tarp or basha?

[big_daddy_merc]

i've been holding out for a cheap basha, but i've been thinking of just using a big tarp from b&q and the like.
now the question is should i keep sticking it out for a cheap camo basha or just give in and buy a green tarp?
i know a propers basha will pack smaller than a tarp but i'm so skint at the min it feels like i'm waiting for ever an a day for one to come up in my price range :D

[raskusdrotti]

Depends upon your price range i suppose??

[big_daddy_merc]

i like to get the best lower priced items, as like the rest of us i have a family that come first so i'm forced to have a very small budget to get all my items not just bushcraft items

[raskusdrotti]

The tarps don't pack up small, but are very light, so you can roll them up and strap them to the outside of your pack. you can pick up dpm ones on ebay for a couple of quid delivered.

on the other hand , they are noisier in the open air and probably will need replacing before a basha.

I suggest sticking up a wanted ad for a basha on a shoestring - i know that loads of people will have spares for their spares and would offload to someone who needs one, when i was starting out i got loads of help finding cheap kit.....

Failing that, you should find the best bargains from those in the know

hope this helps

[British Red]

My advice is to wait and save up fr a Tatonka 3m x 3m or similar - they are only c. £30 and so much more flexible than a tent. They work with hammocks, bivying etc. etc.

I bought cheap early on and regretted it - a Tatonke packs as small or smaller than a poncho and sleeps 2 easily!

Red

[big_daddy_merc]

just had a look for a Tatonka and the price is good

link (http://www.google.co.uk/products?q=tatonka+tarp&num=50&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=q2Y&um=1&sa=X&oi=froogle&ct=title)

so it could really be in the running, cheers for the advice :cool:

[raskusdrotti]

I have a 3x3 tatonka (cotton) and i have to say it's the nuts....

[leon-b]

i have a 3x3 tatonka aswell and yes it is a great bit of kit
leon

[spamel]

Get yourself a kip sheet to start off, look on ebay for Individual protection kit (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Individual-protection-kit-Ex-Army-Basha-Shelter-NEW_W0QQitemZ270113534593QQihZ 017QQcategoryZ36077QQssPageNam eZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) or here's another showing the pegs and cordage you get with it. (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Individual-protection-kit-Ex-Army-Basha-Shelter-NEW_W0QQitemZ270111267769QQihZ 017QQcategoryZ36077QQrdZ1QQssP ageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem)

You will not be able to rip it without doing something stupid to it, and they are something like 9x6 foot in size, but pack down really small. They are used to put overhead cover on trenches by using the pegs and string, so they are plenty strong enough, once it is over the trench, earth is piled on to it and when it is settled, you can drive a landrover across without it collapsing! Rip proof, waterproof, light, green, cheap, what more could you want?!!

You'd have to sew some loops on to secure your gtuy lines, or a small pebble wrapped in the corner and then tie off behind the pebble, that will work.

[big_daddy_merc]

i was looking at a I.P.K a few weeks back but didn't really pay much notice to it, it would suit my short term needs possibly my long term as well

[Scots_Charles_River]

It's a good cheap (http://www.surplusandadventure.com/ishop/800/shopscr2108604.html) bit of kit, not that I will use it in a nuke fallout, I got one a few years ago and it stays in my pack all yr when Munro bagging. Ideal if i get caught out all night. A bivvy shelter with bivvy bag, flysheet for hammocking, flysheet for shade etc.

Nick

[sxmolloy]

Tatonka 3x3 here too (it's the Tarp2). More than pleased with it.

Happy hunting...ATB....Stu

[Squidders]

tatonka for me also... great bit of kit...

I also just got 2 of the Mears aussie hootchies and they're very nice... loops everywhere! twice the price of the tatonka though. :o

[Gailainne]

Tatonkas are not exactly light though are they ! KT's are similar in size, cheaper and a quarter of the weight.

[dommyracer]

What's a KT?

I've got a Tatonka 2TC in English, thats a 3m x 3m "technical cotton" tarp. (even though it has a label that says 100% nylon).

Its a nice bit of kit, but sometimes I wish I had the lighter poly PU one

[Squidders]

Ok... Yes, the KT (Kathmandu trekking) tarps are lighter (slightly)... mostly because they are smaller... not entirely because but mostly.

2.5m x 2.5m = 6.25m2 area
3m x 3m = 9m2 area

That's nearly 50% more so yes... I accept a little more weight and no... they are not similar in size.

I use the 4m x 3m tatonka and it packs down more than small enough for my needs and gives 12m2 of cover... nearly double the KT one. When it's lashing down with rain and I have not only something that'll keep me dry in bed but something that I can be active under, I generally don't bitch about the additional few ounces.

I have owned a KT tarp from a good few years ago now, I really liked it but found from experience, that the tatonka is more suited to my taste.

Any advice I give it just that, advice... if your opinion is not the same as mine, revel in our diversity and move on please ;)



Tatonkas are not exactly light though are they ! KT's are similar in size, cheaper and a quarter of the weight.

[Gailainne]

Sorry KT is a kathmandu tarp http://home.freeuk.net/kathmandu/catalogue.html

Stephen

[falcon]

I've got a KT and the poly version of the Tatonka. While the KT packs down small and is light it's not big enough for the hammock.... if rain is expected the hammock protrudes at the ends. While the poly Tatonka doesn't pack down as small, I can still fit it in the outer lid of the Sabre 45 (with lines) and it's not heavier enough to worry about..... :) Not sure about the cotton version though....one mate's just swapped from the cotton to the poly version

[Squidders]

I had the "cotton" 3x3 and while it was nice and tactile and very quiet in the wind but it was big to pack.

I would also consider the hennessy hex fly as a light weight alternative... especially if you're in a hammock. I have seen the odd issue with the built in guy points but all products have the odd bad example.

[Gailainne]

Any advice I give it just that, advice... if your opinion is not the same as mine, revel in our diversity and move on please ;)

I'm not sure where this came from ? like the quote I am as entitled to my opinion as you are, and I will "move on" or not as I please.

However back to the topic,

KT XXL; EXTENDED LENGTH BASHAS
Price; 3mts. x 1.8 mts. Weight; 450g/15oz. £33.26.
3mts x 2.5 mts. Weight; 575g/20oz. £40.70.

Tatonka Tarp 2 (3m X 3m)
[ta002] £43.95
3m x 3m
weight:
Cotton 1.35kg
poly 0.9kg

I don't know what the pack size is of the Tatonka, the KT packs down to something like 80mm dia by 300mm lg.

Cost is very similar, size Tatonka is 20% bigger, weight Tatonka is 56% poly, 135% cotton, heavier. I dont know what the noise of the Tatonka Poly tarp is like, the cotton is very quiet, the KT is silnylon and is noisey, not bad but noticable.

Stephen

[falcon]

Yep, my KT is a smaller version than those. As I said, the poly version fits my ruckie outer lid and, at around £35 via a group buy a while back I'm happy enough.... :)

[shep]

Another cheap option is always the DIY route.
I made a tarp from parachute material (ebay), glued+stitched with some webbing I had lying around for loops and a coat of Fabsil to finish. Total cost about £15. It weighs 700g. Though it's probably not as heavy duty as some it is ripstop nylon and has stood up to field-testing.
Quite satisfying too!

[Scots_Charles_River]

Still got the link to the material seller ? please. :D

Nick

[Gailainne]

These used to be pretty good
http://www.pennineoutdoor.co.uk

Problem is their website has changed and I'm not entirely sure its the same ppl, sorry.

Stephen

[Scots_Charles_River]

I have been looking a the PU ripstop nylon form www.pointnorth.co.uk as well.

Nick

[shep]

Still got the link to the material seller ? please. :D

Nick

Sorry, over 60 days ago on evilbay.
A search for ripstop nylon should find you something suitable. I found some that wasn't wide enough so stitched + glued a centre seam to join two pieces. Seems to work.

[woodstock]

i've been holding out for a cheap basha, but i've been thinking of just using a big tarp from b&q and the like.
now the question is should i keep sticking it out for a cheap camo basha or just give in and buy a green tarp?
i know a propers basha will pack smaller than a tarp but i'm so skint at the min it feels like i'm waiting for ever an a day for one to come up in my price range :D

they all do the same job my friend its only down to weight if its cover your after argos is as good as any

[Eric_Methven]

Machine Mart do a tarp in DPM for not much more than a B&Q blue one. It'll be fine for a starter setup.

Eric

[arjuna]

look for what you need ? and than you know .i have kahtmando 250/150 and thats big for the purpus


look what the stilnis in your self says