Big Sky International - Supply/Customer Service Issues

[Franco]

I am here in Creswick watching the rain coming down (that is good...) and the two resident roos coming up the hill munching their way on almost non existent grass.

The Venus II UL is a good choice for the OP given that it does what he wants , including integral pitch.
The closest we have at Tarptent is the Scarp 2 which is about 500g lighter and packs to a bit smaller volume * but it isn't freestanding.
* 46x10cm for the Scarp, 42x15 for the Venus.

[wayno]

an unrelated online outdoor retailer 123mountain has just had its stock seized to pay debts
there has been a lot of criticism about this company.
note the owner is looking at launching another company Summitwearhouse.com

http://www.outsideonline.com/2063221/su ... 23mountain

[Franco]

That 123 Mountain thing was a farce that was allowed to go on for far too long.
Can't understand why it is so difficult to act after so many complaints particularly given the track record of the shop owner.
In the meantime other online retailer suffer because of it.

[JulieJ]

Have you looked at Tarptent, they make some wonderful tents that may suit your needs. Franco is always about somewhere here and is helpful and a wealth of knowledge about tents in general.


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Hi Giddy_up
I haven't withdrawn payment yet, but am inching ever-closer to doing so. If BPL had the tents in stock I would definitely cancel with BSI and opt for whatever BPL have, but BPL advised they had not received their order either.
I am still looking for an alternative that ticks as many boxes as the BSI Revolution or Chinook models, esp the combination of Double-wall, Free-standing, integral pitch, breathable inner, whilst still being light. The closest is Exped Venus II UL - but I think the weight would be up around 2kg. (I already have the regular Venus II, and absolutely love it, but it's a bit heavy if I'm hiking sole). I plan to be hiking (sometimes solo) in the coldest and wettest time of year, and I sleep poorly and am a cool sleeper, so I really don't think I could get away with mesh inner, and inner-pitch first (so common amongst the lighter weight models with their [IMO] annoying hub designs) would likely result in a very wet home! Also, I expect to be pitching on some rocky ground and wooden platforms where stakes are unable to penetrate.
I have just looked at Tarptent. They might be an ok alternative! I will email Franco - thanks for the suggestion!

[JulieJ]

Exped Mira I? Just for solo camps, right?

I did consider the Mira, partly bcs I am so happy with the Venus. But it pitches inner first. My concern with inner pitch first design is that it will probably get wet inside as I intend to be walking I the rain. I generally don't go out when it's warm (over about 22 degrees C) . I will be solo most of the time, but expect company for some of it. I also like to keep my gear inside with me. I'm sure I'll find somehing, especially given how generous people on this forum have been with suggestions. Franco has just provided some useful suggestions about a Tarptent model that I will look into.

I'm looking forward to posting the outcome and my experiences with my new gear sometime soon-ish:)

[GPSGuided]

Yes, the need for dry pitch is a bridge too far for Exped's Mira.

[Bluegum Mic]

As someone who has often drooled over the BSI chinook I just stumbled on this new offering from terra nova in the UK. It certainly ticks the boxes
http://www.terra-nova.co.uk/tents-and-s ... n-cross-1/

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[Franco]

Hi Mic,
That was a design I suggested to Henry when the Moment came out after I used it on snow with the X pole.
However Henry does not like hubs so we gave it a miss.
The Southern Cross 1 would be too small for the OP (can't take a second mat) the 2 is over 2kg , still light for what it does but not that light.

[JulieJ]

So, just figured out what OP means!
I looked at those Terra Nova tents. They do look good but, as Franco noted, the Southern Cross 1 is just a tad too small.
Tarptent Scarp 1 is roomy for a 1-person!

[Strider]

So, just figured out what OP means!

Either Original Poster, or One Planet, depending on the context!

[GPSGuided]

That was a design I suggested to Henry when the Moment came out after I used it on snow with the X pole.

At 1.69kg, quite a difference to the Moment. Not the same category.

[Franco]

That was a design I suggested to Henry when the Moment came out after I used it on snow with the X pole.

At 1.69kg, quite a difference to the Moment. Not the same category.

The Moment holds its ground very well as it is (for its intended use) but I was keen on a separate "4 season" version something that Henry is not all that interested in .
BTW, it is surprisingly easy to add weight to an existing tent design, I am pretty good at doing just that.

[GPSGuided]

The Moment holds its ground very well as it is (for its intended use) but I was keen on a separate "4 season" version something that Henry is not all that interested in .
BTW, it is surprisingly easy to add weight to an existing tent design, I am pretty good at doing just that.

I think I can understand Henry's decision for the fact that Scarp1/2 fills the need in Tarptent's line up. I am certainly very happy with the Moment DW for its convenience and adequacy for just about all conditions short of those extremes. I am tempted to add a few internal/external features like pockets, hanging loops and additional side panel tie down points but for the weigh gain...

[Lizzy]

Well apparently my Chinook has shipped it has taken a month but that is what they said in the original drop. Will report back when it arrives....

[Giddy_up]

Well apparently my Chinook has shipped it has taken a month but that is what they said in the original drop. Will report back when it arrives....

Hi Lizzy, any news yet?

[Lizzy]

Not yet.... Waiting waiting

[JulieJ]

Not yet.... Waiting waiting

Uh oh
I received an email a couple of weeks ago advising my order had been cancelled.
Now I'm holding my breath as I wait for BPL to receive their order. Have already postponed my hike by two weeks. Heading out next Tuesday BSI tent or not. Fortunately I have another tent, but it weighs 2.7kg min and I wanted to be a bit lighter. Oh well.

I really hope yours arrives soon, Lizzy!

[Lizzy]

Tracking said DHL shipping had it on 22nd March- just got my next update that it has got to and now left New York- a long trip in the US!!! Here's hoping it now finds its way to Australia.....

[wayno]

i can get stuff from the states in a couple of days, its not too expensive to get it in a week.... i hope its not going by sea...

[Lizzy]

All that time & it hadn't even left the US- I think they used courier pigeon!! Hope they upgrade to QANTAS for the flight to Aus .....

[wayno]

get your gear through reputable retailers and you won't have to put up with this... i've never had problems with backcountry.com and campsaver, and mail forwarding companies dont tend to mess your mail around..

[Lizzy]

Fortunately I am not in any hurry, so as long as it turns up.....

[GPSGuided]

i can get stuff from the states in a couple of days, its not too expensive to get it in a week.... i hope its not going by sea...

I've enquired in the past, there are no more surface (sea) parcel options through regular postal channels b/n the US and Aust. To go by sea, one has to go with a freight company and likely need to buy in volume in a container. Maybe there's Cessna vs jet classes.

[wayno]

I've had usps take month. Never again. Don't ship fragile stuff with them. They must use the boxes for crash tackle practice

[Giddy_up]

I purchased from Snow Peak yesterday. Received confirmation of dispatch this morning at 4.32 am

Why does it take BSI so long?


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[Giddy_up]

That's is with USPS too.


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[Mark F]

Having watched the progress of parcels from US and asia, I suspect the problem is that parcel post has low priority for space on aircraft. Parcels seem to get delayed at the outbound airport.

[Lizzy]

It's nseems that it is not mass drop or BSI causing the delay- they have been to schedule - they said in the drop that it would be 1 month. It is the postage that seems to be delayed.....

[Bluegum Mic]

Ive had a few things from massdrop and they take aaaaagggggeeeess. Its not a BSI thing. It will be a massdrop thing. The postage is always cheap through massdrop but it comes via snail

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[Lizzy]

Thanks Mic! Good to hear- this is my first Massdrop purchase.