[rock mind]

hi all great experts
I want to buy a tent

I visit  many shops in delhi and details are like this

imported from german company  dome shaped    4000.00  fiber glass rods  3-4 person
alpine                                                           10000.00  alumin  rods      3-4
Indian made                            alpine               3000.00   almuni  rods     3-4


please suggest  which one is better  
because its a one time deal

[HowieUK]

Hi Rock mind,

It depends on what weather conditions you have to use the tent in?

Tents are sold as 2, 3 or 4 Season, with the price rising the more seasons they are capable of being used in.
The higher the HH (hydrostatic head) figure on the tent specifications the better the ability to keep out water!
A 1500HH would not keep out all water in torrential rain - you would need to have a HH of 3000+ to be capable of that.
Aluminium Alloy poles are usually better than glass fibre (for withstanding strong wind conditions) but are also heavier.  It also depends on the grade of Aluminium alloy and its heat treat temper designation, with most average priced Aluminium tent poles being heat treated to the T6 designation. For extreme conditions T9 may be used but this will be reflected in the price

I think I would look at the Indian made alpine but check out the HH and make sure it has double stitched seams (where tents tend to leak water the most!)

If your just using the tent to sleep in at night the shape doesn't really matter but if you want to use it for cooking in and socialising etc you would be better off with more headroom and easier access for getting in and out.

Keep in mind that some cheaper tents need 'proofing' before they can be used in wet weather but even with the best tents using a 'seam sealer' on the seams is a good idea!

Howie

Edited by HowieUK, 19 May 2006 - 05:13 PM.

[rock mind]

HowieUK, on May 19 2006, 06:15 AM, said:

Hi Rock mind,

It depends on what weather conditions you have to use the tent in?

Tents are sold as 2, 3 or 4 Season, with the price rising the more seasons they are capable of being used in.
The higher the HH (hydrostatic head) figure on the tent specifications the better the ability to keep out water!
A 1500HH would not keep out all water in torrential rain - you would need to have a HH of 3000+ to be capable of that.
Aluminium Alloy poles are usually better than glass fibre (for withstanding strong wind conditions) but are also heavier.  It also depends on the grade of Aluminium alloy and its heat treat temper designation, with most average priced Aluminium tent poles being heat treated to the T6 designation. For extreme conditions T9 may be used but this will be reflected in the price

I think I would look at the Indian made alpine but check out the HH and make sure it has double stitched seams (where they tend to leak the most!)

If your just using the tent to sleep in at night the shape doesn't really matter but if you want to use it for cooking in and socialising etc you would be better off with more headroom and easier access for getting in and out.

Keep in mind that some cheaper tents need 'proofing' before they can be used in wet weather but even with the best tents using a 'seam sealer' on the seams is a good idea!

Howie

thanks howie

[Anindya]

Hi Howie
Thanks for the usefull details.
BTW do you any idea where to get a seam sealer in India or better still what else (available in India) could be used as an improvised seam sealer?
(We Indians are master of improvisation )

Thanks

Anindya

[HowieUK]

sorry I don't know where to get a seam sealant in India!

In the uk I use a 'stick' like a lipstick, and you just rub it down all the seams when the tent is erect but you need to do it in dry weather as it needs time to 'set'(12 hours!?).  I buy mine from camping/outdoor shops for about £5.00 or 375rps, which will probably last for two years - one application of sealant every year!

I came across this website on a quick search, it has some good advice on camping although I think the condescending delivery (for me!)  is a bit "Over the Top" but there again, it is mainly aimed at a US audience. ("Different Strokes for different Folks")

http://www.totalesca.../gear/tent.html

Howie

Edited by HowieUK, 19 May 2006 - 06:00 PM.

[Anindya]

Thanks Howie, nonetheless!

I'll get hold of some foreign-returning Aunty-ji!

[HowieUK]

My present tent is an Aztec Casita the third one down on this link

http://www.thegorgeo...c_Tents_85.html

As you can see by the spec, the HH of the fly-sheet is 2000 and the groundsheet is HH 3000.
Nowadays I am mainly a 'fair weather' camper although in the UK getting caught in a downpour is inevitable and this tent keeps out the water up to a point but it probably wouldn't stand up to days of constant rain! (at which point I would pack up and go home!)

It's a tunnel tent and I like the large area in the front where I can keep a couple of decent size camping chairs and most of my belongings including cooking gear.  I never bother opening the side wall shown open in the picture, but just use the front entrance.
The sleeping compartment at the back, I use purely for that reason only (sleeping in!) and during the day I keep it closed, (in fact I only open it to get into bed when I close it immediately behind me!). There is also a meshed screen on the sleeping compartment to keep out mossies and other creatures!

The tent is heavy at nearly 10kg so can only be carried in a car really.  The flysheet is erected first so if you are putting the tent up in the rain the inner tent (of the sleeping compartment) stays dry.

They call it a 3 man tent but you would have to be very friendly if sharing the sleeping compartment with two other persons!  Most 3 man tents are just about big enough for two people and give you plenty of room if you are only one.

By the way I can erect the tent by myself without help (with plenty of swearing!) but it's always a good idea to have a practice at putting up a new tent at your home first, a rule that I don't usually follow myself!

Howie

Edited by HowieUK, 20 May 2006 - 02:36 PM.

[rock mind]

Anindya, on May 19 2006, 11:34 AM, said:

Hi Howie
Thanks for the usefull details.
BTW do you any idea where to get a seam sealer in India or better still what else (available in India) could be used as an improvised seam sealer?
(We Indians are master of improvisation )

Thanks

Anindya

hi anidya in India it is easily avlbl as the name of MSEAL   by pidilite compny manufacturer of fevicole ,u can get it at any sanitory stores .it cost rs 5/for a small one and its set in 30minutes only ,for a whole tent sealing it may u required 4-5. realy its working in pipes and even I apply on my rucksack so hopefuly we can use it on tents to.
cheers

[shubho]

hi rock mind, i'm from delhi and i'm looking for a tent too.
i'm interested in a 1-man job, lighter the better. 2 season is fine. unbranded is fine too.
any ideas? thanks.

[Yogesh Sarkar]

shubho, on May 22 2006, 11:50 AM, said:

hi rock mind, i'm from delhi and i'm looking for a tent too.
i'm interested in a 1-man job, lighter the better. 2 season is fine. unbranded is fine too.
any ideas? thanks.

try stikage

Edited by Yogesh Sarkar, 22 May 2006 - 12:33 PM.

[Anindya]

Hi Rockmind

Are you seriously suggesting to apply the epoxy base putty called MSeal...
or your are talking about some instant adhesives available by Piditile.
Epoxy putty is great for pipes but I really doubt its efficiency on nylon fabric of tent, and for the instant adhesives, they are not always compatible with nylon or plastics

Anindya

[rangss]

I found this recommended in Outlook Traveller Magazine:

Essential Outdoors

[rock mind]

Anindya, on May 22 2006, 12:16 PM, said:

Hi Rockmind

Are you seriously suggesting to apply the epoxy base putty called MSeal... :o
or your are talking about some instant adhesives available by Piditile.
Epoxy putty is great for pipes but I really doubt its efficiency on nylon fabric of tent, and for the instant adhesives, they are not always compatible with nylon or plastics

Anindya

hi anidya
ya its puti called mseal
I applied it on my rucksack to and its working yar
just take one small  and try before going out
cheers