http://www.gizmag.com/tentsile-sting...ed-tent/26086/ Probably best for car camping. :rolleyes:
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http://www.gizmag.com/tentsile-sting...ed-tent/26086/ Probably best for car camping. :rolleyes:
"13 pounds" and "Travel light" in the same article? Yeah, sure.
I traded in my 13 pound tent on a 16 ounce hammock. I've already had a much nicer hiking experience on the one trip I brought it. (and didn't use it - slept in a cabin.)
Since this is the second item of this sort (and ridiculous price range) that I've seen posted here on HF, I'm wondering what the market is and pondering that there must be a market out there if there's more than one these crazy businesses out there selling these things.
Frankly, it looks like its no more than a rich boy's treehouse substitute. I just can't imagine not only the weight, but the inevitable time for setup and breakdown needed, not to mention that you surely need a pad underneath you as well for both insulation and padding from the rigid structure.
Wanted a hanging tent for years, weirdly inviting? Tough to get any rest with that thing, everybody would ask questions that saw it?
No way would I be happy with one but I like to think about it anyway?
This one seems a bit more reasonable than the last. Certainly not a mainstream option - or very lightweight - but has a niche market. And, they listed the following as a possible use. Not sure it's great at the price, but at least folks are thinking about housing in flooding (or other similar) situations.
"Tentsile boss Alex Shirley-Smith is keen to promote the flexibility of the Stingray, and name drops the United Nations and Australian military as two groups which have shown an interest in Tentsile. Indeed, the design could conceivably serve as a lightweight and relatively low-cost temporary shelter in areas which have been flooded (or where the ground is otherwise unsuitable), so a humanitarian use for the tent does seem feasible."
With the amount of tension needed to hold one of these up with 4 people I am scarred that it's just a matter of time before someone pulls a tree down on top of them selves. We have seen it far to often with just a regular hammock and had some members here with very close calls. High tension suspended "tents" just don't seem intelligent.
(shakes head and moves on with his day)
In the case of a flood, using the stand would be the wise move.
When will these 'tech' guys get the message from the real users of this gear; thirteen pounds is not light. I just don't understand how someone can market a product as a lightweight shelter without googling 'lightweight shelter' and realizing that in order to be even close you cannot be over ten pounds.
It is the beginning of the mainstream accepting the hammock life.
Look at North Face, or a hundred other 'outdoor' manufacturers. They began with noble intentions, but saw dollar signs through the window. The started to make products that had the look and feel of the original line, but were developed primarily for folks that wouldn't really use the products in the traditional manner.
I kind of enjoy watching it, personally. It doesn't matter to me that it is totally impractical because it will introduce others that may never have known about hammocks...if we can call these things "hammocks", that is. Besides, practical has little to do with lots of things I want. Try as I may, I can't come up with a practical need for a Jet Pack...and I've spent a lot of time thinking about it. Still wouldn't stop me from getting one, if I could afford one. :D