Is there much difference, im after a nice, sturdy one-man tent., these seem like the best ones..? They both look simular and weigh up simular too but the Atko seems to have more of a reputution of sturdiness and the Nova of light-weight-ness.

I would greatly appreciate some kind of expert (ahem) explenation or some sort.

Thanks alot,
Keith

Seeing as you've asked 'this' question, my advice is just to duck and avoid the crossfire!




Seriously though, i'd say your best bet is to get to see both in action as it appears that most people who own either will now come on here and tell you the merits of each. Each will have invested a fair bit of cash in each and are probably mostly happy with their purchase. There will be the obligatory complaint about Terra Nova customer services, swiftly followed by a glowing reference to the excellent service they received from TN.

All i'll say to set the ball rolling is that reputation is gained over time, and the laser hasn't been around long enough to have the same reputation as the Akto, and it will probably need to be for a fair few years yet before it gets near the formidable reputation of the Akto. If Terra Nova get it right, then it will also improve the tent over time to improve it's reputation.

That said, if Steve Perry can take one on a round of the winter munros (which showed massive faith in the gear on his part) then i'd say that that the Laser is starting to build its reputation.

P.s. I've got a Laser tent as my solo tent of choice, but i'd have been cut in two if i'd have had the dilemma of the two tents at the same price two years ago. The Laser was new, but the Akto was proven. Thank F&T that their offer ended and i found the Laser for a nice price, which has definately proven itself a home from home since then.

Oh, and as for features, i'm sure there will be another poster along in a moment.

Some pics of the Laser http://www.walkeryri.org.uk/Gallery/laser.html

Note how much larger the Laser is than the Akto is on the first picture ;-p

There both great tents, if your camping 3 season then you could go for a Competition, however if you plan on doing anything at altitude or 4 season then you'll be much better off with the Akto.

My own opinion would be to go for an Akto anyday, the weight is not that different and to have a tent that will withstand most things you can throw at it, the small weight difference is a smal price to pay for that convenience, versatility and reassurance.

The Akto is a bit bigger inside too.

The Competition is a lot cheaper tho.

Hi! I had the same dilema. I went in the end for the Terra Nova because of the price but the Akto is still on my wish list for once I have the money. But then, when I looked into it, a lot of people were discussing the ventilation/condensation issue. As the Akto is a 4 season tent, it appears to have a bit of condesation issue by wet weather. On the other hand, I have seen Hillebergs from the inside (not outdoor though) and my Terra Nova and by just looking at it in the way how it is produced - Hilleberg.
So, my suggestion would be:
If you have the money, don't mind a couple of extra gram and you do also winter stuff - go for the Akto.
Are you more the minimalist, who ends up primarily in wet conditions and does look at the price tag - the Terra Nova.
And despite its weight - it is very sturdy - just watch the wind direction.

I have owned both, but sold the Laser Comp.
Not because I though that it's not as good in harsh weather, but because there is noticeably more room in the Akto. The small penalty in weight is, to me, worth it.

The Akto is slightly better thought out - I didn't like the lack of a mesh pocket for my glasses or the way the inner tent door flops down in the Laser, but these are very minor points.

On the condensation issue, I've used my Akto in continued wet weather and not found it to be different from any other tent in this respect. In high humidity, condensation is inevitable.

"I have owned both, but sold the Laser Comp.
Not because I though that it's not as good in harsh weather, but because there is noticeably more room in the Akto. The small penalty in weight is, to me, worth it."

But if buying new and space is the major consideration surely as tdave says surely you should consider the TN Laser rather than the TN Laser Competition. The Laser is much the same weight as the Akto, but a lot larger and still a lot cheaper.

I think TN have all the answers in terms of tangibles like weight, space and price, but the Akto does give a feeling of more solidity. Whether a feeling of solidity means greater robustness in real situations I don't know.

I'd definitely recommend looking at the tents before buying - on seeing the tents in the flesh I knew the Laser Competition was the tent for me.

There's an interesting comparison between the Akto and the TN Laserlite (an earlier version of the Laser Competition) at http://www.backpacking.net/contributions/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=570&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

I went for the Laser even though I planned to use it solo. It's luxury for one. It's kept me dry in some serious rain but I've not tested it in any really windy conditions.

I considered the Akto but I was put off by all the comments from Akto owners about condensation. The price was also a factor too. I seen the Laser in a sale with over a third off so that made my mind up. Ideally, I'd have both! The Akto for really, really bad weather and the Laser the rest of the time! As it is, I'll use my Mapcac Minaret if I think it's going to be terrible weather.

I would always go for the tent with the most guy lines as long as the weight is acceptable. If you get the chance to camp in a real hoolie, go out and pull up a guy line on the upwind end of the tent and hold the guy line yourself, you'll find out how much work the guy lines are actually doing. The Akto has 6 guy lines, all doubled, so effectively 12 guy lines held by 6 pegs.

Also, compare things like:

door zips - 2 way on Akto, enabling the top of the door to be unzipped for ventilation while cooking (essential IMO).

Door tie backs - 1 on each door on Akto.

Pockets for small items - 1 small pocket on Akto.

Ease of erection - only start worrying about this in your 40's - seriously, the Akto is a doddle to pitch.

I'm being biased here because I own an Akto, I don't know anything about the Laser Competition other than it's very light, almost light enough to carry on day walks as a butty stop place.

Keith - go to a stockist and see both erected. Its really the only way to decide for yourself

I chose the Atko in the end due to size and build quality, despite the weight of the TN being very atractive.

If you search the OM forum archive there's lots of threads ion this topic, especially around July/Aug 2006 when I was asking the same question myself

atko v TN July 06

I too am looking for a lightweight solo, and this thread has been very useful.

No-one has mentioned the Macpac Microlite. How does it compare against the Akto and Laser Competition?

Just sold my Akto and replaced it with a Nallo 2 from Hilleberg.

The weight difference was roughly 1lb total but the increase in interior space is huge! MUCH bigger vestibule which easily enables you to cook and keep your gear dry.

Just used it this weekend for a couple of nights on the Southdowns Way and found it very luxurious and spacious. I particularly liked the wire reinforced ventilation cowl over the front door which allowed me to leave the top open to vent without getting water in the tent. It's also big enough IMHO to use as a basecamp tent if you're parked up in the mountains somewhere and using it as a base.

Personally, having had both, I am happy to carry the extra weight for a tent which would allow you to sit out a storm for a few hours comfortably. My Akto, although beautifully built and an excellent tent, was a bit too much of a compromise for me.

After another year of happy Atko usage I would reiterate my comments on the earlier thread John Hee mentioned.

Atko condensation : There are several vents on the Atko, particularly at either end. You should keep these open normally, unless its very windy when you might close the one at the windward end. Also there is the vent by the eyebrow, and also you can open the flysheet from the top a bit without letting any rain in unless the wind is really up. In this way I don't have any condensation problems. The only time I've had a lot of condensation on the flysheet was when I woke up in the morning in thick fog (visibility about 3 yards). The inside of the fly was covered in water. However very little had dripped off and none had come thru the inner. My bag etc inside was fine. I was actually quite impressed with this, and thought it behaved at least as well as any other tent would have.

However, having said all that, times are changing and there are now some quite light 2 man tents available. I particularly like the look of the TN Voyager Superlite, which is 200gms heavier than the Atko but has acres of room for 1 and enough for 2. Might be worth a gander.

the akto may look like a big green slug (its very wide) but so easy to pitch and take down - it has a solid feel to it when the weathers arsing about...I havent experienced any serious condensation problem ie its got its wee flaps at either end.......and another thing - with its yellow inner one gets a soft glow in dawns early light.......so yep go for the HillyBerg...

a

The Atko and Competition come in the same colours, but the Competition is a slightly lighter shade of green. both lovely yellow glows then! :-) yaaaay. ahem. I haven't had the luck (dare i say it) to camp in a the rain with my Competition but it seems very sturdy to me. May want to change the Carbon pegs to titanium if camping in the wind/rain/Britain though just because the carbon ones dont have that hook we are familiar with on er conventional tents. I actually like the small size of the one man tents as its nice and cosy, like a little home-from-home. Then again i am considering a bivi so my level of "comfort" may be slightly of a say lower nature to yours. Has anyone camped in rain and windy conditions in the Competition on here? Would love to hear the feedback.

Cheers!
Keith

I've had the older Laserlite for a few years and i'm very happy with it. I've used it in wind and rain and have been fine apart from one time i got wet. That was due to picking a bad pitch in the dark that filled up with water over night. No fault of the tent. I also binned the carbon pegs as i didn't trust them for 'real life' wild camping. Overall, if i was looking for a lightweight 1 man tent again, the Laserlite/comp would be at the top of the list.

yeah, i wonder exactly what the differences are on materials of both the poles and outer/inner tent to get the weight down even more. Anyone know?

Both me and my mate who i do all my walking/climbing with have the laserlite comps and absolutely love them. We've used them all over the Uk and in some pretty wet conditions and they've performed fantastically well.
I'm yet to try it out in proper winter conditions but as Steve Perry did all 284 Munros in winter with one i'm sure it'll be fine, checkout his website

http://www.winter284.co.uk/

for pictures of his trip and the conditions that his Terra Nova put up with.

My advise though is to go to a retailer where you can see them both up check them out for yourself

S

I'm just back from a 4-day trip in the Cairngorms with my new Laser Competition. I'm very impressed with it!

I have bought titanium pegs for it, and the only other thing I'd going to do is buy the TN groundsheet protector. The tent's fine on grass, but I'd be worried about pitching it on heather...

You can see a pic at http://www.scottishhills.com/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=1184

Just wanted to state that i think that it was just the laserlite and not the competition that Steve used.

Good to hear that othere people love their comps too :-)

The lowest I've camped in my Laserlite is 804m, and that was on Ladhar Beinn last week.
I can't fault it at all, when it's demise arrives a Comp will replace it.

Incidentaly, it's desinged to take two racers in it, so space is plentiful. We had three people in two Laserlites last week without complaint.

I use the original carbon pegs, but I also use an Alpkit aluminium stake at each end for uber secure and easy pitching.