which tent

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

I`m looking for a lightweight tent that I can use throughout the later parts
of the year. I`m the proud owner of the Argos one man tent (I have 2) but
would like something better for later months where the weather would not be
so good and would offer a good area inside the porch for cooking without
worrying about the weather outside the tent.

Whilst I`m not exactly the richest man on earth, I don't mind paying if the
tent would be suitable and I can use it when ever I want, even if the
weather decides to snow (albeit lightly)

Thanks

Gordon

Also interested in this, with very similar requirements. Though would
rather not have to fork out for a Hilleberg.

Been considering the Vango Spirit 200 as a reasonable compromise between
function/weight/cost (~£220). However I've not been able to find
anywhere with one pitched to have a look at. Any advice anyone?

Thanks

--
Darren

slipstream_242 said:

I`m looking for a lightweight tent that I can use throughout the later parts
of the year. I`m the proud owner of the Argos one man tent (I have 2) but
would like something better for later months where the weather would not be
so good and would offer a good area inside the porch for cooking without
worrying about the weather outside the tent.

I use a Saunders Spacepacker. It will actually take 2 people, or give
/lots/ of space at the weight (1.9Kg) for 1. There are two porches
(each bigger than anything else I've seen in a sub 2Kg tent)), so one up
you can fill one with gear and cook in the other. 4 doors, so you can
always use one that's out of the weather.

It's not completely bombproof, but nothing is at that weight. I've been
in some major blows where the wind has flattened it, and it's just
sprung back up again!

If you're convinced you'll only ever want single occupancy then you can
do lighter by getting a pure one man tent, but for a 1 or 2 person tent
that's still quite light and reasonably tough and has very good porch
space it's worth a look. Caveat is if you're over 6' or over you might
find the sleeping area a bit on the short side, and the sleep position
puts a sloping wall right over your face. That doesn't bother me at
all, but seems to drive some people mad.

I know a few Spacepacker owners and we're all happy with them.

Saunders can be hard to come by in the shops but they'll do sale or
return by post, and as it's the end of the tent exhibition season they
may well have some ex-display or seconds in at a reduced price. Web
site is http://www.robertsaunders.co.uk/ but they don't seem very good
at email at times: 'phone up and ask about seconds and ex dem stock on
020 8500 2447. USual price is £269

Note that the Spacepacker Mk 1 is the one described above. The Mk 2 has
larger porches, lower spec fabrics, slightly easier pitching (I think)
and is heavier.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

In article <[email hidden]>, Peter Clinch
<[email hidden]> writes

[snip Spacepacker details]

Quoted message said:

Caveat is if you're over 6' or over you might find the sleeping area a
bit on the short side, and the sleep position puts a sloping wall right
over your face. That doesn't bother me at all, but seems to drive some
people mad.

The giants among us might want to consider the Plus version which is
bigger all round for an extra 300g or so. Giants are big and strong so
they can carry heavier loads than us normal people.

http://www.robertsaunders.co.uk/pages/spacepacker.html

--

Dominic Sexton
http://www.dscs.demon.co.uk/

In article <[email hidden]>, Peter Clinch
<[email hidden]> writes

[snip Spacepacker details]

Quoted message said:

Caveat is if you're over 6' or over you might find the sleeping area a
bit on the short side, and the sleep position puts a sloping wall right
over your face. That doesn't bother me at all, but seems to drive some
people mad.

The giants among us might want to consider the Plus version which is
bigger all round for an extra 300g or so. Giants are big and strong so
they can carry heavier loads than us normal people.

http://www.robertsaunders.co.uk/pages/spacepacker.html

--

Dominic Sexton
http://www.dscs.demon.co.uk/

On 26/8/04 11:05 pm, in article [email hidden],

slipstream_242 said:

I`m looking for a lightweight tent that I can use throughout the later parts
of the year. I`m the proud owner of the Argos one man tent (I have 2) but
would like something better for later months where the weather would not be
so good and would offer a good area inside the porch for cooking without
worrying about the weather outside the tent.

Whilst I`m not exactly the richest man on earth, I don't mind paying if the
tent would be suitable and I can use it when ever I want, even if the
weather decides to snow (albeit lightly)

I went through this search last year. I was interested in the Saunders'
tents but found them difficult to find and - in my experience - the company
are not very helpful.

In the end I went for the Hilleberg Nallos (2 people). Not the cheapest but
amazing value in terms of space per weight. Stands up to very bad weather
conditions well.

--
Andy Howell
Birmingham, UK

In article <BD5507C5.35961%andy.howellNOSPAM@ecotrendDOTorgDOTuk>, Andy Howell

URL:mailto:andy.howellNOSPAM@ecotrendDOTorgDOTuk said:

On 26/8/04 11:05 pm, in article [email hidden],

slipstream_242 said:

I`m looking for a lightweight tent that I can use throughout the
later parts of the year. I`m the proud owner of the Argos one man
tent (I have 2) but would like something better for later months
where the weather would not be so good and would offer a good area
inside the porch for cooking without worrying about the weather
outside the tent.

Whilst I`m not exactly the richest man on earth, I don't mind paying
if the tent would be suitable and I can use it when ever I want,
even if the weather decides to snow (albeit lightly)

I went through this search last year. I was interested in the
Saunders' tents but found them difficult to find and - in my
experience - the company are not very helpful.

In the end I went for the Hilleberg Nallos (2 people). Not the
cheapest but amazing value in terms of space per weight. Stands up to
very bad weather conditions well.

I can recommend both the MacPac "Stellar" (which I bought whilst touring
in New Zealand a couple of years ago), or the Hilleberg "Nallo" (I have
the 2 GT model).

Of these two, the Nallo has the most space inside, and particularly on
the GT model large porch, but the Stellar would probably be better in
snow or high winds. However I personally haven't used either in full on
winter conditions mainly because I still have an ageing Mountain Quasar
when weight isn't an issue.

Mike
--
o/ \\ // || ,_ o Mike Clark, "An antibody engineer who also
<\__,\\ // __o || / /\, likes the mountains"
"> || _`\<,_ // \\ \> | Cambridge Climbing and Caving Club
` || (_)/ (_) // \\ \_ <URL:http://www.path.cam.ac.uk/~mrc7/cccc/>