Solar 2 alternatives

Montgomery Wick

06/06/2012 at 03:01

I bought a cheap tent in China last year as a stopgap, and it has vastly exceeded my expectations.

http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/members/images/2104/gallery/Fullsize/luxe.tm.jpg

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lrnenoiAxV1qz4jbro1_1280.jpg

It's not suitable for the UK, for a couple of reasons that wouldn't be economically viable to address, but I like the basic design enough that I'm interested in similar options available in the UK. Essentially, it's a slightly warped take on the old TN Solar 2:

http://s2.outdoorsmagic.com/uploads/images/productimage/3274.jpg

What tents with this basic design are currently being sold?

Mole

06/06/2012 at 08:07

macpac macrolight has an almost similar pole setup, though porches look a bit smaller?

Montgomery Wick

06/06/2012 at 09:19

I had one for a year (the Macpac) and it was pretty poor, for a lot of reasons. Also, it's one pole - I really want something with two poles that gives more space for not much weight penalty. That little £65 Chinese tent manages something all the companies over here are failing to do - provide genuine 1+ room for somebody tall, in a package that can take bad weather, and weighs up to c.2kg (and that's with heavy poles and old skool heavy duty PU nylon).

Montgomery Wick

06/06/2012 at 09:26

Ah, MAcrolight - I'll check it out, but given my experience with the one pole job I'm not keen.

ed h

06/06/2012 at 09:30

At slightly over 2kgs the Exped Gemini II is a 'big' tent (a mate has one and it seems spacious...but then I'm 5' 7")

cathyjc

06/06/2012 at 09:52

My kids (11 + 14 yrs) use a TN solar 2.2. It's great for them but would be too narrow for 2 adults. It is however much longer than most other small tents I've come across and a tall adult would have plenty of length. -So far so good! The problem I think you would have with it is the head room. The whole tent 'hugs the ground' and whilst this is good when the weather is rough, it isn't going to let you sit up in comfort. I've been pleased with the tents performance. (-wild camping in Scotland)

They appear on ebay 2nd hand every so often but are not cheap. ( I reckon I could sell ours for what I paid for it 5 yrs ago)

Sorry if this isn't a positive recommend for you, but at least you can avoid a possible mistake.

Peter Clinch

06/06/2012 at 11:09

The Hubba [Hubba] HP is not a million miles off. Rather than two hoops you've one but with widely splayed legs and a cross beam at the apex to give you similar space inside. The Hubba is one-sided, one person, the Hubba Hubba makes it symmetrical for two though at just shy of 2 kg (assuming the HP version) it's light enough for one to carry if they're that way inclined.

Issues... some unavoidable and unsealable mesh in the inner and a relatively high fly, both cases of bugs or features depending on who's asking. Could do with some more guying points but that's not rocket science. You technically could pitch fly first, but I think you really wouldn't want to!

Pete.

Matt C

06/06/2012 at 14:11

It's a different 2-pole configuaration (basic apex-crossover), and no dedicated porch (a virtual one is creatable), but would a Hilleberg Unna come anywhere close?

andrew_s

06/06/2012 at 19:00

There's the TN Voyager 2.2
Sort of like the Solar 2.2 morphed into a 3-pole semi-geodesic, with a smaller rear porch/entrance.

Andy Howell

06/06/2012 at 21:16

Lunar Duo 2 from Six Moon Designs. 1 kg bombproof tent. Check it out.

Montgomery Wick

07/06/2012 at 02:10

Exped Gemini - good size.
Unna - nope, no porch isn't an option.
Hubba Hubba - just never fancied them.
Voyager 2.2 - I had a Voyager Superlite, hated it; while the 2.2 looks better, it's mental money, and snow would be an issue (more so than with the Chinese cheapie).
SMD Duo 2 - interesting, even though I only use one pole. Might take a punt on the cheaper polyester one.

Montgomery Wick

08/06/2012 at 09:50

On closer inspection...nah. Sewn-in mesh inner, and this picture is more revealing than the ones on the SMD site:

http://i.pbase.com/g6/55/492755/2/85597411.IR89Euny.jpg

Bombproof? Not in any context I'm familiar with.

I'm going to bung the £65 Chinese tent at Sean and see what he can do with it. The main issue is large areas of non-midge-proof netting on the inner, I can live with the other niggles. The way the poles cross, and the slope angle of the roof, is better than any of the vastly more expensive options above.

pvnisher

15/06/2012 at 14:45

I have an Exped Gemini II in great shape that I'll sell you.

Make me an offer! I picked it up not too long ago and just haven't gotten out as much as I'd like. Now I think I want a 3-person tent, so I'm looking to unload it.

Montgomery Wick

16/06/2012 at 07:27

Could be interested - please turn on your private messaging.

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