Looking for a tarp

[rapidboy]

Im after a new tarp, 2 actually.
I have both the aussie tarps (camo and the heavier green versions) and i used to have a British Army basha (my Dad now uses that as an awning on the Defender).
What other choices are out there and how do they compare to the ones above in terms of build quality, strength and size ?
I really liked the army basha but i want to see what else is out there before i'd buy another couple.

[Gill]

i just bought a Truenorth big tarp Lawrence ,its expensive but it is really good .i also have the aussie tarps,and coming to think about it just aboot every bloomin tarp there is i think ,but this one is good mate.

[rapidboy]

http://www.truenorthoutdoor.co.uk/bigtarp.htm

Would it be as strong as the aussie tarps or the army basha ?

[Chainsaw]

I've got the desert tarp if that's the army one you're talking about and it really is heavy duty, doubles as a stretcher, so has to be. None of the big tarps (4.5mx3m) I've looked at come very close to the strength ie be struggling to carry someone in one! From an SotP thread, some options for you;

DD big tarp (http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=17900) from here (http://www.ddhammocks.com/)
Andywink big tarp (http://www.bushcraftuk.com/index.php/850-andywink-ba-tarp-review.html) from here (http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=15918)
There's also the much vaunted True north big tarp from here (http://www.truenorthoutdoor.co.uk/bigtarp.htm) not reviewed it yet (tsk tsk) but Tim has here (http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=14376&)
There's also the SotP tarp (http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=16490) depending on size requirements

My short summary is;

DD - light, good and cheap
Andywink - Heavy and good
True North - Light and best quality and probably strongest...

There are also tarps available from Tatonka (different weights and prices and good) and Decathlon (light and cheap) which get good write ups. If I could have only one big tarp (heaven forbid!!) I'd probably go for the DD or True North for the weight and if cost was an issue then the DD would get it. I'm kinda with Gill, true north sounds like it'd fit the bill, not quite as strong but not designed to be.

Cheers,

Alan

[sandbag47]

DD group buy starting in a couple of days ...just getting it all together
but the 3x3 tarp is going to cost £24. and the xl tarp £34

and i can still get truenorth's cheaper aswell :);)

[Gill]

i would say it would stand up to most Lawrence ,having said that it is not just as heavy as the OG aussie hootchie . this tarp has some nifty little net pockets for putting paddles or whatever for putting up.