Thanks Zapruda. Sorry about the long delay! I got a bit too discouraged.
I had wondered about the non-adjustability of the poles, but I didn't want to have to carry 2 heavier trekking poles for the tent.
I start with the webbing tight at the struts, but the bottoms of the struts move (inwards in 2 directions) after I've tightened the guys and let go.
I've been careful not to pull out the second end too tight, allowing for adjustment after I've put the poles in. I've tried doing the vestibules first as you suggested for a lower pitch, but still without success.
Well, I do like my tent when I'm camping in a nice sheltered forest. It meant I got to walk out with a 7.8 kg pack on my back the other day.
BUT... I'm disappointed with its performance so far. It may well be user error, but I've tried everything people, including Henry Shires, have suggested.
It's the first tent I've ever had fall down. Glad I wasn't using trekking poles with tips up. I may not have a tent any more.
I went on a long day walk, leaving the tent up in 25km/hr winds, presumably with some stronger gusts. Nothing like the gale force winds I've had other tents perform well in. Admittedly, I foolishly left the end vent open, allowing extra wind in between the inner and the fly. It applied too much force to the end tent peg, which pulled out, collapsing the tent. The ground was firm. I used a rock to help me get the peg in fully. Very fortunately, there doesn't appear to be any damage so far, despite it flapping on the ground for an unknown number of hours.
Here are a couple of pics of it pitched:
The following one demonstrates on of my issues. I can't get the bottom hem taut, so it flaps in the wind. Not good for my sleep or the fabric:
Franco, you mentioned the importance of having the ends of the pitchloc corners parallel. I have a big problem with that. I CANNOT get the pitchloc ends to stay where I put them, no matter how much I tweak the guys that are supposed to stop that. I've had the problem on a platform (where it was very easy to see if I had the ends parallel or not), on grass, on a forest floor (firm ground) and on a variety of low alpine vegetation. Everywhere I've tried to pitch it so far. I've ordered some titanium shepherd hooks in the hope that I can use them (except when I'm pitching on a platform) to stop the ends from moving. Then I've got to work on being able to get them parallel when I can only see one end at a time.
I've been unable to get the hem of the fly anywhere vaguely close enough to the ground to provide any shelter for anything under the fly, if we have slightly driving rain.
Maybe the moral of the story is that if you are like me, and not a good pitcher of tents, or solver of practical problems, don't get a trekking pole tent. They require more skill.