Tarptent Advice

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Wandering Daisy
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Re: Tarptent Advice

Post by Wandering Daisy »

My previous comments were specifically about the Moment. I think ANY new design has a period of getting the bugs out. Small design changes can solve a problem. There have been adjustments made to the other Tarptent models. So, it may be best to wait a few years before buying a new model. That goes for any brand. Air flow in a center-high model with very low ends may require larger or differently located upper vents. I doubt condensation would be different in any other brand's single-wall tent of a similar design. This is not a"fatal flaw", simply an inconvienence. I almost bought a Rainbow instead, and in 20-20 hindsight, I would choose the Rainbow over the Moment. But then I have not lived 40 days in the Rainbow! The "devil I know" may be better than the "devil I do not know". I do however take issue with the posts that simply blow off condensation as "pilot error".

I also do not like the "race to the lowest weight" that is going on with all tent manufacturers. Light is good, but when you get a few ounce on the competitor by using inferiour tent pegs, of rediculously thin strings (there is an issue of the thickness of tent string that is needed for easy handling and knot tying and untying), or what I find now- a supposed 2-man tent that is so narrow that it is basically a 1-man tent. As long as we consumers demand an unreasonable low weight in a tent, the manufacturers will play this game. I also do not like the one-size-fits-all concept where we shorter people end up with a 90-inch long tent. Why cannot tents come in short-medium-tall like sleeping bags?
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AlmostThere
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Re: Tarptent Advice

Post by AlmostThere »

Flux wrote:

So tents like the rainbow and moment have that ability with the static pole length??

I am curious because my 2 wall tents with the built in vestibule/rainflys are a total PITA to get the fly down to the ground if it can be done at all in a taught fashion. More than a few times I have not spread the vestibules out, but let them lie against the sides to seal up the tent better.

It just appears that in the photos the tarptents kind of hover 3-4 inches above the ground when they are properly set up and are taught.

Can you tell I don't like drafts??
I can't speak for the rainbow, I know that the moment will let you move the sides up and down the pole some. A sublite with trekking poles can be pitched all the way to the ground, or a number of inches off the ground, and the end vent can be opened and closed.

You don't like drafts, I don't care much for condensation but always plan so that my shelter has nothing to do with how warm I am and would rather have air flow. Seems to me there are shelters for each of us out there, which is as it should be. Probably my main shelter being a hammock is an ingredient in my preference for adjustability and flexibility, and why I look at those features in any shelter. The most customizable shelter in my box is the hammock and tarp... the ability to block off wind or let the breeze in, or leave the top off entirely, makes me happy. You'd think that would land me with a double wall but I only have one of those.... tho I have to say the Scarp really caught my eye.

I also think WD has a point - why aren't there different lengths of tents? I suspect the answer is much like the one with major manufacturers of packs - it's not lucrative enough to have the option!
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Flux
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Re: Tarptent Advice

Post by Flux »

Good things to know Almostthere.

Again, i really admire the ingenious designs that Tarptent puts out there. Having a 2lb shelter that can handle almost anything and is comfy is huge. Right now I am kind of torn between dropping the coin on an ultralight shelter or building my own. I am pretty sure I will mess mine up but it could be fun building it.
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Clubb
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Re: Tarptent Advice

Post by Clubb »

Wow, guys, you have a wealth of knowledge. This is the feedback I'm looking for. Luckily, I'm not in a rush to buy.

The Rainbow is becoming an intriguing choice to me. I keep coming back to the sublite for the trekking poles, and knowing I could pitch it the ground........simple things I may not think about, not having used the product.

Great discussion guys. Thanks.
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maverick
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Re: Tarptent Advice

Post by maverick »

Clubb wrote "The Rainbow is becoming an intriguing choice to me. I keep coming
back to the sublite for the trekking poles, and knowing I could pitch it the
ground........simple things I may not think about, not having used the product."
You can use the outside adjustments to lower the sides a bit.
I do not like using my poles as part of my tent set up because I may want to do a day
hike or some peak bagging, and need my poles, especially if the weather is iffy I
do not want to collapse my tent, and find everything wet went I get back.
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I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

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AlmostThere
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Re: Tarptent Advice

Post by AlmostThere »

maverick wrote: You can use the outside adjustments to lower the sides a bit.
I do not like using my poles as part of my tent set up because I may want to do a day
hike or some peak bagging, and need my poles, especially if the weather is iffy I
do not want to collapse my tent, and find everything wet went I get back.
I've left the sublite staked out and yanked out the trekking poles, putting them back in when I get back to camp.

Would probably tie the peak up into a tree if the weather looked iffy so water wouldn't pool in the fabric.
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oldranger
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Re: Tarptent Advice

Post by oldranger »

Wandering Daisy hit the nail on the head in noting the issues of width and length. I sent a message to Henry (producer of tarptents) that I would buy a Double RB in a Minute if it was 60 or even 58 inches wide rather 52. His complaint was that over 52 and trekking poles couldn't be used to make it a freestanding tent--About the least important feature of a tent for me and that If he did build a version wider than the double rainbow it would be still wider than 60." Is it only old people that are interested in a wider 2 person tent?

Mike
Mike

Who can't do everything he used to and what he can do takes a hell of a lot longer!
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AlmostThere
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Re: Tarptent Advice

Post by AlmostThere »

oldranger wrote: Is it only old people that are interested in a wider 2 person tent?

Mike
Nope!

I'm interested in finding a balance between weight and width/length - the Lunar Duo was of interest to me for a long while, but it's also up there a ways in terms of cost.

I'm also interested in a wider sleeping pad that won't break the bank - I looked at the 25" wide NeoAir Trekker but it is only available in Torso length, and not any better insulation-wise than the NeoAir medium I currently have. I want something 25" wide and 64" long that does not weigh a ton.
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maverick
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Re: Tarptent Advice

Post by maverick »

AlmostThere wrote "I've left the sublite staked out and yanked out the trekking
poles, putting them back in when I get back to camp.
Would probably tie the peak up into a tree if the weather looked iffy so water
wouldn't pool in the fabric."
Yeah, that will work, if your below tree line, and not in place like Ionian Basin.
I have seen a guy camping near by leave his tent, taking the poles, and most of
his stuff had gotten soaked, luckily he had put his clothes and sleeping bag in a
garbage bag.
Like mentioned in a previous post, unfortunately there is no perfect tent, but I
would happily pay a premium for one that was.
Professional Sierra Landscape Photographer

I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
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AlmostThere
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Re: Tarptent Advice

Post by AlmostThere »

In the Ionian basin? I'd probably stuff the tent with everything in it in one of the contractor bags I carry, and weight it with a rock.

:wink:
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