Recently bought a Golite Hex - haven't used it out yet but very pleased so far with my experiments with putting it up.

Tried it with the groundsheet and the nest and think I'll be able to arrange to roll back the groundsheet and maybe even the nest to use as a porch area and avoid shedding wet inside.

If I end up using it mostly solo I might cut the groundsheet in half and sew up a sidewall to give me a half tent bathtub type groundsheet.

I'm also taken with the idea of using the pole extension with a pacerpole to save weight, as I would take the poles anyway.

When experimenting with this if I tighten the tent down properly I get a bit of a bow in the pacerpole. I'm pretty sure I'm extending it for best rigidity.

Has anyone experience of using it in this configuration? I'd like to avoid snapping a pole in a storm if poss or putting a permanent bend in it (though seems to have recovered so far but in v calm conditions).

I'd be interested in any thoughts or feedback from users.

Thanks folks

Jim

possibly it bows because the pacer pole isn't a stright line because of the handle.

i have an alpkit carbon pole handle section (they'll sell you one if you ask nicely) which i cut the handle part off to leave a tube.
the lower two sections of the pacer poles fit in either end of this tube which give you a nice easily adjustable height. also good for a higher tarp when trees aren't about.

oh, and the alpkit bottom sections fit a pacer pole handle too for the extra light moments.

Wow, that does sound a stunning bit of ingenuity.

I'd already thought maybe it was the handle causing the bend.

I've had a look and alpkit sell a spare handle section for a tenner. Not too bad. I might try that.

Thanks for sharing the idea.

Cheers Parky ;-)

One more question as I'm seriously considering the Alpkit pole suggestion, but no experience of cutting carbon fibre.

Is it easy to cut without shattering? Just use a standard saw or hacksaw?

Cheers,

J

hacksaw. i smoothed the edges with (looks over shoulder) one of the Angel's multi graded nail files/buffers/polisher thing.

other poles handle sections may be of the correct internal diameter. you could always try dismantling a supermarket cheapy to see if it fits.

but it is rather difficult to crush a carbon pole e.g. standing on it!

Thanks again - and your secret's safe with me ;-)

J

Jim,

I've recently purchased the Hex as well. On the first outing I didn't take the pole extender and found that with the hiking pole on its own I couldn't get enough height to pitch it well.

Also when I then used it, I intially just ran the extender up to the basket on the pole, which caused it to bend slightly.

The best pitch I had was after I'd removed the basket from the pole at camp and was then able to run the extender higher up.

(This was with a Leki hiking pole though, as opposed to the Pacer pole)

Mark

Had a Hex for a long time now. If you're lazy (like me) and don't remove the basket from the pole, the extender doesn't fit as well and is much less stable. I only tend to get bowing when I try to set the pole too high.

Once had it up in very high winds below the Needle, not a pleasant experience as the sides were collapsing in on me, and the pole bent at the tip of the hiking pole, where it fits into the extender.

The overall stability is very dependent on how well the stakes are in, and therefore getting piddling little titanium ones is a false economy.

Just a few observations from over the years. Otherwise has been excellent and is the tent I'm most likely to use in most circumstances (yes, I have quite a choice.)

Ive just accidently bought one from ebay for £70 oops! think im going to be in trouble.

Good work Moggy,

That was a steal!

Sure you'll be pleased. Not used mine in anger yet but looks a great piece of kit.

J

Parky,

By way of feedback. Got the carbon pole section from Alpkit already. Great service from those guys!

I also managed to get the handle off to maintain the full length of the handle tube section which weighs next to nothing and fits perfectly with the pacerpole, thanks for a brill idea!

Incidentally, do you know pacer have started producing 3 section carbon poles, weigh 508 g the pair. I'd be interested to know what weight you get just replacing the bottom two sections of the pacers with the alpkit carbon sections?

Cheers for your help,

Jim

Ill have a crack at using my alpkit poles and the gfs trekmate poles in it and see what happens.

LJ, lol. didn't occur to me to try to prise off the handle!!!
will have a weigh later (that'll amuse the Angel) and post. will also have a general "play" and compare with them.

it amused the Angel greatly.
pacerpoles 684gm
alpkit carbon poles 471gms
pacerpoles with alpkit carbon lower sections 627gm
and as an extra leki makalu ultralite titanium 551 gms

pacerpole handle sections weight 400gm
carbon handle sections 228 gms

the alpkit carbon bottom sections increase the assembled "packed" length of the pacerpoles by 2cm.

i found it curious that the carbon felt significantly lighter than the lekis although the weights would not really substantiate this. perhaps there is a critical weight where you notice like with temperature.

i find the carbon bottom sections in the pacer poles do not give as good a "balance" to the pacerpole as with the orignal bottoms. again, this may just be me.

unfortunately, pacer didn't do a carbon model when i bought mine but i would imagine the small weight difference in the handle section would return the "balance".

P,

Yes, prising the handles off did lack a certain subtlety of approach, but hey - it worked!

Glad it raised a grin in your household ;))

Thanks for taking the time to weigh your various pole sections.

Yes, I'd had bought the 3 section carbons had they been available but didn't want the extra length of the old 2 section version, plus the weight gain is pretty negligible.

From the sound of the various options think I'll stick with my standard pacers for the timebeing, as reports on performance difference don't seem to point to any huge superiority of the new carbon jobbies.

The bank manager will be pleased!