I'm certainly "no expert", and it's good to get some feedback on the Clark double hammock systems as I haven't seen much about them. Looks like an interesting solution - maybe a bit pricey for a something dedicated to such a specific purpose (I don't
have to do a tandem setup with a pair of hammocks) but within the ballpark compared to, say, a pair of Chamelons + tandem kit + tandem bugnet. Might be well worth it if it provides a better experience.
What is the "lay" like in the Vertex? Does it feel more like a pair if gathered end hammocks (and if so, do you get a good "diagonal" lay) or a pair of bridge hammocks (like the RR) or something else? Will it work with regular underquilts?
My experience differs a bit regarding the congeniality of a tandem hang with spreader bars, although it takes some extra fussing to get things setup properly and even then there are issues. If we lay head opposite (both toward the outside, feet toward the middle) or same direction (diagonals parallel) there's an annoying wall of hammock between us interfering with eye contact. Setting up both with head towards the inside, feet towards the outside reduces that quite a bit - but it also seems to be the worst cast scenario for tarp shape requirements (still working on that). I'm hoping the Double Dutch Bugnet will help with this - it has a "Center Zip" section attaching the inner sides of the two hammocks in a way that vaguely resembles the Vertex - might even get to try it out tonight as my second "Chameleon" (actually a kitsapcowboy clone) should be arriving today.
I wouldn't go so far as to call them instable (for any grammar geeks, "instable" appears to be a legit synonym for "unstable" which is more commonly in "American" English - interesting bit of googling if you're curious). Would you call your RR instable? However I can certainly confirm that in my experience a tandem setup with a spreader bar is
less stable than a normally hung GE hammock. I have a few ideas on improving that, but I'm not wildly optimistic. Second hanger getting in to or out of their hammock isn't bad, but getting in or out when the other side is empty feels a bit wobbly - and both raises the other side and causes the opposite end of the spreader bar to tilt up quite a bit, which when combined can be bad news if you pitch your tarp too low over the head end. Personally, I see these more as minor challenges than problems - issues well worth addressing given the benefits of hanging close to someone you enjoy being close to.
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