Anyone seen, used or have an opinion on this? (Highlander Falcon Bivi-tent)

[comanighttrain]

Was thinking about going for this over the Suplus tunnel tent from endicotts...

The high waterproofness (10000mm HSH) is attracting me to it. That + alpkit pipedream mid range bag would cover me for the worst Scotland can hit it with (hopefully)

[Martin]

Where will you keep your kit when the weather's bad?

Martin

[comanighttrain]

Where will you keep your kit when the weather's bad?

Martin

Lightweight would probably fit in with me... but good point it wouldnt fit my bergan and me in it (Guessing here...im only 173cm though....)


Link http://www.aktive8.com/Camping/Tents/Backpacking-Tents/Highlander-Falcon-Bivi-Tent/0007489p.aspx?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=price%2Bcomparison

[Martin]

Lightweight would probably fit in with me... but good point it wouldnt fit my bergan and me in it (Guessing here...im only 173cm though....)


Link http://www.aktive8.com/Camping/Tents/Backpacking-Tents/Highlander-Falcon-Bivi-Tent/0007489p.aspx?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=price%2Bcomparison

Which is one of my major problems with bivi bags, and one like this isn't even light weight. My two man tent, albeit quite an expensive one, is about the same weight as this and I can keep all my kit inside as well as sit up, make a cup of tea, get dressed and have a comfortable night's sleep. I could even get two people in there which isn't likely to happen as I like my space. ;)

Martin

[comanighttrain]

Would your equipment stand up to some severe rain? that is the main camp killer up in the west coast of Scotia:P

[Martin]

Would your equipment stand up to some severe rain? that is the main camp killer up in the west coast of Scotia:P

Well, my tent is the Terra Nova Laser which is considered a good mountain tent and will stand up to heavy rain and very high winds. In my Osprey Exos rucksack I pack my gear in Exped dry bags, as no rucksack is waterproof. I use a (heavyweight) synthetic sleeping bag, with a Thermarest Neoair sleep mat. I would consider my kit to be fit for purpose in foul weather and, except the sleeping bag, lightweight.

Martin

[comanighttrain]

According to this http://www.tauntonleisure.com/terra-nova-laser-tent/p5051?source=froogle&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=comparison_shopping_feeds&utm_nooverride=1#tdesc_2 it has a 4000mm HH on the outer material.

going by this http://backcountrybeacon.com/2010/04/waterproof-ratings-demystified/ That is fairly solid!

My old tent is 2000 outer sheet and 3000 ground sheet. In other words its totally hopeless...

[Martin]

According to this http://www.tauntonleisure.com/terra-nova-laser-tent/p5051?source=froogle&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=comparison_shopping_feeds&utm_nooverride=1#tdesc_2 it has a 4000mm HH on the outer material.

going by this http://backcountrybeacon.com/2010/04/waterproof-ratings-demystified/ That is fairly solid!

My old tent is 2000 outer sheet and 3000 ground sheet. In other words its totally hopeless...

Lol, not hopeless for sure. It's a case of horses for courses. Fletching has a Hilleberg Akto tent which is considered the holy grail of lightweight, mountain tents. It will set you back another £100+ and is a bit heavier but will withstand 6" of snow sat on top of it. I will be using mine without the inner in the summer, thus reducing the weight significantly, and bringing it well under 1kg.

To go back to the original point, I'm just not a fan of bivi bags. There are other, better options out there in my opinion.

Martin

[comanighttrain]

Now see...this has a much lower waterproof rating...

http://www.tauntonleisure.com/hilleberg-akto-tent/p866?source=froogle&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=comparison_shopping_feeds&utm_nooverride=1#tdesc_2 but is as you guys say pretty solid..

I might just got for a light 2 man...I would use a 2 man anyway so no point having two bits of kit if one bit can cover both bases and still be light....

[Fletching]

IMHO tent technology has come so far over the past few years that now you can have a tent with loads of room for you and your gear that weighs little more than a quality bivvy. It's nice to wake up with the great outdoors in your face a la bivvy (or hammock), but it's also nice to be able to have a bit of personal space if you want it (especially if you bring a high class friend in tow to meets). :)

I have SKS so I've all bases covered and I know which I'd take along if I was perched up some windy mountain pass.

Steve

[comanighttrain]

What is SKS?

Hmm... Hard to decide what to go for... I would sway towards bivi unless I have a friend coming or i knew some nasty weather was moving in...

Also seen this one...though the lack of midge net is cause for concern. The cheapness and high waterproof rating is attractive though

http://www.tauntonleisure.com/force-ten-vitesse-200-tent-2011/p7026

[Fletching]

What is SKS?

Shiny Kit Syndrome! ;)

[comanighttrain]

Haha, I have that too!

[Parnakra]

I don't want to derail your thread, but I'm also in the market for a new tent (I only have a 4+ kg dome tent at the moment, far too heavy and weak for some serious solotrekking). Belgium isn't exactly a paradise when it comes to good outdoors shops, but I'm seriously considering this Jack Wolfskin Gossamer (http://www.asadventure.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/productdetail/code/1111C00001) tent.

Information about it is scarce, but it seems like a pretty decent bit of kit for the price (I'm assuming you can make out the important stats in between all the Dutch). Though I have yet to go the store in person to try it out, it seems a bit roomier than a regular bivvy bag and I'm far from a comfort eagle, so I'd be happy if I can just get myself and my kit in.

Anyone here have any experience with it/advice for another tent? Thanks!

[comanighttrain]

Actually had a look at that one myself!

http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/reviews/tents/bivvy--one-person/jack-wolfskin-gossamer-/reader-reviews/1663.html#review4607

tends to review pretty well. seen more than one complaint about durability though

[robin]

I haven't owned or tried the Highlander Falcon Bivi Tent but I do own the Pro-Force (Highlander) Kestrel Bivi Bag. It too is 4000mm HH so I assume it is made of the same material. The Kestrel is terrible, lightweight & small but terrible. I have used it in many different temperatures and weather conditions and every single time I have woken to find my sleeping bag has been soaked through with condensation. I have now splashed out on a Mil-Com Bivvy bag, which although is much heavier and much larger when packed does not condensate and so my sleeping bag stays dry, at last a dry nights sleep!

I am aware that the bivi-tent shouldn't actually be touching your bag and so condensation should not be so much of a problem but my experience of this particular material has not been a good one. I think there would be large chance that you would wake up to find the condensation had run down the insides and soaked your sleeping bag from the bottom up. Just my two-penneth.

[cuppa joe]

Hi I have the both highlander kestrel and the falcon,the kestrel is a budget version for emergency bug out type situations very basic and not very breathable.
The falcon is a different matter all together..I was looking for a mid range bivi tent as im not rich and was looking at a Snugpak stratosphere or the highlander falcon . I chose the falcon purely on looks and have not been disappointed it does everything it says on the highlander site .
It is breathable ,waterproof weighs 1.1kg and is well built .
I have been out in really bad driving rain and woken up dry and warm ,as for condensation which can be a problem in both tents and bivi's it was minimal ..no more than in my treklite 200 tent.