I've got a TN Laser Photon. Bought it as an impulse buy about six weeks ago and have used it once so far. I love it, but perversely, am currently planning to sell it because I still love my old Solar 1 more (despite the fact it's over a kilo heavier) and I don't need both.
POLE HOOD
There's been a lot of talk about this but, really, it's no trouble. I keep it attached at all times, not so much because of the waterproofness, but because of the extra guying points. It doesn't weigh a lot, so it's not a huge burden, but I admit that it is annoying on principle that TN can't just design a tent which is waterproof without having to resort to a pole hood.
PEGS
Are ridiculous. They'd be fine for camping in a field, but if I was up a mountain, I wouldn't pin my wife's hair with them. I got a set of the slightly heavier TN titanium skewers, and they're the business.
INNER/OUTER
I'd recommend keeping the inner attached to the outer too - the alternative is just too fiddly to contemplate
I didn't have any problems opening the door, even though I was pitched on a slope, so can't comment on that.
GROUNDSHEET
I use that black stuff you use to prevent weeds. It's v. light and easy to cut to shape, but durable enough to protect precious tents from getting damaged by twigs, etc.
STABILITY
I know everyone raves about the Akto, but I'm not sure there's a lot of difference, if I'm honest. When it was fully guyed out, I didn't feel perturbed by bad weather at any point in the Photon. OK, I'm not sure how I'd feel if it was pitched on a rock at the top of a mountain in a winter blizzard, but it's definitely more stable than it looks.
SPACE
It's roomier than you think. There's enough room to sit up, and keep your rucksack in the porch. Impressive. Bigger than the Akto, from what I can tell.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Have a look here, for balanced, detailed reviews of the Laser Competition and the Akto. Compare and contrast...
http://v-g.me.uk/GearTech/GearTech-Equipment.htm
