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Subject Topic: canvas and cast little big top Post Reply Post New Topic
Personachy
24/7/2013 at 9:22pm
 Location: Worcestershire
 Outfit: Former Karsten owner & Adria Altea View achy's Profile View Profile   Reply to achy Reply   Quote achy Quote  
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Ok, now this is the one which I have settled on this evening! (I'm sure it'll change by tomorrow!)

Couple of questions to you clever people:
1. I am thinking of replacing our Outwell Norfolk Lake with this-as that is impossible to pitch on my own. Do we think that 1 person could pitch this on their own-pitching not lugging the canvas about. (And yes I know they are very different tents-in my defence I do have a bell tent).
2. How do we think it would hold up in serious wind? In the Norfy's defence it is amazing in wind.

All replies greatly received.

Or should I go for a Hypercamp pyramid tent???


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PersonBarney75
24/7/2013 at 9:50pm
 Location: London
 Outfit: Little Big Top View Barney75's Profile View Profile   Reply to Barney75 Reply   Quote Barney75 Quote  
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I have one of these and think its an excellent tent. Mine stood up to some serious weather last year and shrugged it off without breaking a sweat, or leaking for that matter. Properly pitched its solid as a rock.

In terms of pitching on your own, 99% of the job can be done by one person. The only part of the process where I've found the need for an extra pair of hands is the final lift of the ridge poles.

My technique is to lay the groundsheet then peg out the fly, with the a-frames and main poles laid out underneath. Then, I go inside the tent and assemble each pole. I've found that I can't do this on my own and need someone to hold one pole, whilst I raise the other. Without the other person it's very difficult to keep the frame upright as your raising it to full height.

This part of the pitch really does take less than a minute and there may well be a better way to do it - and if there is, I'd love to know about it!

All the best in your thinking.

Barney


Personachy
25/7/2013 at 2:17pm
 Location: Worcestershire
 Outfit: Former Karsten owner & Adria Altea View achy's Profile View Profile   Reply to achy Reply   Quote achy Quote  
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Thanks for your reply Barney-DH has upset the apple cart as he doesn't like the way the doors do up-wants a zip. That means looking at the Emperor tent from bell tent uk.


Persontiacat
25/7/2013 at 7:16pm
 Location: Kent
 Outfit: Karma Canvas 5m ZIG View tiacat's Profile View Profile   Reply to tiacat Reply   Quote tiacat Quote  
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Have you seen the lotus bell tent, I like that one

Has anyone managed to successfully look at the stoves on that beltent.biz site, they never show up when I try to look at them


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PersonBarney75
25/7/2013 at 7:47pm
 Location: London
 Outfit: Little Big Top View Barney75's Profile View Profile   Reply to Barney75 Reply   Quote Barney75 Quote  
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The doors do have a zip, the toggles are just for show and to secure a protective flap that goes over the zip.....spin those apples ;)


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Personachy
25/7/2013 at 8:04pm
 Location: Worcestershire
 Outfit: Former Karsten owner & Adria Altea View achy's Profile View Profile   Reply to achy Reply   Quote achy Quote  
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BUT, does it have as much usable space as the Emperor? Perhaps that extra A frame gives that bit more usable wall?

Apples re-spun!


PersonBarney75
25/7/2013 at 9:09pm
 Location: London
 Outfit: Little Big Top View Barney75's Profile View Profile   Reply to Barney75 Reply   Quote Barney75 Quote  
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Tough call I think, you're right about the space, I think the Emporer wins on that front. Canvas and Cast used to win on quality (heavier canvas and stronger poles) but with them just having sold up, it's hard to know whether those standards will continue.

Whichever way you go, you're going to end up with a great tent, so that'll be a win win I reckon.

All the best, Barney.


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Personachy
26/7/2013 at 10:20am
 Location: Worcestershire
 Outfit: Former Karsten owner & Adria Altea View achy's Profile View Profile   Reply to achy Reply   Quote achy Quote  
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Thanks Barney!

My final concern that has popped up is the lack of windows compared to our Outwell Norfolk Lake. I think the usable space Emperor v NL) is the same-infact the foot print is almost identical and the Emperor or LBT win on pitching time compared to the hour it takes to put the NL up-when all the pegs are eventually in! I guess it's just a very different style of tent & I have always been happy with my 4m bell-perhaps I won't even notice!

As regard canvas weight, the Emperor comes in at 50kg in total, my NL at a massive 69kg in total-have you any idea what your LBT is with poles & goundsheet included?


Personautopilot
26/7/2013 at 10:30am
 Location: Earth
 Outfit: Karma Bell Tent (5M ZIG) + Robens Tarp View autopilot's Profile View Profile   Reply to autopilot Reply   Quote autopilot Quote  
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Quote: Originally posted by Barney75 on 25/7/2013
Tough call I think, you're right about the space, I think the Emporer wins on that front. Canvas and Cast used to win on quality (heavier canvas and stronger poles) but with them just having sold up, it's hard to know whether those standards will continue.

Whichever way you go, you're going to end up with a great tent, so that'll be a win win I reckon.

All the best, Barney.


Yes, but Canvas and Cast were just importing from china, as are most bell tent suppliers. That's not to say that they are great quality, I think they are, but I would always go with BCT (British made) if you can afford it.

I guess Cast lost the marketing war with the likes of Soulpad/Karma/Boutique Camping. Who have they sold out too?


Personachy
26/7/2013 at 11:20am
 Location: Worcestershire
 Outfit: Former Karsten owner & Adria Altea View achy's Profile View Profile   Reply to achy Reply   Quote achy Quote  
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Seems they have sold to a company that appeared to use them for tent rental.

I have looked at BCT, but they don't' seem to do an equivalent tent. I would love to buy British!


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Personjayner
26/7/2013 at 6:42pm
 Location: Surrey
 Outfit: Alaska Bedouin 280 De waard & Jambore View jayner's Profile View Profile   Reply to jayner Reply   Quote jayner Quote  
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I've used a fantastic Belgian company called Canvas Camp who sell a higher spec Emperor (320gsm) it's called the Sibley twin ultimate. I've had fantastic service and the tent (and on a seperate order accessories) arrived in two days.

I love my Emperor and prefer the fact that the whole of the back wall is useable space. The Emperor can be put up by one person in 20 mins ( is easier with two tho).


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Personachy
28/7/2013 at 3:37pm
 Location: Worcestershire
 Outfit: Former Karsten owner & Adria Altea View achy's Profile View Profile   Reply to achy Reply   Quote achy Quote  
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Thanks Jayner. I've taken a look and like the idea of the slightly heavier cotton. How good is it in the wind? Are the poles good quality?

Having spent a wet weekend in our 4m (2 adults, 2 children & 2 dogs!) I know we need to go for this! And the thought of re-pitching our Norfolk Lake to dry out-don't go there! Canvas Camp may have won!


Personjayner
28/7/2013 at 8:11pm
 Location: Surrey
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It survived 70mph last year on the IOW, very noisy, no sleep but the tent was fantastic. The poles are great but if you prefer wooden then you can swap them out, I've done that with the Bell Pole but not bothered with the Emperor.

I love the tent, it's so versatile for us (have a 15 year gap between my sons). We have two inners and will be using both for the first time this summer.


Personachy
29/7/2013 at 8:51am
 Location: Worcestershire
 Outfit: Former Karsten owner & Adria Altea View achy's Profile View Profile   Reply to achy Reply   Quote achy Quote  
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Thanks Jayner. I think we will be going for the Sibley this very week-now just to raise the funds!

With this weather we are having, I know I can get any new tent weather soon!


Personachy
30/7/2013 at 10:20am
 Location: Worcestershire
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Tent ordered! Hooray.

-------------
2015 7 weeks booked! Roll on Easter to start.


Personachy
02/8/2013 at 12:58pm
 Location: Worcestershire
 Outfit: Former Karsten owner & Adria Altea View achy's Profile View Profile   Reply to achy Reply   Quote achy Quote  
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Quote: Originally posted by jayner on 26/7/2013
I've used a fantastic Belgian company called Canvas Camp who sell a higher spec Emperor (320gsm) it's called the Sibley twin ultimate. I've had fantastic service and the tent (and on a seperate order accessories) arrived in two days.

I love my Emperor and prefer the fact that the whole of the back wall is useable space. The Emperor can be put up by one person in 20 mins ( is easier with two tho).


Just to let you know Jayner, that we received our new tent in 2 days from Canvas Camp & it is now pitched in our back garden. Thanks for your help, as I would agree-it is better quality, certainly than our 4m bell. I think the quality of our bell is OK but this is superior & with it being so much bigger I feel that's important, so thanks again.

-------------
2015 7 weeks booked! Roll on Easter to start.



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