User Review: Hennessy Explorer Deluxe Asym

Hennessy Explorer Deluxe Asym
Above: The current Explorer Deluxe Asym, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed May 29, 2006 by JOHN BRICKEY

Rating:
Design: Hammock Shelter
Sleeps: 1
Ease of Setup: Cake!
Weight: About 4 LBS with Mods
Price Paid: $160+

Ok, as a gadget guy I have a tendency to try items that do not always impress. This is NOT one of those occasions. My first Hennessy hammock was the Scout, paid about a hundred bucks or so for it. I learned fast that reading all the information on a web site would be a great idea before purchasing an item for backcountry use! It was a little small for my build, I am over six feet tall!

While it was a little tight, I did sleep better than usual, there were no issues with looking for level ground, and that’s a Huge benefit when one hikes until the wee hours of the night! After a few months I treated myself with an upgrade!

The Explorer ASYM fits like a glove. Lying in the hammock at an angle provides a much more level sleeping environment. Also I purchased the “Snake Skin” covers for quick setup, the “Hex Fly” for slightly larger rain and cover fly, and did a few modifications of my own.

One of the simplest ideas is the attach a small pouch to the end of one rope so you will always know where your line stakes are kept. A more complicated task, but by far worth the trouble, is to modify the guide rope for attaching the hammock to trees! Hennessy sells “Tree Hugger” straps that are primarily used to help conserve tree bark and provide extra length for tying rope. Therein lies the problem, one still has to “tie” each end of the tent every time it is set-up. I was never good with knots, nor do I have the patience to re-adjust them if they are not level, especially if they are wet.

If you leave about two feet of main rope leading off each end of your hammock, this is for rain fly adjustments, you can cut the leads and make a closed end loop around both ends shorting them drastically. After this is done, go the hardware store and purchase motorcycle tie down straps, or something similar. Make sure the weight limits fit your needs and be sure to keep them as light as possible for obvious reasons. Feed one end into the newly made loop and Walla! You now have one and a half times the length on each end, pending on your straps, and the ability to wrap them once around a tree, feed the end thru the clamp and adjust on the fly! I can set up my hammock in less than thirty seconds! After cutting the extra bits of rope and eliminating the need for tree hugger straps, the weight turns out to be about the same.

I will never bunker in a tent again! I have used the modified Hennessy For a minimum of two months total sleep time outdoors with nothing but perfect results. I love it! Only setback is having to leave it when nature calls in the middle of the night!

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