In reply to Post #59
As a bit of balance I have the South Westerly version and must say I'm very much on the fence about it. Once set up the quality feels good, very spacious and well thought out with the hook, pouches, vents etc. However, there are a few flaws.
I do not use a skull cap so that may eliminate this issue, but water pools underneath the spreader block. Not caused any leaks or anything but still far from ideal. I find setting it up a right pain, especially getting those front poles clicked in, takes me a he'll of a lot of effort and fiddling around. This may get easier as the fabric stretches a bit, but at the moment it does not feel like a quick erect shelter, definitely far more effort than my old Tempest or my Undercover brolly.
I have the mag loc mozzy front, and it's not like the marketing. I have tried to set it up multiple ways in line with the videos but I cannot get it to close fully on its own, which is the main marketing hype. Getting out for a run in the night it is very useful, but it doesn't close so any bugs will easily get in there whilst you are out.
I will continue using it for the rest of this season but unless the set up becomes easier I can see me moving it on and looking for an alternative (and I am a fan of most Solar gear so this probably adds to my disappointment)
As a bit of balance I have the South Westerly version and must say I'm very much on the fence about it. Once set up the quality feels good, very spacious and well thought out with the hook, pouches, vents etc. However, there are a few flaws.
I do not use a skull cap so that may eliminate this issue, but water pools underneath the spreader block. Not caused any leaks or anything but still far from ideal. I find setting it up a right pain, especially getting those front poles clicked in, takes me a he'll of a lot of effort and fiddling around. This may get easier as the fabric stretches a bit, but at the moment it does not feel like a quick erect shelter, definitely far more effort than my old Tempest or my Undercover brolly.
I have the mag loc mozzy front, and it's not like the marketing. I have tried to set it up multiple ways in line with the videos but I cannot get it to close fully on its own, which is the main marketing hype. Getting out for a run in the night it is very useful, but it doesn't close so any bugs will easily get in there whilst you are out.
I will continue using it for the rest of this season but unless the set up becomes easier I can see me moving it on and looking for an alternative (and I am a fan of most Solar gear so this probably adds to my disappointment)
In reply to Post #61
On the verge of buying one of these, but also thinking a tried and tested tempest 100 bivvy may be the way to go. Anymore user reviews please?
Seems to be very little in negative reviews about which is always a good sign
On the verge of buying one of these, but also thinking a tried and tested tempest 100 bivvy may be the way to go. Anymore user reviews please?
Seems to be very little in negative reviews about which is always a good sign
In reply to Post #62
Still nothing but positive experience from me. Goes up in super quick time, even more so now I have used it a good number of times.
Was out in in last weekend in the rain (until the river bank gave way, making a sharp exit at 5am!!) and no leaks, issues or anything. I did mention pooling with the skull cap previously, but having put the skull cap arm the opposite way around the issue seems to be resolved. Still loving the zip in groundsheet which will come into its own in winter I am sure.
For me, this is the best bivvy on the market. All our needs are different, but I find the height and space it gives is perfect (the XD was a PITA to put up due to height) and it genuinely feels like it will stand the test of time with the design of the spreader block (again a huge flaw on the frontier which is crap imo).
Still nothing but positive experience from me. Goes up in super quick time, even more so now I have used it a good number of times.
Was out in in last weekend in the rain (until the river bank gave way, making a sharp exit at 5am!!) and no leaks, issues or anything. I did mention pooling with the skull cap previously, but having put the skull cap arm the opposite way around the issue seems to be resolved. Still loving the zip in groundsheet which will come into its own in winter I am sure.
For me, this is the best bivvy on the market. All our needs are different, but I find the height and space it gives is perfect (the XD was a PITA to put up due to height) and it genuinely feels like it will stand the test of time with the design of the spreader block (again a huge flaw on the frontier which is crap imo).
In reply to Post #61
how is a bivvy now over £600.00
jesus
how is a bivvy now over £600.00
jesus
In reply to Post #64
years ago in the 90s a Aqua Pioneer set up with groundsheet and skull cap cost £609.95
years ago in the 90s a Aqua Pioneer set up with groundsheet and skull cap cost £609.95
In reply to Post #63
Can it be put away with the skull cap still in place?
Can it be put away with the skull cap still in place?
In reply to Post #65
granted but still silly
granted but still silly
In reply to Post #65
The aqua Bivvys and brollies in the 90s tho were HAND MADE by Chris in the workshop and built to last, not mass produced in china! Not only solar but Nash trakker ect, they are all at it, charging ridiculous amounts of money, how long will it be until full bivvy systems hit the £1000 mark?
The aqua Bivvys and brollies in the 90s tho were HAND MADE by Chris in the workshop and built to last, not mass produced in china! Not only solar but Nash trakker ect, they are all at it, charging ridiculous amounts of money, how long will it be until full bivvy systems hit the £1000 mark?
In reply to Post #68
Thought they already had hit over £1000 rrp.
But lets be honest here, you take into account the few numbers they produce in the grand scheme of things, the relatively high costs of rnd compared to units sold. Then compare that to iphones for example, all made in china, produced in their millions and sold at £1000 each, without a plug adapter. I dont think fishing tackle is as big a rip off as other products out there.
Thought they already had hit over £1000 rrp.
But lets be honest here, you take into account the few numbers they produce in the grand scheme of things, the relatively high costs of rnd compared to units sold. Then compare that to iphones for example, all made in china, produced in their millions and sold at £1000 each, without a plug adapter. I dont think fishing tackle is as big a rip off as other products out there.
In reply to Post #69
I agree the worlds gone mad,
I agree the worlds gone mad,
Am think about the SP Uni with the 1.5m extension wrap to use on French trips. Anyone got any experience with the Solar wraps/extensions? There's not much info in the reviews. Are they stable? Easy to put up/take down?
In reply to Post #68
I've still got my aquatex full size Pioneer. But prefer to use
My nylon tempest 100t. Lighter, goes up quicker , dries quicker.
Back in the day I paid more because the cheaper bivvies weren't so great.
Nowadays I won't pay 1000s for top range bivvys as I don't see any added
Value.
I've still got my aquatex full size Pioneer. But prefer to use
My nylon tempest 100t. Lighter, goes up quicker , dries quicker.
Back in the day I paid more because the cheaper bivvies weren't so great.
Nowadays I won't pay 1000s for top range bivvys as I don't see any added
Value.
Have one and love it...spacy, easy to set up...nice large skullcap. Have the groundsheet, but not used it yet..
In reply to Post #73
Any longer term reviews on this please? Someone mentioned pooling under the block
Any longer term reviews on this please? Someone mentioned pooling under the block
In reply to Post #1
Any long term reviews Gents, been looking at these for a while, thought Id wait to see the general consensus once theyve been well tried and tested ?
Any long term reviews Gents, been looking at these for a while, thought Id wait to see the general consensus once theyve been well tried and tested ?