Terra Nova Solar Elite

I had sold my Laser Comp and was about to buy a Power Lizard as my Summer backpacking tent when I saw this from Terra Nova - the Solar Elite.  It's not as roomy as the Power Lizard and only marginally lighter but I know some people have expressed reservations about the PL's sturdiness and its ability to handle condensation. 

There is a Trail review of the Solar Elite here but, in true Trail tradition, most of the page is taken up with a photo of the tent and only a few lines of useless drivel, whoops, I mean editorial, added to the foot of the page.  FFS, I can see a picture of the product on the manufacturer's website!  What I want in a review is some critical assessment of the product by an informed individual.  Also, Graham Thompson claims that "at £350 there are plenty of lower priced, more spacious and lighter tents".  Perhaps he would like to list them, then.  Terra Nova's website no longer shows the Laser Photon and the Laser Comp is heavier and less spacious.  The only tent I can think of on Graham's list is the Power Lizard.

Anyway, has anyone tried the Solar Elite yet?     

Jake, I don't know if this is any help as it's the Solar Comp but probably better than a Trail review.......

http://mountainsmilesmist.blogspot.com/2010/03/terra-nova-solar-competition.html

Trail? serving the interests of the outdoor industry since goodness knows when.

Thanks Rich - that's more like it.

Apparently the Solar Comp is the same tent but made of slightly heavier materials than the Solar Elite.

Here you go ( copied from blogspot )

"Good Features:
1055g on the box, 1100g on my scales, 1150-1200g with decent pegs.
very quick to pitch (<5mins)
super quick to re-pitch (<30secs)
5000mm groundsheet, 3000mm fly
yellow inner - easy on the eyes!
small pack size (can be packed horizontally)
stable: survived 30mph+ gusts with no flapping to speak of.
waterproof: survived torrential rain & hail with no effect
3 pitch configurations: inner + outer, inner only, outer + footprint (not included)
stand alone (inner as is, or outer + footprint + dead guys).
ceiling loop and pocket inside (see inside photos)
Virtually no condensation (*see also poor features)

Neutral Features (depending on your point of view)
Small porch: less weight, but less space.
The whole tent is small - but this is perfect for folk who don't want extra space/weight.
Full mesh inner door is draughty in windy conditions, but great for ventilation and a feeling of space.

Poor Features
Pegs don't hold in the wind, even in my garden.
(I've bought some 11g v-section pegs instead - see also right-hand photo under Pegs)
5 guying points, only 3 guys supplied...WTF?
14 pegging points, only 9 pegs supplied...ditto.
Care is needed when opening the outer door in the wet, so water doesn't trickle on/in to the inner.
Elastic on the door ties are too long, so they don't hold very well.
Only one toggle tie per door, so the fabric hangs down when tied back.
Door clip is outside, and too small/stiff for cold fingers.
*A bit draughty in strong wind - though this can be minimised with careful pitching.

I'm actually really pleased with the Solar Comp. My gripes are only minor and/or easily rectified, so I wholeheartedly recommend this tent."