But the thing I don't like about the lighter Hillebergs is the lack of guys inbetween the poles.
Have someone attach some for you if it really bugs you... my old Saunders Snowcat suffered a bit with that, so I had Robert Saunders attach some for me for a very reasonable price. A good tent repair service that understands the materials and has the expertise to work with them (e.g., Scottish Mountain Gear) should be able to do the deed.
But both the Unna and the Soulo inherits the thing that bugs me about the Akto: getting the inner on your face when the wind blows
Not with you there... especially the Soulo with three poles should be pretty solid inside. The top of the tent, with the headspace, is where the poles intersect for maximum strength so it's even less likely to be a problem, I'd have thought.
Matt's system works: I've seen it done by many people many times. But on every occasion I've seen it work I've had either the Spacepacker or the Tarra with me and been very glad I didn't have to bugger about with all that faff... But it does work and a few minutes later it's a non-issue. The thing that bothers me more is I must put the inner up to use the tent: no taking down the inner for extra party space, or space out of the clag where you can get changed without getting everything in the inner soaking like you are, or just using the fly on its own.
but sometimes you want a bit more creature comfort
I think that's a good reason to avoid the Superlites for this particular job. They are super light because TN have done a thorough job of cutting out any excess stuff that adds to the weight. That "excess stuff" is typically "creature comfort": vents you can close up, a thicker groundsheet for less condensation when you're pitched on puddles, clip pitching that will keep you out in the rain a little longer...
Walter, the Superlite has never had a puddle on it in my experience and I've been out in it in pouring rain and gales, not sure how people manage to leave a flat bit on top on the Superlite, the normal voyager seems wider on the roof and does have a slight flat bit but on mine if you put a tennis ball anywhere on the roof it would fall off, even the middle bit that I think people mean doesn't stay flat, the whole thing on mine is sleek and smooths down in every direction, the middle going down to the very back etc...
Pitching inner first was something I never wanted, I'd always chose tents that were to pitch outer first, and feared when I got this tent, however I have erected it in gales and pouring rain and it doesn't actually matter when your tent takes less than 4 minutes to fully erect
I do admit that if I could afford the Superlite Quasar I cuold probably be tempted to buying one of those instead as with most two people tents, they are only just two people space tents really, the XT versions of tents of the Superlite Quasar are the only way around this though really and that does mean more weight.
Puddles... I've had a puddle or two on top of the Tarra and the Kaitum and the consequence is... well, there's a puddle on the top. If there's much wind it doesn't stay there, and if there isn't it doesn't really matter since the fly fabric is waterproof. Bit of a non-issue, in other words.
Mmm. This is not helping, The moment I think I've found a clear downside to a tent (puddle, inner first), someone comes along and says 'it's all right, it's a doodle'.
Now I'm back to square one...
As for the Soulo and Unna: well, the thought is that you sleep with our face pretty close to the outer, unlike the Voyagers or the Nallos/Nammatj. So, in a windy situation the outer, even if held by two poles, may bounce in (there's a youtube video with Soulos taking a hammering. It's always hard to tell because they may simply have been poorly pitched, but some MH tents looked relatively unfazed next to them).
I have to say that apart from 'rational' considerations, I like tunnel or semi-geo tents better than the transverse hoop or the Soulo/Unna beach shelter (as someone on the forum called them) shape. That's why I'm attracted to the Voyager SL, the Lightwaves and the Nallos. Oh, and the Marmot Grid, which I really fancy. They got some of the best features from the Hillebergs in what looks like a really solid tent.
As for the Soulo and Unna: well, the thought is that you sleep with our face pretty close to the outer, unlike the Voyagers or the Nallos/Nammatj.
Well, up to a point... the inner is well over 2m long and with near vertical ends you can get your feet close to the other end, so... how tall are you? Shouldn't be too hard to get a fair way away from the end even if you can't park the tent in any degree of shelter.
But if you just prefer an "end on" configuration then I'd stick to it.
I'd not get the Nallo for this job, because you seem to want something that moves around less in a high wind.
Real issue with the Marmot is weight, which is more than you need to be carrying for the job in hand. With my pedantic hat on I'll have a moan about the PU fly coating (same on the standard Voyager), which weakens the fly just so you can put seam tape on it. Since taped seams weaken the fly even more and a well made seam shouldn't leak anyway I can only see it as being marketing as seam tape is perceived as "good"... but having had that wee rant it is of course the case that people have merely been using such "compromised" tents for years with no particular issues... But the extra weight is extra weight.
If you want more "creature comforts" I'd say the Lightwave is nicer in that respect than the TN: bit more porch space, better venting, thicker floor and the arch shape ought to make it a little more stable.
But of course all that is me trying to guess what you'd want... which is hard as I'd use something else (a Spacepacker, but it wouldn't fit what you want at all!)
Aye, I'd noticed (and wondered about) the flysheet PU thingie too.
I'll try and see if I anyone stocks the g1 around here (Tiso might). It looks quite a good tent and if the inner first is not such a big deal... then it's definitely one to watch. I'm 5'7" so I should perhaps also take a look at the Unna, but I don't think anyone stocks it up here.
Well, after following this thread and all the similar ones that have discussed Voyager SL / Laser Comp / Akto ad nauseam over the last couple of months, I bought the first, for £142 from F&T, and it was delivered precisely 24 hours after being ordered.
Wow Kate! I've just been to their website and it is on sale for £264.99. I've been slow off the mark again ! I have one already but at that price I would have considered buying one for my #1 son.
Ah! You posted as I was writing the above. Dyna siom!
Ah! I nearly spilt my coffee over the keyboard when I read £142! I thought, 'I wish I had Kate's sly way with F&T and get myself a VSL for the cost of a Hilleberg flysheet...' But even £242 sounds like good value. I'll really be interested to hear your experience with it.
I thought, 'I wish I had Kate's sly way with F&T and get myself a VSL for the cost of a Hilleberg flysheet...' But even £242 sounds like good value. I'll really be interested to hear your experience with it.
