it would seem that most people who belong to this site have spend at least one or more nights in a classic force ten tent.

guess this shows that they are the best tent in their class and although still heavy they out perform most modern shapes and designs.

Bizarre logic there Chris!

"it would seem that most people who belong to this site have spend at least one or more nights in a classic force ten tent" - 20 posts does not a majority make....

"guess this shows that they are the best tent in their class" - if their class is cotton fabric, A-frame tents then yes, ok.

"they out perform most modern shapes and designs" - in what respect exactly? Not knocking them, they're undoubtedly good tents, but I'm not sure they quite justify that claim.

people have told be they have taken everything thrown at them and survived.

a close friend told be that she saw 3 modern tents blow away in a campsite and the force ten did not even move in the strong winds.

i did not say that 20 posts was a majority.

have you ever seen a force ten blow away? leak? break beyond minor repair???

what tent do you have? do you think it is better than a force ten classic???

lol

It is worth mentioning that I have used one but do not own one.

If one was given to me I would use it though. Probably from the car as a base camp. If I saw one at a very good price I would be tempted to get one...

They are very good but the design is dated - A good geodesic will probably be better in high winds and most other conditions. A good geodesic will have less flap, less noise, (more sleep), more space (more comfort) etc, etc. And be lighter to carry.

If you camped out for a few years in sensible weather the 'cotton classic' may last longer than the nylon geo but realisticaly how important is longevity to you and your comfort.

The cotton tents also require more guy adjustment due to shrinkage/ expansion of the cotton fabric when it rains etc.

Chris, like I said, I'n not knocking Force 10 for what they are - I know they do everything everyone on here has said. But there are plenty of examples of good "modern" tents that do the same, only this thread wasn't asking for them was it?

FWIW one of my tents is a 24 year old Terra Nova Quasar (only back then they were Wild Country or even Wintergear) - it has "taken everything thrown at it and survived", never blown away, leaked or broken at all. It also provides more living space than the equivalent Force 10 and is lighter (dry or wet), so yes, in my opinion, it is better than a Force 10 Classic.

Interesting matt a 24 year old tn quasar that id love to see.

maybe this could be the start of a vintage tent ralley meet?

just a mad wild thought although i have to say that i would have a 21st centuary backup in the car...just incase

Drew

My 21st century backup would be the car!!! ;-)

If my Quasar fails I don't want to try pitching anything else!

Re the 24 year old Quasar, the porches are made from just 2 panels so they come to a point, rather than the 3-panel design (introduced a year or two after I bought mine) but otherwise it's pretty much the same in every substantial respect as today's versions.

Wow Hayden, That was a very technical reply. With regard to geodesic tents, yes they are cheaper, yes they do perform better in the wet and wind, yes they are undoubtedly lighter and yes probably much easier to pitch. BUT will there be a forum about them like this in twenty or thirty years time - I think not. Also as a by line can you do a make shift repair to the poles with a broom handle or a handful of bamboo garden poles??

Matt the suggestion about a 21st centuary backup in the car was just in case the elastics snapped at the peg points....or the fabric ripped all due to age degredation of materials used etc.

besides i have an F10 classic which i am going to dig out of my fathers loft next week dust it down and have a gander at its general condition.

Infact i'll forget the backup in the car...i'll use the car. There are certain advantages of owning a volvo 740 estate. This is a true bomb proof shelter i would hazard a geuss that it may withstand a nuke dropped in close proximity!

Stuart-
Apologies for the tecno info - got a bit carried away as usual:-)

IMHO most things can be fixed in the field. Even tapered DAC poles!

Generally the more basic the equipment the easier to fix. Whenever I get a new product that is an important part of my kit I look at the obvious weaknesses and think of a way to fix in the field.

You can splint any flexible alloy pole just the same as you can a non flexible one! In an emergency I would use zip ties, and tent peg and some gaffa tape. - simple! These items I always carry when camping.

You could probably use garden canes or indeed a broom handle in an emergency but quite why you would want to take those camping is beyond me:-)


My Terrano 4x4 is a good shelter and can hold 7 at a push. In an emergency there is room for your not so best freinds underneath!

Respect paid Hayden, Good response. Great forum. Thanks for the fun.

Best regards

Sto

wow, did not realise i would get such intense views on this subject.

well i am going to south snowdoina this weekend with my classic F10, i will let you all know how it goes as i expect a wild and cold time.

but it is nice to know that people have had fun while using there tents and have generally good things to say.

anyone else camping this weekend, 27-29th jan?

as i expected my old force ten stood up tp the wind, rain and being frozen nearly solid for my weekend away.

i was warm ish (it was below freezing outside), it did not leek or fail in anyway, i think as a basecamp tent you just cant beat it.

I would almost agree, they are tough but - the F10 spindrift is superior in almost every way to the F10 classic! :-)

superior? it is nothing like the f10 classic, it is a dome tent not an 'A' frame tent.

Yep. IMHO Dome is better in most scenarios. The F10 classic is good though - batter than most other ridge style tents.

what does IMHO mean?

IIRC it means "In my humble opinion"

;-)

IIRC???

Very funny. LOL! - :-)

(If I Re-Call)