Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 24
  1. #1
    Member Macchina's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Where the double rainbows meet
    Hammock
    Warbonnet Blackbird 1.0 DL
    Tarp
    W.L. Big Daddy
    Insulation
    HG 30 Incubator
    Suspension
    Stock Blackbird
    Posts
    76

    Better for a beginner: diamond or rectangle setup?

    Hello,
    I am looking to get my first tarp to go with my first hammock . I have read through many of the post here, but want to get some specific input before I buy. If I choose to go diamond shape, I will get the Kelty Noah 9. I am leaning this way because it is only 2 stakes (which I may be able to reuse for the WBB tieouts). I don't know if this the best idea for a beginner, is there any reason to not do a diamond tarp?

    If I go rectangular, I will be going with the Chinook 12'x9'6". This will provide me with more protection and a spot to cook in the rain, but the tarp is bigger when packed and I fear I will be carrying more stuff than when I had my tent.

    Either way, I will be using the tarp for Michigan hiking late spring to early fall. I have a Warbonnet Blackbird DL 1.0. I don't know if I'll do winter with it, but which is better of my two options for winter.

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Left Coast
    Hammock
    WBBB XLC 1.1 dbl/ Traveler 1.1 dbl
    Tarp
    Toxaway & Bullfrog
    Insulation
    Incubator & Burrow
    Suspension
    Adjustable Webbing
    Posts
    2,248
    I set up in the high country last night with my AHE Shangri La and had some issues with wind robbing my heat...so your post is a fresh thought. I'd say rectangular is going to give you more options (like wind blocking). The Kelty 12X12 worked like a charm except for the storage size and I suppose weight for backpackers. Sooner or later you are going to want one of the backpacker tarps, for me the AHE Shangri La (smaller for Summer) and Toxaway (larger for cold/wet) were the choices when my tarp and synthetic insulation took almost all of my paniers.

  3. #3
    Senior Member Ramblinrev's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Milton, PA
    Hammock
    Hennessey Explorer Ultralight
    Tarp
    Hennessey Hex
    Insulation
    HH Super Shelter
    Suspension
    ring buckle
    Posts
    7,945
    Images
    101
    Like most things it is a trade off. I'm not sure one is _better_ than the other for a beginner. They are different. Different strengths and different limitations. Pays your money and takes your chances in a way.
    I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.

    "Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
    Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn

    We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series

    Important thread injector guidelines especially for Newbies

    Bobbin Tension - A Personal Viewpoint

  4. #4
    Senior Member Tendertoe's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Columbus, OH
    Hammock
    WBRR
    Tarp
    Superfly
    Insulation
    HG
    Suspension
    webbing and rings
    Posts
    1,479
    Firstly, IMHO if you want to do winter hammock camping, a tarp with doors is extremely nice (necessary???). Without doors, any frozen precipitation that falls anywhere else than straight down is blown onto you and your hammock. Even after an hour at my local park in a light flurry I observed the blowing snow accumulating on my bugnetting.

    Secondly, I have a Chinook 12x14 tarp for a group tarp for those extremely rainy times where you want to still have a group meeting spot for when the rain just won't let up.

    It packs pretty small for a huge tarp -


    I wouldn't be nervous about carrying more than the equipment you used for tenting.

    YMMV HYOH as usual. I would prefer a decent living space over a couple cubic inches in my pack or a couple ounces on my back.

    And if the pocketbook allows - you could always choose a more expensive, but lighter, less bulky tarp that would offer much more coverage than the 2 mentioned tarps.

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    143
    Images
    1
    My $0.02 worth: The Guide Gear 12x12 tarp is big, not ridiculously heavy and (with a little modification) can be hung in rectangular or diamond mode. Or A-frame. It's just a versatile piece of gear, assuming you can find one to buy. I got mine for $20 plus shipping.

  6. #6
    Member Macchina's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Where the double rainbows meet
    Hammock
    Warbonnet Blackbird 1.0 DL
    Tarp
    W.L. Big Daddy
    Insulation
    HG 30 Incubator
    Suspension
    Stock Blackbird
    Posts
    76
    Any suggestions for a nice large tarp, maybe Silnylon, for around $100? I would like something that is easy (fast) to set up and packs small. As long as I don't get wet, I'm extremely concerned about having a lot of living space under the tarp.

    Does the Kelty Noah 9 pack large? I know this is a problem to ULers with the Chinook tarps...

    P.S. Thanks Tendertoe for the pic, that makes things a little clearer for me.

  7. #7
    Senior Member cataraftgirl's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Sandy, Utah
    Hammock
    TLD/Hammeck Breezy
    Tarp
    Wilderness Logics
    Insulation
    HG/WL/pad
    Suspension
    webbing /CB
    Posts
    2,237
    I started with a Noah 9, and now have a MacCat Deluxe. I like the side coverage better with the cat cut rectangular tarp. A MacCat Standard at $95, or a deluxe at $115 would be excellent choices. Also look at the AHE or Warbonnet tarps to compare sizes and prices. All are top quality. I had doors added to my tarp by 2QZQ just in case I need to batten down the hatches.
    KJ
    Attached Images Attached Images

  8. #8
    Senior Member wisenber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Knoxville, TN
    Hammock
    Many
    Tarp
    Depends
    Insulation
    HG,JRB,Leigh,Speer
    Suspension
    disbelief
    Posts
    2,306
    Images
    11
    Quote Originally Posted by Michaelmcgo View Post
    Any suggestions for a nice large tarp, maybe Silnylon, for around $100? I would like something that is easy (fast) to set up and packs small. As long as I don't get wet, I'm extremely concerned about having a lot of living space under the tarp.

    Does the Kelty Noah 9 pack large? I know this is a problem to ULers with the Chinook tarps...

    P.S. Thanks Tendertoe for the pic, that makes things a little clearer for me.
    Heck, if you're looking at $100, just go the extra $15 and get a MacCat Deluxe. It will handle 4 seasons readily.

  9. #9
    Member jraffini's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Anderson, SC
    Hammock
    DIY/Hammock Bliss/GT UL
    Tarp
    wilderness logics
    Insulation
    diy uq
    Suspension
    whoopie
    Posts
    98
    Images
    6
    You can also check out wilderness logics for some great tarps. I've got the big daddy. There's been a growing number of folks here getting them and everybody seems to be very happy so far. You can check out my post here for pics of mine. I find that having a bunch of options, while confusing at times, tends to really make me feel like I've made the right decision when it's all said and done. Good luck!

  10. #10
    Senior Member NewtonGT's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Piedmont, SC
    Hammock
    All Hennessy,All Day
    Tarp
    GG12x12,WL OMW
    Insulation
    SuperShelter
    Suspension
    Garda Hitch
    Posts
    1,361
    Images
    3
    you can also do this for 90 or with pullouts for 105.

    http://wildernesslogics.com/Big-Daddy-Big-Daddy.htm

    great tarp
    Dale Gribble: I'm thinking, "new hammock." For me, laying and swaying in a hammock is like a steady morphine drip without the risk of renal failure.

    Randy : yea but just remember yer roots and where ya come from....you got Hennessy in yer blood son......

  • + New Posts
  • Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

    Similar Threads

    1. Warbonnet Asym-Diamond tarp setup help
      By nataPOtata in forum Weather Protection
      Replies: 8
      Last Post: 06-01-2012, 22:05
    2. Cat cut or rectangle?
      By Brian in so cal in forum Weather Protection
      Replies: 4
      Last Post: 09-12-2010, 15:30
    3. Beginner setup, for a new hanger
      By theerb in forum General Hammock Talk
      Replies: 12
      Last Post: 03-08-2010, 21:37
    4. WTB - beginner setup
      By thecrumb in forum Archived WTB
      Replies: 14
      Last Post: 07-28-2008, 10:45

    Tags for this Thread

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •