Night Owl vs. Lite Owl

[bradray]

What does the Night Owl give you for the extra 7 oz?

From what I can tell they are identical hammocks, except one is double 1.1 oz. ripstop and the other is 1.5 oz ripstop nylon. The respective weight limits are 300 lbs and 400 lbs.

I can understand the numbers from the website, but I'm interesting in hearing someone that has spent some time in each to explain if the thicker material makes the lay any better.

If memory serves I remember someone mentioning that they had a NO and a LO with spread bars and their NO was their favorite hammock. What is it that would make the NO preferable to the LO?

[Rolloff]

It could be the difference in stretch between weight of materials.

Could also be modified by the weight of the user.

Also personal preference might have the last call.

Just a few guesses, that run common with most hammocks and hammock models.

[flatline]

I have both (NO & LO w/spreader bar).

Leaving the spreader bar & weight out of the equation for a moment:

I personally prefer the feel of the 1.5 material to the 1.1 simply because it
gives me a slightly more firm feeling and doesn't seem to "blouse" against my face in the middle of the night. imho

My LO w/o the bar seems to support equally well. I find myself being more
cautious when entering the hammock because (to me) the softer/blouseier 1.1
makes my be double sure that I'm siting in the hammock and not just the UQ.
I'm not worried that the LO will support my weight (it handles weight easily),
but my UQ is 1.1 and my TQ is 1.1 and there is no tactile difference between the
fabrics. I do have different color UQ and hammock to help visually in low light.

Now the spreader bar:
For me, the spreader helps with the above mentioned blousing. It doesn't
change the "lay" but it does keep the hammock from laying against the face and it also elevates the opposite side of the hammock. As with a bridge, it means the tarp angle has to be wider to accommodate the additional with. It helps hold the back of the hammock up when entering, kinda like a chair back.
Also, the bar makes a convenient attachment point for the head end of my UQ and pillow etc.

I am going to have Marty add a spreader to my NO so I can see how it is with the 1.5

hope the helps...off to work now

__bob__

[Caveman]

I think most of it will depend on personal preference. I actually like the feel of the 1.1 better. They are both great hammocks. You can't go wrong with either of them.

[dragon360]

For me it was feel and stretch. Other than that, same as Caveman - both great hammocks.

[bradray]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I was thinking of you Flatline when I mentioned I remembered someone having both, I'm glad you were able to share your thoughts.

I do a fair amount of backpacking so I am leaning towards the LO, I'm a big guy at 275 lbs so I wanted to see if getting the 1.5 vs the 1.1 would end up making a huge difference. Sounds like the difference will just be a slightly different stretch.

[Kia Kaha]

I have had 3 1.1 dl hammocks including a lite Owl the I recently got (and have spent one night in) I have also had 1.7 dl. For me the 1.1 feels better and has a bit more stretch to it when I stretch out, the higher weight fabric (1.7) feels a bit stiff to me. As others have mentioned it is all about personal preference.

[flatline]

I think most of it will depend on personal preference. I actually like the feel of the 1.1 better. They are both great hammocks. You can't go wrong with either of them.

that's what i really meant to say

[hutzelbein]

I have both, too. If weight is no issue, I prefer the NO. But this is not only the case with the Owls, but with pretty much any other hammock I tried: I prefer the heavier fabrics with regards to the lay.

If I would pick one of the Owls for hiking, I would go with the LO, though. The difference in comfort is not as great that I would carry the extra weight of the NO.

[Spurr]

I have both (NO & LO w/spreader bar).

Leaving the spreader bar & weight out of the equation for a moment:

I personally prefer the feel of the 1.5 material to the 1.1 simply because it
gives me a slightly more firm feeling and doesn't seem to "blouse" against my face in the middle of the night. imho

My LO w/o the bar seems to support equally well. I find myself being more
cautious when entering the hammock because (to me) the softer/blouseier 1.1
makes my be double sure that I'm siting in the hammock and not just the UQ.
I'm not worried that the LO will support my weight (it handles weight easily),
but my UQ is 1.1 and my TQ is 1.1 and there is no tactile difference between the
fabrics. I do have different color UQ and hammock to help visually in low light.

Now the spreader bar:
For me, the spreader helps with the above mentioned blousing. It doesn't
change the "lay" but it does keep the hammock from laying against the face and it also elevates the opposite side of the hammock. As with a bridge, it means the tarp angle has to be wider to accommodate the additional with. It helps hold the back of the hammock up when entering, kinda like a chair back.
Also, the bar makes a convenient attachment point for the head end of my UQ and pillow etc.

I am going to have Marty add a spreader to my NO so I can see how it is with the 1.5

hope the helps...off to work now

__bob__

I have the WLNO as well and I like that spreader bar idea. I might have to give Marty a call as well and see what he can do for me..