Cheap 2-person tents? 'Gecko' brand?
Posted: Sat 20 Jul, 2013 1:32 pmHi all,
I've not been camping/hiking since back in my Cadet days (15 years ago) and I am looking to get back into it again... It's not something that I'll be doing every other weekend, probably just a few times per year, so I want to spend as little as possible, as I'm not overly flush with $ at the moment. But at the same time, I want something small/light, as I'll be using it for 2 or 3 day hikes and need to be able to fit/carry it in my pack with the rest of my gear... I was originally just looking at getting a hootchie (tarp strung over a rope between 2 trees), but after speaking with a few people, it was pointed out that you can get a dome tent for pretty much the same price these days... This led me to have my eye on a $50 cheapy (http://www.camping-warehouse.com.au/tents/camping-tents/gecko-gk-2205-2-man-dome-tent.html) that's 2.3kg and 'relatively' compact... but I was advised against it and to get something bigger... I personally don't see the size as being an issue (hey, I was originally looking at a hootchie!) but more wondering about the quality of it? Does it look like it would fall apart after 1 or 2 uses? Anyone had any experience with these tents?
Cheers,
I've not been camping/hiking since back in my Cadet days (15 years ago) and I am looking to get back into it again... It's not something that I'll be doing every other weekend, probably just a few times per year, so I want to spend as little as possible, as I'm not overly flush with $ at the moment. But at the same time, I want something small/light, as I'll be using it for 2 or 3 day hikes and need to be able to fit/carry it in my pack with the rest of my gear... I was originally just looking at getting a hootchie (tarp strung over a rope between 2 trees), but after speaking with a few people, it was pointed out that you can get a dome tent for pretty much the same price these days... This led me to have my eye on a $50 cheapy (http://www.camping-warehouse.com.au/tents/camping-tents/gecko-gk-2205-2-man-dome-tent.html) that's 2.3kg and 'relatively' compact... but I was advised against it and to get something bigger... I personally don't see the size as being an issue (hey, I was originally looking at a hootchie!) but more wondering about the quality of it? Does it look like it would fall apart after 1 or 2 uses? Anyone had any experience with these tents?
Cheers,