Orpington Astronomical Society

Society => Announcements, Meetings, Events => Topic started by: Mike on Feb 18, 2010, 12:35:51

Title: Pop-Up Tents
Post by: Mike on Feb 18, 2010, 12:35:51
Has anyone used one of those pop-up tents before. The ones you are supposed to just throw. If so, are they..

a) Waterproof enough in heavy rain?
b) Big enough to fit the 'Fat Boy' camping beds inside?

Title: Re: Pop-Up Tents
Post by: Ian on Feb 18, 2010, 12:46:42
I'm sure Tony's got a few in stock ;)
Title: Re: Pop-Up Tents
Post by: mickw on Feb 18, 2010, 13:04:28
Get one
Get one
Get one

It's really funny watching people try to put them away (http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/lachen/laughing-smiley-014.gif)
Title: Re: Pop-Up Tents
Post by: Mike on Feb 18, 2010, 13:07:13
I'm just thinking I'm going to be turning up after dark, it might be raining, windy, etc. so I'd rather just throw something up quick than mess around with that bloody nightmare of a tent that takes ages to put up, plus is badly designed as the INNER tent goes up first. I mean WTF!!  :roll:
Title: Re: Pop-Up Tents
Post by: RobertM on Feb 18, 2010, 13:14:53
Not had any practical experience but I did go to look at the Quechua popups http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/hiking-gear-68240668/ (http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/hiking-gear-68240668/) in the autumn and was very impressed.  They get very good reviews and come in many sizes.  I even managed to put one away myself. 

Not sure how big a 'Fat Boy' camping bed is but I'm sure there's a tent that would suit to fit.  They are supposed to be very waterproof but check the specs.

Tony - what make was your tent ?

Robert

Title: Re: Pop-Up Tents
Post by: mickw on Feb 18, 2010, 13:24:25
The Quechua seem to be quite popular, there were quite a few set up at Blacklands
Title: Re: Pop-Up Tents
Post by: MarkS on Feb 18, 2010, 13:31:17

According to this
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/2-seconds-xl-ii-35307020/#
the waterproofing has been tested only up to 450litres/m2/hour

That works out to 18inches of rain per hour.  Are we likely to get more than that on Friday night?
Title: Re: Pop-Up Tents
Post by: Mike on Feb 18, 2010, 13:35:27
Ohh that's pushing it a bit I think.
Title: Re: Pop-Up Tents
Post by: Fay on Feb 18, 2010, 14:29:21
I think Tony is your man. Didn't someone video him putting one up??? That should be both entertaining & educational   :lol:
Title: Re: Pop-Up Tents
Post by: Fay on Feb 18, 2010, 14:30:58
Friday is looking rain free
Title: Re: Pop-Up Tents
Post by: Tony G on Feb 18, 2010, 14:40:37
Mike,

It depends on what size tent you get, I have a supposedly 4 berth (more like 3) and the fishing beds fits in nicely with room. it is a Quechua tent from Decathlon, and is also has an inside lining.

This is from last year. (I hope this is the right video, as the company's server won't allow me to view it)
Quote from: Space Dog on Oct 01, 2009, 13:36:39
We have all seen the video of a beutiful young woman putting away a folding tent in 15 seconds, now the UDSC version

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13007140@N05/3971414038/

Fay I don't know about educational. :-?

Tony G
Title: Re: Pop-Up Tents
Post by: RobertM on Feb 18, 2010, 15:47:32
Looks like you got the better of it ... eventually  ;)
Title: Re: Pop-Up Tents
Post by: MarkS on Feb 18, 2010, 15:55:47
Quote from: Fay
Friday is looking rain free

Rain-free, maybe.  What about snow, though?
Title: Re: Pop-Up Tents
Post by: Fay on Feb 18, 2010, 15:58:23
Mark, do you know something I don't?
Title: Re: Pop-Up Tents
Post by: Mike on Feb 18, 2010, 17:26:55
Got a pop-up tent. Thanks for the advice.

Hilarity will now ensue.
Title: Re: Pop-Up Tents
Post by: Carole on Feb 18, 2010, 22:21:52
Just to say Mike.  I've got one of those pop up tents, I would say they are waterproof OK, and quick to put up (putting away the first time is another matter), however I would advise bringing your normal tent as well for putting up the next day as those pop up tents are far too small for DSC.  I bought mine last February and will only be using it for touring in future, they are just handy for one night sleepovers.

Carole

Title: Re: Pop-Up Tents
Post by: MarkS on Feb 18, 2010, 22:24:16
Carole,

You could buy a bigger size ...
I'm very tempted to get one myself - so easy to put up in the dark.

Mark
Title: Re: Pop-Up Tents
Post by: Carole on Feb 18, 2010, 22:34:47
QuoteYou could buy a bigger size ...
suppose so, but I think I've spent enough recently on one thing and another,  I really only bought it for travelling around on camping holidays when we only want to stop overnight somewhere.

Easy to put up, but I could not fold it up afterwards and had to take it home twice the size it should have been and struggle with it for half an hour in the garden when I got home!!!!!

Title: Re: Pop-Up Tents
Post by: Mike on Feb 18, 2010, 22:50:28
I got one that is supposed to be 4 man and it has a living area too. Height is 5' 11" so I can just about stand up in it. It's not one of the small ones.

I can see this weekend being a bit damp so don't want to spend ages setting up the other tent. Plus, if it starts to snow or chuck it down with rain and it looks like it's setting in then I can also pack up and go quickly too :)
Title: Re: Pop-Up Tents
Post by: Tony G on Feb 18, 2010, 22:51:32
Here is a couple from 'Tony's World of Tents', but be careful as to what size you do pick, as you could get cold feet like I did. :)

1.(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4055/4369101328_51abe7a80b_m.jpg)

This is the one you don't want. This is now Frodo's

2.(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2793/4369101332_e8800b8330.jpg)

This one is a lot more comfortable and your feet stay warm. This is the 4 berth from Decathlon I think for about £55.

Tony G
Title: Re: Pop-Up Tents
Post by: Carole on Feb 18, 2010, 23:16:18
Mine is approximately the size of your "4 berth" one, but I still found it too small, and I don't like not being able to stand up in it.  Mike seems to have bought a fairly large pop up tent.

Carole

Title: Re: Pop-Up Tents
Post by: Mike on Feb 18, 2010, 23:19:50
Weirdly, I cannot find the one I bought on the Decathlon website. Nor was it listed in the store, I just found it on the shelf as after comparing dimensions found the sleeping area was twice the size of the other tent that was £40 more.

It is basically like this one...

(http://www.decathlon.com.pl/products-pictures/asset_16318570.jpg)

But with a bedroom on just one side not both, but, the bedroom is twice the length of this one. So it is a weird kind of snail shape.
Title: Re: Pop-Up Tents
Post by: RobertM on Feb 19, 2010, 08:28:07
Looks like the type I've been after.  Did they have any more on the shelf ?
Title: Re: Pop-Up Tents
Post by: Mike on Feb 19, 2010, 08:33:49
Yes they had quite a few. It isn't on their website but it is called Base Seconds 4.1
Title: Re: Pop-Up Tents
Post by: RobertM on Feb 19, 2010, 08:59:49
Hmmm, can't find a picture of it anywhere in the google world.  I thought the 4.2 bedrooms were a bit poky and was looking at Seconds base plus the 4 man 2 seconds but, unfortunately, they don't linked together.  Does it work like the Base Seconds 4.2 ie. seperate groundsheet with velcro also have you got any dimensions?

Thanks
Robert
Title: Re: Pop-Up Tents
Post by: Mike on Feb 19, 2010, 10:49:23
Weirdly it is not on their website and even in the store it wasn't listed in the catalogue or on the price list. It was just on the shelf. I had to take it to the counter to find out the price of it.

But by comparing dimensions I could see it was the best of the lot. The bedroom space is about twice the size of the one on the Base Seconds 4.2 and overall it is 15 feet by 8 feet.

(http://www.amateur-astronomy.org/Images/BaseSeconds41.jpg)

Title: Re: Pop-Up Tents
Post by: RobertM on Feb 19, 2010, 10:55:44
Perfect, looks like just what I've been after.
Title: Re: Pop-Up Tents
Post by: MarkS on Feb 19, 2010, 14:41:26
I really like the design of that - I wonder if it is old stock or part of a new range?

Quechua's website still shows the 2009 collection but the image you've posted has "EUR 2010" printed in blue - makes me think it might a brand new design for this year.

Mark
Title: Re: Pop-Up Tents
Post by: Mike on Feb 19, 2010, 16:04:48
I think it is a new design.