Bushwalk Australia

Hi all.
I just purchased a tent on Gumtree which was described as a macpac Hemisphere and that is what it says on the fly and stuff sack but it is not the Hemisphere that I can find online.

The tent I bought seems to me to be two person. It has four poles which create a semi geodesic free standing design and it has a full solid inner with a door and vestabool on each side although the fly is not symmetrical, it has a window and larger area on one side. The fly is made of blue uv40 material and it's made in new Zealand.

I am hoping someone maybe had this tent and can tell me what it is, when it's from and if I got a good deal.

Thanks, Eamon

Do you have a photo might help

I have an Aldi tent that fits that general description. A picture will help.

I am just working out how to attach files now. This is my first time posting.

There we go. Photos attached.

If you paid $5 you did alright. How much did you pay and is it at least water repellant and useable?

It looks like it might be a model from around 2006/7/8
Should have 6 poles and extended vestibules at each end to be a Hemisphere.

Phew, not to worry, it is not the Aldi one I was thinking of.

There was a 2 person version out in 2004 or 2005 but I can't find yet anymore than that.
OK, I think this is the one :
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1651527051728409/
scroll down to the Ian Bowler ad


actualy I have just noticed that the one in the ad is the expedition version so not exactly the same, possibly the fly is different.

If there was a 2P version then it will be super strong at the 2P size.
In that era didn't the XPD series have valances and were bright "See Me" colours for HA/Antarctic use?

The first comment (there was one around 2004/5) had to do with a UK forum entry (Dec 2005) where a member offered his 2 person version for sale (only used 3 times... so maybe bought that year or the year before)
The link, the one on Facebook, is from July this year , different seller.
The label on that one is different from the OP's but it has XPD not Expedition as I posted .
Another label states "made in NZ" so not a recent tent.

The on e on FB is in Scotland , so maybe the 2 person version was a UK specific product.

If there was a 2P version then it will be super strong at the 2P size.
In that era didn't the XPD series have valances and were bright "See Me" colours for HA/Antarctic use?

If..
Yes you are right, there never was one.

Thanks for the help guys.
It does appear to be identical to the one Franco sent just a different colour although I am stuck in Melbourne lockdown and don't have a backyard to set up properly.

It does seem to be in fairly good condition and seems to be waterproof still. There is definitely only four poles and it weighs a tad under 4kg. It does seem as though it will be very strong.
If it was only sold in the UK I wonder how it made its way over here.

Thanks again everyone

Photos when fully erected when you get the chance, it does remind me of a Fairydown tent from that time. It could be a mix&match hybrid too, I think there is a feller in Footscray that does a bit of that with old tents.

I will get some photos in a few days. I bought it from south Australia. Did you know I live in footscray or is it just a coincidence?

Random happenstance

The Fairydown Plateau was somewhat similar and out in 2005 but it isn't the same design.

Macpac bought the Fairydown brand in 2007. The Op's tent was out before that.
I think that the NZ production for the Macpac tenst stopped in 2004.

The Plateau went through several iterations, mine is the first generation purple and green, with the external poles system, still in good condition; just very heavy compared to new tents.
Perhaps the same designer worked for both companies prior to the merger

The Plateu was designed by Andy Milne, I think he worked at Fairydown at the time but it could be possible that he also did design this Macpac.
Later Andy worked for Kathmandhu (2004-2007) and then for himself .
https://nz.linkedin.com/in/andy-milne-7973b965

Better late than never here are some photos of it pitched. All of the regular pegging points are used but there are atleast nine more guy lines that are not attached.

Strong looking tent.

So it looks like the tent I posted a photo of it did exist aftyer all

Yes Franco it was an amazing spot.I have seen your name pop up on many different tent related forums so I wasn't surprised you were the one to identify it.

I'm better at identifying cameras but I do enjoy the challenge with tents too.

Hi! I have this tent! Been through years of hard use. Macpac HQ in Chch still repair these as needed. I've had mine 'rebored' twice. the floors of these older Macpac models are stronger and longer lasting than the new models. I can vouch for them being sold in New Zealand - and yes, they are an older model - mine is at least 15 years old. You got a bargain - these were over $800 new! I've definitely got my money's worth from mine. You used to be able to buy snow gutters for these to make them alpine ready. Been a comfy home away from home many times!