Tarptent Scarp 1 new version

[Franco]

This is what I call the UK version. So aptly some pics were posted today on a UK site.
http://summitandvalley.blogspot.com/200 ... -news.html
Henry has managed to work in full down to the ground protection but still allowing for lots of ventilation when required.
Some not obvious changes are the re-designed top vents (now with Velcro closure) a slightly bigger vestibule derived from a modified side panel and a new corner holder for the external (freestanding/winter) poles.
Should be out in November.
Franco

[Nuts]

I like his tents, nice roomy, practical designs and drum tight pitches.

(He should though fire the marketing manager, the colours and the name are as important as any practicalities )
I doubt those 'mid-fly' attachments/winter poles would get much use here, wonder if it woud hand snow without them?

[Franco]

Like Volkswagen, Tarptent is stuck with the name it started with, (and that was making tarp tents) , like Volkswagen when it started by making cars for the "people"
The 4 season Scarps happened mostly because Henry wanted a tent for his trip to Iceland , also it snows where he is now.
The company colour was chosen because it is neutral, and you need something like that if you can only have one...

As for snow holding without the external poles I expect that it will work pretty much like the Akto except for a bit less sag at the ends, but not ideal for it.
With the extra poles it is still less than 1600g and becomes freestanding, for those that like the option.
Franco
BTW if Henry fired his marketing manager, automatically he himself would be out of a job.

[Ent]

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Last edited by Ent on Tue 16 Nov, 2010 1:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Franco]

I will be following the English forums because the most commented point about the Scarp was that bottom gap yet condensation is the bane of many users of similarly designed Euro shelters...
Would be nice if with tents you could have a "firmware" upgrade as you do with cameras.
(would also be nice to have the R&D budget that photo firms have)
Franco

[photohiker]

More photos detailing the fly raising arrangements for venting the tent on HikingInFinland Blog

With this change the Scarp1 has become a genuine Tassie 4 season 1 person capable tent.

Sounds like Henry is going to offer the new fly to existing owners at cost. Now that is customer service above and beyond.

[Ent]

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[photohiker]

Though it sort of confirms my original decision to go with the Akto for Tassie conditions Sorry could not resist that
Cheers Brett

That's ok Brett, you bought a good tent. The way I look at it is that I will have a great all round tent with the choice of fly to suit the conditions. I do camp mostly outside of Tassie, so it's important to have a good ventilating tent at times and the high flysheet on the original Scarp achieves that very well. The Scarp has always been better than the Atko for snow loading, now it's as good and possibly better in the wind, making it right up there with the Atko for all seasons in Tassie. Being able to freestand is a bit of icing on the cake. It's great that we have such a good choice of several very capable and relatively light 4 season tents.

[Franco]

Well it took several years for Hilleberg to put a vent on the Akto, ( I don't recall Hilleberg offering an "upgrade") but of course a cottage manufacturer can react faster to customers needs or in this case "wants".
Curiously the criticism came from people that had not tested the tent ( and for that matter, I have one but still not tested it in rough conditions...) and it was as if the Scarp is the only convertible/ 4 season shelter with a non floor hugging fly, when in fact several manufacturers do that to maximise air flow ( not comparing, but see the Macpac range for example)
Anyway, the clever part is that now it does have that down to the ground fly but it has built in features to still allow good air flow when needed.
For the ones that will opt for the upgrade, it may end up costing them a similar amount to the Akto in total but may still prefer the extra room, ventilation and snow loading capabilities.
Time will tell...
Franco

[Ent]

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[Franco]

Colour comes under the "you can't please all of the people all of the time" description.
In the US there are enough "survivalist" and "stealth" (or would be...) campers to constitute a vocal minority (very vocal...)
Typically they ask for green or camouflage tents ( I just spotted a Black Wolf in camo yesterday in town...)
So I asked this question at BPL "what is your ideal staelth shelter colour? " (just for fun)
Of course there were conflicting opinions but the one that got the most votes was grey...
Not obvious, but that grey silnylon is very neutral so it doesn't give a colour cast inside it (like a grey filter on a camera lens)
Most brands try to have their own distinctive colour. Failing that they put a gigantic brand ad on them. (EUREKA!)
BTW all of the grey TT and SMD shelters use the same fabric, yet it seems a different shade and/or thickness on every second shot.

Many shelters have had minor or major changes due to customer feedback. For example the first Hubba Hubba (apart from the leaky floor..) had one door only.
Not that obvious either, but it has an almost totally wrinkle free design now, something not seen in any of the other single hoop shelter of this type. (less wrinkles, less wind resistance, less noise...)

As for size, get your mesuring tape out and get inside the Akto.
The Scarp floor is rectangular, 81cm wide, 218cm long and 99cm high in the middle. Note that it is 38cm high at the end (measure where the Akto reaches 38cm...)

Franco

[photohiker]

Just an update.

The new version has been available on the TarpTent online shop for a few weeks.

Just before Christmas, Henry emailed previous purchasers of the original Scarp1 with an upgrade offer to convert the fly to the new model. That's pretty decent service. I've placed my order.

Michael

[Drifting]

Apparently they grey of the Tarptents is close enough to "nuetral grey" for a photographer to calibrate the white balance on a DSLR, a handy, if unintended consequence.

There's a very interesting podcast interview with the owner of the company at Practical Backpacking.

[geoffmallo]

I just ordered my upgrade fly - can't wait to get it our in the winter.

As for previous comments on not needing the extra poles in Australia they are great for the alps strong winds and when freestanding is needed.

[Drifting]

you need to pop down to Tassie for a show and tell geoff!

[geoffmallo]

Drifting - I'm keen to come down and play anytime

[Nuts]

Looks like youd need the extra pole set in wind to stop the 'tags' flapping? I have a tepee style shelter built for arctic use with a heap of extra tie points... never needed them but they are pretty annoying...

Where is the major weight saving coming from in a similar size design?
Lightweight floor?

I agree on the colour. what about red (and Yellow )

[geoffmallo]

Nuts the floor is also silNylon. The outer fly fabric and inner are all lighter than other tents I've owned.

I'll be really interested in seeing how the floor lasts if I manage to wear it out (however I'm addicted to tents and will probably have 'moved on' by then!)

I use a tyvek groundsheet now too.

[photohiker]

Looks like youd need the extra pole set in wind to stop the 'tags' flapping?

On the Scarp? Removable if you want. I spent a windy night in it, and honestly couldn't hear them.

[photohiker]

Finally got around to seam sealing the new low fly. I've had the tube of sealer for a while, but every time I think of it, the weather turns cold and humid.

I managed to snag a tube of Permatex 81730 Flowable Silicone from Amazon with another order - it's good straight from the tube, no messing with turps required, and easy to apply.

I seam sealed all the fly seams including the pole sleeve and all the attachment points (both sides for them) for the crossing poles and vents. Didn't bother with the new vent system in each end of the tent as if I'm having problems with water seepage through there, that will likely be the least of my problems.

I'll do the Franco dot dance on the inner tent floor tomorrow, and it should be set.

[photohiker]

I've taken some snaps of the result and posted them with a little description on my blog

Interested in responses regarding the quality of my dot painting, (Franco?) and whether I should apply silicone to the NeoAir as well?

[corvus]

I've taken some snaps of the result and posted them with a little description on my blog

Interested in responses regarding the quality of my dot painting, (Franco?) and whether I should apply silicone to the NeoAir as well?

G'day photohiker,
I get a bit claustrophobic in small tents ,this one looks like it has some extra space over the head area however do you think a Scarp 2 would suit my needs better with its spread out floor width ? and do you use crossover poles and a footprint.
corvus

[photohiker]

Hi Corvus,

It does have more room above the head than most similar tents. Perhaps you could try one out - I think there are a couple in Tas now? I realise that my shot does not have anything to show scale - I took it to show the dots, not the size...

The Scarp2 certainly has more room, but I'm not sure it would have any more clearance above your head. If you don't mind carrying the extra weight, it's be a bit of a palace for the 280g penalty over the Scarp1 (420g penalty including the crossing poles)

I use a Tyvek groundsheet, but haven't had to use the crossing poles yet.

[corvus]

Thanks for that photohiker,
What are the dots you applied ? as I find myself sliding around most tents
corvus

[Franco]

Michael
I am proud of your work. One day all tents will have dots...
So far I have used the Neo inside the Contrail and the Rainbow, both are striped. My Sublite and the Scarp are dotted but only used those in my backyard, and that is very flat.
(that is silicone ,BTW)

The Scarp 2 having a wider hoop pole is also taller, 114 cm compared to the 99cm inside the Scarp.
These tents are sort of a European design (end supported single hoop, integral pitch) but definitely American sized...

I will make it official when I am set up but I am working with Henry Shires with the aim of having a Melbourne "showroom",( that will be my backyard) , so that folk can come and have a play with the shelters.
The 2010 line up has several tents that are more suited to the weather down there than the original type Tarptents, so pretty much also usable anywhere in Australia.
So take my comments now as being not just from a fan but from a somewhat more biased view than before.(if that is possible)
Franco
franco@tarptent.com

[corvus]

Michael
I am proud of your work. One day all tents will have dots...
So far I have used the Neo inside the Contrail and the Rainbow, both are striped. My Sublite and the Scarp are dotted but only used those in my backyard, and that is very flat.
(that is silicone ,BTW)

The Scarp 2 having a wider hoop pole is also taller, 114 cm compared to the 99cm inside the Scarp.
These tents are sort of a European design (end supported single hoop, integral pitch) but definitely American sized...

I will make it official when I am set up but I am working with Henry Shires with the aim of having a Melbourne "showroom",( that will be my backyard) , so that folk can come and have a play with the shelters.
The 2010 line up has several tents that are more suited to the weather down there than the original type Tarptents, so pretty much also usable anywhere in Australia.
So take my comments now as being not just from a fan but from a somewhat more biased view than before.(if that is possible)
Franco
franco@tarptent.com

Glad to see your enthusiasim franco but what exactly are the dots
corvus

[corvus]

Big decision not $30.00 difference in cost or around 250 gm more in weight with Scarp 2 ,do I go for the extra space or lighter weight
corvus

[Franco]

Those dots are blobs of silicone that are there to stop (sort of..) your mat from sliding. The reason I switched from the usual stripes is because you use less goo and it is easier to clean that way . Dirt gets trapped in between the stripes at times.

Scarp 1 or 2 ?
Corvus, maybe you should compare the floor space with the one you use now. The 1 is 218cm long and 81cm wide. All of that is usable .
Franco

[Nuts]

Last edited by Nuts on Sat 27 Mar, 2010 9:29 am, edited 1 time in total.

[photohiker]

Thanks for that photohiker,
What are the dots you applied ? as I find myself sliding around most tents
corvus

I slide a lot. Modern materials seem to have very low friction and the slightest slope on the floor sends me standing on the lower wall. Hopefully the dots will slow the rollercoaster up. If not, it will get the whole floor treatment.

Just to be clear, when I say that I think there is not much more room above your head in a Scarp2 than a Scarp1, I am talking about when you are lying in your bag, not sitting up in the middle of the tent. I'm sure Franco can detail the exact differences though...