Gear

I've had the SL Voyager since 2005 and been using the SL Quasar since 2007. The Quasar is out all the time, we've only ever done one trip as a pair in the SL Voyager. I've seen but not used the Voyager XL.....

But I'd certainly recommend the SL Quasar. It's a fine tent with good interior space and masses of headroom throughout, especially given the very reasonable weight and packed size. The Voyager XL isn't going to give you any better sitting up options than the Voyager, and for two that probably means only side by side at the door. Add to that the convenience of two porches and entrances for two people, great for both of you getting in and organised at the same time, splitting the storage, maintaining an entrance while cooking in the other porch, plus versatility to handle changing weather directions.

PS Unless I'm out of date, I think Kinley might have an SL Quasar for sale in the classifieds...(?)

I've still got a SL Quasar for sale  - ad is in the classifieds. Message me if you want to discuss.

If you place more relative value on the inner then the Quasar is a very nice tent.  If you value large and flexible porch space it's so-so, and I'd say the XL Voyager would be a better choice, but the inner is not so good for two...  You choose, you lose.

Alternatively get a Hilleberg Kaitum 2, which has a similar sized inner to the Quasar with sititng height throughout but considerably bigger and more useful porches.  It's easier to put up too IMHO, and you can take down all or part of the inner if you want lots of messy space.  On the downside it's a little heavier and quite a bit noisier inside in a real blow, and it's more expensive.  We actually got a Kaitum 3 which is a little heavier still, but has masses of space (genuinely enough for 3).  My wife prefers geodesics if all else is equal but she prefers the Kaitum 3 to the Tarra (like a Quasar with much bigger porches size-wise) for the cavernous interior.

Pete.

Also, we use ours quite a bit in Norway where the weather can get really bad

Hilleberg are Swedish and are tested in Arctic Sweden (amongst other places), not entirely dissimilar and not lacking in snow!  You're right about the price, mind...

But don't just assume "geodesic == stronger".  The TN Superlites are in part lighter because they use lighter materials (including poles).  A Superlite Quasar is only lighter than a Kaitum 2 (which has fewer, shorter poles) because TN have taken design decisions that favour light weight over outright strength. If the SL Quasar was just as tough as the Ultra Quasar then the Ultra probably wouldn't exist. A SL Quasar should be up to most mountan weather, but so should a Kaitum.  Their catalogue this year has a pic from a ski mountaineering trip in the Pamirs featuring a Kaitum and no shortage of snow.

But if the price is too much then there's not much any amount of theory can change

Pete.

Alex, I think it's fair to say that Hilleberg are pretty conservative about their ratings.  Plenty of folk have used the lighter tunnels on mountain trips, and I think last year's catalogue mentioned Bo Hilleberg has decided the Kaitum GT is his new favourite ski touring tent.  No, it's not the toughest thing there is, but on the other hand nor is the Superlite Quasar...  Their tougher tunnels have a heavier fabric (very, very strong rather than very strong) and thicker poles and groundsheets.  But the basic design is very similar and well proven. You can double pole if you want, but I doubt it would be needed typically.

My other slight concern regards the flapping that almost every review mentions - quite how bad is it in the wind?

The fabric moves around a fair bit, the poles don't move much.  A German outdoor mag did a wind-machine test on one and it came out pretty well. But if you're inside in that sort of blow then it sure ain't quiet.  We had ours perched on the edge of a dune in Benbecula with a gale (estimated F7) coming straight off the sea (we'd avoided shelter to keep midges away before the wind really got going...) and the movement was enough to set up small drafts inside, but the poles weren't moving much at all and there was no suggestion the tent was in danger of failing. But an SL Quasar would have been easier to sleep in on that particular night.  Having said that, I'd much prefer to pitch the Hilly in a gale, especially with added rain.

Anyone got any thoughts on the Nallo 2 gt as another alternative?

Area and volume are similar, but the Nallo concentrates more volume in the porch while the Kaitum concentrates it in the inner.  In the Kaitum (as with the Quasar) you've got full sitting height throughout the inner and the inner doesn't taper at all so no feet against the taper for tall folk.  You've also got a full vent at each end, but it's mainly down to do you want more inner volume or more porch volume. Also if you like all your porch in one space or the facility to have a porch each will factor in.

HTH, Pete.

Hey folks.

 I've never posted here before but found this when searchin for peoples take on the Quasar.

Thought I'd post becausewhat Alex wrote made me laugh:

"having the SL Voyager has made me reassess my needs when camping and I've decided that I'm willing to take a little extra weight for a little extra comfort! "

I've been using a Laser 2 the last couple years and a crappy weekend in the lakes last weekend made me think exactly the same Might be time to say bye to the old fella...  bit more weight for a bit more headroom and somewhere to sit, rather than lie, when its tipping it down.

Ive been looking at the  Hilleberg Jannu but unfortunately the price has ruled it out. I've opted for the Ultra Quasar which hopefully will be waiting for me when I get home this evening.