View Full Version : Money no object tent...
Squidders
20-08-2004, 20:12
'ello...
I currently use a fairly cheap and cheerful tent I got from blacks but it's not that well thought out and has baggy spots that just won't go away etc etc...
I'm looking for a top tent that will take all weather conditions... really top... no, better than that :-)
I've been looking around at some from Mountain hardwear / north face but nearly all of the ones that are described as one step down from fall out shelter are bright yellow :cry:
So, I obviously have a few things I'd like in a tent... a gear loft perhaps or enough room to sleep myself and my girlfriend in comfort with room inside for a load of climbing gear and cooking etc... It has to have a good ground sheet as this is england and i'm sure you teepee fans will be muttering but it just rains too much not to have a good built in ground.
So, what would you get if money were no object for lugging around the country that will survive everything I'll throw at it?
tenbears10
20-08-2004, 21:23
Squddiers
Hi for a start, haven't seen your posts before. North Face are good tents but the best imo are Terra Nova. If you want a bit of room start with the quasar range and work up from there. They vary in weight depending on how bomb proof you want but even the ultra lite ones are more than a match for UK winter and more if that is your poison.
http://www.terra-nova.co.uk/terra/intro.shtml
I have a voyager and the only complaint is the size but as I say start at the bigger ones and no problem. They have a lifetime guarantee which I have tested and the fix faults no quibble (only one fault in 10 years isn't bad anyway).
If you find them in the sale £300 will last a lifetime so worth several £150 tents.
Bill
Hi,
How about an Exped one, it seems to fit what you want, a roomy 2 person tent with space for gear :
here's the official page (http://www.exped.ch/exped/web/exped_homepage.nsf?OpenDatabas e&Language=E) (near the bottom)
It also won a Backpacker Magazine award : here (http://www.backpacker.com/gear/article/0,1023,5170,00.html).
And the price is reasonnable ($350, not bad for a tent like that)
Others makes with a good reputation are Hilleberg (http://www.hilleberg.se/) from Sweden and Helsport (http://www.helsport.no/) from Norway.
Failing that, how 'bout a good ol' Force Ten, I know those will take anything you can through at them, ours is still going strong after 30 years (my mother's actually, she used it in the highlands in her university time). :lol:
Good luck in your search!
Squidders
20-08-2004, 21:48
Hi Bill :wave:
Thanks for the link... I hadn't really looked at the Terra Nova range that closely as I've only seen their el-cheapo range for sale...
The Hyperspace one in their endurance range looks nice... I'll be going to try it on soon I think.
Any more suggestions welcome from anyone.
Cheers.
Joe
___________
Todays outdoor experience was brought to you with the number 8, the letter Q and the catch-phrase " oh :***: it!"
Hilleberg; doesn't get alot better. but bags of money.
tenbears10
21-08-2004, 00:01
Hi Bill :wave:
Thanks for the link... I hadn't really looked at the Terra Nova range that closely as I've only seen their el-cheapo range for sale...
The Hyperspace one in their endurance range looks nice... I'll be going to try it on soon I think.
Any more suggestions welcome from anyone.
Cheers.
Joe
A Hyperspace would be my next Terra Nova if I could justify 2 tents. It has more than enough room for you + the missus and all your gear and it's bomb proof with an extra grounsheet protector it will last ages and you will be the envy of any campsite in the world (which is nice).
Let me know what you decide, I'll be interested. You can find them on ebay now and then but the price doesn't come down that much.
Bill
Squidders
21-08-2004, 00:23
Hilleberg; doesn't get alot better. but bags of money.
Yeah, they seem to be good quality but only for the tunnel type, i'm after something that is self supporting as I usually find the dip in the ground that fills up with water overnight...
I spend most mornings trying to remember where I picked up the water bed :?:
steven andrews
21-08-2004, 10:21
Hilleberg
I'd get a army one tonne converted into a camper van and live in that!
Or as monies no object
I'd have a vehicle built from scratch to my specs! Ultimate luxury!
shaggystu
21-08-2004, 12:25
i'd have to agree with everyone who's said terra nova and hilleberg, but MSR are worth looking at too, i use one of their ultra light ziod2 thingies but they do some fantastic 4 season tents too. just another avenue for you to explore.
stuart
SquirrelBoy
21-08-2004, 14:38
I'd have a vehicle built from scratch to my specs! Ultimate luxury!
I used to have a VW Camper (type 2) it was a pain in the rear to keep running, kept breaking down but it was the ultimate in FUN !!!
Absolutley loved that thing, fridge , sink, double bed the lot :hump: ...
am going off in the corner to cry now :sulkoff:
rapidboy
21-08-2004, 15:45
I would probably go for a Hilleberg.
I am looking around for a new tent at the minute but would like to take another look at the Moskoselkatan before i decide but I expect the Hilleberg would be a more sensible choice.
From what i have been told the Hillegerg tents have better ventilation than most others so i think they should suit British weather.
I still use my Force 10 with the vestibule and it is "bomb proof" but i only use it when i take my Defender as it weigh's a ton!
I'd have a vehicle built from scratch to my specs! Ultimate luxury!
I did Gary ,
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v76/rapidboy1/403_0348_1.jpg
Just back from a week away fishing in it.
700 mile round trip ,mostly around the west coast of Ireland (Sligo ,Achill Island ,Connemara ,Galway across to Dublin and then back to Belfast.)
VW T4 ,2.5 Turbo diesel ,full camper interior built to my spec and my choice of materials.
Windows with limo tint ,dash refinished in burl walnut trim ,half leather retrim of front seats and the double bed ,eberspacher heating ,2 burner hob ,grill ,sink and fridge/freezer.
Electric windows, sunroof ,mirrors and storage for 5 fishing rod's ,a tripod and a big umbrella :lol: .
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v76/rapidboy1/403_0382_1a.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v76/rapidboy1/403_0384_1a.jpg
......and im still looking for a good tent !
RB
SquirrelBoy
21-08-2004, 16:15
You lucky , lucky man RB
... am crying even more now :cry:
She`s beautifull mate.
Dare I ask how much one would set me back ?! Just had a nose on Autotrader and ebay but nothing anywhere near as nice.
p.s sorry to go off topic.
RB if I had known you were a rich man I wouldnt have given you any freebies!! :o): :rolmao:
Seriously though, nice looking van my friend, I am green with envy here! And if you ever want to swap it for a tent let me know!
rapidboy
21-08-2004, 21:16
Sorry to get off topic Squidders ,i started a new thread for the camper van stuff http://www.bushcraftuk.net/community/showthread.php?p=32913#post329 13
so you can get back to some tent talk
RB
rapidboy I have backpacked a few times with the force ten MK 5 an a number of times. I would also recomend these tents if your not carring them on your back but for 2 people they aren't a backpacking tent.
just for the record a MK5 weighs in at 6.5kg for a 4 man tent. thats not leaving enough sspace for kit but the extension fly sheet and poles which the cotton one is about 1.5kg brings it up to 8.3kg. You now have a tent that will take 5 people and all their kit with space to cok inside when it's raining. all this for just 1.6kg per person. this tent will survive anything and will do that for 20+ years
though it does cost £670 to start with
rapidboy
22-08-2004, 17:57
What is the difference between the models.
Mine is a Mk3 CNX ,it's green not orange and has a porch which is great for gear and cooking in.
I had an older one without the porch and it was orange but the shape was the same.
Is the Mk5 still the same design?
RB
Squidders
22-08-2004, 18:04
full camper interior built to my spec and my choice of materials.
You chose the seat fabric?!?!?! strange geometric grey aztec looking pattern? and you actually picked it?!? what were the alternatives?! :nana:
rapidboy
22-08-2004, 18:11
I thought the pink with yellow polka dots would clash with the grey leather. :o):
The guy that "dipped" the dash ,covers a lot of gun stocks in camo patterns and he did try and convince me that a nice Advantage Realtree would look the part but i declined :o): :o):
the origonal force ten tent cam in either the SD stadard version with cotton fly sheet or the CN version with the nylon fly sheet. some modles of the CN had the extended porch bulit in but the porch was avaliable as a seperate part that fits on (which we have) the Mk1 was a different style to the others and was a one man tent the only ones they make now (they may have stopepd even these now since they aren't on the website) are the MK3 MK4 and Mk5 these been 2 3 and 4 man tents. the extendad porch was an option that could fit on the mk4 and Mk5.
I hope that helps. I have a lot of exprience of these as woodcraft used them since they last so long
has anyone mentioned moskoselkatan (http://www.moskoselkatan.se/) yet? as i have said before... i will never go back to a igloo ten!
Squidders
23-08-2004, 12:14
I mentioned that type of tent in my original post... totally inappropriate for my needs they are.
rapidboy
23-08-2004, 18:17
Thanks Andy ,Mine is a 3 man ,nylon fly and porch all in one.
I havn't used mine in ages but im going to dig it out incase i get to the LRO show.
:biggthump
RB
Another vote for Terra Nova - best in the business bar none. Bombproof, durable (mine's near 20 years old and I'd still pick it over almost anything available today). Brilliant designs.
At this level, with no concerns about cost, you pick on key features. I prefer the continuous pole sleeves used by Terra Nova and North Face. Mountain hardwear clip their inners to the poles with plastic hooks which I think is inferior, though they manage to get a good taught pitch despite it. MSR tents seem sound but are not in the same class.
I find a good sized bel (porch, vestibule, whatever!) a key feature. None of the current designs are as good as they could be for this, but the North Face VE-25 is decent and proven over 25 years if you can live with the color. If you can't, I'd buy:
the super quasar for strength
http://www.terra-nova.co.uk/terra/terraprods/tents/innersupper.jpg
or the Quasar ETC for extra porch space
http://www.terra-nova.co.uk/terra/terraprods/tents/quasaretc2.jpg
Check out ebay - if you can afford to wait a few weeks you can save £100 to £150 of SRP on high end tents like these.
Cheers
My vote goes with Terra - Nova, I have useed the quasar and I own an ultra Voyager (I've had it a long time).
The Super Quasar Endurance is capable of providing shelter for three and is slightly less costly then the hyperspace, you'll also find that about the only thing that will move one once it is set up is a direct hit from a nuke :o):
has anyone mentioned moskoselkatan (http://www.moskoselkatan.se/) yet? as i have said before... i will never go back to a igloo ten!
How about a Kifaru (http://kifaru.net/TIPI.HTM) in that case? They're a tad lighter, good enough (see reviews) and can even come with a fully foldable, closed, wood-burning stove (http://kifaru.net/stovspex.htm), that even has a chimney so you don't suffocate with the smoke. Much nicer and safer than an open fire IMO. Plus you can easily cook over it (like you'd cook on a stove at home).
Having said this I've never tried any of the two, so I don't know how they compare, but I'd probably choose the kifaru mostly because of the stove, the shape (oval, less wind resistance so stays up better) and the pitching (no need for guy-lines). They're even a bit cheeper (something like $656 for the Kifaru, and 640€ for the Moskosel, and euros are worth quite a bit more than dollars!)
If you want a 2-man tent style one, check out this one (http://kifaru.net/paratipi.htm), weighs less than 1.5kg and bigger than any I've ever seen or heard of (but it's a tipi, no floor, no inner tent). Or if you want a normal tipi well just have a look at the others.
Another that might need to be considered is how easy it is to put up in the wind...if it long and complicated to put up and the wind is doing it's best effort to blow it away while you're setting it up it could be quite hectic...I've never put a tent up in the wind though, so I don't know if that really is to be considered (maybe it's easier than it seems).
Force Tens : I see other people like them :lol: We've got a green two-man model, one of the first ones probably, as it's thirty years old...They're excellent, but some people manage to go for a few days with a bag lighter than just that tent...(6kg for a 2-man, who can beat that?)
I'll adapt a Patek Philippe advert :
"You never really own a Force Ten, you merely take care of it for the next generation"
rapidboy
23-08-2004, 20:31
"You never really own a Force Ten, you merely take care of it for the next generation" :rolmao:
I like the look of the Kifaru ,anyone ever used one?
RB
6kg seems a bit much for the CN tent of any size let alone the MK3
PS I pritty much grew up an a force ten. when I was less then a year old I was out in -5 temp in one
Oh with out a doubt its terra Nova
Squidders
26-08-2004, 10:43
Ok, after hunting around, I have found the Terra Nova Hyperspace for £430 so that's what I'm going to go for as soon as I have sorted my money out (I'm on a kit buying binge at the moment).
If the tent turns out to be rubbish I'll hunt you all down and poke you with a stick :-)
Thanks for the advice, without you lot I'd be buying a bright yellow North Face tent :yikes:
Joe
Just to be different I'll suggest a Force Ten Spindrift, bright orange and heavy I'm afraid though they do a smaller version, really nicely made tent and tough.
http://www.forcetentents.com/products/tents/spindrift.htm
But then I'm basically a Vango fan, having used the same MK3ST cotton for 20 odd years, Ive also got the green nylon fly for it, but the cotton pitches better, despite having too many tents to choose from my old Force Ten A frame remains my favourite when I want to pitch quickly in any conditions with complete confidence.
Jason
lugged a bloomin force10 around 10 tours last year B :***: dy thing.. ok so it can take a hell of a beating.. but thats only if you have the strength to get the dam thing down the garden path!