Hi All,
Long time lurker, first time poster.
I just wanted to ask if anyone has first hand experience of the Terra Nova Laser Competition, specifically whether it is really suitable for "2 (if you're good friends"?
http://www.terra-nova.co.uk/Product_Type/Tents/Superlite_Tents/Laser_Competition_GREEN.html
The tents use will likely be split 50:50 between mountain bike holidays with friends (solo) and weekends camping trips with my girlfriend.
I fear that I should be looking at a Laser/Quasar?
Thanks,
t4tom
|
 |
 That's a great excuse to get the girlfriend in the tent with you!  However, no, the Comp is a one 'man' only tent I'm afraid! 
|
|
Even if you get the girlfriend in, there's no room left to take advantage...  Unless you're a pair of skeletal dwarfs, one person only..... There is a non Comp laser that's a bit bigger though and not much heavier....
|
| Edited: 05/05/10 08:24 |
 I've seen the Hike Lite Pro with 2 adults in it and it's not big. Depends how well you sleep in a constricted space I suppose.
|
|
 The Voyager Superlite would be a better choice as it really is a two man tent and at 1.5 Kg it is light enough unless you use it for MMs. Unfortunately, unlike the comp it is an inner first pitch but I've never found that a problem and at least you can split it's carriage between 2 people. The other advantages, good ones to my mind, are that it is free standing so can be moved around if your pitch is uncomfortable or the prevailing wind changes direction, it doesn't flap like the comp and the headroom is much better. Having said that, in wet and cold conditions the comp is warmer for one person and entry and exit is much easier for a creaky old geezer like me, you can cook while lying in your sleeping bag in the inner, too.
|
| Edited: 05/05/10 09:36 |
Thanks Boblo,
It sounds like I had concluded the same things myself regarding Laser Vs Laser Comp.
|
|
 I fear that I should be looking at a Laser/Quasar? Very, very different tents. The Quasar is a 4 pole geodesic and the Laser is a single hoop, so they're aimed at different things, reflected in even the SL Quasar being about twice the weight. For the requirements you state I'd personally take the Laser for that, though if you really want a TN tent don't discount the Solar 2.2: roomier than the Laser (which IMHO is a bit wee for two) and still very light with a good pack size. Pete.
|
|
Thanks Peter,
I've seen the Quasar and really liked it, but I appreciate it's nothing like the Laser.
I guess I just need to get out there and find a shop that can show me the Laser erected; I don't suppose anyone can suggest such a shop in Kent?
|
|
Unless you are using it for MMs personally I would get something bigger. Having said which you can definitely get 2 people in a Laser Comp - they were after all designed for MMs which are almost all 2 man events. It won't be great for any long period of time though - you have no room for anything really except you and a tiny bit of gear.
|
|
I know someone who thinks the comp could be used as a two man. Or rather a one man, one woman at a push. I think some MMers do use a solo tent to save weight although that could be myth or hype. All I know you couldn't get me in a comp on my own let alone anyone else with me. Way too short you see. Although it has an almost triangular shape inside which I suppose a little one could fit into at a push. Anyone know if the power lizard is a true 2 man or a 1 / 2 man? What about the solar2.2? Is that a reasonable internal space for two (one of whom might be bigger than normal)?
|
|
We 5'7 and 5'9" use a laser for long trips. It is tight but OK. We use a double sleeping bag and 2 short mats. The expeds are a bit wider than the tent so I have put them in a corset that squeezes them together and compresses the wayward corners. This is all for lightweight so the rucksacks go under our feet then there is plenty of room for the contents. Whether there is then room for all the activities that a man and a woman might get up to in a tent depends on your inventiveness. The laser with extra guys has stood very strong winds on mountain tops. I have had to build stone walls to defend it though. It does not like wind from the side. We could squeeze into a comp for one night but it is not comfortable. We used the laser for our Mountain Marathon entry. We have a Nallo when weight does no matter so much. That is much more roomy.
|
|
Bit of a segue for this thread... Derek, do you pitch your Laser end on into the wind or pole into the wind? There seems to be conflicting opinion on this....
|
|
End into the wind. If there is strong wind the upwind end holds up quite well because of the 3 end guys and 2 corner points and the carbon pole. Pole into the wind I am afraid for the main pole and the sides blow inward pretty badly. We have repitched when the wind changes. I do not think there is any uncertainty. In my experience the conflicting opinion has not pitched on mountain tops. I agree there is conflicting opinion. We are just back from the Western Atlas we pitched on a col at 3000m where we seemed to be on the division between 2 weather systems both with high winds and driven snow. The wind came from both end directions across the col. I built a 12" high stone wall at both ends and the tent was fine. Another night lower, in a valley with a buffeting cross wind that was no stronger, we had broken sleep.
|
| Edited: 05/05/10 17:02 |
Interesting, thanks. IIRC, TN actually recommend pitching pole into wind and that's how I've always pitched my Spacepacker. The Laser doesn't really like this as the two 'roof' sections flatten against the occupant leading to a beating through the night!
|
|
