MLD Grace Duo vs. GG SilTwin

Dave,

I have a SpinnTwinn and from what i understand, Grant said the SilTwinn is identical, just the materials have changed.

From my SpinnTwinn i can tell you there are mini loops for clipping up a bivy on either ends. Not sure about in the middle, i'm at work and forget.

There are a total of 12 perimeter tie outs. 2 Ridgeline, 4 corners and three intermediate on the two sides. So that's 2 Ridgeline and 5 on each side.

There's also some extra side tie out loops in the middle of each side. I've used them for various things.

– Dana

PS – where did you get that info for the Grace Duo. That's not the same as the stats posted on his website.

Dana,

I took the info for the Grace DUO from the MLD website:

http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=85&osCsid=8ac25c75e074cb3530e12f3376ed6991

Thanks for the info on the SpinnTwin/SilTwin.

good call. total brain fart.

I can send you some pictures if you want. just let me know. Jay Wilkerson has some on here too.

If you can post some photos, that would be great. Particularly photos of the seams and tie outs like the close ups on the MLD site. It's difficult to make out some of the details on the GG website.

If the two tarps are close to the same size, why is the GG lighter?

Has anyone with a SpinnTwin or SilTwin found themselves wanting side panel tie outs in bad weather?

Thanks,
Dave

Dave,

I plan on playing with the SpinnTwinn tomorrow morning. I'll post some pictures then.

I got it as a Christmas gift this past year and have only used it in mild rain. The tension i get in the panels is extremely taut. I've seen the tarp in 15-20 mph wind and it didn't deflect enough for me to go out and buy Grip Clips.

IMHO you don't need the panel tie out points and I would credit them and the extra bit of fabric to the increase in weight vs the SilTwinn. Also, the GG tarp doesn't have little clips underneath, just fabric loops like the tie outs.

– Dana

Hi All,

Both fine products – The weight difference is due to these areas:

1: MLD has about 85 sq/ft coverage VS GG about 72 sq/ft (Note the side baseline length difference – MLD is 11" longer)

2: MLD has linelocks on all 12X perimeter tieouts. GG only the ends, corners and mid sides- 8X.

3: MLD has two side panel tieouts on each side for high wind.

4: MLD uses bonded (taped) and sewn reinforcements on each tieout- no need for seam sealer on those areas. The tape is about .15oz ;-)

5: MLD includes removable little clips on the three under ridge line hang loops.

The size difference and all the extra adds up to the 4oz difference.

Any customer can request MLD delete the side panel tieouts and the user can cut off some of the linelocks and the weight would be less than a 2oz difference keeping the larger size coverage for two.

Custom smaller sizes are always available.

Peace

Dave,

Here are some shots i took this afternoon. Bad weather, so i couldn't do it yesterday.

Here's a picture of the front ridgeline tie out:

Here's a picture of the extra side tie outs, located between the corner tie out and the middle side tie out. This is the underside so you can see the seams:

Pic of the middle side tie out:

Underside picture of corner tie out:

Rear Ridgeline tie out:

Full setup:

Forgot to throw a pad or something under it but i can add that if you want.

It has loops for clipping up a bivy, etc.. only in two spots, under the ridgeline tie outs.

Hope this helps you some and shows more of the connections.

– Dana

I think the features Ron listed are for the CURRENT model. I just purchased a Siltwinn about a month or so ago and the one I received has the linelocs on the ridgeline, all four corners, and the center tie outs on the sides. It still has the extra webbing tie outs, but just no linelocs. You may have been aware of this, but Dana's photos show differently.

Jacob,

Earlier i said i cut the Linelocs off my SpinnTwinn. My pictures reflect that change. Forgot to mention that again, but yes, originally mine had the linelocs provided. Here's a picture of what they look like from the user manual:

**Edit: Well i thought i did. Anywho, they do come originally with the tarp.

I added a full length removeable beak for one end of the SpinnTwinn. The beak closes off on end from the wind on the windward end. It is a great shelter and has enough tie-outs to set up the tarp as shown here:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/00150.html

I tried to make the beak like the "Tarp Dodger" by Granite Gear, but mine is a bit smaller, I just used a yard of cloth.

Dana – thanks for posting the photos. Very helpful.

Ron – Thanks a lot for the info. Really helped to clarify the differences. Question for you: do you feel that the Grace Duo is a bit overkill for solo use in the stock version?

Dave,
The MLD Grace Solo tarps in spectralite or spinntex are sized the same as the Solo Plus. These tarps provide great solo coverage IMO.