Message Forums

I definately think this tent is worthy of its own society of appreciative campers!!

Our Kestrel 5 went up last night with no swear words and no falling out!! Took about 55 minutes from start to finish and was a doddle even for us two novices!! To say I am impressed with the tent is an understatement - we are just so very pleased with our choice and I'm glad it took me a while to choose now because I am pretty sure we have got a bargain tent.

It is so roomy and oozes quality.  My friends came round to see it and we put my friends tent up too that she had bought second hand and she was so disappointed that it wasn't as good as mine that she's asked me to order her a 5 berth and my other friend wants a 4 berth ordering!!  I am defo asking for commission now!!

I am so looking forward to our first trip away. We're going to keep the tent up for a few days and see how it fairs in any rain.

Jane

hi Jane the tent arrived, and guess what?

The bag has holes in it ,and  the poles have come through the pole bag, groundsheet has  several small holes in it.

I didn't realise when it was delivered that the box was damaged on one end, I didn't see it as it was underneath. it must have been dropped on end and the weight of the poles cut through the material.

I felt awful having to tell my sister, it was me who recommended it to her.Plus she's never bought anything off internet before either, so she is bound to be worried. At least they seem like a good firm from what I've heard already.

Oh well, will have to wait until tomorrow to hear from them.

Hi Debbie

Can't believe thats happened to you as well but don't worry they will sort it ASAP for you (well they did for me so they should for you) it could have happened in transit if the box is damaged because the tent comes direct from Wynnster to outdoorkit and they then ship out so they would have spotted it before mailing on to you (or you would hope).  We had the same feelings as you but honestly the replacement tent is spot on so you should be fine.  I have to call them this morning to order one for my friend and chase parcelforce for the pick up of the other tent!!

Hopefully i will then get outside to take down the tent if its dry.  It withstood all the rain, hail, wind, thunder and lightning that Sunday night threw at it in a major thunderstorm!! Checked it out when it had finally stopped raining and it was fine and dandy.

Let me know how you get on.

Jane

The five berth is big easy room for a big double airbed in the 3 berth pod and 2 singles easy enough in the other. Plenty of room for sleeping in the living area as its massive - it really is.  I'll go take some pics of mine whilst the sun is out!

How much commission do you think i should ask for!!!

She's decided to wait and have the 6 berth anyway. there's only her , hubby and 11 year old son, but will probably have son's friend come along too, or there's always our nieces wanting to tag along if their parents are working so she'll have no excuse not to take any strays in with her  We 've always took any of the kids who wanted to come because we always camp local and they can be picked up and dropped of easily.

You should ask for 10% at least I mean,  even photo advertising coming next ,what more could they ask?

You haven't got any cats around have you, read a thread last night about someone who had a cat jump on the roof of their tent in the garden and shredded it, was worried about your being up in the garden,

Jane wrote: "It is so roomy and oozes quality."

Jane, as our resident Kestral guru would you mind giving me an answer to this?

Can you reposition the from panel further back into the tent to form a canopy? And if so, how does that affect the groundsheet.

Actually, also how severely does the back of the sleeping are slope and do you lose much useable floor area because of it?

Thanks,

Quote: Originally posted by Winelodge on 29/4/2008

---

Jane wrote: "It is so roomy and oozes quality."

Jane, as our resident Kestral guru would you mind giving me an answer to this?

Can you reposition the from panel further back into the tent to form a canopy? And if so, how does that affect the groundsheet.

Actually, also how severely does the back of the sleeping are slope and do you lose much useable floor area because of it?

Thanks,

---

Yes, the panel can be unzipped and moved further back into the tent forming a canopy. The groundsheet stays in place but can be tucked in a bit at the front as it "toggles up" here rather than being a true SIG.

The back of the bedrooms doesn't really slope at all so no loss of space there. Have a look at my photos here for more info on that.

Any more questions, feel free to ask.

Thanks Matshan, what a great answer!

But as you offered....

Can you give some guidence on pitching time?

Have you used the canopy feature much? Does it impact on the overall stability of the tent?

And would you recommend it?

Thanks again!

Winelodge,

Pitching time about 30 minutes all done, this would be with 2 adults after a bit of practice.

 I can safely say we have never used the canopy feature as we felt that having a larger living space was more important at the time, this may of course change with circumstances, it's nice to know the option exists.

It's a great tent, fabulous living area size and really versatile and we have had some great times in it. We did have some issues initially with leaking but our flysheet was replaced and now all is well.

Hi Winelodge

We haven't moved the front back to form the canopy yet but it looks dead easy - it just unzips and you zip it back up. I don't think it will impact on stability as you have these two poles that go down the sides of the tent to stregthen it so it shouldn't be a problem. Everything about the tent is great in my opinion and excellent value for money.  I'm just in the processing of taking my down (see above -  it survived the storm Sunday!) and there was a little bit of water at the back of one of the sleeping pods but that was my fault when i went round the back and looked - the tent wasn't pegged out properly away from the pods (if you understand what i mean!) but i just got my mop out and sorted it so its dry.

We put ours up Friday night and according to my hubby it took 55 minutes but it didn't seem that long to be honest maybe 'cos it was stress free! I reckon it will be loads quicker next time as we won;t have to keep stopping and reading the instructions!

One tip if you have small children - give them a job to do - we got both of ours to hold the front guy ropes as it was "extremely important" that they didn't let go - it kept them from under our feet and made them feel usefull!!!

Hope this helps you decide.

Jane

Hi Debbie

No we haven't any cats just a big white owl that swoops over but its missed the tent so far!!