Wife got me a Hennesy Asim Zip for Christmas. Living in multi unit housing and -20 temps, today was my first trial. I strung the hammock between 2 cars and gave it a 60 second test.

I got some questions...
First, I stung the canoe from my Jeep roof rack to the roof rack of a minivan. The line was level and taut and eye level the whole way. I started having to "climb" in. But the whole thing quickly sagged so far I thought I'd hit ground, so I got up and pulled the line as hard as I could and tied new knots. Again it sagged, but not quite so far. It was quite a bit more than expected. A quicker way to tighten and secure those lines is my first question.

Next, I know the whole "asim" part means I am supposed to lie diagonally, but I was constantly pulled back to center.

Also wondering about all the pictures I see of people sitting in their hammock like a swing. My head kept hitting the line.

There was another thread that mentioned the shug videos on youtube. They are a great primer and entertaining. In addition The Ultimate Hang is a good primer. Check out the website at he the following: Ultimate Hang - Hammock Camping 101

Have patience.
You'll need some time to get out and play with the new gear properly. Rushing it, as I'm sure you know in those temps with those anchor points really didn't tell you anything.

We'll get those few nice days in Feb we always get where the sun comes out and it warms up to 50-60 for two days before plunging back down for a few more weeks. That will be your chance to run to a local park and really try it out.

quote ECpizza: "

I got some questions...
First, I stung the canoe from my Jeep roof rack to the roof rack of a minivan. The line was level and taut and eye level the whole way. I started having to "climb" in. But the whole thing quickly sagged so far I thought I'd hit ground, so I got up and pulled the line as hard as I could and tied new knots. Again it sagged, but not quite so far. It was quite a bit more than expected. A quicker way to tighten and secure those lines is my first question.

Next, I know the whole "asim" part means I am supposed to lie diagonally, but I was constantly pulled back to center.

Also wondering about all the pictures I see of people sitting in their hammock like a swing. My head kept hitting the line. "

1) does that hammock string up with tree straps connected directly to the hammock? Or do you have whoopie slings (the usually silver cord that loops back through itself to allow you to adjust after tying knots)?

2). Haven't laid in that hammock, so I can't speak to it, but that's not uncommon. You just get used to where the sweet spot is you need to lay so it doesn't pull you back to center.

3) I've had that problem too. It is what it is, with some hammocks you have to slouch more to keep away from the ridge-line

Almost sounds like you were using para cord or similar rope? That stuff stretches. A lot. Check out Shugs videos, and also check out the suspension video from Warbonnet.

Here is a link to Brandon's Warbonnet set-up video. Note that the tree straps are above head high before he sits in the hammock.

Warbonnet set-up videa

Here is a link to Shug's video series: Shug's video series

quote ECpizza: "Wife got me a Hennesy Asim Zip for Christmas. Living in multi unit housing and -20 temps, today was my first trial. I strung the hammock between 2 cars and gave it a 60 second test.

I got some questions...
First, I stung the canoe from my Jeep roof rack to the roof rack of a minivan. The line was level and taut and eye level the whole way. I started having to "climb" in. But the whole thing quickly sagged so far I thought I'd hit ground, so I got up and pulled the line as hard as I could and tied new knots. Again it sagged, but not quite so far. It was quite a bit more than expected. A quicker way to tighten and secure those lines is my first question.

Next, I know the whole "asim" part means I am supposed to lie diagonally, but I was constantly pulled back to center.

Also wondering about all the pictures I see of people sitting in their hammock like a swing. My head kept hitting the line. "

I can't tell if you're hanging a hammock or a canoe. You mention a canoe....did you mean hammock?

LOL! hammock, not canoe! Wow. Guess I had one too many before posting!

I'm watching the videos, it's helping. I just wish I had a good place at home to string it up and try things out.

Yup, that definitely sounds like a case of using a nylon suspension instead of polyester or other stuff with less stretch. As for the chair mode, a lot of people unclip their ridelines for that - not sure if you can do that on a Hennessey or not.

Well, I got 60 minutes today slung from my garage door tracks. Again, not ideal, but learning. My neighbors wondered what I was up to. :)

I think i will be ordering woopie slings tomorrow. The lines are just fine, but I think that i would like to make adjustments quicker.

I learned to pull the foot side zipper sooner. (Ouch)

As I suspected, the pad would not stay where i needed it. The cold was not too bad, but a night of it may leave me frozen. I will be eager to see what a 50* night will be like, and am excited to try it in a heatwave.

I suspect the tie outs will help, but I found adjusting with a sleeping bag difficult. And everything kept popping to the center. Not got the angle right yet, but wonder if I would even know if I did. Feet too high up, but running out of headroom.

I plan to do some sort of reflector pad. I think I'll make my own with reflectex and some light fleece. I think I can make it and use my bag as a quilt.

I can't wait for summer and sitting in the hammock reading before sleep.

My big problem from this test would be a pillow. I wasn't comfortable without, but even the thin one I worked with was too much. Being a mostly side sleeper, it's important.

I use rappel rings and a carabinier on each end.It's the fastest way to adjust your hammock that I've tried.

ECpizza, I use my basement for test runs. If you have an unfinished area, two supports fastened to exposed floor joists works well. Plus, it won't bend your door tracks out of whack.

I am curious what is the level of the hammock itself. I tend to hang my straps about head height and pull them really tight so that the hammock itself is nearly level. The sag I see in some photos and popular with some people would create a low center everything would want to migrate towards. With a nearly level hammock it is easier to get the cross angle for laying and side or even belly sleeping.
A nice thing about hammocks is you can dial in your sleep angle unlike ground sleepers who have only lumpy mattresses and angle set at the factory.