New Shelter

I emailed the HMG guys to address these questions.

Cheers.

"Yes, I know :) — I posted the link. BUT, there is a deal on the Echo II camo system as well…"

That one was almost three times as heavy as what I have currently.

The Prototype Echo I Cuben Tarp would allow me to drop about four ounces. That is a big deal.

–B.G.–

"That one was almost three times as heavy as what I have currently."

What do you have currently? The Echo II system is overkill for most situations, but it's a bomber system… I see myself using the Echo II tarp with my MLD Superlight Bivy or Minimalist 1 – depending on the situation. (and using the bomber system in the really nasty stuff)

Currently I have a SpinnShelter. I modified it with some bug net skirt, so the soft parts total up to 10 ounces.

For this season, I had just decided one week ago to purchase some fabric and try to construct myself something about like that, but smaller in size, and I intended to get to 8 or 9 ounces. I had just received the fabric, and I was just getting ready to start cutting. Then this Prototype Echo I thing pops up. If the numbers are correct, it is 6.1 ounces for the soft parts, plus it will be more compact when carried. I don't know about you, but that seems like a big deal, weight-wise.

I don't use a bivvy sack unless I am sleeping in a snow cave. Geez, my bivvy sack alone weighs 8 ounces.

–B.G.–

"If the numbers are correct, it is 6.1 ounces"

I weighed my Echo II System and it came in at .3 ounces lighter than advertised – granted, this is definitely in the realm of scale variance… :)

"I don't use a bivvy sack unless I am sleeping in a snow cave."

This was my main reason for getting the MLD Superlight…

Not trying to redirect the thread but since I'm very tempted to buy the echo camo deal right now, i was hoping someone could give me an at a glance comparison to to other similarlypriced setups,the hexamid with beak plus inner and the silnylon duomid plus inner. I'm concerned about fit first. I'm6'1 andwould love not to feel like i just fit. Howdo they compare when it comes to footprint? I imagine the hexamid is smallest, butis it substantially so? They all seem pretty weather resistant. Does onehavea particularlyacutearea of weakness or strength that's worth taking into account? As i said, i'm trying a thru of the PCT this year. I intendto carry one shelter system thewhole way (not planning muchin the way of seperate setups forseperate sections).

ps Theipad's spacebar isn't sensitive enough!

Is there a discernible reason the prototype is so much cheaper? Does it come with a beak? Not too familiar with HMD and wanted to know.

Hey Guys,

To answer the above question, the Echo I Tarp prototype we have on the site are some of the first tarps we've ever made and has our seam sealing tape on the underside of the tarp instead of the top side of the ridgeline. This does not affect the performance or waterproofness of the tarps and are being blown out for the screaming deal based only on cosmetics.

We only have two of the Echo I Tarp prototypes (8.5 w/lines) left and only one of the complete Echo II Camo Systems (30oz) left. There are no beaks included nor can one be on any of the Echo I prototype tarps.

Special Deal for BPL members. I do have four of the Echo I Inserts (11.4) available and are selling them off for $125. Again these are first gen Inserts and do not have the side tieouts like the new Inserts.

If you really want a screaming deal I have 5 very very first generation tarps (6.1oz w/o lines) available. Back in the beginning we experimented with bonding the perimeter hem instead of stitching and well, lets just say $100 each and its yours. These tarps have blue reinforcements and are sold as is.

The very very first gen tarps and the first gen inserts are not on our site so if interested please email me at mike@hyperlitemountaingear.com All sales are final on these prototypes.

Also, check out Gear Deals (Contest & Sponsored Giveaway!) for a chance to win an Echo I shelter system. Tell us your best backcountry story to win!!!!

"If you really want a screaming deal I have 5 very very first generation tarps available. Back in the beginning we experimented with bonding the perimeter hem instead of stitching and well, lets just say $100 each and its yours. These tarps have blue reinforcements and are sold as is."

If you want to mention something like this here, you really really need to mention the weight. If it is a little above or below the others, that means something.

I'm sorry, but you wandered into a pile of Gram Weenies here.

–B.G.–

Weight listed above

Thanks Bob

Hmmm. I guess that is 6.1 oz without lines, and about 8.5 oz with lines.

It sounds like we need lighter weight lines.

I have some monofilament fishing line that might do the trick.

Getting that tensioned just right might be a real challenge.

Also, I didn't find anything on the web site that mentioned the length of the poles necessary. Some people use adjustable trekking poles, and some use non-adjustable trekking poles. I don't use trekking poles at all, so I have to get some Fibraplex poles of a certain length. It is typically something in the ballpark of 40-42 inches for the front pole, and 30-32 inches for the rear pole.

–B.G.–

I just jumped on one of the echo 1 prototypes how big do you guys think my smile will be when it gets here ? :)

Since I ordered mine, I guess you could say that it really knocked the Momentum out of my DIY shelter project.

–B.G.–

I just finished my shelter today I was all psyched to use it then I buy this and my myog shelter will end up in a stuff sack in some Tupperware bin somewhere lol

Josh,
If I were to purchase a new shelter system for the PNW I would definitely be counting on purchasing a bivy, bug bivy or net tent. We can have pretty bad mosquito issues in many locations in the PNW in the summer.

So, you might want to be factoring in the weight of the bivy/nettent etc into the picture and also to think about which of these bug solutions you prefer. If you have a strong preference for a certain bug solution, it might eliminate some shelters from the running.

That said, I purchased a MLD Patrol in spinntex a couple years ago. I pair that with a Tigoat Ptarmigan bivy. I've been really happy with this system. I think the Patrol is a good compromise between lightweight, rain coverage, manageable price and low fiddle factor.

So there's my 2 cents. Have fun gear shopping!

here's a link to the MLD Patrol:
http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=35&products_id=76

I have an Echo II system, and I've used it a few times so far (not enough — life has been making it difficult for me to get my backpacking fix in lately :(). It's easy to pitch and well made, looking to be even more thoroughly reinforced than an MLD Grace.

It has quite a bit of space inside, and for a footprint that isn't THAT much bigger than what my first backpacking tent had (Big Agnes Seedlot SL2), but it has more interior space if you pitch it properly, and a generous vestibule. I've used the full system on all of my trips so far, but it's usually been overkill. Every night I had it out, I could have skipped the insert if I'd just pitch the sides nice and low, but I wanted to try it out, so I put it up anyway. When I'm 'packing in summer, I'll definitely use the insert because of the legion of bugs.

I just received my HMG Prototype Echo 1 tarp shelter, cuben fiber.

In the storage sack, with its normal tie-outs, it weighs 8.2 ounces.

This should be interesting.

–B.G.–

Hey Bob,

Have you had a chance to do anything more than weigh it yet?

Cheers.

Tyson

No, not yet. My initial observation is that the cuben fiber material is one notch heavier than what I expected. That is not all good nor bad. I guess stronger is better.

I need to scrounge up a bunch of guy line tensioners first. I thought that I had a bunch of the old aluminum ones, and I thought that I had a few of the newer plastic ones. But, I may be hitting the store soon.

By the same token, I have some carbon fiber poles that I want to use, but if the pole lengths are totally wrong, I will have to get some new poles.

Also, I was waiting for the lawn to dry out a bit so that I could pitch and test these things without making a muddy mess. It is kind of hard to drive a titanium stake into the carpeted living room floor.

–B.G.–

"It is kind of hard to drive a titanium stake into the carpeted living room floor."

I was battling similar hurdles involving a coworker's desk…

> It is kind of hard to drive a titanium stake into the carpeted living room floor.

I guess that depends on how much you value the floor. :)

That and the fact that I don't have a yard has made it rather challenging to practice my tarp-rigging skills. Hopefully, that will change shortly.

Tyson,

Carpet stakes may help you.

stakes

Daryl

Haha, that's awesome! Thanks for that! :)

"It is kind of hard to drive a titanium stake into the carpeted living room floor."

Duct tape and strategically placed furniture will do the job!

I waited until the lawn was dry enough, and then I had a breezy day. This is the prototype Echo 1 solo tarp in cuben fiber.

My original plan was to do something radical with the stock guy line tensioners. I got eight in hand (2.0 grams total for eight), and then I realized that the stock tensioners would be good enough.

Instead of trying to perfect the pitch, I just tried to put it up as fast as possible in the breeze, and that would best simulate a real world situation. This shows it pitched high, and the sides are about a foot off the ground. Next time I will try it with the sides about one inch off the ground.

Now I need to figure out some mosquito net and some temporary storm flaps for the ends.

–B.G.–