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  1. #1
    Senior Member sandykayak's Avatar
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    Switchback Rocks at FL Hang

    At the risk of being branded a heretic......


    I went to the FL hang wanting to try out the Blackbird and was hoping I wasn't going to fall in lust.

    Guess what? All the reasons why I chose the Switchback over the BB turned out to be valid. I like being able to tie the net completely out of the way, like being able to have my head in either direction (and even switch around while inside), love the spreader bars that push out the net and make it seem cavernous inside.

    Only thing I don't like is that it is way too long (and, therefore has unneeded weight and volume) for a 5-footer. I'm looking at the light hiker (from same maker as Switchback) but although it says 6 oz lighter, they don't give the dimensions of the packed size. Being short, I have a smaller pack (Miniposa) and wanted something less bulky. (No problem for kayak camping).

    When I tried out the BB, I did not like the mandatory position, which also created a wall on my right side. Another thing is that the BB fabric felt more papery and less soft than the taffeta? on my SB.

    But here's the kicker....I gave demonstrations to several hangers and 3 of them (at least 2 had BBs) said they wanted to get an SB. I did a good job of show-and-tell, pointing out all the features. So, Dale, if you got an uptake in "hits" and inquiries this week, you'll know why.

    I would like more info on the Light Hiker. Anyone have one?

  2. #2
    MacEntyre's Avatar
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    Here are videos, Part 1 and Part 2, I made of the Light Hiker.

    The video needs a correction about the difference between the original Switchback and the LightHiker... the LH is just shorter, not narrower.





    I love mine! When I get in, I fall right into the best diagonal position.

    - MacEntyre
    - MacEntyre
    "We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately." - Ben Franklin
    www.MollyMacGear.com

  3. #3
    Senior Member mbiraman's Avatar
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    A bit of heresy once and a while is probably good. Finding what works for you is always a good thing.
    " The mind creates the abyss, the heart crosses it."

    “The measure of your life will not be in what you accumulate, but in what you give away.” ~Wayne Dyer

    www.birchsidecustomwoodwork.com

  4. #4
    Senior Member sandykayak's Avatar
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    Thanks for the videos (how about putting the links on your website?).

    If one wanted the extra interior space, is there a way to slip in a pair of those delightful spreader bars?

    Has anyone created some sort of extension for those zipper pulls? I'm thinking of something rigid like a soft wire.

  5. #5
    Senior Member
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    Florida Group Hanger, lusting for a Switchback... guilty
    Really comfortable, super flexible hammock. Looking closely at the lighter weight "SB Light Hiker" now.

  6. #6
    Senior Member JaxHiker's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by MacEntyre View Post
    the LH is just shorter, not narrower.
    Thanks for the vids. How much shorter is it? I know MAD said he opted for the original and I'm about the same height/weight. Would a 6-footer be too tall for it?

    I also didn't see anything for the spreader bars in the vids. Did you just opt not to use them for the demo?

  7. #7
    MacEntyre's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JaxHiker View Post
    Thanks for the vids. How much shorter is it?
    I don't know.

    Quote Originally Posted by JaxHiker View Post
    Would a 6-footer be too tall for it?
    No, it is plenty long for a 6' person.

    Quote Originally Posted by JaxHiker View Post
    I also didn't see anything for the spreader bars in the vids. Did you just opt not to use them for the demo?
    The Light Hiker doesn't have spreaders. The net was in my face because I had the non-structural ridgeline too loose.
    - MacEntyre
    "We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately." - Ben Franklin
    www.MollyMacGear.com

  8. #8
    Senior Member MAD777's Avatar
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    I asked Dale (at Tree2Tree) about the lengths. He said the Lighthiker is 8" shorter than the standard SB.

    Also, the Lighthiker does not have spreader bars on the net, it's "A" frame.
    Mike
    "Life is a Project!"

  9. #9
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    You guys are KILLING me with all this Switchback talk!
    Time to place an order...

  10. #10
    Senior Member MAD777's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Alan View Post
    You guys are KILLING me with all this Switchback talk!
    Time to place an order...
    ... and I thought you LOVED your TrekLight Double ... of course ... how could you really know for sure ... unless you ordered a Switchback and compared them!

    Sorry, I'm just trying to enable you
    Mike
    "Life is a Project!"

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