Help with Tarptent decision SS or DR

[Kingsleythelost]

I’m looking at purchasing a new tent for my solo experience 3 seasons including some alpine summer camping. I live near Canberra and most of my intended purpose would be around the area. Although I live near the snow I’m not going to purchase the tent for alpine conditions as I’d like to keep it light. I would rather purchase a specific snow tent if it came to that.

Please feel free to comment where ever you like! I’m a kind of newb to this but learning fast.

I like to allow for 2 people even though most of it will be solo but I figure the extra room is always good. The weight savings I’d get from going a pure solo tent are not worth it for me compared to the $.

I like the look of the Tarptents and have got it down to 2 tents being the http://www.tarptent.com/stratospire2.html and the http://www.tarptent.com/double-rainbow.html although the scarp is awesome the 2 person version is a little on the hefty side being 4 seasons.

The following comments / issues etc. on each...

Double Rainbow

Negative single walled
Can be setup without sticks (although I do carry them)
I like the veranda setup

Questions Why purchase the optional liner http://www.tarptent.com/doublerainbowliner.html
Carbon poles worth it?


StratoSpire

Doubled walled tent
Can remove inner for living space if needed
As light as the rainbow
Needs sticks although I carry it’s a pain to walk during the day and not be able to take them if you happen to leave it setup. But saves me 240grams.
slightly more expensive not a biggy

Question I carry the Carbon Z poles at 130cm which are not adjustable will they work with this tent as I see 120cm is recommended.
Would you go for the solid or mesh interior what are the dis/advantages of both.

Anything I’m missing please feel free to chime on in

Thanks
Kingsley

[Strider]

Which SS are you looking at?,from memory pole length is 117cm for the SS1 and 122cm for the SS2. I would guess that 130cm poles are too long for either, and without any adjustment you won't have the option of altering pole height to tension the fly appropriately.

[Franco]

Kingsley,
This is how the SS2 looks set up with the poles at 130cm :

as you may be able to see there is a more obvious gap at the bottom. Ideal for extra ventilation, not so much for wind protection.
A couple of things you can do to reduce the gap are to use the poles tips down and use them inserted into the ground like a peg* and or tilt them a little bit.
Adjustable poles would work better but it can be done.
(the standard SS2 height is 127cm so you are not far off...)
Still for $28USD you can get two 12.4mm "Vertical Support Poles" and then decide if they are worth carrying or not.
* a bit tricky to do for some so we have "pockets" available (under accessories/trekking pole handle adaptor) to attach the pole handle to the apex grommets.

[Strider]

(the standard SS2 height is 127cm so you are not far off...)

Is the website incorrect?

http://www.tarptent.com/pdf/StratoSpire1and2-manual.pdf

[dugsuth]

Hi Kingsley, great choice on the TT. I own a Rainbow and love it. Not to muddy the waters of decision any further, but have you seen the Cloudburst 3? It costs slightly more but is worth a look at least before deciding. I think with any of them you will be very happy.

[dugsuth]

Would have been helpful to include a link...

http://www.tarptent.com/cloudburst3.html

[Franco]

The Strato Spire2 can be set up from about 120cm to a bit over 130cm.
This is at 122cm :

and this is at 127cm :

you may see that I just changed the pole height but did not move the pegs. The vestibule shock cords take care of that.

[Kingsleythelost]

Thanks for all your reply’s.

Hi Kingsley, great choice on the TT. I own a Rainbow and love it. Not to muddy the waters of decision any further, but have you seen the Cloudburst 3? It costs slightly more but is worth a look at least before deciding. I think with any of them you will be very happy.

Doug I’ve noticed the link for the Cloud 3 works but if you go to the TT web site in their product list the tent isn’t there and you can’t order them? It does look nice though.

Did you buy the carbon poles? How does the tent deal with rain have you gone through a few days of wet weather with it yet?

Which SS are you looking at?,from memory pole length is 117cm for the SS1 and 122cm for the SS2.

Looking at the 2 person

* a bit tricky to do for some so we have "pockets" available (under accessories/trekking pole handle adaptor) to attach the pole handle to the apex grommets.

What do you mean by this comment Franco? I’ve seen the product but are you recommending I get them with the poles or with my sticks or both?

Can someone please clarify what exactly the liner does with the rainbow I can’t really tell from the photos on the website.

[Franco]

Kingsley,
If you want to use your trekking poles handle up , you may find it easier to do using those pole handle adaptors.
(originally they were designed for folk that had problems with animals (marmots) chewing on their pole handles)

The DR "liner" is the roof only part of what it would be a fabric inner if there was one.
So it sits a few centimeters under the fly covering the area not covered by the mesh door panels.
Some like it, others prefer just to wipe the sealing if it needs to be done.
http://www.tarptent.com/doublerainbowliner.html

[Kingsleythelost]

Thanks Franco

The cloudburst 2/3 are they still for sale or being discontinued? I hate it when another option is thrown in! better now than later though

[dugsuth]

Thanks for all your reply’s.

Hi Kingsley, great choice on the TT. I own a Rainbow and love it. Not to muddy the waters of decision any further, but have you seen the Cloudburst 3? It costs slightly more but is worth a look at least before deciding. I think with any of them you will be very happy.

Doug I’ve noticed the link for the Cloud 3 works but if you go to the TT web site in their product list the tent isn’t there and you can’t order them? It does look nice though.

Did you buy the carbon poles? How does the tent deal with rain have you gone through a few days of wet weather with it yet?

The ordering page says you can contact them direct to order the Cloudburst, if you're keen. I just got the standard poles, its a really well made and beautiful tent - I find myself wanting to go on hikes just to be able to use it. I have only used it in mildly bad weather on the Main Range so far, some consistent rain with no problems and a little bit of wind but nothing where I was starting to get worried. And certainly not a hint of condensation or dampness on the inside, I was really pleasantly suprised.

[Kingsleythelost]

Hmmmm Combined with the poles issue and that great review im almost sold on the Rainbow although i would love a tent you could remove the inner on rained in days.

Hovering over the buy now....

[Kingsleythelost]

Sold.....hehe .... quick shipping ill see how fast ! I ordered a Sawyer filter from the US 2 weeks ago still not here <grumble>