Incubator or Phoenix?

[maf_jr]

Hey all-

I'm ready to make the jump from slipping around on my sleeping pad in my 11' DangerBird to a UQ. I'm planning on getting a 20 degree UQ from Hammock Gear; just graduated from college so treating myself to the top of the line. Couple of questions:

1. Which would you go with: the full length Incubator (I'm 6'4" so would get the long), or the 3/4 Phoenix?

2. My DB is 72" wide, does anyone have expereince with wide hammocks and HG quilts? Is the width an issue?

3. I'm going for the 20 degree option as a 1 size fits all solution, from early spring (late winter) in New England through late fall. Will I be miserable in the summer or will venting make the quilt sufficiently versatile.


Thanks!

[dickstarbuck]

1. long incubator
2. no width issues
3. 20 degree all the way. I'm in the south and still use it 90% of the time

[Kallorne]

1. long incubator
2. no width issues
3. 20 degree all the way. I'm in the south and still use it 90% of the time

what he said about width and 20*, it vents very well. In the dead of summer I just slip it off to a side until it cools down then pull it back, super easy to do and you can just leave out the leg insulation for continued cooling. I own both the phoenix and incubator in 20* and I actually prefer the 3/4 length and I carry my trusty piece of foam (gossamer gear thinlight) either way so I save the weight. its definitely easier to vent the phoenix and I find it less finicky to get a good seal. My wife on the other hand prefers the incubator, her feet get cold easily in the hammock and she prefers the security of the full length. The weight difference for you will be even greater as my incubator is the standard length. just my 2¢

[1202OSFM]

I got the Incubator. I am 6'4" myself and I have a 72" wide Thunderbird so we are about as equal size and hammock wise as you can get. I got the full length 20 degree and I have not been sorry yet. I thought about the 3/4 but when I thought about how tall I was and having to mess with a piece of foam I decided to go full length and like I said not sorry yet.

[hutzelbein]

Full-length or 3/4 is a matter of priorities and personal preferences. If you sleep cold and don't mind the extra weight and volume, it's hard to go wrong with a full-length uq. Even if you don't sleep cold, but still need insulation under your legs, a full-length uq is a good choice. If you carry a sit-pad and are able to keep it under your legs/feet - or if you don't need insulation in that area, you can save a bit of weight with a 3/4 underquilt.

[maf_jr]

Thanks for the replies! I think I'm going to pull the trigger on the 20* incubator since I don't have any leg specific pads.

[dickstarbuck]

You really could not go wrong either way. There is a little fiddle factor when you're talking about the Phoenix. Personally, my feet get cold in anything under 40... so I opted for the incubator. I love it. Set it and forget it.

[KiwiMark]

I love my Incubator 20, so comfy!
I might by myself an Incubator 40 before next summer though, should pack smaller and be lighter while being easier to not be too hot.
I have tried a PLUQ last summer but it is so much more bulky to pack so I think an Incubator 40 will be a nice luxury.
The Incubator 20 is great for spring, autumn and as cold as winter gets here when I'd still go camping.

My plan is to use (depending on temperature:
1. Incubator 20 + UQP
2. Incubator 40 + UQP
3. UQP alone.
I like my underquilt protector.

[JmBoh]

for those with dream hammocks, does the incubator connect to the pack hook? will i really need to? i'm looking to buy an UQ (finally) and am leaning toward HG 20* incubator for my sparrow.