Tents
Adrian Banton
Olympus. The Minaret is small and light but has only 1 vestibuleand is
maybe a little to small inside. The Celeste is a bit bigger and has 2
larger vestibules, but it's larger in both packed size and weight and may
not(?) have the four season capability I'm looking for. The Olympus is
large enough, has two vestibules and the four season capability I'm looking
for, but it is a good bit larger again (size and weight) and is getting
pricey. I need the tent to do 50% multi day bushwalks (<5-7 days at this
stage) and 50% car camping with day walks only and it's for two people.
The walks I do include VIC and NSW alps in spring, the Gammon and Flinders
Ranges, sometimes the Brindabellas and coastal S.A. So what would you buy
and why? Can you suggest any other brands?
ADRIAN BANTON
Dylan
those 100% of your stated requirements include winter camping (ie snow).
Unless you do have some intention of snow camping, or perhaps exposed
ridge camping somewhere like SW Tassie, then a 3 season tent should be
fine. You are paying a premium in weight, bulk and cost for the olympus,
which would be overkill if you don't intend to use it in the 'extreme'
conditions it's designed for.
If you think you may need the sturdiness of the olypus, I woudn't
hesitate to recommend it. I like my 'pus, but it's only been truly
tested once (in the arthurs, in wind that the next morning had us
literally crawling along the ridge since we kept being blown over). I
know of two other tents in the area that either ripped guylines or
snapped poles that night - but that was in sw tassie, on a fairly
exposed ridge. I haven't encountered conditions on the mainland a 3
season tent wouldn't have coped with, so long as you pick your site with
a little care.
I'm sure many other brands have tents that would work (WE, TNF, Mountain
HardWear, Walrus, Sierra Designs, Salewa, Eureka), but in my experience
Macpac are hard to beat on quality and functionality.
Dylan
Roj
overnight or longer I always end up going for the lightest
option. If you were in pocession of all three tents I imagine
on the multiday walks you would always take the Minaret. For
the car camping the Minaret is fine but you will probably feel
silly using such a small tent when you can take a mansion.
I own and use a minaret for overnight or longer walks when there
is two of us. I love this tent. It's so strong and
weatherproof. Plenty of room for two (175cm both). Used it for
a 10 night trip in tasmania and was great. But it's heavy for
one person. When alone I use a Walrus microswift - small but
very weatherproof. Highly recommended for those of you that are
interested in a one person tent.
I recommend the minaret for your primary tent. If you feel this
is too small for your car camping trips you could buy a cheap
huge K-mart number.
Have not tried any other tents.
Wilderness equipment tents looks very good. None really
comparable to the minaret size, weight and weatherproofness
though (in my opinion).
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David Stonestreet
<adr...@senet.com.au> wrote:
> Please help. I can't decide between the (Macpac) Minaret, Celeste and
> Olympus. The Minaret is small and light but has only 1 vestibuleand is
> maybe a little to small inside. The Celeste is a bit bigger and has 2
> larger vestibules, but it's larger in both packed size and weight and may
> not(?) have the four season capability I'm looking for. The Olympus is
> large enough, has two vestibules and the four season capability I'm
> looking
> for, but it is a good bit larger again (size and weight) and is getting
> pricey. I need the tent to do 50% multi day bushwalks (<5-7 days at this
> stage) and 50% car camping with day walks only and it's for two people.
> The walks I do include VIC and NSW alps in spring, the Gammon and
> Flinders
> Ranges, sometimes the Brindabellas and coastal S.A. So what would you
> buy
> and why? Can you suggest any other brands?
>
> ADRIAN BANTON
I find the Celeste a good comprimise bewtween the other two that you
mentioned.
I use it for multi day bushwalks in four seasons but I haven't gone
above the tree line with it. Macpac's advertising doesn't put it in the
Alpine class but unlike the Eclipse and Polaris it is in the upper range
of MacPac's two level quality series - Zenith Series v's Horizon Series.
Very stable with all its ancor points in (four floor points and six guy
ropes), good flow through ventilation and you can put a full pack and
boots and more in each of the vestibules and still get in and out easily
from both sides. It has held up for me well in wind and rain.
Olympus is quite expensive (well, I guess they all are actually), and
heavier but stronger. I wouldn't bother with it unless I was always
going alpine camping. Minaret is smaller - I would find it quite cramped
if you are car camping 50% of the time.
Celeste is alright to carry when you share it between two. I've taken it
on a solo trip twice - room to die for but a getting a little heavy on
the back.
I hired it twice from Paddy Pallin Miranda to try it out before I bought
it. Mine has a smaller door than the older model, but I believe they
have gone back to the old, larger door.
--
Rocky Road - in Oz
Peter McKellar
an exposed ridge, the wind is howling and the snow is driving against the
side of your tent.
You are huddled in there, either secure in the knowledge that you have the
best tried and true tent on the market. Or maybe as the seams tear and
things start to fly apart you wish that you had spent an extra few hundred
dollars on a decent tent.
In my opinion all those tents are excellent and will serve you well. But
when it comes to buying a tent I think that the price is one of the last
things you should consider. You will soon forget the extra you spend on a
good tent but you will forever be with the inadeqacies of a poor one.
Decide which tent suits your needs based on size and ease of use. When I
went through the same process, I decided that one tent will never meet all
my needs so concluded that I actually need two.
By the way, remember that small is not necessarily bad. It is lighter and
has a smaller footprint and wind area. I actually have a Microlight which is
really too small, but I have got used to it now and because it is so light I
take it everywhere. I have spent two weeks in the wilderness (two of us) in
a Minaret and found it to be quite adequate... infact palatial compared to
the Microlight.
"Adrian Banton" <adr...@senet.com.au> wrote in message
news:01bff546$7b4e2d20$4fe998cb@hal...
John Wayman
an ideal one person tent, and the Olympus a good 2 person tent.
I bought the Olympus as an all round tent, but found it too big and heavy
for a two week backpack when not sharing a tent, hence I bought the Minaret,
which is a kg lighter, has half the bulk, and a smaller footprint. Except
for two large people, the Minaret tent is quite adequate to share.
Weight and the packed size of the tent are extremely important
considerations on extended walks. The reduced luxury is more than
compensated by the lighter pack and the ability to pack a few other luxuries
instead.
The price Macpac tents is now outrageous, and these days the Salewa Leone
would be my choice if buying a new tent. A rigid frame four season tent is
now my preferred option for snow camping, but the tunnel tents are okay as
well,
Cheers
John Wayman
"Peter McKellar" <Peter.M...@rdc.govt.nz> wrote in message
news:8liaop$kbe$1...@news.wave.co.nz...
Brian
I find it good for one .
For two you need to be on pretty good terms
eg your partner.
Too squeezy for a couple of reasonable size males (hetro) sharing a tent.
Brian
Tony Gedge
Celeste and a Minaret. I have seen all of these in action, but only
in the SE Queensland region (i.e. no snow) which also precludes
digging to increase vestibule area. They are all good tents (what a
surprise! :-) Here's a few points (which you probably know) that
occurr to me off the top of my head.
General:
=======
Construction is all excellent, as expected. The poles are a bit of a
bastard to get into the sleeves, but you get better at it with
practice. Haven't ever had a problem with floor, seams, stitching.
I have thanked God for the multi-pitch feature several times. I prefer
the "down the side" style vestible over the "end" style. The "down
the side" vestibule style tends to encourage more crap to get in the
tent, on the other hand, it's more usable than the "end" style
vestibule where it's hard to get a backpack into it without touching
the fly, and being also forced to continually crawl over it to get in
and out.
Olympus:
=======
Good for two largish people, but the fact that the interior is tapered
at both ends and wide in the middle, while seeming a good idea doesn't
really translate into useful room. I find the space at the middle is
largely wasted unless you're stuck inside in the pissing rain, and
then there's a lot of room for playing cards :-). Headroom is great.
You could fit three small people in it, but they would need to be very
friendly. Dual vestibules are good, but I prefer the vestibule
arrangment of the Celeste as there is more useful room because it is
along the length of the tent. Venting has been improved in the newer
models. Weighs a fair bit, and for that reason it's not my first
choice for hiking, although I have taken it a few times. I usually
use this for car camping.
Microlight (not comp):
================
Can you say small? Well what else can you expect for the weight!
Fits one snugly. Vestibule is the same style as for the Celeste (down
one side) and very good. One thing I don't like is the opening of the
fly - I'd prefer it at the other end (i.e. next to the widest floor
area) because I find it difficult to extract myself from the tent at
the thinnest end without wiping down all the interior walls. Venting
is very good. If you're tall, like me, you really have to watch the
"roof" to avoid touching it all the time. My first choice for hiking
by myself (obviously) primarily because of weight.
Cascade:
=======
Great tent for two people. Vestibules are down the sides, which I
find gives the most usable area for stowage. Slightly lower roof than
Olympus, but about the same floor area without the taper at both ends.
Because of the long zipped parts, you have smaller pocket stowage
space. If I had to replace the Olympus, I'd get a Cascade. In my
mind this is the ideal compromise car/hike tent for two people.
Minaret:
======
A great compromise between the Celeste and Microlight. Only one
vestibule, and it's the end-on style. Fits one with comfort, two if
very friendly. Gobs more room than a Microlight, not as much as a
Celeste (but it feels pretty close really). If I had to replace the
Microlight, I'd consider the Minaret, but only for one person.
Summary:
=======
In your situation, I'd pick the Cascade, unless you are sure about the
amount of room available in a Minaret, and really want to save the
weight.
Hope this helps. As for four season issues (i.e. snow) - you'll have
to ask someone else :-)
Tony Gedge.
Alan Hogg
<tge...@bigpond.net.au> wrote:
> Cascade:
> =======
> Great tent for two people. Vestibules are down the sides, which I
> find gives the most usable area for stowage. Slightly lower roof than
> Olympus, but about the same floor area without the taper at both ends.
> Because of the long zipped parts, you have smaller pocket stowage
> space. If I had to replace the Olympus, I'd get a Cascade. In my
> mind this is the ideal compromise car/hike tent for two people.
>
Very thorough reply Tony. I have owned a Celeste (do you really mean
Cascade, or do you mean Celeste?) and an Olympus and also a Hilleberg Akto
(very similar to the Microlight but better, imo.). I find that the Olympus
is a great tent for above the bushline camping because of its strength. It
is not light though. The Celeste on the other hand is a bit lighter and
also has 2 entries (great!) but I found it a real pain to pitch because of
the odd juxtaposition of the poles and sleeping area. I found it difficult
to estimate exactly where the sleeping area would end up, especially so on
a dark night pissing down with rain! It was wonderful frankly to go back
to an Olympus style tent where the sleeping area is obvious when you are
attempting to pitch it.
Just my experience.
Cheers,
Alan
Peter McKellar
small, but then it is all the room you need. If it was any bigger it would
be heavier.
I get around the zip problem by lying with my head at the zip end when I
want vestibule space.. ie for cooking etc. Then I turn around any lie with
my head to the other end when I zip the tent door shut and want room in the
tent.
While I initially found my microlight frustrating, I have got used to it
with practice. I now don't attempt to sit up at all unless I am right in the
centre of the tent, where there is , just, enough head room. One really good
thing about it is that any gear that you want has to be within reach.
As for two people in a Microlight... I have never even considered that!!
even though the specs suggest that it might be possible.
"Tony Gedge" <tge...@bigpond.net.au> wrote in message
news:p9ltnscotnggbec2u...@4ax.com...
Dylan
though it's the large model I wouldn't be comfortable sleeping in it
even on my own - it's too short, and has too many lumpy poles, straps,
zips and buckles. It doesn't have any vestibules either, so if your feet
and head stick out the ends they will get wet - in a big downpour, water
will also soak through the fabric. The advantage is that when you're not
sleeping in it, you can use it to carry all you gear in, almost as if
that's what is was _really_ designed for...
Dylan
David Springthorpe
<Peter.M...@rdc.govt.nz> wrote:
>I like what you say about the Microlight. I find the Microlight is too
>small, but then it is all the room you need. If it was any bigger it would
>be heavier.
They always seem to be altering the design of the front of the
inner.....what is it on the present model.....?
-------------------------------
David Springthorpe
Roger Caffin
>
> Please help. I can't decide between the (Macpac) Minaret, Celeste and
> Olympus. The Minaret is small and light but has only 1 vestibuleand is
> maybe a little to small inside. The Celeste is a bit bigger and has 2
> larger vestibules, but it's larger in both packed size and weight and may
> not(?) have the four season capability I'm looking for. The Olympus is
> large enough, has two vestibules and the four season capability I'm looking
> for, but it is a good bit larger again (size and weight) and is getting
> pricey. I need the tent to do 50% multi day bushwalks (<5-7 days at this
> stage) and 50% car camping with day walks only and it's for two people.
> The walks I do include VIC and NSW alps in spring, the Gammon and Flinders
> Ranges, sometimes the Brindabellas and coastal S.A. So what would you buy
> and why? Can you suggest any other brands?
Celeste is fine if always sheltered, but a bit weak on a rdge in our
alps if the wind revs up.
The Olympus is bomb-proof. It also has an international rep.
OK, $$$, but ygwypf.
Cheers
Roger Caffin
Tony Gedge
wrote:
>Very thorough reply Tony. I have owned a Celeste (do you really mean
>Cascade, or do you mean Celeste?) and an Olympus and also a Hilleberg Akto
Whoops. Of course I mean Celeste - bit hard to sleep inside a
backpack :-)
Tony Gedge.
Tony Gedge
wrote:
>Very thorough reply Tony. I have owned a Celeste (do you really mean
>Cascade, or do you mean Celeste?) and an Olympus and also a Hilleberg Akto
Could you describe the differences between the Microlight and the
Hilleberg Akto (which I will admit I've never heard of)?
>I find that the Olympus is not light though.
You're not wrong there, though it's hard to complain about what you
get for the weight! I have been extremely happy with my Olympus in
the time I've had it, which I think is now over 5 years.
One thing that has been annoying me recently is the "slack" in the fly
covering the vestibules. I'm finding it increasingly difficult to get
"tension" (i.e. no floppyness) simultaneously in the horizontal
direction from the peg loops to the base of the hoop on each end, the
horizontal direction along the base of the door flap and the vertical
direction from the peg loops up to the top of the hoop on each end.
The best explanation I can think of is that the fly material on the
door section has become stretched, which means that the peg loops have
to move further away from each other to get the slack out of the door,
which in turn causes the sides to be slack. Not sure what I can do
about that however (suggestions welcome :-)
>The Celeste on the other hand is a bit lighter and
>also has 2 entries (great!) but I found it a real pain to pitch because of
>the odd juxtaposition of the poles and sleeping area. I found it difficult
>to estimate exactly where the sleeping area would end up, especially so on
>a dark night pissing down with rain!
Hmm, can't say that I've noticed this problem - of course as my mate
owns this particular tent, I have only assisted in setting it up, and
not in the dark and under pissing rain!
>It was wonderful frankly to go back
>to an Olympus style tent where the sleeping area is obvious when you are
>attempting to pitch it.
I've always got the floor where I wanted it acrossways, but I usually
underestimate the length of the tent when erecting it and always end
cleaning sticks out from under one one end.
Tony Gedge.
Peter McKellar
that I have had mine. I would find it difficult to describe what I have in
words. But the issue as I see it is that you have a wide end, where you
would obviously want to sleep with your head at that end. However I find it
awkward, because of the angle and slope of things to cook in the vestibule
while lying that way around. I find it better to spin around and lie with my
head at the narrow end when cooking etc.
There is one change they have made to the microlight in the latest catalog.
They have produced a super light weight version which has a floor of the
same UV40 fabric as the fly. You can then get the proper floor as a an
optional extra. This will gain a few extra grams for those who really need
it.
"David Springthorpe" <dspr...@one.net.au> wrote in message
news:397fb7e...@news.one.net.au...
Alan Hogg
> Could you describe the differences between the Microlight and the
> Hilleberg Akto (which I will admit I've never heard of)?
The Akto is a Swedish tent and can be seen below:
http://www.hilleberg.com/akto-e.asp
The specs and design are similar. The build quality is as good as the
Macpac. The big advantge of the Akto lies in the 4 small delrin "poles"
which are sewn into the end walls of the outer. This means that the tent
inner does not drape in your face when lying down and makes the tent fully
usuable for tallish people i.e anyone >6 ft. The down side is of course
the cost which was I think even higher than Macpac. I got mine from Sweden
but I see they operate in the US now as well. Why Macpac do not do the
same thing with the Microlight is anyones guess!
I will send a copy of this email to Macpac in case they haven't seen this idea.
Cheers,
Alan
David Springthorpe
wrote:
>Whoops. Of course I mean Celeste - bit hard to sleep inside a
>backpack :-)
You can if you're a hobbit.....
Ross Odell
were cought out on a mountain and slept with their feet in their rucksacks.
Ross
Tony Gedge wrote:
> On Thu, 27 Jul 2000 10:44:54 +1200, ah...@waikato.ac.nz (Alan Hogg)
> wrote:
>
> >Very thorough reply Tony. I have owned a Celeste (do you really mean
> >Cascade, or do you mean Celeste?) and an Olympus and also a Hilleberg Akto
>
> Whoops. Of course I mean Celeste - bit hard to sleep inside a
> backpack :-)
>
> Tony Gedge.
Roger Caffin
> One thing that has been annoying me recently is the "slack" in the fly
> covering the vestibules. I'm finding it increasingly difficult to get
> "tension" (i.e. no floppyness) simultaneously in the horizontal
> direction from the peg loops to the base of the hoop on each end, the
> horizontal direction along the base of the door flap and the vertical
> direction from the peg loops up to the top of the hoop on each end.
> The best explanation I can think of is that the fly material on the
> door section has become stretched, which means that the peg loops have
> to move further away from each other to get the slack out of the door,
> which in turn causes the sides to be slack. Not sure what I can do
> about that however (suggestions welcome :-)
poles. It may help.
And pull the tent down at the poles a bit with the straps there.
maybe.
> I've always got the floor where I wanted it acrossways, but I usually
> underestimate the length of the tent when erecting it and always end
> cleaning sticks out from under one one end.
Ah yes, happens....
Cheers
Roger Caffin
peter
division
called Great Outdoors.
They make a few tramping tent versions under this label, one is the same as
the
Olympus & others are similar to other tents mentioned in this thread.
I think they are avail in both NZ & Aus. ( certenly out along Parramatta Rd)
Could be worth a look, as the construction materials where similar & price
was about
half that of the "real" version.
I think they come out of an asian factory.
NB I've got a snow version of the Minaret & think it's great
Peter