Pop up tents.

[Snoring Rhino]

I saw a pop up tent at CostCo, looked ideal for LM, just shake it a bit and twang you've go a tent - has any body used on one these before?
They are called Sportura Blitz 2, I have been trying to find out how waterproof the are on the web, the best I can find is ebay listings for the same ones - (no doubt bought from CostCo at £27 and selling for £35 + £10 P&P) they seem to have a Hyrostatic Head rating of 1500 (WFT is "hyrostatic head rating"? - seems to be how water proof they are) However I have found these on World of Tents http://www.worldoftents.co.uk/outwell-jersey-tent-p-1623.html, which have a 3000 Hrydrostatic Head rating @ £39 + £4.5 p&p - which seems to be a much better bet, anybody used one? will 3000 Hydrostaic be enough for LM rain?

[nopanic - neil]

Saw the same type at Decathlon in France last year. They  had bigger and wider range that Costco.

Was very tempted, as they were not very expensive, but had just got a new tent that year.

I know someone who brought one this at Christmas and was going to use it at Easter. I'll get hold of him at the weekend and find out how it went.

It does look good thou, just throw it up in the air and it comes down errected.

There are some Decathlon in the UK, have a look at their web site, for locations.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/index.html

or look at a manufactures site
http://www.quechua.com/EN/Product_arborescence/mountain/hiking/hiking-tents/touring-tents/product_6541709/index.html

[DelBoy]

Friend of mine bought one last year - "the 3-second tent".  Hasn't tried it in rain yet, though.

As a comparison, he bought it in Decathlon for €39 - the same tent in Decathlon in the UK is £39.

Del

[Piglet]

[my name is Piglet and I'm a tent addict]

the HH is the amount of water that will sit on the tent fabric before it leaks 1500 HH gives you 1.5cm column of rain.   1500 is probably OK but I wouldn't necessarily buy one.

I've looked at the Costco one and its not bad.  If I was going to buy a pop up tent though I'd buy the Queucha (Decathlon) 3 Second Air - the 3 second is the bigger version of the original 2 second and the "Air" means that the ventilation is MUCH better which is important if we get a hot and sweaty Le Mans.   The 3 seconds are 135cm tall and the 2 seconds 95cm tall - even at my age 40cm makes a big difference to whether I could get in or out of the bloody thing!

They pop up well - but putting them away can be a bit tricky - we saw a couple in Belgium spend the best part of an hour trying to put one away!!  Great entertainment!

You should also ask KK about the young French couple entertaining themselves in a 2 second tent in France 

[nopanic - neil]

Friend of mine bought one last year - "the 3-second tent".  Hasn't tried it in rain yet, though.

As a comparison, he bought it in Decathlon for €39 - the same tent in Decathlon in the UK is £39.

Del

There is a Decathlon in Le Mans, and Calais (plus loads of other places)

The Bigger 3 Sec does look good
closes to

[Piglet]

I'm quite tempted by a 3 second tent as an "overnighter" for when you need to turn up somewhere in the dark. 

[termietermite]

http://decathlon.fr/FR/Product_arborescence/mountain/hiking/hiking-tents/touring-tents/index.html

[nopanic - neil]

Just had a look at the 3 Second tent,

Decathlon prices

UK - £54.00
France - Euro 79.90 (based on XE.com site) = £54.65

So I'm going to look at one, next time at Stockport

Might even buy it this time

[nickliv]

Aren't HH ratings in millimetres? ie 1500 = 1.5 metres of water.

[Leftie]

Piglet,

Regarding the 'French Couple', it's probable the best 2 seconds she's ever had!!!!

My client used to be part of Phizer (viagra should ring some bells).  I'm trying to negociate 'perks' that include a supply of 'V'.

Not having much luck at the mo as they seem to have a stiff upper lip! Begs the question of where they put it. With them it must 'arse about face' so to speak and they are using it as a supository!

Jerry

[garyfrogeye]

I too have been looking at these 3 second pop up tents and was speaking to a chap two weeks ago who had one and agreed that they were great, but it took him 15 minutes to pack it up again. He did admit though that he hadn't actually watched the instruction video.

[Nordic]

Tesco do one as well.

Catalogue number: 200-0401 

Features of Product Easy up design. Waterproof PU coated 190T polyester flysheet. Built in ground sheet. Steel wire frame. Fire retardant. Waterproof rating of 1500mm with taped seams.
Fire Retardant Yes
Product Depth 183 cm
Product Height 85 cm
Product Width 213 cm
Size 2 man
Sun Protection Factor 30+
Taped Seams Yes
Waterproofing Hydrostatic Head 1500mm

 £34.97 and a pretty floral design, just right for masion Blanche

[mgmark]

Bought two of the "2 Second" Quechua tents from Decathlon in 2005.  Two reasons - Firstly, they're ideal to sling in the back of the Land Rover for long holiday trips that need an enroute overnight stop - no need to put up the main tent and, last year, four of us arrived on a campsite at around 8pm - the tents, mats and sleeping bags were out and up ready to crash in within 5 minutes and we were heading off off to a restaurant/bar for a meal and the inevitable beers.  Secondly, they were bought for Le Mans, as one of them fits in the boot of the MGA and takes up less useable space than a traditional tent.  Same deal - arrived on site, tent up with in seconds, kit sorted, beer opened within 5 minutes.  The only reason I didn't get the larger one (that has a bit of baggage storage space) is that it won't fit in the boot of the MGA.   They have been subjected to plenty of rain and wind, and they are robust and waterproof (although as one of our number found out, one end is not particularly waterproof when you leave the tent flap unzipped).   

Setting up is dead easy - release the elastic band and let go.  Putting away is similarly easy once you have mastered the knack of it, which takes about two or three goes (reading the instructions does help....)  Overall verdict, bloody good value, lightweight, very easy to use, and very convenient.  Top bit of kit.

MG Mark

[nopanic - neil]

Piglet,

My client used to be part of Phizer (viagra should ring some bells).  I'm trying to negociate 'perks' that include a supply of 'V'.

Jerry

What a great marketing idea - "V" marked tents, with the slogon "Erect in 2 Secs"   

Aren't HH ratings in millimetres? ie 1500 = 1.5 metres of water.

Does that mean, it will float in water as deep as 1.5 meters (new money) or 4'6" (in old money) - 

[clkgtrlm1]

These are what the Danish bus tours stay in on KN. They seen perfectly adequete for them, but very little rain for the last few years!
The kids collected a few up last year - before the pikeys got in!
Some friends have borrowed / used them since for UK festivals with out problems and the're still going fine. 

Suggest you empty the tent or pack up quickly on Sunday tho, cause if you can put them up in two seconds I bet the pikeys can get them away quicker?!?