Looking at getting this Tent

[CenVicCharlie]

This is my first post after trolling around for a little while.

Have just completed my first couple of 2-3 day Bushwalks in Victoria and need now need a new tent.

Have been looking at this one http://www.kathmandu.com.au/Hiking_Equi ... _Tent.html

One would think at this price it is probably at a good price, would love some input from more experienced members. (Tent will be used in Victoria and below tree line).

Thanks in advance.

[Maelgwn]

Welcome to the forums

The tunnel tent design is pretty tried and proven and is still one of my favorites.

The 'light' version of this tent is the same price a a few hundred grams lighter. http://www.kathmandu.com.au/Hiking_Equi ... _Tent.html

One thing to check with tents is the size, so I suggest you go and lie in one that is setup and check it is long enough ... and has enough space for two people, if that is your plan.

Search the forums for Kathmandu quality. The quality of their products is not excellent but should be okay for light/occasional use, just don't expect it too last forever. I would still say it is pretty good value for the price.

[Robbo]

This is my first post after trolling around for a little while

I'm not sure how much looking you've done, but there is a thread on Kathmandu products that you may want to check out before you go ahead and buy this. I have never personally used any of their gear but the general feeling is that is way overpriced for what you get - having said that it seems like this one is greatly reduced from the list price.

If you get the chance it would be worth a trip to Little Burke Street and check out the gear there before you finalise what you want or need.

Good luck

TR

[bushrunner]

Macpac have the Apollo on sale for $299 at the moment if you need a 2 person tent. Better yet, if you only need a solo tent the Microlight is on sale too.
I am not necessarily advocating one or another, just pointing out some options.

[etrangere]

I have a Macpac Apollo and Microlight

Apollo - can certainly vouch for it. 2 doors, 2 vestibules, roomy, in fair weather only needs 2 pegs as its freestanding.
Microlight - not freestanding and a bit fiddlier to put up, slightly cramped but certainly much lighter if weight and packed size is an issue

[etrangere]

an overview on sizes of microlight and apollo

[ninjapuppet]

I guess youve singled out on this tent and discarded the idea of other brands like macpac and tarptent?
I have a Kathmandu northstar Plus
Mine uses the same fabric as the one you linked to with the 50D outer. If i was forced to choose between the lighter Lansan Maelgwn mentioned which uses the 40D and the Lansan which uses 50D, i would forgo the several hundred grams and get the lighter version since i think 40D should be plenty for all conditions around australia. I am assuming their dimensions are the same, and that them being the same price.

[dancier]

I've got a Lansen and it's been fine for a cheap tent, not sure how it would perform under severe conditions like extreme wind or continuous heavy rain but I'm sure it would be fine if set up correctly. I've probably spent 30 nights in it with ten being windy and wet but never guy it down and use the minimum setup of six pegs. Late December I was camping near Cradle mountain and it was windy and cold and then on New Years eve I was at Lake Burbury and the heaven opened up and the hills were on fire because of lightening strikes but I came out unscathed. My other tent is a Macpac Olympus and that's a go anywhere tent but at 3.5kg it's a bit heavy for a general purpose use, thats why I bought the Lansen. keep in mind it's hobbit sized, I'm 6,1 and just fit in, so even though it's two person, it's going to be a tight squeeze for two.

[tasadam]

How come it is normally $650 but now it is $250?
How can they afford to knock $400 off the price?
Is it because they are losing money on it, or is it because it is only worth $250?
I suspect the latter.

The photos make it look pretty small.

[dancier]

How come it is normally $650 but now it is $250?
How can they afford to knock $400 off the price?
Is it because they are losing money on it, or is it because it is only worth $250?
I suspect the latter.

The photos make it look pretty small.

I thought about this matter a few times and the conclusion I've come to is it's part of there business model to cater for the various buying groups within the market place. I'd be curious to know what they pay for them and what the mean average selling price is. This tent is no doubt is a Knock-off of a successful design and modified enough to put there name on it.

[photohiker]

Well, $250 is certainly not a lot of money compared to the normal retail price. I think it has been said before that the only way to get Kathmandu gear at 'real' value is to buy it on sale.

Airflow is optimised via the mesh inner doors and large mesh panels throughout provides a cooler, more comfortable tent in summer.

Perhaps it is on sale at the end of summer because this is a summer tent, and they are trying to clear stocks rather than hold them till next summer? With all that mesh, it's going to be a cold, breezy tent in winter.

Also, it's an inner-pitch-first tent, which may cause some grief pitching in wet conditions. A bit of experience and ingenuity might get around that though.

[tasadam]

Also, it's an inner-pitch-first tent,

Good spot. Personally I would not consider a tent that I cannot put up all together.
My current tent -
Put 2 pegs in at one end, usually the door end.
Slide 2 poles in, both done from the same side of the tent, colour coordinated to make location easy
Pull other end tight and put 2 tent pegs in.
Now the tent is up and wife can get in & unpack while I do the 4 guy ropes and adjustment as necessary.
But that is about AUS $610 landed, and is full 4 season so is not what you're looking for. A good demonstration of ease of pitch though.

[dancier]

Personally I would not consider a tent that I cannot put up all together.

It becomes a numbers game in the end like most things, do I risk it or not.

Here's an interesting article on risk.

Live dangerously, it's safer

[Mrgoonzalez]

hey guys really new to this, i just thought i might add my imput... i havent had all that much experience on bushwalking etc but iam heading off soon, just wanted to say in regards to kathmandu i purchased a northstar plus v3 less then a year ago, took it out maybe 6 times in that time and took great care of it ie cleaned and dried after each trip, last time i went to set it up found the seam sealent strips were begining to peel at the corners, the tent pegs bent and broke on me so i didnt have a great time with the brand, took it back and will be given a store credit for some clothes etc, anyways ended up getting myself a MacPac macrolight havent tested it yet as i just bought it today ive read great things about it... basically just wanted to say be carefull with kathmadu i purchased it thinking it was 4 season blah blah blah and ended up having great issues all the best..

walter

[tasadam]

hey guys really new to this, i just thought i might add my imput... i havent had all that much experience on bushwalking etc but iam heading off soon, just wanted to say in regards to kathmandu i purchased a northstar plus v3 less then a year ago, took it out maybe 6 times in that time and took great care of it ie cleaned and dried after each trip, last time i went to set it up found the seam sealent strips were begining to peel at the corners, the tent pegs bent and broke on me so i didnt have a great time with the brand, took it back and will be given a store credit for some clothes etc, anyways ended up getting myself a MacPac macrolight havent tested it yet as i just bought it today ive read great things about it... basically just wanted to say be carefull with kathmadu i purchased it thinking it was 4 season blah blah blah and ended up having great issues all the best..

walter

Thanks for your input. Welcome to the forum!

[sthughes]

I've looked at these and know someone who has one. For the price (even at $250) I would either get a better more expensive tent (probably a Scarp 2) or a cheaper but in my opinion better tent like I ended up getting myself http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=3683&p=41586&hilit=outer+limits#p41236. It's not perfect but neither is a Lansan, and at nearly $100 less, with integral pitch. But hey I'm probably biased seem I own one

[alanoutgear]

My view is that Kathmandu gear is only reasonable value when they have a 50% off sale.

[juney]

Noooooo, don't do it. I made the mistake of getting a fair bit of Kathmandu stuff when I first got my kit together. It has all been bad value for money, even though bought at their "sale" prices. Now I know quite a lot about gear and would never buy any of their stuff - I am not a fan of creating more landfill!!