Quechua Base Seconds 4.2 Tent Reviews and Details Page 8

Tent Reviews: Quechua Base Seconds 4.2

Tent and Awning Reviews Index > Quechua > Base Seconds 4.2 Reviews

Current Model?
Berths:
Weight:
RRP on date added:
Bedroom inners:
Living area groundsheet:
Pitching Style:

Yes
4 (more 4 berth tents)
14.00 KG
Ł149.95
2
Bathtub
Pop up

Average User Rating:

9.41/10 from 85 reviews

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85 Reviews of the Base Seconds 4.2 Showing 71 to 80 Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

By: AndyRomain Reason: I've used one Made in: 2009 Rating: 10 from 10

Well, after the previous one night trial, this tent has now been soak tested (literally) and the results are amazing.

I've just been on a camping trip, on sites ranging from the far North of Scotland (the blowy cliffs of Durness), to the rain soaked flatlands of East Anglia, and this tent hasn't disappointed one bit.

The tent has taken everything the weather could throw at it, short of hurricane force gales, and has laughed in the face of it all. I really must learn to sleep at night and trust this tent, instead of sitting waiting for it to fail!

Whilst camping on the cliff edge at Sango Sands, Durness, the tent took pretty much as serious a seaborne wind as one could expect, but it didn't so much as flinch. It just did the job, and did it well. The following nights saw more wind, eventually mixing heavy rain into the recipe too, and again, it just sat there stoically. If this tent had eyes, it wouldn't even have blinked!

I've also had a few nights of setting / breaking camp now, and so am getting pretty well versed in the whole folding / unfolding part. We all know that that's the part we dread when arriving and leaving - making fools of ourselves in front of our poled brethren as we somehow become entangled and part of the tent ourselves. Not one problem, at all. I'm only 5'8', but have managed to restrain this beastie, and without any red faces or chuckles. It goes up like a dream (I'd say on average 15mins to pitch single handedly, including all guy ropes), and about the same to casually break camp.

My only complaint is that the pegs are a little flimsy, but then given the range of pegs available for all different types of ground, they're a fair compromise.

Surprisingly, given a pretty wide range of travel, I've yet to bump into another camper with one of these, despite the Decathlon salesman telling me that it's the best selling tent in the UK. But then, it's nice to have a degree of individuality when arriving at camp, rather than everyone turning up with a 'McTent'.

Everyone that has witnessed me making and breaking camp has commented on the tent, with comments along the lines of 'the future of camping', and 'wow, that's how it should be done - we need one of those'.It even got to a point where I'd convinced one couple that I was a Quechua demonstrator travelling the country and going from campsite to campsite in the guise of being on holiday, kind of a covert sales technique.Maybe the manufacturers should consider that.Or maybe they already do?

In all, not one complaint about the tent, well actually yes there is. I have a job, and so don't get as much time to be out in it as I'd like!

My only concern is that I'm sure that one day, on that final 'packing' move, (fellow owners, you know what I'm talking about), it's going to spontaneously become a hang glider or kite at the most inconvenient moment. It's a lot of fabric to expose to the wind in it's pre-folded, flattened state. But then, you very quickly learn to 'weathervane' (have I just invented a new piece of camping jargon there?.'Weathervane'.The art of manipulating a large folding tent into the windstream in order to fold it up without being blown away).

Well done Quechua, a great tent, great design, and great fun to use.

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By: Milliebear Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2009 Rating: 9 from 10

Bought one of these as a novice camper on the recommendation of a friend. Was very impressed with the size and ease of pitching. Took a few goes to get it down, but easy once you know what you're doing. Having said that, it is meant to be manageable to get down by one person, but I (5'2' weakling!) couldn't do it alone - my husband can though.

We stayed in Norfolk - right by the Wash in some of the worst winds I've seen. Several pole tent dwellers gave up and went home with several snapped poles. Our tent struggled with the worst wind gusts (and flattened worryingly at times - especially if the front door was unzipped!) and we did wonder if we'd be able to last the night in it. In fact, it just kept popping up again and was unscathed. It didn't 'feel' that sturdy when we were inside, but actually did very well. It was oblivious to the rain which was excellent.

All in all - very impressed on my first trip! Again though, would like the option of adding a further bedroom.

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By: Bexaniz Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2009 Rating: 9 from 10

I'm amazed at this tent. When I told my friend, a hardened camper, what I'd bought he sniffed in disgust. But after 5 minutes of pitching in my back garden, for a test run, he was converted.

I have never been camping on my own before so was pretty nervous, but have just returned from first 'solo' trip - with 4 year old daughter. I pitched this tent on my own and also managed to put it down (and back in the bag) on my own!

There is a definite knack to it, so I would advise watching and memorising the videos on the Quecha website before attempting!

We went to Wales, I put the tent up in strong winds and rain (no problem apart from having to put the groundsheet down first so unless you're quick, would get wet). It then was stable during windy and wet nights - to the amazement of other non pop up campers on the site!

Recommended.

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By: AndyRomain Reason: I've used one Made in: 2009 Rating: 10 from 10

I was recently in the market for a new tent as I was upgrading from a single room 3 berth, and wanted 2 separate bedrooms. I've visited Decathlon in Amsterdam many times, and so when I was working near Thurrock, and found there was a local store, decided to have a look.

Was instantly drawn to the Base Seconds 4.2, and was impressed by the design, size, and simplicity of it, so after a quick demonstration to see it being put up / taken down, picked one up for a forthcoming trip.

Have now used it on a trial night out, and am very impressed. I put it up in around 10 minutes (not bad for the first go), and it was pure simplicity. No surprises or obstacles. Have to say it may prove awkward doing it solo in anything above a slight breeze.

The weather was great, so can't comment on it's performance there, but it was roomy, versatile, and a great way to spend a lazy evening. When breaking camp, it took 10 minutes, (the longest part being tying up the guy ropes neatly), and a little bit of a struggle, but I suspect with experience it'll get easier.

In comparison, the 3 man dome tent I have takes around 25 minutes to put up, and the same to break down, and I've done that routine around 20 times with that tent, and so know what I'm doing, proving the comparative speed for the Quechua.

In all, very impressed so far, so next stop Scotland to try it out on some real weather!

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By: Sprocket Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2009 Rating: 9 from 10

Used the tent for the first time this weekend. We originally bought it for a touring holiday which we thought it would be ideal for. We are a family of 5, but have a smaller Quechua tent which our eldest son (and sometimes his smaller brother) use.

The living space felt surprisingly spacious and was enough room to sit around in the evenings when it was cold, however for a longer holiday I would think about purchasing a base seconds to dock to the front just for extra space but again that is extra cost. If I was making a suggestion to Decathlon it would be to have the back wall of the tent set up like the base seconds full, to allow you to dock one of their smaller pop ups to it for extra bedroom space.

The bedrooms are to sleep two and fit a double airbed snugly. However if you are sleeping two adults in the one bedroom, someone has very little headroom due to the slope. Again I didn't mind this too much for a weekend, and the convenience of putting up and taking down.

It really does take minutes to put up, basically lay out groundsheet (approx 6 pegs), pop up the tent, attach to the same pegs as in the groundsheet then approx 6-8 guylines.

To put down it is only a few minutes for one person. I'm 5'4' and managed it easily. Definitely watch the video a few times first!

So, ideal for the weekend especially if its raining when you get there!

I can't comment on rain proof as thankfully it didn't rain this weekend. But it certainly seems very well made and not too draughty either thanks to the fact the groundsheet has a 'lip' on it which velcros into the tent (hint - remember to 'unvelcro' the groundsheet before trying to put the tent away!).

Overall I am very impressed with this tent.

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By: V_tricky Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2009 Rating: 10 from 10

After nearly having an argument in Decathlon over whether we go for this tent, or the 4.2 (Ł10 cheaper, much bigger) I was very pleased when after this weekend my hubby conceded that I was right about buying this tent.

It really did pitch in 5 minutes, and it took less than ten to put it down.

It was pouring with rain, but it was so quick and easy it wasn't a problem. We stayed totally dry.

Lots of pockets, lots of hooks for lamps, room enough for 4 adults at least in the living area.

Dried quickly when we got it home, can't wait to use it again!

I *know* that the other one would have ended up being a white elephant, taking up too much room. We wouldn't be able to face pitching & unpitching it so it would just get dusty while we went and stayed in Travelodges.

This one is so easy to sling in the back of the car, so easy to use, so comfortable, we'll be using it lots! (in fact, we're going away in another 4 days time! Yay!)

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By: HelenaB Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2009 Rating: 8 from 10

Just got back from two windy, wet weeks in France with our 4.2. Slightly dubious as to whether it would stand up to the weather but it's just as strong and hardy as the smaller versions. No problems at all - stood rock solid in some quite frightening winds and no leaks at all after a lot of very heavy rain.

Couldn't be simpler to put the tent up - really, minutes - just wonderful after a very long drive. As for putting it away - it's actually slightly simpler than the smaller tents. Don't ask me why - but it hasn't got away from us yet whereas the smaller ones sometimes 'escape' when you're putting them away!

I'm not exasperating when I say that people actually came out to watch us putting it away (no pressure!). Easy Peasy - got a round of applause!

The sleeping pods are slightly smaller than our old Coleman and with our aerobed actives in them whoever's on the sloping side is right up against the side of the tent so maybe sleeping mats would be better - or smaller airbeds. Still, that's really the only downside I can think of. Very, very glad we spent the money on this - it's great!

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By: Bernie bann Reason: I've used one Made in: 2009 Rating: 9 from 10

Easy tent to put up and down. Stood up to heavy rain and wind. Worth every penny. Ground sheet was brill, keeps sleeping pods off floor. Lots of handy pockets, hooks to hang lights from. Stand up in living area and the over hanging porches were really handy. The base seconds fits like a porch which extended the living area

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By: Sandbach68 Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2009 Rating: 10 from 10

I love this tent. Having used a large Coleman tent for the last few years that took FOREVER to put up this is wonderful. Can genuinely be put up and taken down by 1 person in no time at all. On our first trip with it we had pitched the tent, inflated and made 2 airbeds, made up the travel cot, set up camp kitchen and windbreak and had the kettle on for a brew whilst entertaining 2 small children before a family that arrived at the same time had got halfway through erecting the awning on their campervan.

We are going to buy the base seconds to use as a larger porch for putting stuff in if it rains and for kicking off wellies etc. The only minor criticism I can note is that as we still have a child in a cot we had to sleep in the living area which was really pretty chilly though to be fair to Decathlon they do state that the tent has lots of ventilation to reduce condensation. Next year won't be a problem as our youngest will be in a bedroom with her sister so we'll be able to have a cosy bedroom. The other bonus is that if you pack it away wet, (as we did), you just need a dry few hours at home to pop it up to dry - no pegging out needed. Wonderful, well designed tent.

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By: Shellmas Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2009 Rating: 10 from 10

What a brilliant invention. Takes out all the worry of getting the tent up in the cold or rain.

Very cosy and surprisingly warm in out uk summer.

It did take about 20 mins to put away as I forgot which way to twist it and had not undone the zips

Loads of living space inside

Really the best buy for a novice camper like me

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85 User Reviews of the Base Seconds 4.2 - Showing 71 to 80 Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

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Manufacturer's Description

Designed for camping for 4 hikers wanting an easy set-up family tent.

Good-size living area (5m˛/ 185cm high) and 2 standard bedrooms, 140x210cm.

2 minute set up. Folds down in less than 5 minutes if you have the knack.

Laboratory (shower test: 200 l/hr/m˛!) and field tested
Size and weight

Spacious 5 m˛ living area, with a max height of 1.85m. 14kg.

Bedroom space

2 x 2-person bedrooms. Comfortable-sized at 2.1m x 1.4m.

... there may be more info on their website

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