Registered: 06/17/03
Posts: 593
Loc: Havre de Grace, MD
I have had a Warmlite DAM for a few years now and love it. Absolutely the most comfortable mattress I have used; however, it is a real pain in the but to inflate.
The Exped is a copy as we all know, but I am not sure how it stacks up against the DAM, particularly in comfort. The only reason I am considering one is due to the fact that Exped is now offering some more innovative pumping solutions other than just the stuff sack pump approach that the DAM uses.
Can anyone comment on the Exped and how it may compare to the Warmlite?
Maybe some of those pumps are able to be used with the Warmlite...???? I am sure that the nossles are different, but that may be able to be overcome.
Registered: 02/23/03
Posts: 2124
Loc: Meadow Valley, CA
What I have noticed with the pumps and pads, since the nozzle/inlet/outlet is at one end and not the side, it takes up a good amount of distance to position it to get it inflated. With my side opening tents, you have to work with it a little to get the pad inflated. A little akward.
Did you seam seal the pump sack for the warmlite? It makes a big difference. I'm guessing it cut in half the number of times you need to fill the sack. Of course it's still kind of a pain only just a little less...
Seam sealing does make a big difference, but I agree it still takes some time to inflate it. I like my ProLite 3 for its weight and ease of use, but I got the Stephenson for colder temps that I am expecting (though I have only tested it indoors to date).
They are harder to inflate in any tent. Sometimes I stick one end out the door. I suppose you could make an adapter, but how much does a pump weigh? My DAM is 20 years old now - not a puncture yet. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
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These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.
I have a Curtis raft that has the same fitting and the sack is about four times the volume of the Warmlite sack. This is what I use, always. I don't believe that Curtis has a site yet but you may be able to search out a phone #. The Curtis sack also comes with a water fitting that snaps onto the air fitting so you can use it for a water bag in camp. I don't use this for fear of getting moisture in the down mat.
Well, I've gone to the Exped side after using the Warmlite DAM for many years. The Exped is easier to inflate due to the type of nozzle it has for inflation. I've completely gone over to mouth inflation despite the horrors of damp down that may emerge and that loses 6oz of inflatasack for the already overweight Exped.
You're right about one thing, the Warmlite DAM was more comfortable. However it took longer to inflate and was more fussy while doing so. Sigh, you can't go back.
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Listen to the trees in the wind
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