Hexamid tarp With beak or without.

I have not tried the no-beak model, but I think for privacy as much as protection from the elements, I'd want the beak. The hexamid offers plenty of protection/shelter, but at a price space-wise. You'll get more of that back if you opt for the beak (and pitch as high as the weather permits).

With a beak!! I have the Hex Solo with the beak, and it works great as a minimalist shelter, but without the beak would most definitely get some splash in from a good downpour. I get a little around the lower edges if its dumping hard enough to puddle around the tarp.

The beak offers more options and benefit for a small price and weight penalty. As mentioned above, I use it for privacy too so not just for inclement weather.

You can angle the pole out a little, which lowers the front and moves it out, at the expense of less headroom on the ends. Up to you. I picked up a Solplex this winter, at my age I figured I wanted better coverage from wind and rain, from above and below. The Solplexes bathtub bottom should help a little with wind thru my quilt, giving me more warmth hopefully. Only down side, on my week long vacations, I'll be trying to go as light as possible, so may just bring a tarp and bivy if that much. Nothing but money.
Duane

I have an older Twin with the cuben door. I wish I had the beak. I have a friend who has the Twin with the beak and it is better. Provides a handy vestibule, better protection and privacy for minimal weight. If I did not have the cuben door, I would have sent it to Joe to add a beak.

I'd say it depends on where you're backpacking mostly. The last several times I've used my hexamid the beak stayed rolled up the entire trip. I've only used it when its rained and I usually dont see a lot of inclement weather. On the other hand, it is nice to have in a situation where an unexpected storm rolls in, which has happened to me, and I did wake up and roll down the beak.

I have a Hexamid Twin with the beak . . .I believe I made the right decision. The weight is negligible, and there is greater rain and wind protection, with some additional privacy.

I bought one without a beak. Joe tested the prototype on the entire CDT without one and said he didn't think it was necessary. I'm coming from using regular tarps where both foot and head ends are open to the elements and never minded the fact. So I figured just having 1 side open was an improvement and never thought anything of it. Some say the extra weight of the beak isn't much, but for me, it would have removed any weight savings over my previous CF tarp in which case why bother buying it. My previous MLD tarp that I've had since 2008 is still in excellent shape and worked well for 3500+ trail miles, so for me to justify spending money on a new one it had to offer me something like a weight savings.

My opinion is that beaks are not necessary but may be desirable for some people. I think the issue is a persons background and experience. Someone who wants to setup their shelter where ever without much thought to the terrain would want a beak which more bulletproofs their setup at the expense of having more condensation when using it. A person use to choosing a sheltered campsite and setting up a shelter with an eye for how any potential weather may hit it, probably doesn't need the beak.

Given that I cowboy camp if it isn't raining, privacy was never an issue for me. If I want it, I'll choose a campsite that gives it to me rather then relying on the shelter for the illusion of it.

I like my Hexamid Solo tarp with doors instead of a beak.

I have no idea what sort of doors ZPacks used to sell, but definitely disliked their idea of a beak for a shelter with so low of an entrance.

So, I bought a 2nd hand Hex Solo tarp, purchased a few feet of 0.51 CF from ZPacks, some 9460 3M tape, the 3M "94" primer, and modified it to my liking. Took me 3 hours total.

And like it I do.

No seams, all bonded construction. Behaves great in rain and/or wind (not yet tested above 30 mph winds).
Love it!

Nice job Ivo.
Duane

To beak, or not to beak, that is the question.

Beak.

I love my beak!

But I must admit those doors and the ability to roll back either side looks good, especially to get in and out.

I mostly cowboy camp and only put up my tarp in inclement weather. The beak definitely adds protection from rain & splash.

Yes, impressive work.

Canada Duane

Ivo, you forgot to provide the most important factor here… by how much did your addition increase the weight? :D

Sorry for overlooking the most important parameter on BPL….

After replacing all lines by Lawson Glowire, the weight of the original tarp in its bag went up to 5.2 oz.

My doors (and guyline with shock cord) added another 2.15 oz, so now the end weight with the carry bag is up to 7.35 oz.

Vestibule size about equals the size of the sleep area. Doors are tensioned with a shockcord on a prussik to the front stake, either door opens independently and could be rolled up.

And I lied about the 3 hrs it took me to mod it – I did not mention another 2 hrs of planning.