OR Helium Bivy Door mod?

[Richpips]

I have a Outdoor Research Helium sub 500 gram bivy which has a very annoying door. The waterproof section is fixed to the midge door so it will not roll up. The best it can manage are two crappy loops that fold the outer in half which then dangles in your face. I say crappy, because they quite often come undone of their own volition. Grrrr.

See Kajsa's vid - https://youtu.be/qPjQC6EijAQ?t=154 (a clothes peg is not a solution)

My idea was some way of gathering the fabric from the outside? Stitch some loops and then have a gathering cord?

Your thoughts please .......

[Bearbonesnorm]

I've got some little dinky (but strong) magnets that'd do that - do you want some?

[ledburner]

I've got some little dinky (but strong) magnets that'd do that - do you want some?

I can send you some hot air tape to cool iron on.. then sew o to that. or some pvc canvas timake a magnetic loop..
pm me if interested

[Richpips]

I've got some little dinky (but strong) magnets that'd do that - do you want some?

That sounds interesting.

Presuming they are not so strong they'd wreck the fabric.

If I made a tiny pouch for each would A stick to be B and B to C?

If so can you let me know how much for 9 magnets?

Thanks.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Presuming they are not so strong they'd wreck the fabric.

Should be fine Rich. I'll pop some in the post if you remind me of your address.

[Bearbonesnorm]

I put you some magnets int' post yesterday Rich. Out of interest, this afternoon I cut a 4" (100mm for our younger viewers) piece of heat-shrink, put a magnet in each end and gave it a waft with the heat gun. Result is a handy magnetic tie which might be ideal for holding up / back material.

[u02sgb]

Be interested to see what you come up with.

I've used some magnets I bought wrapped in silicon with a silicon tie between them. Two of them from the loops were better but it still sometimes worked loose overnight.

I've thought about doing some other modding but not got round to it. One idea that had potential was with the lip edge of the waterproof cover. It looked like I might be able to put a length of wire in (maybe higher gauge solid core copper) and sew to the tape at the edge. Figured I could use that for a "breathing hole" if I got caught without a tarp in heavier rain.

If you're just planning on using the midge net it's possible to pull the waterproof hood back over the pole too. I've had that stay up overnight which was a pretty good solution with no modding.

[Richpips]

If you're just planning on using the midge net it's possible to pull the waterproof hood back over the pole too. I've had that stay up overnight which was a pretty good solution with no modding.

Yep I've done the same, sometimes it works and other times it falls down.

[u02sgb]

Did you get anywhere with this Rich?

[Richpips]

Did you get anywhere with this Rich?

Not yet. Stuart sent me some magnets which are awaiting my doing something with.

[u02sgb]

[Richpips]

So, Stuart sent me 10 magnets.

I made two lines inline with the loops that are supposed to hold the door out of your face.

I fixed them in place with some McNett tenacious tape.

A little fiddly to get the door folded up, but works fine.

[u02sgb]

That looks great Rich. Does it just concertina up? How's the testing gone?

[Richpips]

That looks great Rich. Does it just concertina up? How's the testing gone?

First proper test was at the Jenn ride. I concertinad it up and it stayed in place all night.

[u02sgb]

Thanks Rich. Still not had time to have a fettle.

Discovered gaps at the end of the zips where the midge net doesn't cover! Got a bit of work to do.