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  1. #11
    New Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Eagle River, AK
    Hammock
    Blackbird 1.7 DL
    Tarp
    Kelty Noah's 9X9
    Insulation
    Wiggy's UQ & SB
    Suspension
    straps, PL on RL
    Posts
    24
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    7

    Pure luxury!

    Tested the poor man's polar pod last night. It just seemed logical to me that the pod must be the most effective hammock insulation overall, although not minimalist.

    - temp 18F all night, no wind, snowed 1-2 inches during night.
    - blackbird 1.7 DL hammock with second ridge line for suspending UQs.
    - shelf and entry side pullouts not staked
    - no tarp
    - wiggy's 20 degree UQ 42X 82, wiggy's 20 degree mummy bag
    - mil spec poncho liner and wiggy's PL (twice as thick as mil PL) draped over
    the hammock and tied at each end, covered nearly end to end
    - hung for two hours, underside slightly cool but I could have slept (barely)
    - air temp inside pod was 58F!!
    - air was cooler above head and at end where had 12 inch long cone
    shaped gap of exposed hammock netting and nylon had no UQ. This was
    also the large area of dead air space due to the high right sidewall of the
    BB design. This acted as a chimney, with warm air and condensation
    escaping together. Snow all over topside and sneaking down into
    crevasses between UQs but no condensation inside pod whatsoever.
    Some dampness at ends from melting snow but none near me.

    - added another 20 degree wiggy UQ to spend the night. This one wider, 54
    inches foot end, 62 inches head end and 80 inches long. More coverage up
    the sides of the pod now. Slept warm all night.
    - air temp in pod 58 F again!! extra UQ made no difference. Hmmm...
    - minor annoyance was netting being pushed down onto my face on left
    side by droopy PL weight. Pulled side of hood up along there to fix.

    This is pure luxury, a 58 degree climate controlled room with the i-pod in the shelf. I am sure that a full coverage polar pod with no exposed areas except a small blowhole would be even warmer. I could probably have been fine in my 35 degree bag or less, but the chunky footbox on my 20F bag is good to have.

    I'm convinced that polar pod would work well on BB. My circumference including hammock, UQ and PL at largest point was 85 inches as measured by teenage son with my 235 lb body in hammock. PP is 90 inches around so room to spare. would need to decide where to leave blowhole, side or top. Not sure if the polar pod could be used on a simple gathered end hammock due to sag underneath, although I guess it could be suspended from a second ridgeline to fit well underneath. For most temps it would need very little bag or TQ inside, whatever gets you to 58f plus maybe a little extra around and underneath you.

    I haven't bought a down item in 30 years, but I want a Polar pod. Maybe with a little overstuff.

    16 lbs of synthetic insulation that will compress down into a small closet did the job last night so I'll have a spare for son.

  2. #12
    Senior Member BillyBob58's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Tupelo, MS
    Posts
    11,108
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    489
    I think it will fit to spare also. It should give you ~ 50F worth of protection- by itself- on bottom. On top will depend on amount of gap, but I'm thinking there won't be much gap. Then there should be room to add plenty and handle serious temps.

    Any way, if/when you get one, you will be the first to tell us how it works for you! Looking forward to the report!

  3. #13
    Senior Member Darby's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Elizabeth City, North Carolina
    Hammock
    Switchback 1.9DL
    Tarp
    10x12 TTTG CatCut
    Insulation
    PolarPod
    Suspension
    TTTG Ring Buckle
    Posts
    655
    Images
    31
    Smithobx & myself just returned from Mt Rogers. What a great time ! We were both using PolarPods & Top Blankets. We also had a LightHiker Bedroll each. Thursday night we had single digit temps with high winds all night(gusts to 60 mph according to Park Police). Friday night we again had single digits with little wind & a light dusting. Saturday night, single digits with some sporadic gusting. From what I gather, the wind chill on Thursday & Saturday was in the negative teens at times. We could not use the Bedroll, it was simply too much. One thing we both did though is shift some down in the bottom to increase the loft under our bodies. The Top Blanket took up all the gap on top(the PolarPod was laying on it). It was toasty goodness. Conclusion: The 20 degree rating is conservative.

    Cheers, Dale
    Beer won't solve problems, but then again, neither will milk !
    Designer of the Switchback Hammock
    Tree to Tree Trail Gear:http://tttrailgear.com

  4. #14
    New Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Eagle River, AK
    Hammock
    Blackbird 1.7 DL
    Tarp
    Kelty Noah's 9X9
    Insulation
    Wiggy's UQ & SB
    Suspension
    straps, PL on RL
    Posts
    24
    Images
    7

    More tweaking

    I covered most of the remaining exposed fabric and netting at the ends of the hammock and snugged the 2 UQ's better and slept comfy at 9F last night. 67 degrees inside the pod.

  5. #15
    Senior Member BlazeAway's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Denmark
    Hammock
    WB Traveler
    Tarp
    WB tarps
    Insulation
    HG Down, PolarPod
    Suspension
    Whoopie Slings
    Posts
    1,206
    Images
    113
    Why use the Speer PolarPod with a netted hammock if the net is not going to be used?

    I have had the Speer PolarPod with 6 oz. overfill for 3 days now and it is simply magnificent.

    I use it on Warbonnets Traveler which it fits like hand in glove.
    Should circumstance demand it, there is room for a Hammock Gear Winter Incubator in-between the Pod and the Traveler.
    At the same time you can have a Hammock Gear Winter Burrow on top of you inside a Exped Dremwalker 650 L sleeping bag. All of this inside the Speer PolarPod while laying comfortably on the diagonal.

    I am at the moment suffering from the last of a bad flue, but on the 1. of March I will be going out with some friends for a hang and will report back.

    And by the way, the Traveler is now my preferred hammock.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by BlazeAway; 02-19-2011 at 13:57.

  6. #16
    Senior Member BillyBob58's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Tupelo, MS
    Posts
    11,108
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    489
    Loving the PolarPod reports! I knew it would be great!

    OK now, here is the thing: the giant Polar Pod weighs 48.5 oz, right? What would be the weight of 2 LONG 25*F rated quilts, about 46 oz, right? Plus need to add a few oz for a hood? With a lot of hammocks, not just a Claytor No Net, I bet the pod will lay down right in contact with your body, so I bet you can get below 30 on top easy with just the Polar Pod with nothing or just some warm clothing to fill any gaps. But with all that room to stretch out in the hammock without having the TQ come off, and all that room to add plenty more insulation- top and bottom- if needed.

    Very interesting product!

  7. #17
    Senior Member MedicineMan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Roan Mountain,TN
    Hammock
    Traveler with HNO AirShip
    Tarp
    HNO AirShip
    Insulation
    Leiglo 5/50
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    Everything Dutch
    Posts
    5,611
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    76
    bottom line is that the pod is back! If I know the temps are going to be below 20F I'm podding it.

  8. #18
    New Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Eagle River, AK
    Hammock
    Blackbird 1.7 DL
    Tarp
    Kelty Noah's 9X9
    Insulation
    Wiggy's UQ & SB
    Suspension
    straps, PL on RL
    Posts
    24
    Images
    7
    Blaze, that setup looks awesome. Maybe add a down UQ and you could go really low. A polar pod will be mine eventually. I've been thinking about getting a traveler but wanted to be able to use a pod on my BB...my only hammock right now.

  9. #19
    Senior Member BlazeAway's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Denmark
    Hammock
    WB Traveler
    Tarp
    WB tarps
    Insulation
    HG Down, PolarPod
    Suspension
    Whoopie Slings
    Posts
    1,206
    Images
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    Quote Originally Posted by yakr4 View Post
    Blaze, that setup looks awesome.
    It is, it is. Think it is close to optimal.

    Quote Originally Posted by yakr4 View Post
    Maybe add a down UQ and you could go really low.
    If you look close you will see that an UQ already has been added.

    The setup is:

    Pod
    UQ
    TQ
    Sleeping bag

    + the clothes I wear at camp.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  10. #20
    Senior Member RKP's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Across from the Penobscot Narrows Bridge
    Hammock
    WBBB DL 1.0 / WBRR DL
    Tarp
    OMW/WBCB
    Insulation
    BurrowIncubPhoenix
    Suspension
    stock webbing
    Posts
    147
    With all that down you probably could do 20 belowF no problem. I love your setup. Not sure I could get out of the hammock in the am though. On the wish list. Thanks for the pics.

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