've
used gear from canvas cabin tents and pop-up campers to open tarps
and camped in places from Maine to
California.  This Safari has seen a lot of our back yard in eastern
Massachusetts, and part of the Metacomet-
Monadnock Trail in west-central MA. It's about to spend two weeks on
the AT, a stretch covering part of
PA, MD, and VA.  Mom, this writer, has the mental ambition of her
thirty-year old reined in somewhat by
the physical reality of her fifty-something year old body.

I (Rosaleen) am writing, so I'll input my observations first.  While
I'm 2-3 inches short of the six feet, and,
fortunately, below the 240 pounds, I'm most familiar with Hennessy's
products and the one who got us
involved in the test.

The hammock arrived in a simple, unpretentious Tyvek-type mailing
envelope.  It has no poles or stakes to
bend in shipment, so it arrived in perfect condition.  It seemed to
weigh the approximate 3-½ pounds one
would expect from the labeling.  Another tester actually checked his
on a postal or similar scale and it
weighed the stated weight.  I have access to a bathroom scale.  The
set up instructions are easy to follow and
printed on the stuff sack, making them darn hard to lose.   The stuff
sack is generous enough to hold the
hammock and fly, plus the stakes, reflective blanket, and 50 plus
feet of nylon line that I like to carry.

The Safari attaches to trees by means of web straps, similar to seat
belt webbing.  They are easy enough to
use, on first examination, and should cover concerns about damaging
tree bark, but we found that they
stretch significantly more than the ropes on other models.  One
solution that worked for us was to attach to
the first tree, at least shoulder height on the user, walk the other
end back around the second tree, and pull
the second web really tightly around the second tree, using body
weight to effect major tension.  I believe
that Hennessy is switching to a different webbing to correct this
problem next year.  The user might want
the foot end just slightly higher than the head, to counteract a
tendency to slide slightly toward the foot end
during the night.  The hammock body is especially roomy.  At 5' 8" I
could easily have pulled my whole
pack inside with me.  I can sit up, change clothes, or sleep
comfortably inside it.  The ridgeline can support
shoes hanging from it, and has a mesh double pocket, plus two hooks
for hanging small items. The fly can
be left off in warm weather, or snugged down to keep out rain.  This
hammock has a zippered entry with an
ingenious string and ring system that makes opening and closing it
very simple.  One son raised a concern about the
  zipper end breaking, but the open end is toward the center and well
reinforced.  As a long time sewer, I judge
  it to be reliable.  As with the other models, lying in the hammock
on a slight diagonal feels nearly flat.  Again, the hammock has the
advantage of
being off the ground, and is much more comfortable than even the best
inflatable backpacking mattress.  The generous
fly is big enough to serve as a shelter on  its own, and the hammock
body can be pulled aside to allow one to leave
  the complete set up in place except one side tie-out while cooking
or doing other camp chores from shelter.
We did find that rain leaked in at the ends.  I had assumed,
incorrectly, that it was sealed, as is the original
model.  Applying seam sealer to the stitching solved the problem.  I
slept in it in the backyard during a couple of
strong storms to make sure.

My rating on the hammock is an 8 on a scale of 10.  It's plenty
roomy, but more than I need so I would
normally prefer a smaller size to cut weight.  I'd like it better
with less stretchy straps.  My bigger, stronger
  guys find the strength needed to pull out the stretch less of an
issue than I do.

Larry, Sr., at 6'3" and 260 pounds, found it comfortable and roomy,
rated it a 9.5. He's over the weight
rating on the original, so it's a good choice for him.  Unless we go
somewhere really exotic, he's likely to
use it only in the backyard on lazy days.  He's getting into
the "whip out the plastic" and stay in a motel
stage.  Looking at the smaller models, he thought he'd feel
claustrophobic in them, but was fine in the
Safari.  He, too, found it more comfortable than the ground.

Larry, Jr., at 6'1" and about 160, is our thinnest.  He fits in any
model from the ultra light through the
Safari.  He really liked the extra room and feels it is worth the
extra two pounds over the Ultra light to get
the extra space.  He is also young at thirty, and strong. He rates it
a 9.

Sean is our big guy. At 6' 7 ½", he also has plenty of room in the
Safari, and is too heavy for any other
Model.  He can sleep comfortably without feeling claustrophobic.  He
is also getting away from camping
but sees an advantage to using it on a motorcycle trip.  He gives the
hammock a 10 for comfort and room,
while admitting to preferring the idea of tent camping or staying in
a motel if he travels with company.

Dan is 6'3'' and about 229 pounds.  Dan had plenty of room and was
comfortable in the Safari, rating it a 9.

Bonus opinions:

Friend 1, 6,"4," found the Safari "awesome."  Surprisingly
comfortable and roomy.  He has never camped,
but would try it with a Safari.

Friend 2, 5'6", about 170 lbs.  Another "awesome."  He's a friend's
son, and a beginner camper.  He was
given a choice between using the Safari and the original, and was so
impressed with the roominess that he
chose the Safari.

Summary:

Tester Ease of set up   Comfort   Weight vs. size   Roominess
Climate control    Overall
RS            5            10            8              10       5,
10 after sealing   8
LS,1          8            10           10
10              9              9.5
LS,2          7            10           10
10              9              9
SS            7            10           10
10              9              9.2
DS            7            10           10
10              9              9.2

Avgerage     6.8    10  8.2  10
	 9.2        9
of the 5

#3912 From: woward@...
Date: Thu Aug 2, 2001 5:36 pm
Subject: New Member/Gear Test Suggestions
woward@...
Send Email Send Email
 
I joined this group a short time ago and have enjoyed reading the
message threads and historical files.  The concept is great; it would
be nice to see more volume of product reviews.

I'm a fit 56 year old retired guy living in Northern California.
Have been backpacking about 45 years (since Boy Scouts).  I am
fortunate to live near a large, suburban trail system.  As a
consequence, I hike (5-10 miles) 4 or 5 days a week, usually with my
dog, often with my wife.  In addition, the dog and I (my wife hates
camping) backpack in the Northern Sierras, usually 2-4 day trips.  We
are not long distance, through hikers; prefer hiking to beautiful,
secluded sites and enjoying the serenity for a couple of days.  Often
combine the trip with some fly fishing.  We get to Oregon, Idaho and
Montana 2-3 times a year so see some varied scenery.

The trend toward lightweight backpacking is interesting and timely.
For those of us who've been at it for many years, it is great to
finally see manufacturers recognizing that lighter is better, at
least for some of their customers.  As the baby-boomers start
retiring over next few years, there are going to be many more,
active, athletic and often affluent, adults who will head (back) into
the outdoors.  Most realize that 45 or 50 pounds is not as light as
it was when they were in their 20's.  Unfortunately, they'll also
find that the body can't quite do what it once could.

As a result, there should be a substantial market for supportive,
lightweight gear.  Trying to hike very far with a sagging sack full
of gear gets tougher when you have arthritis, a bad back or worn out
knees.  Thus, many backpackers will want to go lightweight but will
also need hip belts, frame support, etc.  They'll also want to carry
a bit more gear than a minimalist, opting for more comfortable
sleeping pads (inflatable vs. thin foam), more familiar and
protective shelter (tents vs. tarps) and more interesting eating
(stoves and titanium vs. cold meals).  As a result, while trying to
minimize weight, they'll need packs that can handle more volume of
lightweight gear.

Mountainsmith seems to be one of the few mainsteam manufacturers who
is addressing this market with their Mountainlight series of packs.
While already lighter than most, for any given pack volume, their new
line purports to even more weight efficient.  I recently spoke to a
Mountainsmith rep who said that the entire Mountainlight line has
been refined with significantly reduced pack weights (different
zippers, modified hip belts and excess fabric trimmed away).  He said
their largest pack in the series, the Specter (5600 cu. inch volume),
will be reduced a full pound from 5.3 to 4.3 pounds.  If they pull it
off, that's a really light large volume pack.  If you can get them to
authorize it, I'd love to test and review the new Specter.

You might try to get a number of the pack manufacturers to to make
their lightweight packs available for a comparison test series.
Several claim to have lighter packs.  Let us try to prove it.

Keep up the good work.

Bill Ward

#3913 From: "GearTester" <geartester@...>
Date: Thu Aug 2, 2001 6:23 pm
Subject: Re: New Member/Gear Test Suggestions
geartester@...
Send Email Send Email
 
The OR Show is in less than 3 weeks. It's impossible to get gear right now.
Welcome aboard.
Jerry
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackpackGearTest : the most comprehensive
interactive gear reviews and tests on the planet.
----- Original Message -----
From: <woward@...>
To: <BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2001 11:36 AM
Subject: [BackpackGearTest] New Member/Gear Test Suggestions


> I joined this group a short time ago and have enjoyed reading the
> message threads and historical files.  The concept is great; it would
> be nice to see more volume of product reviews.

#3914 From: "GearTester" <geartester@...>
Date: Thu Aug 2, 2001 6:23 pm
Subject: Re: New Member/Gear Test Suggestions
geartester@...
Send Email Send Email
 
The OR Show is in less than 3 weeks. It's impossible to get gear right now.
Welcome aboard.
Jerry
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackpackGearTest : the most comprehensive
interactive gear reviews and tests on the planet.
----- Original Message -----
From: <woward@...>
To: <BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2001 11:36 AM
Subject: [BackpackGearTest] New Member/Gear Test Suggestions


> I joined this group a short time ago and have enjoyed reading the
> message threads and historical files.  The concept is great; it would
> be nice to see more volume of product reviews.

#3915 From: <BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Thu Aug 2, 2001 6:57 pm
Subject: New file uploaded to BackpackGearTest
BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com
Send Email Send Email
 
Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the BackpackGearTest
group.

   File        : /Lawson Hammock/Sarah Bradley/Lawson Hammock Third Report
   Uploaded by : clevergirl@...
   Description :

You can access this file at the URL

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackpackGearTest/files/Lawson%20Hammock/Sarah%20Br\
adley/Lawson%20Hammock%20Third%20Report

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit

http://help.yahoo.com/help/us/groups/files

Regards,

clevergirl@...

#3916 From: cstarnes@...
Date: Thu Aug 2, 2001 7:49 pm
Subject: Re: Hennessy Safari Hammock Report
cstarnes@...
Send Email Send Email
 
--- In BackpackGearTest@y..., rosaleen43@a... wrote:
> Third Report:  Hennessy Hammock, Safari Model
> Testers:  Family of Rosaleen Sullivan

Great report Rosaleen. I liked the way you got all the testers (your
family) to rate the hammock but my question is. When will the
improved straps be used. I guess only the folks at Hennessy can
answer that. But I am still in the market for another HH and was kind
of waiting on a modle less beffy than the Safari Deluxe but with the
web straps. Also with oversized fly.

Coy Boy

#3917 From: ptoddf@...
Date: Thu Aug 2, 2001 11:26 pm
Subject: Where is OR show?
ptoddf@...
Send Email Send Email
 
Jerry,

Just where is the OR show, and is there a web site for it?

Thanks, Todd in Tarzana.

#3918 From: "GearTester" <geartester@...>
Date: Fri Aug 3, 2001 3:32 am
Subject: Re: Where is OR show?
geartester@...
Send Email Send Email
 
It is the Outdoor Retailer (a trade magazine) Summer Market (the one in
January is the Winter Market). It is a commercial trade show. It is not open
to the general public. It is open to manufacturers, dealers, and working
media. It's in Salt Lake City. The URL for the trade magazine sponsoring it
is: http://www.outdoorbiz.com/ .
Jerry
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackpackGearTest : the most comprehensive
interactive gear reviews and tests on the planet.
----- Original Message -----
From: <ptoddf@...>
To: <BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2001 9:26 PM
Subject: [BackpackGearTest] Where is OR show?


> Jerry,
>
> Just where is the OR show, and is there a web site for it?
>
> Thanks, Todd in Tarzana.

#3919 From: Joel Schmoyer <joelschmoyer@...>
Date: Fri Aug 3, 2001 11:11 am
Subject: geartester
joelschmoyer@...
Send Email Send Email
 
I joined this group recently and I was wondering how I
become a gear tester?
Thanks,
Joel

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Make international calls for as low as $.04/minute with Yahoo! Messenger
http://phonecard.yahoo.com/

#3920 From: eburg700@...
Date: Fri Aug 3, 2001 12:08 pm
Subject: New Member
eburg700@...
Send Email Send Email
 
Just joined the list as per the invite. I am a seasoned veteran -
been backpacking for 30 years and worked as backcountry/wilderness
ranger for 10 years in my younger days (Wind Rivers of Wyoming and
the Cascades of Washington State).  Will likely reference many of the
files here on my websites product review page (after the beta
release). But am curious how my presence here on the list can
otherwise be of benefit?


Ken Boettger
http://www.wildlanders.com

#3921 From: "orlyg" <orlyg@...>
Date: Fri Aug 3, 2001 3:12 pm
Subject: Re: I can solve the problem
orlyg@...
Send Email Send Email
 
Orlando Gomez
6'2"
220#
Portland OR

Report #3: Hennessy Safari Hammock

My experience with the Safari has been mixed but for the most part
favorable.
The first outing was on May 19th-20th during a rainy weekend in the Mt Hood
national Forest outside Estacada, OR.
Temps dipped to the low 40's at night and mid 50's during the day. Set up
was relatively easy except for figuring out distances between trees that are
adequate. I used the "Necktie knot" the Tom suggested and found it to work
great! What surprised me was the amount of sag in the hammock when I got in
it . I tied it up about 6'2" high and my butt was only about 2.5' from the
ground when I was in it. Despite that I do sleep practically flat.
I attempted to try an emergency blanket as per Hennessy's web site but it
did more for catching rain rather than reflect heat. I got rid of it after a
couple of hours. I later awoke to the wonderful sensation of a soggy butt!
Apparently, I discovered a design flaw that I discussed with Tom a few weeks
later. What I thought was a set-up mistake was actually rain soaking into
the hammock straps and, in turn soaking into the actual hammock material and
dripping to the lowest point in the hammock... remember the wet buttocks?
Not a pleasant experience. Folding it up is not the easiest thing to get
right but after a couple of tries I got it into the stuff sack.
     After discussing the soggy-butt incident he suggested soaking the strap
with Seam Seal close to the hammock and tie a string as a drip-string. I
haven't had a chance to try it in the rain again.
         The next outing was July 21st, a 4 mi. hike into Siouxon Creek, WA.
Weather was perfect, high of 76 and low of 55 with no rain in site. By this
time set up was a breeze ( less than 3 minutes). By the time I was done, my
hiking partners were still taking their SD tent out of its sack. I had
dinner going by the time they  got done setting up. This time I tried a
Thermarest Z-rest mat  and a sleeping bag. It worked fine, the mat didn't
roll up at the ends and didn't slip around at all. I slept great.
Getting the fly set up right  take some getting used to. I found that
running the string through the hammock side rings and staking it under the
hammock to protect from a strong rain. When tying the fly off to the sides
it would end up quite a ways up above the hammock when I was in it.

Suggestions
a larger fly.
add a non-slip material to the hammock, maybe the kind used to line shelving
which would weigh naxt to nothing.
Light-weight prussicks on the ridgeline so bags can be placed inside and not
slide

Over-all: ( scale: 1-5 easy to difficult/excellent to poor)
set-up:                 2 with practice
take-down:          1
repacking:            5 initially    3 with practice
workmanship       1 ( zipper-pull, very cool)

Field experience:
Rain                      5 (until Tom's recommended fix but need to try
again in the rain
Sleep comfort        2 (I turn alot, quite a chore. But that's just me).


----- Original Message -----
From: <cstarnes@...>
To: <BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2001 8:44 AM
Subject: [BackpackGearTest] I can solve the problem


> Jerry
>
> I think that eliminating me a monitor would solve most of the
> trouble. I've noticed most test series ar fine in this reguard except
> the Janspert pack that was never finished. I have one last report
> missing  for the Leki pols: Roy, get 3rd report in ASAP. Also tonight
> I will be updating the Safari hammock. All testers need to get 3rd
> report in. July 31st was the due date and acording to my calender
> that was yesterday.
>
> Coy BOy
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> BackpackGearTest-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>

#3922 From: afurnia@...
Date: Fri Aug 3, 2001 3:26 pm
Subject: Another New Member
afurnia@...
Send Email Send Email
 
Good morning everyone, I am a retired Air Force Combat Communications
troop who has more than twenty years in the back country of several
nations.  I hope to lend a little insight by evaluating some
equipment and keeping myself in shape backpacking to my hearts
content.  This looks to be a great place to chat with others who
share my interests.

Thanks, Drew

#3923 From: "David Harris" <harrises@...>
Date: Fri Aug 3, 2001 3:40 pm
Subject: Question for Hennessey owner/testers
harrises@...
Send Email Send Email
 
I've heard a variety of comments about getting into and out of the
Hennessey hammock, and also getting into and out of one's sleeping
bag in the process.

While I am impressed and intrigued at the ingenuity of the entry
system of the hammock, I cannot help but wonder about using what
seems to be the preferred entry method (in sleeping bag before
entering hammock) in inclimate weather.

Any thoughts, experiences or suggestions?

David Harris
Lawson Tester

#3924 From: "David Harris" <harrises@...>
Date: Fri Aug 3, 2001 3:53 pm
Subject: Re: Report compliance
harrises@...
Send Email Send Email
 
FWIW, I think requiring owner reports as a prerequisite for testing
is a terrific approach.  I hate the notion that we need to require
credit cards for this process.  That would, as has been mentioned
earlier, leave some potential testers out over concerns about sending
credit card info out into cyberspace.  More than that, whether pay
pal or credit cards, it would add tremendously to the work (unpaid)
that Jerry has to put into this venture, and I rather doubt (hope I'm
not speaking out of turn Jerry) that that's what he got into this
idea for in the 1st place.

Let's all hope that the use of owner reviews, and possibly starting
testers out with smaller items, will solve our problem.

On a side note, I think the ideas of testing get together sessions
and side-by-side comparison testing are great, though I think they
would tend to focus gear on a more limited number of testers.

David Harris

--- In BackpackGearTest@y..., "GearTester" <geartester@q...> wrote:
> I'm willing to try the owner report requirement as a prerequisite
for new gear testing. I'm going to require that potential new gear
reviewers must include the links to two owner reports that have been
uploaded to BGT. I'll develop the requirements file and post it
tomorrow....I hope. This will accomplish two goals: build our gear
review database and try a less painless method of compliance.
> Jerry
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackpackGearTest : the most
comprehensive interactive gear reviews and tests on the planet.

#3925 From: <BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Fri Aug 3, 2001 5:44 pm
Subject: New file uploaded to BackpackGearTest
BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com
Send Email Send Email
 
Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the BackpackGearTest
group.

   File        : /1 Application and Report Requirements.htm
   Uploaded by : geartester@...
   Description : Read this before you post to the list or apply for a test series
as a tester

You can access this file at the URL

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackpackGearTest/files/1%20Application%20and%20Rep\
ort%20Requirements.htm

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit

http://help.yahoo.com/help/us/groups/files

Regards,

geartester@...

#3926 From: "GearTester" <geartester@...>
Date: Fri Aug 3, 2001 5:41 pm
Subject: New Requirements
geartester@...
Send Email Send Email
 
PLEASE NOTE! New requirements have been posted for new gear applicants. These requirements MUST be met before you can be considered for new gear reviews.
Jerry
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackpackGearTest : the most comprehensive interactive gear reviews and tests on the planet.

#3927 From: kahley <kahley7@...>
Date: Fri Aug 3, 2001 7:19 pm
Subject: Re: New Requirements
kahley7@...
Send Email Send Email
 
At 11:41 AM 8/3/01 -0600, you wrote:

>PLEASE NOTE! New requirements have been posted for new gear applicants.
>These requirements MUST be met before you can be considered for new gear
>reviews.

Will the owner reports have different requirements?
Some of the tester report requirements would seem not to apply to
owner reports.  I reference the first and second report requirements
since we would likely have had the gear for some time?  Thanks

#3928 From: "GearTester" <geartester@...>
Date: Fri Aug 3, 2001 6:16 pm
Subject: Re: New Requirements
geartester@...
Send Email Send Email
 
"Owner reports must meet the requirements of a standard report #3 in content
and all of our new gear test reports as to quality to be accepted" Quoted
from the new requirements. You might want to go ahead and read the new
requirements first......   ;o)
Jerry
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackpackGearTest : the most comprehensive
interactive gear reviews and tests on the planet.
----- Original Message -----
From: "kahley" <kahley7@...>
To: <BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, August 03, 2001 1:19 PM
Subject: Re: [BackpackGearTest] New Requirements


> At 11:41 AM 8/3/01 -0600, you wrote:
>
> >PLEASE NOTE! New requirements have been posted for new gear applicants.
> >These requirements MUST be met before you can be considered for new gear
> >reviews.
>
> Will the owner reports have different requirements?
> Some of the tester report requirements would seem not to apply to
> owner reports.  I reference the first and second report requirements
> since we would likely have had the gear for some time?  Thanks

#3929 From: "David Harris" <harrises@...>
Date: Fri Aug 3, 2001 6:50 pm
Subject: Re: New Requirements
harrises@...
Send Email Send Email
 
...from the new requirements: "For the purposes of this requirement,
list members that have been previously selected for testing, and have
successfully completed all required reports for that test, can
consider that report series as 1 of the 2 required reports."

Jerry:

Just for clarification (I imagine the question will come up), does
this or does it not include having posted the 6-month follow up
report?

Thanks

David

#3930 From: kahley <kahley7@...>
Date: Fri Aug 3, 2001 8:03 pm
Subject: Re: New Requirements
kahley7@...
Send Email Send Email
 
At 12:16 PM 8/3/01 -0600, GearTester wrote:

>"Owner reports must meet the requirements of a standard report #3 in content
>and all of our new gear test reports as to quality to be accepted" Quoted
>from the new requirements. You might want to go ahead and read the new
>requirements first......   ;o)
>Jerry

Acck..I thought I had.  I read:
Owner reports must meet the requirements of a standard report #3 in content"
but somehow that #3 didn't register.  Sorry.....

Messages 3901 - 3930 of 82135   Oldest  |  < Older  |  Newer >  |  Newest
Add to My Yahoo!      XML What's This?

Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Guidelines NEW - Help