Articles (2020)

Overview

The Speer Hammocks Frog Sac is a well-constructed PrimaLoft insulated sleeping bag rated to 45 °F (7 °C). The most notable features of the Frog Sac are the full-length center zipper, foot opening, semi-rectangular outline, and locking toggles at the foot and neck openings. These all combine to allow the Frog Sac to be used in various ways. The bag can be fully or partially opened and used as a quilt. You can wear it as extra insulation in camp. While wearing it, you can open the bottom and unzip the zipper from the bottom to create as much room as you need to walk around or to get up from a sleeping pad or in/out of a hammock. For any camp chores you must unzip the front of the bag to free your arms and hands, letting in cold air. At the bag’s 45 °F (7 °C) rating, the Frog Sac is warm enough as a camp robe as it is designed, but arm openings would be a nice option and make it useful as in-camp insulation below the bag’s rating.

At 1 pound 11.5 ounces (780 g), the Frog Sac is not among the lightest summer weight synthetic insulation sleeping bags and quilts, but its versatility over a simple bag or quilt may make the extra ounces worth it for users interested in a bag they can also wear in camp for insulation.

In Brief

• PrimaLoft insulated
• Full-length center zipper
• Drawcord foot box closure
• Shaped shoulders
• Minimal hood
• Locking toggles at the foot and neck openings

Specifications

Manufacturer	Speer Hammocks, Inc.
Model	Frog Sac
Type	Semi-rectangular, full front zip with drawstring foot and neck closures
Sizes Size medium tested	Medium, length 6’10” (208 cm) measured, 7′ (213 cm) claimed. Large, length 7’6″ (229 cm) claimed.
Girth	Size Manufacturer Specification shoulder/hip/foot in (cm) Backpacking Light Measurement shoulder/hip/foot in (cm) Medium 60.5/-/- (154/-/-) 60.5/60.5/40.0 (154/154/102) Large 64.5/-/- (164/-/-) –
Weight	Backpacking Light measured 1 lb 11.5 oz (780 g), size Medium; Manufacturer claims 1 lb 10 oz (737 g) for size Medium, 1 lb 14 oz (850 g) for size Large. Stuff sack adds 0.8 oz (23 g).
Fill Type	Synthetic, PrimaLoft
Loft	Backpacking Light measured single layer loft 0.5″ (1.3 cm)
Manufacturer’s Rating	45 °F (7 °C), 50 °F (10 °C) for a cold sleeper
Outer and Liner Material	Outer is ripstop nylon with breathable DWR coating 1.1 oz/yd2 (37.7 g/m2); Liner is ripstop nylon 1.1 oz/yd2 (37.7 g/m2)
Hood	Yes
Zipper	Full-length front zipper with two sliders
Features	Insulated zipper draft tube, tailored shoulders, contoured hood with drawstrings, bottom foot opening with drawstrings, locking barrel toggles on drawstrings
Model Year	2004
MSRP	$99 medium, $109 large

Features

The Frog Sac has PrimaLoft fill and 1.1 oz/yd² (37.7 g/m²) ripstop nylon for the outer and inner shells. The outer shell has a DWR treatment. The top and bottom layers of the bag are each approximately 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) thick when fluffed up. The fabric is very comfortable against the skin, and the bag drapes closely on the body rather than having a stiff feel. The front and back sides have four horizontal sewn-through baffles spaced 17 inches (43 cm) apart. The corners of the squares on the back of the bag formed by the single vertical baffle and the horizontal baffles are not sewn through to reduce heat loss in those areas.

The Frog Sac is closely cut at the shoulders with a 60.5 inch (153.7 cm) girth. The girth of the bag remains the same until it begins to narrow just above the knees – still allowing plenty of room for your knees to maneuver in the bag. The shoulders of the Frog Sac are shaped rather than tapered as in a mummy bag. They are designed to help keep the bag on your shoulders while you are wearing it.

Wearing the hood holds the bag up when using the Frog Sac as a robe. The unshaped hood is formed by sewing the top and bottom layers of the bag together in an envelope style with the seam on the outside. It is very minimal, yet adequate for a summer weight bag. There are no extra pieces in the hood to form it into a “head” shape. When sitting or standing, the front edge of the hood rests uncomfortably a couple of inches forward of the crown, rather than on your forehead. The hood stays in place when wearing the bag as a robe or sleeping in it and turning side to side.

The Frog Sac has a full-length YKK #5 center zipper with two, two-way sliders. Anti-snag tape covers the insulated zipper baffle. Both the foot and neck openings have draw cords with toggles that can be snapped together. The locking barrel toggles can be used to secure the bag when wearing it as a robe. The top toggles allow you to fasten the bag on your shoulders so it doesn’t fall down when you are wearing it without the hood. The bottom of the bag can be flipped up (or under) and held in place at your waist with the bottom toggles so you can move about camp. The toggles and zippers are easily adjusted with gloves on.

The Frog Sac can be rolled and folded to fit into its stuff sack or simply stuffed. It is a close fit but it is not overly difficult to stuff the bag. The stuff sack has two draw cords 1.25 inches (3.2 cm) apart. The inner draw cord is intended to help stuff the bag into the stuff sack, but instead hinders stuffing by tangling with the outer draw cord.

The Frog Sac weighs 1 pound 11.5 ounces (780 g). There are several synthetic bags and quilts rated the same or colder that weigh less (e.g. Fanatic Fringe quilts, The North Face Propel bag). The Frog Sac is not the lightest synthetic summer weight sleeping option, but its suite of features are matched only by Integral Designs PrimaLoft Poncho Liner (Prima Blanket) which is of comparable weight.

Performance

The Frog Sac was tested in a range of conditions in Arizona and Washington state: 75 °F (24 °C) to 38 °F (3 °C), high gusting winds and still air, dry air and humid air, on the ground and in a hammock.

The Frog Sac creates a cozy environment with its PrimaLoft insulation and lightweight ripstop nylon shell, along with the insulated zipper baffle that helps block wind and hold warmth in. The outer shell has a DWR treatment that keeps spray and surface condensation from soaking into the insulation.

The torso is cut wider than some ultralight mummy bags (60.5 in/154 cm girth) with enough room for a person of medium build to wear a lightweight insulating top inside the Frog Sac. The semi-rectangular cut leaves plenty of room for your knees, and your feet won’t get claustrophobic with the 40 inch (102 cm) foot girth and option to open the bottom of the bag. Speer Hammocks claims the bag is suitable for someone up to 6 feet (183 cm) tall and that is accurate. I’d recommend that if you are 6′ 1″ (185 cm) tall, you opt for the large model.

I had complaints about the hood when sitting, but it did its job while I was sleeping. It stayed on my head as I turned from side to side. I was able to fit a fleece hat on my medium to large head under the hood. Although the hood is minimal, it is adequate at the bag’s temperature rating. The whole bag was comfortable to toss and turn in; the hood stayed in place on my head, and the bag fit closely enough that the center zipper stayed in the center. The bag has the soft comfortable feel of an old blanket.

The full-length zipper is the right weight for the job. It operated smoothly for the most part (I had difficulty aligning the zippers to reconnect the two halves of the bag after having it laid out flat on two occasions). Anti-snag tape covers the insulated zipper baffle and with care, allows snag free zipping.

The Frog Sac can be turned into a roomy 5 foot (152 cm) by 6 feet 10 inch (208 cm) top blanket. A foot pocket can be formed by partially closing the full-length zipper if desired. The center zip puts the hood at your face when using the Frog Sac as a quilt, but the hood is small enough that it doesn’t get in the way. The shaped shoulders hook the blanket onto your shoulders when you are on your back so that the bag stays tucked under your chin.

The Frog Sac can be used as an insulation layer in camp, but you’ll have to unzip the bag nearly to your waist if you are using your hands. Cold air comes in, but near the rated temperatures, supplementing the Frog Sac with a light insulating top is enough to keep me warm. Wearing the hood keeps the Frog Sac from slipping down, or when not wearing the hood you can use the locking toggles to secure the bag around your neck. When wearing the hood, the shoulders of the Frog Sac rest about half a foot (15 cm) above your shoulders so your head supports a lot of the weight of the bag. Since the hood is an envelope shape rather than conforming to your head, the weight on your head is concentrated on the front seam of the hood, which can be uncomfortable.

The Frog Sac’s bottom closes with draw cords and toggles. Sitting in camp, the zipper can be fully zipped with just the bottom open for your feet. It is surprisingly warm encased in this barely 0.5-inch (1.3 cm) single layer loft bag. To change to sitting cross-legged, or to make legroom for standing up and walking around camp, the bottom can be partially unzipped. The bottom edge of the Frog Sac can be turned up and secured around the waist with the locking toggles so that you can even set up or take down camp while keeping warm in the Frog Sac. The full-length zipper that opens from the bottom and locking toggles are the strength of the Frog Sac. These features allow you to easily go from standing to sitting, from laying on the ground, to up and walking around and it is a warm luxury to be able to get in and out of a hammock still carrying your built up warmth around you. Midnight calls of nature can be accomplished still partially encased in your warm bag although armholes in the bag would make this skill much easier to master.

Missing from this review (and for all sleeping bag reviews published here, for that matter) will be an assessment of whether or not the sleeping bag performs adequately at temperatures near its manufacturer-reported temperature rating. Click here for the complete Backpacking Light Position Statement on Sleeping Bag Temperature Ratings.

Durability

The Frog Sac is durable enough for normal use. Stitching is evenly spaced and straight; the seams are not likely to start opening. The outer shell fabric is prone to runs although this does not affect function. The zipper is the right size for the job. A smaller zipper would save weight but might not be up to the stress put on the zipper when wearing the bag around camp. I dragged the bottom of the Frog Sac around when walking and sitting on the ground in camp; it shows no signs of wear.

Value

The Frog Sac is a carefully built bag with appropriate materials and techniques used in construction. The size medium Frog Sac retails for $99. This price is comparable to other summer weight synthetic bags. The Frog Sac does its job as a sleeping bag, and offers many extra options for use with its full-length center zipper and bottom opening which add value.

Recommendations for Improvement

• My number one recommended change is to add another section to the hood so it fits the head better and distributes the weight of the bag (when wearing it as a robe) over a larger percentage of the head for more comfort.
• Armholes would make it much easier to wear the bag while using your hands such as when cooking or setting up camp.
• Remove the second draw cord on the stuff sack, it just gets in the way and you’d save 0.1 ounces (3 g).

Introduction

The Six Moon Designs Comet backpack is a close cousin to the Six Moon Designs Starlite, which is one of our top rated backpacks. The Comet has optional aluminum stays like the Starlite, but in contrast, is a little smaller and the pad pocket is internal to the pack bag rather than external. We were amazed by the load carrying capacity of the Starlite when we tested it without stays. Does the Comet continue to amaze, or do the design changes let us down?

What’s Good

• Pack volume is just right for lightweight backpacking
• Removable stays allow a wide range of applications
• Stays are easily contoured for a custom fit
• Adjustable torso length
• Adjustable/removable hipbelt
• Large mesh outside pockets
• Comfortably carries a heavy load

What’s Not So Good

• Velcro dry bag closure is cumbersome and snags on clothing
• Side mesh pockets are too tight, making it hard to reach items in the bottom
• Sewing quality could be improved

Specifications

Backpack	2005 Six Moon Designs Comet
Style	Internal frame or frameless, top loading, dry bag closure with top strap
Volume	One size 3700 ci (61 L): 2600 ci main compartment + 450 ci extension collar + 250 ci front pocket + 400 ci side pockets (43 L + 7 L + 4 L + 7 L)
Weight	27.1 oz (768 g) measured weight with stays; manufacturer’s specification 27 oz (765 g); 22.3 oz (632 g) measured weight without stays, manufacturer’s specification 22 oz (624 g)
Fabrics	Pack body is 70d silicone nylon, backpanel and bottom are 420d pack cloth, extension collar is 30d silicone nylon
Features	Removable (optional) aluminum stays, internal sleeping pad pocket, internal security pocket, extension collar, 3 large outside mesh pockets, 4 compression straps, 2 hydration ports, dry bag top closure, adjustable torso length, removable hip belt, lumbar pad, load lifter straps, sternum strap, 2 ice axe loops
Volume To Weight Ratio	137 ci/oz with stays (based on 3700 ci and a measured weight of 27.1 oz); 166 ci/oz without stays (based on 3700 ci and a measured weight of 22.3 oz
Comfortable Load Carrying Capacity	35 lb (15.9 kg) estimated, with stays; 25 lb (11.34 kg) estimated, without stays
Carry Load to Pack Weight Ratio	21 with stays (based on 35 lb and a measured weight of 1.69 lb); 18 without stays (based on 25 lb and a measured weight of 1.39 lb)
MSRP	$170, $180 with stays

Performance

The Six Moon Designs Comet backpack embodies several new design innovations and upgrades beyond the Starlite, which was top-rated by Backpacking Light in 2004 (Six Moon Designs Starlite Backpack Review). The main differences are: the volume is smaller (3700 cubic inches versus 4050), the sleeping pad pocket has been moved to the inside, center-mounted shoulder straps, adjustable shoulder strap and hipbelt positions, adjustable hipbelt angle, side compression straps, and larger outside mesh pockets.

Like the 2005 Starlite, the Comet is available with optional removable 0.5-inch x 24-inch 6061 aluminum stays ($10), allowing it to be used either as an internal frame or frameless pack. The stays easily slip into two webbing sleeves that run the full height of the pack, and anchor directly under the load lifter straps. With my wife’s help, we bent the stays on the edge of a counter to fit the contour of my back, which combined with the shoulder strap and hipbelt adjustments, allowed us to dial in a perfect fit. (Tip: when you insert the stays, be sure to slip the top of each stay into its hold-down pocket. The opening is at the edge of the Velcro on the lift tab.)

The Comet’s sleeping pad pocket has been moved to the inside, which clears the backpanel to allow the incorporation of new innovations. The shoulder straps are center-mounted, which makes the pack easy to adjust for torso length. The vertical position of both the shoulder straps and hipbelt are adjustable, allowing one pack to adjust to torsos between 15 and 20 inches. The hipbelt design allows an angle adjustment, or complete removal. There is also a lumbar pad cushioned with 0.5-inch foam and covered with a slide-resistant fabric.

The interior sleeping pad pocket looks like a hydration sleeve with a Velcro fastening tab. It is made of silnylon and accommodates most three-quarter length sleeping pads. Since the pack’s backpanel is not padded, it is best to insert a pad to cushion your back. When using the pack without stays, inserting a stiff closed cell foam pad in the pocket creates a “virtual frame” to transfer some weight to the hips. An 8-inch by 3-inch silnylon security pocket with a Velcro closure is also inside the packbag.

The Comet’s main compartment provides plenty of room for gear and food for a lightweight multi-day trip. An ultralight through-hiker can easily carry gear plus 10 days of food with this pack (with stays in). I had no trouble inserting a 9-inch x 10-inch bear canister. A 12-inch high extension collar provides the extra room that is often needed at the beginning of a trip.

Mesh pockets cover most of the outside of the pack. The two side pockets are 20 inches deep, nearly full height. The three outside pockets hold a tremendous amount of gear. One nitpick is that the pockets are not bellowed enough (especially the side pockets), so they are tight when the pack and pockets are filled with gear, making it hard to reach items in the bottom.

The Comet has a dry bag closure at the top, which consists of a full width Velcro strip that seals the main compartment plus a small side release buckle. There are two grosgrain loops to pull the Velcro apart. This arrangement helps make the Comet shower-proof (except the outside pockets), but the Velcro catches on clothing and the closure system is cumbersome. I would prefer a simple drawcord closure. A top compression strap works well to secure the rolled down top of the pack.

One complaint we had about the Starlite was the absence of compression straps to adjust for smaller loads. The Comet comes through with three compression straps on the front that effectively control volume and secure smaller loads. I easily collapsed the pack down to daypack size to carry clothing and food for a day hike from camp.

To determine the Comet’s comfortable load-carrying capacity I assessed the pack’s structural load capacity and suspension comfort with and without the stays (see related article on Quantitative Analysis of Backpack Suspension Performance by Ryan Jordan). With the stays in, I tested the Comet with loads up to 50 pounds and found no pack torso collapse. That result was not unexpected since the shoulder straps and hipbelt are connected directly to the stays. I subjectively evaluated suspension comfort by carrying the Comet pack on five backpacking trips with loads ranging from 24 to 28 pounds. From my testing and field experience, I assessed the Comet’s comfortable load carrying capacity (with stays in) to be 35 pounds. For a stronger person, this pack may carry more, but I would be concerned about fabric ripping out.

Without the stays, I was able to load the Comet up to 25 pounds (with a stiff RidgeRest sleeping pad in the pad pocket) before pack torso collapse occurred. It also was quite comfortable to carry with that weight. My assessment of its comfortable load carrying capacity without stays is 25 pounds (20 pounds with an inflatable sleeping pad or thin foam pad).

The Comet’s comfortable load carrying capacity, with or without stays, is remarkable. With stays in, its carry load to pack weight ratio of 21 is one of the highest we have tested to date (the Gossamer Gear Mariposa is highest with a ratio of 28). The ratio for the frameless configuration (18) is also very good (the Six Moon Designs Starlite has a ratio of 22). If your pack weight is typically less than 20 pounds, and you rarely carry more than 25 pounds, consider getting the Comet without the optional stays. However, if you’re a lightweight backpacker, with loads typically 20-30 pounds, the stays make for a very comfortable carry and add only 4.8 ounces to the weight of the pack.

The Comet uses lightweight fabrics where possible and more durable fabrics in wear areas. I expect its durability with respect to fabric to be very good, but the quality of the sewing could be improved. I found several examples of inaccurate stitching and seams coming apart. On several occasions (including my load capacity tests) I heard threads pop, which gives me concern about the pack’s reinforcements.

Overall, the Comet backpack has a lot of features to like. It is right-sized for lightweight backpacking, or carrying many days of food on a through hike. I especially like the voluminous outside mesh pockets that allow you to keep many items handy. The (optional) aluminum stays really expand the pack’s versatility. It’s also a very good value at $170 without stays, $180 with stays.

What’s Unique

With its removable stays, the Comet is one pack that can meet most of your needs. It is one of the most versatile lightweight backpacks around, and will comfortably carry a sizeable load.

Recommendations for Improvement

For a new pack design, the Comet has very few bugs to work out. I suggest that the outside mesh pockets be bellowed more to make it easier to reach items in the bottom. Another recommendation is to increase the quality and strength of the stitching throughout the pack, and use more bar tack reinforcements in stress areas.

Overview

The Speer 8.0 A hammock (for people up to 6′ and 250 pounds) is a model of simplicity and smart design. There are no seams to wear out in the hammock body. The hanging straps are 11+ feet long, 1-inch wide polypropylene webbing, so separate tree hugger straps are not needed. The rain canopy (8′ by 10′ silnylon) provides plenty of insurance when you are expecting stormy conditions and can easily be replaced with something lighter when clear weather is predicted. The bug netting can be left at home to save a little weight (bug net and bug net support line weigh 3.9 oz) if it is not bug season. The complete package of hammock, rain canopy, and bug netting weighs 2 pounds 3.1 ounces (1.0 kg).

The hammock is quite wide at 4 feet 10 inches (147 cm). The hammock and hanging straps weigh 16.5 ounces (468 g). We’d like to see Speer offer a narrower, lighter weight hammock.

The Speer hammock should satisfy those who want plenty of rain protection (or want the option of replacing the Speer rain canopy with a lighter one of their own choosing), prefer a top entry hammock, and sometimes leave the bug netting at home.

Speer Hammocks has an extensive website with loads of tips for hammock campers including grids on what gear to add to stay warm. They also offer the hammock in sizes to accommodate larger and/or taller users, and even offer kits for people who want the satisfaction of building their own hammock.

Speer Hammocks makes the down filled PeaPod and Top Blanket to insulate their hammocks.

In Brief

• Simple design with few wear points
• Top entry
• Bug netting can be left at home
• Generous sized canopy
• Canopy anchors to trees so doesn’t sag when the hammock is occupied
• Light weight – complete 8.0 A hammock weighs 2 pounds 3.1 ounces
• Excellent camp chair

Specifications

Manufacturer	Speer Hammocks
Model	Speer 8.0 A
Type	Top entry with removable bug netting and separate rain canopy
Sizes 8.0 A tested	Size/Model User Maximum Height User Maximum Weight Manufacturer claimed weight Backpacking Light measured weight 8.0 A 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) 250 lb (113 kg) 2 lb 0 oz (0.91 kg)* 2 lb 3.1 oz (1.00 kg) 8.0 C 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) 350 lb (159 kg) 2 lb 13 oz (1.27 kg) – 8.5 A 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) 250 lb (113 kg) 2 lb 3 oz (1.00 kg) – 8.5 C 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) 350 lb (159 kg) 2 lb 14 oz (1.32 kg) –
Weight 8.0 A	Full package as supplied Hammock and hanging straps, bug net and bug net support line, rain canopy and guylines, carry sack Manufacturer Minimum Hammock and hanging straps, bug net and bug net support line, rain canopy and guylines, NO carry sack 4 stakes, 0.25 oz (7 g) titanium 60 ft (18.3 m) guyline Backpacking Light Minimum Same as Manufacturer Minimum but with 0.004 oz/ft (0.004 g/m) Aircore 1 Spectra guylines 4 stakes, 60 ft (18.3 m) guyline Backpacking light Measured 2 lb 3.1 oz (1.0 kg) 2 lb 3.4 oz (1.09 kg) 2 lb 2.6 oz (0.98 kg) Manufacturer claim 2 lb 0 oz (0.91 kg) — —
Weight Components 8.0 A	Component Backpacking Light Weight oz (g) Speer 8.0 A hammock with hanging straps 16.5 (468) Bug net 3.4 (96) Bug net support line 0.5 (14) Rain canopy with provided guylines 14.0 (397) Carry sack 0.7 (20) TOTAL 35.1 (995)
Hammock Size	Inside length 8′ 2″ (249 cm), width 4′ 10″ (147 cm), manufacturer claims suitable for someone up to 6 ft (183 cm) tall, we concur
Hammock Hanging Straps	11′ 4″ (345 cm) long, 1″ (2.5 cm) wide polypropylene low-memory stretch, 700 lb (318 kg) tensile strength – 24 ft weighs 5 oz (7.3 m weighs 142 g)
Bug Netting	Rectangular black polyester no-see-um mesh, 22″ by 8′ 10″ (56 x 269 cm) with Velcro hook strip sewn around entire perimeter. Netting suspension: 1/16” (1.6 mm) Spectra core nylon sheathed ridge line with short section of shock cord with a plastic clip at one end of the line
Rain Canopy Size	8′ 1″ x 10′ 1″ (2.46 x 3.07 m) measured, manufacturer claims 8′ x 10′ (2.44 x 3.05 m), 1.1 oz/yd2 (37 g/m2) silynylon
Rain Canopy Guylines	Six included, 9′ 7″ (2.92 m) long, 1/16” (1.6 mm) Spectra core with nylon sheath, 275 lb (125 kg) breaking strength – 100 ft weighs 1.8 oz (30.5 m weighs 51 g)
Rain Canopy Tie Outs	Ten tie outs, reinforced with a second layer of silnylon fabric and extra stitching, two grommets at center of short ends of tarp, four grosgrain ribbon tie outs at four corners and four grosgrain ribbon tie outs 30″ (cm) inward of the corners along the long sides of the tarp
Fabric Description	Speer 8.0 A hammock: 1.9 oz/yd2 (65 g/m2) ripstop nylon with DWR finish, rain canopy 1.1 oz/yd2 (37 g/m2) silicone coated ripstop nylon. Model C uses 3-4 oz/yd2 (102-136 g/m2) nylon fabric.
Model Year	2004
MSRP	Speer Hammock MSRP for assembled hammock MSRP for kit to construct your own MSRP for kit without canopy 8.0 A $199 $99 $64 8.0 C $249 $124 $89 8.5 A $224 $112 $77 8.5 C $274 $137 $102

Features

Ease of setup

The Speer Hammock is very simple to set up. Wrap a 1-inch (2.5 cm) wide webbing strap around one tree (and itself as described on the Speer website) and do the same with the strap at the other end of the hammock. The straps are attached to the hammock, so there’s no chance of misplacing them or need to carry separate “tree-hugger” straps. The straps are long at just over 11 feet (3.4 m), and strong enough that you only need to wrap them around a tree once, which gives more options in tree selection.

Pitching the 8 foot by 10 foot (2.4 x 3.1 m) tarp is straightforward. Tie the guylines from the center of the two short sides of the tarp to the same trees as the hammock has been tied to, then stake out the four guylines attached to the corners of the tarp. The guylines are 1/16” (1.6 mm) Spectra core, nylon sheathed cord that is easy to work with; it holds knots like the tautline hitch and is less likely to tangle than 100% Spectra cord that I’ve worked with. In foul weather, the tarp can be set up first to provide some shelter.

Usable Features

The Speer Hammock is based on simplicity and has few parts. The hammock is a rectangle of fabric tied at the ends, each webbing hanging strap is sewn to itself in a loop and held in place by the fabric knot. The rain canopy is a silnylon rectangle, the bug netting is a rectangle of no-see-um netting with hook Velcro strips sewn to the edges, and a detachable ridgeline keeps the bug netting off your face. That’s it. The construction is also fairly simple which those who purchase a kit to make their own hammock set up will appreciate.

Although the design appears simple, it is well thought out. All the parts work well together, it’s easy to set up, and it’s easy to make weight saving choices like leaving the bug net at home or substituting a lighter tarp for a fair weather trip. Strips of Velcro (the loop side) for bug net attachment are sewn to both outside edges of the hammock so that you are less likely to get scratched entering and exiting the hammock. When using the bug netting, open the Velcro where needed to enter or exit the hammock.

Both hanging straps have D-rings to attach the bug net support cord to. The support cord is the same Spectra core material as the guylines with a length of thin shock cord and plastic clip tied to the end so that it is easy to attach and adjusts automatically to different hammock hangs.

The rain canopy has a center seam dividing the long sides in two which is factory coated to make it waterproof. Tie outs at each end of the rain canopy have grommets that can be used for hiking pole tips when pitching the hammock on the ground.

Speer provides an attractive blue silnlyon stuff sack with a light webbing handle along with the hammock. Everything (hammock, tarp, and bug netting) fits into it nicely.

Options

The Speer Hammock is available in sizes to fit people up to 6’5″ (2.35 m) tall and 350 pounds (159 kg). See the Specifications above for a detailed chart. Each of the four sizes is also available as a kit with all the materials (even the thread) provided for do-it-yourselfers.

Options available from Speer include various items to help you stay warm. Closed cell foam pads of different sizes and thicknesses are available as well as the down Pea Pod (completely encloses the hammock so loft is not reduced by body weight) and Top Blanket (which the hammocker can use on top as a quilt or inside the Pea Pod and under the hammock for bottom insulation).

Weight / Sizing

The Speer 8.0 A hammock weighs 16.5 ounces (468 g) as measured without the bug netting and tarp. It was comfortable for my 5 feet 10 inch (178 cm) frame and has a couple of inches to spare so that someone 6 feet (183 cm) tall will fit as Speer specifies. The sides of the hammock come up very high so there is no danger of rolling out. Some weight could be saved with a narrower cut and probably not impact hammock function to any great extent.

The tarp provided with the Speer Hammock is made of lightweight materials (1.1 oz/yd² (37 g/m²) silynylon and 1/16” (1.6 mm) spectra core guylines) but is larger than most lightweight hammock canopies at 8′ by 10′ (2.4 x 3.1 m). The end user could substitute a tarp of lighter material, such as spinnaker fabric, or with smaller dimensions (at the expense of rain coverage) to save weight.

Flexibility of Pitching / Versatility

The flat 8 by 10 foot (2.4 x 3.1 m) rain canopy is easily pitched in various configurations. It can be pitched high enough to stand up beneath it, or with the sides nearly to the ground. The tarp has tie outs at the four corners, the centers of the short sides, and four tie outs 30 inches (76 cm) inward from the corners along the long sides. The tarp does not have tie outs in the center of the long sides.

The Speer Hammock and rain canopy can be pitched on the ground in the absence of tree cover. The hammock serves as a bivy to cover the sides and bottom of your sleeping bag and add a little warmth and wind protection. The rain canopy is pitched for overhead protection, normally “A” frame style, but the tarp tie outs accommodate other configurations. Tether the webbing tie outs to the end supports (most likely your trekking poles) to keep the “bivy” from wandering. One caveat, the nylon used in the bivy is coated with a DWR treatment but is not waterproof, so use your emergency space blanket under the hammock if the ground is wet or for added protection from stones.

The Speer Hammock makes a wonderful lounging chair. Just fold one side over against the other to create a comfortable seat. If the hammock is pitched low enough, you can cook seated in the hammock protected from rain by the overhead tarp.

Usable Space

There is enough length for a 6 feet (183 cm) tall person to sleep stretched out in the Speer 8.0 A hammock (tested). If you have strung the bug net ridgeline, you can hang small items from the ridgeline, or even tie a small stuff sack to it to store things overnight.

The large silnylon tarp provides plenty of room underneath to keep items such as your pack and shoes dry or to cook underneath it. When it is snugged in close in a storm pitch it would be a good idea to have your gear in your pack liner to protect them from spray. During rain the tarp can be strung overhead first to provide some protection from the rain while hanging the hammock although you won’t be completely protected when you secure the webbing around the support trees. When the tarp is pitched low, the hammock still needs to be hung high enough so that when you settle into it, it doesn’t sag to the ground.

Performance

The Speer 8.0 A hammock was tested in Washington state, the High Uinta Mountains of Utah, in desert monsoons, and at 10,000 feet (3,048 m) in Arizona in the San Francisco Peaks. It was tested in calm winds and gusts to 25 mph (40 kph), in temperatures from 85 to 20 °F (29 to -7 °C), and in dry weather and downpours.

Stability

The center of gravity of the Speer hammock with a person in it is well below the axis of the end straps if the hammock is hung slack as recommended. The hammock swings gently when you first get in to it since it does not have side ties outs to stabilize it. I normally reach out a hand to the ground to stop the swaying. Once in the hammock with the swaying halted it remains mostly still, although a quick turn over from one side to the other can cause it to sway again, but a hand to the ground easily stills this if the hammock is hung low enough.

Hanging the Speer hammock in high winds can be a challenge since it can catch wind like a parasail. Twisting the hammock around the axis of the hanging straps helps to reduce the hammock’s sail area and makes pitching it in the wind easier.

Pitching the rain canopy is similar to pitching any tarp except easier since you always have two fixed points to tether it to. The tarp pitches tautly in an open, calm weather pitch or in a steeper pitch for storms. Speer has attached two tie outs on each long side of the tarp 30 inches (76 cm) in from the corners. There are no tie outs in the centers of the long sides. The tarp can be pitched tautly using only the four corner tie outs or using all eight tie outs.

I found that tying the end of each corner guyline to the adjacent tie out along the long side of the tarp created a quick way to transition from calm weather rigging to storm rigging. A nice taut calm weather pitch is possible by staking out each of the loops formed this way. In storm conditions, an overhand knot tied with a quick release shortens the loop. The shorter loop can then be staked out pulling the tarp closer to the ground and providing more rain coverage for the hammock, but also steepening the sides of the tarp and providing a bigger cross sectional target to the wind. In the hammock in a desert monsoon with winds gusting to about 25 mph (40 kph), the tarp first deflected into the side of the hammock and then the two stakes on the windward side pulled out. Obviously tiny titanium stakes in the soft ground were not enough! I doubled the stakes in the two loops on that side before sitting out the rest of the storm without further incident.

Storm Protection

It is very relaxing to sit in the Speer hammock and watch the rain come down. The 8 foot by 10 foot (2.4 x 31 m) rain canopy provides lots of coverage, and there is room to cook dinner under it. Sideways blowing rain is a different experience. The hammock bottom and sides need to be kept from getting soaked. The tarp is pitched lower and closer to the top of the hammock and the sides are pitched closer to the ground (and closer to the sides of the hammock). There is less room for sitting in the hammock and cooking, but still plenty of room to lie in it.

Ventilation/Condensation Resistance

Lying in the hammock at 85 °F (29 °C) I felt a little clammy inside the high sides of the hammock, but even a slight breeze cooled me off. In general, the tarp/hammock setup provides lots of ventilation.

Insect Protection

The 3.9 ounce (111 g) bug netting and support cord provide good coverage from bugs while in the hammock. It, of course, does not protect you outside the hammock. You’ll need some other type of bug protection while cooking. There is room inside the hammock with the bug netting supported by the ridgeline to read and lounge, but not to sit up. Depending on if and how the tarp is pitched, great views are possible. The hammock nylon allows some breeze through it for a cooling effect.

Durability

The Speer hammock is well made of appropriate materials for a lightweight yet sturdy trade off. The hammock has no seams (other than along the edges) to wear out. The hanging straps are sturdy and securely held in place by the hammock end knots. The tarp has grommets for the end tie outs, and all tie outs are reinforced with doubled silnylon fabric and extra stitching. I’ve seen no evidence of wear to date.

Value

The Speer 8.0 A Hammock is well made, sturdy, and versatile. However, at about 4 ounces (113 g) heavier and $29 more than the Hennessy Ultralite Backpacker A-Sym, it is priced a bit high. The extra cost may well be worth it though to a person who prefers to leave the bug netting at home (shaving off 3.9 oz) or who prefers a top entry hammock.

Tips and Tricks

• Fold the mosquito netting in two along the long axis so the two hook strips of Velcro stick together to make stowing and retrieving the netting less scratchy.
• Tie each corner guyline on the rain canopy to the tie out closest to it along the long hammock side. Staking out the loop created is easy and provides another point of tension on the hammock for more wind stability. Tie an overhand knot with a quick release in the loop to shorten it when you need to stake the tarp closer to the ground for storm protection.
• If you are not expecting foul weather, or are an experienced backpacker looking to cut weight, take along a smaller, lighter tarp to replace the 14 ounce (397 g) Speer tarp. The Bozeman Mountain Works Stealth 1 (7 x 9 ft, 2.1 x 2.7 m) Catenary Ridgeline Ultralight Backpacking Tarp shows promise and weighs 7.5 ounces (213 g) for a complete hammock setup (without bug net) weighing 1.5 pounds (0.68 kg). Another weight saving option is to use a long poncho, such as the Sea to Summit Poncho/Tarp (9.8 oz plus guylines), to replace the hammock canopy as well as rain gear.
• The Speer hammock makes an excellent lounge chair! Just fold one side over on the other. I thoroughly enjoyed watching a desert monsoon rainstorm while sitting in the Speer hammock nice and dry under the rain canopy.
• It is easier to get in and out of the hammock when it is pitched low to the ground. I like it low enough so that I can cook while sitting in it and can reach the ground while lying in the hammock to grab my water bottle or steady the hammock from swaying.

Recommendations for Improvement

• A narrower cut would reduce the weight of the hammock without affecting function.
• Bug netting that is designed to keep out bugs without attaching to the hammock body would allow the removal of the Velcro strips on the hammock, further reducing hammock weight when the bug netting is left at home. One possibility worth exploring is netting with pockets for weights (stones) and Velcro at the ends that drapes over the netting support line.
• A lighter weight rain canopy option would be nice for fair weather hammockers.

Introduction

• Do you need a high-performance headlamp that’s suitable for technically challenging nighttime activities?
• Do you need a versatile light that supports in-camp chores and bedtime reading equally as well as it lights your nighttime cross-country adventures?
• Do you prefer the simplicity of a single control switch?
• Do you want a light that’s inexpensive to power and coaxes a lot of life from a single battery set?
• Do you prefer the balance of a headlamp with a separate battery pack in back?

If so, take a look at the Black Diamond Zenix IQ. The Zenix IQ does its part in pushing the LED headlamp envelope further. It combines 1-watt LED technical lighting prowess with more economical standard 5 millimeter LEDs for non-technical pursuits in one lightweight and easy to use package. At less than 6 ounces with batteries, the Zenix IQ is a trim powerhouse.

Specifications

Headlamp Type	Separate lamphead and battery pack, cable-connected
Light Sources	Single 1-watt hyperbright LED with integral reflector plus two standard white LEDs, fixed beam angles
Test Run-Time Range	24 hours in two-LED, high mode; 2 hours of maximum output in 1-watt, high mode
Modes and Settings	Two operating modes with three brightness levels and one strobe setting (approximately 90/minute) each (total of eight modes)
Other Features	Adjustable lamphead angle, colored LED battery life indicator also acts as a flashing “find-me” marker light
Batteries	Two AA alkaline (provided), lithium or rechargeable cells optional
Weight	Backpacking Light measured: 5.7 oz (162 g) with alkaline cells, 4.0 oz (113 g) without batteries. Manufacturer: same.
Head Strap	Double strap bucket-style, adjustable-length elastic, fixed bands
Battery Access	Battery cover locks with thumbscrew
MSRP	$48

What’s Good

• Bright, collimated 1-watt main LED
• Frugal and effective two-5 millimeter LED floodlight
• Lightweight and compact
• Effective current management
• Power indicator/”find-me” marker light
• Inexpensive to power
• Well balanced on the head

What’s Not So Good

• Measured battery life is less than Black Diamond claims
• Lamphead and battery box not gasketed against moisture and dust
• Straps not completely removable

Summary

The Black Diamond Zenix IQ is the second-generation of this pioneering LED headlamp. The Zenix IQ’ bright output supports challenging technical nighttime activities. The new light is more than two-and-a-half times as bright as its predecessor – an astonishing increase – and added circuitry assures the low-output mode (using two 5 millimeter LEDs instead of the main 1-watt LED) significantly extends battery life (the original did not). The IQ model also adds three power levels per mode and a battery life indicator: a small LED on the side of the lamp module that changes color as the batteries wane. This LED doubles as a flashing marker light that makes it easy to find the Zenix IQ in the dark.

Details

The plastic-bodied Zenix IQ sports a single collimated “hyperbright” white LED (probably a 1-watt Luxeon), flanked by a pair of the familiar 5 millimeter white “superbright” LEDs. It operates in two modes: Mode 1 uses the main 1-watt LED and Mode 2 uses two auxiliary 5 millimeter LEDs (the three never operate together). Mode 1 provides a very bright pencil beam; Mode 2 provides a dimmer, more even and somewhat wider beam. Each mode has four settings: high, medium, low and strobe, giving eight total combinations. The strobe operates at the brightest output level in either mode. A single rubber-covered switch set beneath the lamphead controls all modes and settings. A full click turns the Zenix IQ on and off, switching between the two modes in turn (i.e., on Mode 1, off, on Mode 2, off…). With the light in the desired mode, clickless half presses roll through the four settings from high through strobe, then high… etc. When switched on, the IQ remembers the last mode used, but not the mode level.

When folded closed for storage, the mount plate protects the switch against accidental use. The switch can be operated wearing thin gloves and mittens, but mostly defied our attempts wearing thicker fare. The Zenix IQ’s 1-watt LED’s clear acrylic lens is slightly recessed in the housing to help protect it from scratching. The two 5mm LEDs are also recessed for protection; however, their wells also accumulate debris over time and require occasional cleaning. The battery monitor/ find-me light resides behind a tiny rectangular window on the lamphead’s left side.

Surprisingly useful, the battery minder/find-me light uses a tiny three-color LED – green, orange and red – behind the small window. Whenever the IQ is switched off, the light blinks about twenty times a minute, making it quite easy to locate it in the dark or buried inside a backpack. Worrywarts can take comfort in Black Diamond’s claim that the light will happily blink away for five years on a set of batteries.

In battery condition mode – whenever the light is switched on – the LED usually glows steadily. Green indicates the batteries are either new or relatively fresh. Per Black Diamond, at about 50% residual life the green switches to orange and the IQ’s main light blinks twice as an alert that this has occurred. Thereafter, the red LED is displayed. When fresh batteries are first inserted, the orange indicator blinks several times as the IQ self-calibrates, then the light switches to steady green. It will occasionally self-test when switched on even if the batteries haven’t been accessed. In our tests, we found this system rather helpful, although there’s obviously a large “gray”‘ area between new and 50% batteries, and likewise between 50% and downright dead. At its most basic, before leaving on a trip it’s easy to check whether to replace the batteries: green literally means, “go.” Fuel cartridges should be this communicative!

The Zenix IQ’s separate battery compartment is connected to the lamphead by a power cable routed around the headstrap’s right side. Moderate tugs on either end of our sample’s thickly insulated cable didn’t pull it from its moorings, but note that the cable isn’t provided with stress relief at the ends. The 3/4 inch-wide elastic head strap threads through a baseplate that’s connected with a hinge to the bottom of the lamphead, providing a vertical angle adjustment (limited in range to straight-ahead). The bolt-and-nut hinge can be tightened using a flat-blade screwdriver, if needed. In our test it held the lightweight lamphead’s angle throughout (trail runners take note). The adjustable-length head strap is long enough to fit over a helmet. The top or bucket strap cannot be removed without some seam-ripping, so its use isn’t optional as with some bucket-style headstraps.

The battery box resides at the back of the headstrap. The hard-plastic box is curved to follow the head’s contours and is padded by a couple of pieces of foam and the elastic headstrap. It’s comfortable and not particularly noticeable, other than reading while lying face up. An advantage to this arrangement is that batteries can be kept warm under a parka hood, extending their life in cold weather.

The battery compartment opens by unscrewing a slotted, knurled plastic and metal thumbscrew and swinging the cover open. The cover completely separates from the compartment and is held captive by the top strap. The thumbscrew slot allows use of a screwdriver, coin or other tool – a nice option for cold, wet hands – and the screw is captive to prevent its loss in the field. The battery compartment has a metal threaded insert to accept the thumbscrew, which should prevent damage from over-torquing the screw. We didn’t need to use a tool to open or close the compartment in our tests, and even heavily mittened hands could accomplish this feat – bravo! The battery box (and lamphead) is not sealed with a gasket or o-ring and will eventually take on water if immersed. This is not a light to use around saltwater. (Black Diamond’s IPX-4 waterproof rating claim is that the IQ will resist a water spray from any angle.) Batteries stay in place when the compartment is open and it’s easy to tell the correct alignment during replacement.

The Zenix IQ is current-regulated, which is perhaps its most important advancement over its immediate predecessor, the Zenix. The circuitry does a laudable job steadying light output except in Mode 1, high. It also noticeably steps the IQ down to the next lower level as battery wear progresses and, as promised, giving an advance blink to alert the user. This blink can frankly be a little startling if you’re not expecting it – fresh batteries before the nighttime high-wire act are strongly recommended. As with all LED lights, the Zenix IQ’s color temperature doesn’t change as output drops.

Tracking the Changes

The Zenix IQ is a follow-on model to the Zenix, which came out scarcely a year before. It has several differences and one major performance advance:

Differences Between Zenix IQ and Zenix Headlamps

	Zenix IQ	Zenix
Batteries	Two AA	Three AAA
Current regulation?	Yes	No
Battery meter/find-me blinker?	Yes	No
Weight with batteries	5.7 oz (162 g)	4.5 oz (128 g)
Battery life max/min strobe (manufacturer)	8-300	15-100
Center beam brightness (at 2 ft)	1150 lux	438 lux

That’s a lot of added value for a piddling extra three dollars.

Lab and Field Performance

We measured beam center and off-center performance for all modes and levels, using a light meter.

Zenix IQ Output in the Six Continuous Settings
Measured in Lux from 2 feet*, fresh Alkaline Batteries, Room Temperature (75 °F)

Setting	Mode 1 (1-watt LED)		Mode 2 (two, 5 mm 5 mm LEDs)
	Beam center	1 ft off-center	Beam center	1 ft off-center
High	1150	60	100	20
Medium	580	40	50	15
Low	280	20	30	10

Beam Configuration and Usefulness

The Zenix IQ beam has a bright yellowish center spot surrounded by a broader, dimmer blue-white halo. The beam pattern and color are quite different from our test Princeton Tec EOS; surprising, since they use very similar emitters. Both, however, seem equally useful in the field. The halo surrounding the center spot in the Zenix IQ beam is a somewhat irregular series of bands. As the test data show, it is effectively a pencil beam with a sharp cutoff, good for long beam throw and technical nighttime navigation, not so good for cooking and reading. For those more prosaic campsite activities, the IQ’s two 5 millimeter white LEDs provide quite adequate light without dazzling the eyes, and stretch the batteries at the same time. The 5 millimeter beam still isn’t particularly wide but the center and edges vary far less than the 1-watt beam, so the effect is one of a floodlight.

We didn’t generally require the Zenix IQ’s brightest setting (Mode 1, high) for more than a minute or two a night; we found that most technical activities (sketchy trails, basic cross-country) could be performed using medium. Camp chores and nighttime reading are fine using Mode 2, accessing the three levels as the requirement varied. Mode 2, low is adequate for reading and preserves night vision the best of the six options.

Runtime Tests

We chose to test three of the IQ’s six continuous modes: Mode 1, high and medium and Mode 2, high. The graph shows that the current regulation holds the output steady, except for an initial drop in Mode 1, high. The Mode 1 graphs also demonstrate the stepping down that occurs as battery life drops. Mode 2, high output was rock steady for about a day, before winking off. All tests were with alkaline batteries at room temperature (75 °F).

We found run times to fall far short of Black Diamond’s estimates (see the following table). Since the Zenix IQ shuts completely off rather than lingering dimly for days as with some LED lights, we can’t know where the discrepancy comes from (sample variation?). We’re not disappointed at our test IQ’s performance, just puzzled at the great difference. What is gratifying is how effective the current regulation is in maintaining output.

Shortcomings and Suggestions

The Zenix IQ has few obvious faults, just strong competition, and Black Diamond deserves credit for following up the very good Zenix with the clearly superior Zenix IQ so quickly. Nevertheless, here are a few suggestions for improvement:

• Make the top strap removable
• Allow the lamphead to swing upward, past horizontal for overhead illumination
• Add intensity memory to the mode memory
• Gasket the lamphead and battery box and reinforce the cable entry points for true waterproofness
• Enlarge the switch diameter to ease operation with mittened hands

Conclusion

The Black Diamond Zenix IQ is clearly a better headlamp than its predecessor, the Zenix. While it’s slightly heavier and operates a shorter time in high-high mode, it’s significantly brighter and offers more features. The addition of current regulation means the IQ can maintain steady light output longer as batteries wear and the switch to two AAs from three AAAs makes the light less expensive to power, with little weight penalty.

Comparing the main LED with the Princeton Tec EOS, our current favorite compact LED headlamp, the Zenix IQ is not quite as good a performer, either in the quality of the main beam or in battery life. It’s also not submersible like the EOS and doesn’t have a removable strap. However, the IQ offers a true floodlight/task light capability and the welcome battery meter/find-me light. For users who prefer a bucket-style strap and the superior balance and battery warming abilities of a separate battery pack, the Zenix IQ may get the nod.

Introduction

Straight from the more-is-better school of headlamp design, the Princeton Tec Corona impresses with an eight-LED array powered by three AA batteries. The Corona is of primary interest to hikers and campers who want an efficient floodlight-style LED headlamp that also supports semi-technical nighttime navigation. There are lighter headlamps and there are brighter headlamps, but the Corona is versatile and easy-to-use. In an effort to please all users in all situations, the half-pound Corona offers myriad settings, twelve in all. If nothing else, this gives Corona owners ample opportunities for button pushing.

Specifications

Headlamp Type	Separate lamphead and battery pack, cable-connected
Light Sources	Eight 5 mm white LEDs arranged in three rows
Manufacturer’s Run Times	30 to 70 hours, highest and lowest continuous modes
Modes and Settings	Four operating modes, each with two brightness levels and one strobe setting (approx 100/min) for twelve total
Other Features	Lamphead fitted with aluminum heatsink
Batteries	Uses three AA alkaline (provided), lithium or rechargeable cells optional (the last at reduced output)
Weight	Backpacking Light measured: 7.9 oz (226 g) with alkaline cells, 5.3 oz (152 g) without batteries. Manufacturer: 8 oz (227 g) with alkaline batteries.
Head Strap	Double strap bucket-style, adjustable-length elastic, removable bands
Battery Access	Hinged, gasketed battery cover locks with flip latch
MSRP	$50

What’s Good

• Twelve settings
• Current regulation
• Rear-mounted battery box for balance, keeping batteries warm under a hood
• Waterproof

What’s Not So Good

• Relatively heavy
• Not as bright as the 1-watt competition
• Current regulation only partially effective

Design

The Corona’s lamphead arranges eight 5 millimeter white LEDs in horizontal rows of three (top), four (center) and one (bottom). There are two switches: the larger main switch controls the LED array in a four-mode sequence and the smaller, nubbed switch rolls through three level settings within each mode. The switches are top-mounted on the lamphead, beside one another and sit in shallow recesses that help prevent accidental use.

The LEDs sit in a silvery reflective base protected by a clear convex plastic lens, itself protected by a surrounding bezel. The silver-painted LED base is contoured somewhat, probably to differentiate the LED groupings’ respective beam patterns. (Because the Corona’s LEDs aren’t a side-firing type, there’s not much stray light to be gathered and aimed by a reflector.) The rear of the hinged lamphead sports an aluminum heat sink set behind a plastic shield. The heat sink cools the electronics (LEDs emit heat and as I discovered, eight emit quite a bit). Three AA batteries reside in a gasket-sealed battery case that’s attached to the back of the head strap and connected to the lamphead with a power cable. A flip latch locks the hinged battery case closed. The adjustable-length bucket-style headstrap (a main strap and a top strap) are long enough to fit over a helmet.

Materials and Construction

The Corona lamphead shell and battery box are made of hard, high-impact plastic. The curved battery box more or less fits the head’s contours, but there is no padding other than the headstrap itself. This is quite evident reading whilst lying on one’s back. The elastic headstraps are soft and comfortable, and offer a wide adjustment range. The 4 millimeter thick power cable has a substantial rubber jacket and is reinforced where it enters the battery box to prevent pulling out. Two quick-disconnect clips attach the cable to the headstrap on the right side.

Operation

The larger power/mode switch and smaller setting switch are easy to find and differentiate by touch. I can operate both switches while wearing thin gloves, even some mittens. Operation is as follows:

• Main switch (large, smooth button on the right-hand side) – Mode 1 (eight LEDs), Mode 2 (five LEDs), Mode 3 (three LEDs), Mode 4 (one LED), off. A five-second pause in any mode keeps it in that mode, with the next button press switching the light off.
• Level switch (smaller nubbed button on the left-hand side) – high, low, blink, repeat… The cycle repeats no matter how long the light has been switched on.
• The Corona has no last-use memory and always switches on to Mode 1, high.

The lamphead can be tilted downward but not higher than straight ahead, somewhat of a limitation for overhead work (stringing a bear line, for example). The hinge can be tightened or loosened with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Adequately tightened, it holds its position during high-impact activities – inadvertent droop is not a problem.

The battery case latch is quite stiff and a challenge to open with cold hands or while wearing gloves, when I find it’s much easier to pry the latch open with a lever (e.g. spoon handle, screwdriver). Correct battery alignment is easy to make out even in poor light, and the batteries remain in place until pried out.

The slotted lamphead and battery case strap guides allow the straps to be completely removed or replaced in seconds. This enables use of the light either without the top strap or with no strap, and the straps can be washed or replaced.

Performance

Regardless of the mode or setting, the Corona’s beam always displays a bright center spot having a noticeable purple tint, and surrounded by a cold white halo. Switching among the four modes, the center spot and halo change in size and intensity but retain this basic configuration, which is very typical of flashlights using standard 5 millimeter white LEDs. Our light meter showed the beam intensity to be rather irregular and more varied than the eye can easily detect. All but the single-LED mode project a roughly oval beam, wider than it is high, with the three-LED mode perhaps the most pronounced.

Taken from the dimmest mode to the brightest: Mode 4, single-LED is an adequate camp and reading light, even on low. It, of course, has the narrowest beam angle and smallest center hot spot, so while it dazzles the eye the least, it also offers the narrowest floodlight. It’s possible to operate an entire evening in camp using Mode 4-low, provided there are no challenging chores like stringing a food bag line or pitching a tarp. The benefits of doing so are the greatest battery life and preserving night vision. Mode 3 (three LEDs) offers a significantly wider beam angle, easing performing chores and supporting walking on clear trails. Mode 3 has an ovoid center spot and floodlight halo, the result of the three LEDs being in a row and surrounded by their own mini-reflector.

Modes 2 and 1 (five and eight LEDs, respectively) are similar to one another in beam configuration, differing mainly in their intensity. Even in Mode 1 there is no sharp center spot such as with the 1-watt collimated LED used in the Princeton Tec EOS or Black Diamond Zenix series, but the surrounding floodlight is much broader and brighter than those headlamps. It’s still possible to perform fairly complex nighttime navigation with the Corona, so it might warrant consideration by climbers and cross-country buffs, but the 1-watt lamps throw an effective beam much farther and illuminate objects and the trail with far greater detail. The Corona’s heft makes it less than ideal as a running light but at least with a rear-mounted battery box, it is well balanced.

The strobe feature seems most useful for marking a position to which one wants to return, such as a sleeping site some distance from main camp. Aimed at a tent canopy or tarp, the flashing makes it easy to spot a shelter from a good distance while off stargazing or initiating the nitrogen cycle, and it’s likely the Corona’s most frugal setting. I don’t discount the potential for using the flash as an emergency signal should the need ever arise. Mode 1 maximizes the angle from which the light can be spotted from afar.

The Corona is at a minimum water-resistant and should shrug off rain with no problem. Our dunk test (brief immersion in water a few inches deep) showed a few droplets made it past the battery box gasket, notably at the point of small imperfections. The battery box can be rinsed out should it come in contact with saltwater or if batteries leak, but the lamphead resisted our attempts to open it up. This means that should moisture ever invade the lamphead, where all the electronics reside, it might not be possible to dry it out.

The test Corona is made of gray and chartreuse plastic and sports a gray and black elastic headband. The bright color is welcome for making the Corona easier to find in dim light or sitting on the ground in forest clutter. It’s all too easy to misplace a black, gray or silver flashlight and leave it behind when packing, but that doesn’t stop makers from frequently using those hard-to-see non-colors.

In the Lab

I measured the Corona’s beam intensity in the mode and level combinations, both in the beam center and 1 foot off-axis. The following table gives the results.

Corona Output in the Eight Continuous Settings
Measured in Lux from 2 feet*, fresh Alkaline Batteries,
Room Temperature (75 °F)

	Mode 1 (eight LEDs)		Mode 2 (five LEDs)		Mode 3 (three LEDs)		Mode 4 (one LED)
Setting	Beam center	1 ft off-center	Beam center	1 ft off-center	Beam center	1 ft off-center	Beam center	1 ft off-center
High	510	85	390	65	220	45	85	15
Low	275	55	180	30	105	25	45	10
*Highest continuous recordable readings

Much like a bicycle with thirty possible gearing combinations yields perhaps two-thirds as many on the road, not all of the Corona’s eight (twelve if you include flash) mode and level combinations are useful. That said, because the beam pattern changes with each of the four modes, no two appear exactly alike even if the measured intensity is similar; also as batteries wear, an unused mode and level can become “just right.” (Because we don’t have the complex instrumentation required to measure total light output we can’t say, for example, whether Mode 1 low might put out more total light than Mode 2 high, even though the latter is demonstrably brighter at the beam center.)

We chose two modes to test battery life: Mode 1-high and Mode 3-high (eight and three LEDs, respectively). The first is a measure of what the Corona will do “maxed-out,” the second a measure of what we felt to be the most reasonable setting for all-around general use – giving both adequate light with long battery life.

Interpreting the Results

Despite the Corona’s claimed current regulation, it exhibits time-output curves typical of lights without: there’s a nearly continuous drop in output over time. In our tests though, the Mode 3 (three LED) drop was much less precipitous than that of Mode 1 and in practice is not particularly noticeable for a good many hours. Mode 1 output plunged from the start and the dimming was noticeable. The Corona circuitry does seem effective at extending the “toe” of the output curve by coaxing the last bit of juice from the batteries, albeit at dim levels. We didn’t try to establish the runtimes to the last eventual wink-off. It will likely occur days past where our chart extends. At below 50-lux levels, light is sufficient for digging items out of backpacks, simple camp chores and clear trail-walking for those possessing owl-like night vision. Glacier travel, not advised.

In Use

Nighttime maneuvers are easily performed via the Corona, and camp chores are a snap because of the generous beam width. The amount of light it puts out is really quite impressive and the lower modes are adequate for everything short of tricky navigation and poor trails. Map reading and bedtime reading aren’t difficult, despite the somewhat distracting purplish beam-center blob. I found the multi-LED modes in low to be better than the single-LED mode for reading.

There are, however, tangible differences between multi-LED arrays such as the Corona’s and a collimated 1-watt LED that hydra-head designs can’t overcome when the going gets technical. Even with fresh batteries, maximum Corona output is roughly half as bright as Princeton Tec’s own EOS and its 1-watt Luxeon. Compared with the EOS, the Corona’s beam is more of a floodlight, covering considerably more area but not projecting as far. Details such as uneven surfaces aren’t as distinct and there’s more backscatter (glare) in rain and fog. Which type of light is better, depends both on conditions and your intended use.

Because the Corona always switches on to eight-high mode, users concerned with preserving their night vision should cover the lens until they progress to the desired lower level. For example, selecting Mode 4-low – the dimmest setting – takes a total of five button presses.

We also discovered we can remove the top strap and battery pack and still wear the lamphead using just the main strap. Although the short cable prevents placing the battery pack in a warm pocket, we can keep it warm under a turtleneck or even perched on a shoulder. Not an elegant or the most comfortable solution for keeping the batteries warm but effective, not to mention the lamp is noticeably lighter on the head and the strap can be worn looser. In more prosaic pursuits, with the battery pack detached the Corona is far more comfortable for reading in bed.

Recommendations

The Corona would be improved with more effective current management and a memory that retains the last setting used when it’s switched on. Substituting a red LED for part of the lamphead array would offer a night-vision preservation mode, a mode that would be best if it could be accessed directly from off, perhaps through a separate switch.

Conclusions

The Corona’s design concept has been trumped by newer 1-watt headlamps for non-technical use, especially those that either combine the main LED with one or more 5 millimeter LEDs or provide a flip-down diffuser lens-. As our tests demonstrate, even eight 5 millimeter LEDs can’t begin to match the output of a single 1-watt Luxeon. The Corona is both versatile and frugal, provided the many modes are used judiciously, and the light from its massively parallel LED array is good enough to support general backcountry activities and is especially nice for in-camp chores, where a flood-style beam is appreciated. But at eight ounces, the Corona is very heavy for a headlamp that doesn’t offer a long-throw pencil-style high beam suitable for technical nighttime activities, such as climbing and off-trail travel. For these pursuits there are better lights, including other offerings from Princeton Tec.

Editor’s Note: This review is based on an early prototype of the Revolution 2P UL tent. The production model incorporates the following changes: a 50% stronger Epic fabric which increases the tent weight 1 to 2 ounces; the shell has been tightened, and tensioners added to all four corners; the two top vents are replaced by one larger vent on the vestibule; and the seams around the window and bathtub floor are seam-sealed.

Overview

Weighing only 2 pounds 11 ounces (1.22 kg) for the complete package, the Big Sky Products SummitShelters series Revolution 2P UL may be the lightest two-person freestanding tent on the market. It is also a great value. It comes standard with an Epic shell, vestibule, silnylon floor, Fibraplex carbon fiber poles, and titanium stakes, and costs only $345. Its floor area/weight ratio of 0.66 ft²/oz sets a new standard for a two-person freestanding tent, and the weight includes a vestibule. The Black Diamond Firstlight tent similarly equipped with after market poles and stakes and optional vestibule weighs one pound more and costs $542.

In Brief

• Single wall Epic freestanding tent with Fibraplex poles, silnylon floor, and vestibule
• Highest area/weight ratio we know of for a two-person freestanding tent
• Quick setup and easy to enter/exit
• All space is usable due to steep sidewalls and near rectangular floor
• Storm worthy, but water eventually wets through, increasing interior moisture
• Some concerns about wind stability
• Great value

Specifications

Tent Type	Two-person single wall freestanding tent with floor
Fabric Description	Tent shell is grey Epic by Nextec, fabric weight is proprietary; tent floor is 30d 1.3 oz/yd2 (44 g/m2) silnylon.
Pole Material	Fibraplex carbon fiber, each pole 152 in (3.9 m) long, packed size 17 in x 1.5 in (43 x 4 cm), weight 8.1 oz (23 g). Easton aluminum poles (13.4 oz/380 g) are available as a less expensive option.
Weight Full Package Epic tent, 2 Fibraplex carbon fiber poles, 8 titanium stakes in silnylon sack, 2 guylines, silnylon compression stuff sack.	Backpacking Light scale Manufacturer claim 2 lb 11oz (1.22 kg) 2 lb 11oz (1.22 kg)
Weight Minimum Package Epic tent, 2 Fibraplex carbon fiber poles, 8 titanium stakes, 2 guylines, no stuff sacks.	Manufacturer supplied minimum Backpacking Light minimum Tent body, 2 poles, 8 stakes, 12 ft (3.7 m) guyline Same as Manufacturer Minimum but with: 0.25 oz (7 g) titanium stakes 0.004 oz/ft (0.37 g/m) Aircore 1 Spectra guylines 2 lb 9.6 oz  (1.18kg) 2 lb 9.7 oz (1.18 kg)
Floor/Vestibule Area	Floor area Vestibule area 27.7 ft2 (2.57m2) 9 ft2 (0.84m2)
Floor Area/Backpacking Light Minimum Weight Ratio	0.66 ft2/oz (2.18 m2/kg)
Dimensions	inches centimeters Width 56 / 46 142 / 117 Length 84 213 Height 42 109
Model Year	2005
MSRP	$345 US with carbon fiber poles, $260 US with Easton aluminum poles
Options The Big Sky Products SummitShelters Revolution tent is available in three models.	Model Doors Vestibules Approximate Weight* oz (kg) MSRP* 1P 1 1 35 (0.99) $275 2P UL 1 1 43 (1.22) $345 2P 2 2 46 (1.30) $345 *Weights and costs are for tent with Fibraplex carbon fiber poles. Each model is available with stiffer Easton aluminum poles that weigh 5.3 ounces more and cost $85 less.

Usable Features/Ease of Use

The Revolution’s shell is Epic fabric, which is breathable and functionally waterproof when stretched at a steep angle and not under pressure. The two-person Revolution 2P UL tested has a vestibule entry on one side and a solid wall on the other. Two external carbon fiber poles (or optional aluminum poles) in an “X” shape support the tent. Setup is very easy: lay the tent out; insert the pole ends into grommets at the corners; clip the tent to the poles; and stake out the corners, vestibule, and guylines. Eight stakes are needed for a secure pitch. Titanium stakes (6 inches/0.2 ounces each) come with this tent, so you don’t have to replace any inferior aluminum stakes.

Entry is from the side through a tall zippered vestibule and entry door. The large door (38 inches wide by 32 inches high) provides easy entry and easy access to gear stored in the vestibule. I was initially concerned about the functionality of the side entry (versus entering from one end), but the door, floor, and ceiling proportions are large enough to allow one person to maneuver around another occupant with minimal disturbance.

Inside the tent, the bathtub floor extends up the steep walls 8 inches, allowing sleepers to press against the sides without moisture transfer. There are two inside mesh storage pockets, one on the entry wall 20 inches wide by 6 inches deep, and a triangular “clothes hamper” 37 by 37 by 34 inches for storing clothes in the back corner. At the ceiling there are six loops for hanging a clothesline, gear loft, or a tent light. The foot end has a clear plastic lens-shaped window 25 inches wide by 6 inches high at the center.

The 9 square foot vestibule is large enough for two medium sized packs and boots, leaving room to enter/exit the tent, or gear plus a wet dog if you don’t mind him blocking the entry. During inclement weather, cooking can easily be done in the vestibule (using due caution), reaching through the tent’s large door.

Overall, I found the Revolution 2P UL to be the most user-friendly ultralight tent I have met so far. It is easy to setup, easy to enter, has the features I want, and provides good storage options.

Weight/Sizing

The Big Sky Products SummitShelters Revolution 2P UL sets a new area/weight standard of 0.66 ft²/oz for a two-person freestanding tent, beating the Black Diamond Firstlight (0.63 ft²/oz in standard configuration). In his Black Diamond Firstlight Tent Review, Alan Dixon calculated a 0.72 ft²/oz area/weight ratio for the Firstlight using after market Fibraplex poles and titanium stakes substituted for the standard ones. However, at 0.66 ft²/oz the Revolution’s weight includes a 9 square foot vestibule, while a vestibule on the Firstlight is optional and adds 18.4 ounces.

The Revolution’s remarkable area/weight ratio is due to its standard Epic shell and silnylon floor, Fibraplex carbon fiber poles, titanium stakes, and silnylon stuff sacks. The comparative weight of tent components is summarized in the following table.

Usable Space

The space in the Revolution 2P UL is all usable, and seems larger than it really is because of the tent’s steep sidewalls and nearly rectangular floor. The bathtub floor extending 8 inches up the sides also increases usable space because one can press a sleeping bag or gear against the waterproof silnylon without any moisture transfer (the same is not true when pressing against the Epic fabric).

There are several options to stash clothing and gear: extra space at the foot end, hanging a clothesline or mesh gear loft (but headroom is compromised), a sizeable mesh pocket at the head end, a large mesh “clothes hamper” in the back corner, and the vestibule (a great place for packs and boots). The vestibule is easily accessed through the large entry door. For more convenience and storage, consider getting the Revolution 2P, which has a vestibule and entry on each side. It weighs approximately 8 ounces more than the 2P UL.

Wind Stability

The Revolution 2P UL with carbon fiber poles has limited wind stability. The clip attachment and limp shell (the single wall Epic shell “hangs” from the poles) make the windward side of the tent dish in and act like a sail. The flexible carbon fiber poles allow the tent to lean substantially in even a mild wind. (In contrast, the Black Diamond Firstlight uses internal poles to tightly stretch its single wall Epic shell, making it much more wind resistant.) Wind gusts of 15-20 mph at Death Valley California were enough to cause major concern. I also found that the tent flapped and contorted a lot and was quite noisy. For these reasons, it is very important to securely stake the tent with at least eight stakes. The staking pattern is 4 stakes at the corners, 2 on the vestibule, and 2 guylines on the opposite side. There are two more loops for guylines on the vestibule side, but the guylines and stakes are not provided. I strongly recommend four guylines. I would not recommend staking this tent with any less than eight stakes (10 is better), otherwise you might lose your investment! It helps to face the foot end of the tent into the wind.

The jury is still out on the wind stability of this tent, and user experience over the next year will reveal its limitations. Readers concerned about wind stability should get the 2P UL with the stiffer aluminum poles, or consider getting the Revolution 2P (46 ounces, $345) instead. The 2P has vestibules on both sides that stake to the ground, which stretches the shell more to give it better wind stability.

Storm Protection

Except for a March trip to Death Valley National Park, I could not find any dry conditions to test the Revolution. Most of my testing was during an unusually wet winter in Southwest Colorado and Southern Utah. It rained or snowed nearly every night I used it. I found the Revolution to be storm worthy, with no leaks. The manufacturer maintains that seam sealing is not necessary. I didn’t and did not notice any leakage through the seams.

I did find that the Epic fabric wets through after several hours of continuous rain or wet snow. The inside surface becomes damp, then wet, but does not drip because of the tent’s steep walls. However, the bleed-through increases the moisture inside the tent, which enhances condensation or frost on the inside walls by morning. When using the “clothes hamper” pocket during wet weather, beware of water bleeding through and wetting your clothes.

Ventilation/Condensation Resistance

With its solid mesh entry wall, two top vents, mesh ceiling panels under the vents, and breathable Epic fabric, the Revolution 2P UL has excellent ventilation and condensation resistance under normal conditions. In my wet/cool winter testing, I evaluated the Revolution under some worst case conditions for tent condensation. With maximum humidity, and nighttime temperatures ranging from 25 to 37 °F, I had either heavy frost or heavy condensation on the inner tent walls every night. Fortunately, with the steep sidewalls and high ceiling, I did not readily brush against the walls and transfer moisture. In spring-like conditions at Death Valley in March, I was finally able to test the tent in “normal” conditions, and found the tent’s ventilation system works just fine in dry/warm air. I would expect the Revolution 2P to have even better ventilation because of the second mesh entry wall and vestibule.

Single wall tents are especially inclined to have wet/cold weather condensation problems, because the single wall is a cold surface and water condenses (or freezes) on it, exactly like a dehumidifier works. Fortunately most of us encounter these conditions only a small percentage of the time we are out, so the lightweight benefits are worth it. A pack towel works great to wipe the inside walls when needed.

Insect Protection

The Revolution is completely sealed and provides full insect protection, along with good ventilation to keep the tent from warming up too much.

Durability

The SummitShelters Revolution 2P UL is sufficiently durable for three-season backpacking, but it’s not a bomb shelter. Because it is ultralight gear, it requires reasonable care. Its thin Epic fabric can be punctured or cut with a sharp object, and the carbon fiber poles can break if placed under excessive stress or stepped on. It’s important to make sure that the joints are fully mated before you flex the poles, otherwise they may break. The silnylon floor is only 30-denier, and can easily be punctured by sharp objects. Damage can be repaired, but it is important to understand the limitations at the outset, rather than be surprised later. That said, I had no damage or breakage problems during my testing period. In my opinion, this tent is sufficiently durable for general backpacking, assuming reasonable care.

Value

The Big Sky Products SummitShelters Revolution 2P UL provides a lot of features and space in a compact 2 pound 11 ounce package. It is nicely designed and well constructed. With an MSRP of $345, the Revolution is a bargain compared to a similarly equipped Black Diamond Firstlight tent, its closest competitor. The Firstlight with after market Fibraplex carbon fiber poles and titanium stakes, and optional vestibule costs $542 and weighs a pound more. The floor area of the two tents is nearly the same, but the Revolution 2P UL is 2 inches longer, and its weight includes a vestibule. The Revolution can be purchased with Easton Aluminum poles, which add 5.3 ounces but cost $85 less. My only reservation about this tent is its limp shell, which limits its stability in wind and wet snow.

In making a purchasing decision, readers should consider the Revolution 2P as well as the 2P UL, because it adds a second vestibule and door for about 8 ounces more weight. That’s a lot of extra utility for minimal extra weight and no extra cost.