tent choices

[grantlalla]

I have three tents in mind, can anyone give me their thoughts as to which would best suit O/Track initially but also for Motorbike weekenders and 2 and 3 day hikes.
the tents are 1. macpac minaret, 2, Vango TBS Spirit and 3, Tatonka Narvik.. I am leaning towards the Tatonka for space, lightness and ease of erection but will be persuaded by experience, of which i have little

[philm]

The Macpac Minaret is a good choice - it is light and packs done to a small size. Also the tent can be purchased for a good price on sale. We recentyl use the tent in the Walls near Dixon's Kingdom - it blew a gale all night and we had snow. The tent held up really well.The only point I would make is the tent is tight for 2 people probably like most other 2 person tunnel tents.

I have also just purchased a Hilleberg Allak which is a taller, free standing tent. Hence it is much easier to sit up in, store gear under cover and cook if the weather is really bad.

It depends on what you want - a strong, lightweight and small tent for about $350 on sale or spend a little more for a slightly larger tent with more weight.

If I go solo I tent to take the Minaret however when there is two people I take the Allak.

Both are great tents.

[KANANGRABOYD]

Grant,
It might be a good idea for you to post a table ( if you have excel et al) or the links to the tent models you are talking about with all the "specs", -that way maybe you will get more responses.( people are generally lazy to make extra effort to look up a bunch of sites!)
At present I do not own any of the tent brands that you are mentioning, however I can ( through 22 years of experience - 7 of those years working for outdoor stores and Macpac was one of the major brands we stocked) vouch for the Minaret ( Macpac). Yeah, some people will talk about the so called "decrease" in Macpac's quality over the last while, however I personally believe that they are still producing excellent quality equipment ( and yep I own a tonne of their stuff ( even the old Wilderness clothing)- some of it over 20 yrs old and still used on every trip!).
I will ALWAYS be honest on these forums, and the reason I do not own any MACPAC tents right now is because I have 10 other tents to fill my inventory, and I am a self confessed "ultralighter" for the last few years, and unfortunately Macpac do not make tents in the weights that I deem suitable for "my" applications at present. However, their tents are super bombproof, well made, using the best quality materials. Minaret may not be the roomiest or lightest in its group - but that tent will last you 20 years if you look after it. It will take ANY conditions here in Australia ( or pretty much most places in the world, except for maybe putting it up between the Geneva Spur or Yellow Band ).
If you are able to - go to a place that stocks the tents, and set them up, get in them, look at the workmanship,use the zips, check out the "livability", how much room to cook in vestibule if required, how much room for your junk etc, etc.
Good luck, and always go for the best equipment that you can both - afford and also that it just needs to do the job you want it to.
Cheers
KB