Anyone using one that had the original ultralite able to give a comparison. Interested in getting a new one after having the original for a very long time. How does the new material compare to original aquatex. What's the verdict on the composite block and poles.
In reply to Post #1
had an ultralite and now got the 150 since release (1st version) done a review on here previously - solid almost over engineered in my opinion ts a bloody big old lump of a bivvy especially with the skull cap and the thickness of the aquatexx is decent however Ive only done 3 nights in it much prefer the ease of my tempest air as I get older I find myself opting for speed and ease of use and I think the pioneer design is almost archaic design given the way the tempest has revoloutionalised the market
Nostalgia and looks wise its spot on but for me there is better options available
had an ultralite and now got the 150 since release (1st version) done a review on here previously - solid almost over engineered in my opinion ts a bloody big old lump of a bivvy especially with the skull cap and the thickness of the aquatexx is decent however Ive only done 3 nights in it much prefer the ease of my tempest air as I get older I find myself opting for speed and ease of use and I think the pioneer design is almost archaic design given the way the tempest has revoloutionalised the market
Nostalgia and looks wise its spot on but for me there is better options available
In reply to Post #2
The 150 is I believe a much bigger and heavier bivvy. According to aqua Web site the new ultralite is only 7.5kg, was wondering how the composite block and poles compare to the original alloy. I'm a fan of the pio because of its shape and the way it performs in a gale.
The 150 is I believe a much bigger and heavier bivvy. According to aqua Web site the new ultralite is only 7.5kg, was wondering how the composite block and poles compare to the original alloy. I'm a fan of the pio because of its shape and the way it performs in a gale.
In reply to Post #1
I have the original ultralite the 100 is a fair bit smaller height wise to low for me. I sold the 100 and got the 150 which is probably a bit to big for my needs but kept it and got use to it👍
I have the original ultralite the 100 is a fair bit smaller height wise to low for me. I sold the 100 and got the 150 which is probably a bit to big for my needs but kept it and got use to it👍
In reply to Post #4
Does your 150 have the composite block and poles and how does it compare weight wise.
Does your 150 have the composite block and poles and how does it compare weight wise.
In reply to Post #1
Are you after getting the new Ultralite or a Pioneer 100?
I have the Pioneer 100 and it is spot on for me even for height and the material drys in no time also the aquatex is heavy and seems like it will be very durable my mate has a 150 it is huge in comparison and funny to watch him erecting it in any sort of wind, I'am considering getting the new Ultralite as it is 15cm taller and half the weight which at my age and state of health will be a benefit on the barrow.
Even took the Pioneer to Rainbow for the week when I would normally take my Armo plus also had the solar wide sleep system in as you can see it is pushing the sides a bit but had the bedchair pushed right back with no front on as we were having frequent showers.
Are you after getting the new Ultralite or a Pioneer 100?
I have the Pioneer 100 and it is spot on for me even for height and the material drys in no time also the aquatex is heavy and seems like it will be very durable my mate has a 150 it is huge in comparison and funny to watch him erecting it in any sort of wind, I'am considering getting the new Ultralite as it is 15cm taller and half the weight which at my age and state of health will be a benefit on the barrow.
Even took the Pioneer to Rainbow for the week when I would normally take my Armo plus also had the solar wide sleep system in as you can see it is pushing the sides a bit but had the bedchair pushed right back with no front on as we were having frequent showers.
In reply to Post #6
Waited for the new ultralite but aqua Web site says dimensions are smaller than the 100 and only hight is greater. The original ultralite was perfect for me size wise and the height doesn't really bother me. I'm near 64 and don't have the strength or agility of past but unsure now what to get. The price of these bivvies now I need to get it right but don't know anywhere with them up to get a proper look.
Waited for the new ultralite but aqua Web site says dimensions are smaller than the 100 and only hight is greater. The original ultralite was perfect for me size wise and the height doesn't really bother me. I'm near 64 and don't have the strength or agility of past but unsure now what to get. The price of these bivvies now I need to get it right but don't know anywhere with them up to get a proper look.
In reply to Post #3
my pal has the 100 and I have the 150 - the150 is a fairt bit bigger and taller - which personally I like the 100 woukld be too small for me personally Im 6#3 so like a higher bivvy
I think it is a very well made bivvy dont get me wrong its a much better quality than my tempests as an example and everything about it is quality, the groundsheet is a beast and the carry bag is also well made
My comment about them being over engineered means that its more than you will ever need for weather in this country and it is as solid as a rock
If you asked me what is the best bivvy I own out of my tempest air, fast and light, tempest xl and pioneer 150 the pioneer wins hands down and is the best looking and most sold but for me its the one that weighs the most and takes the longest to set up - the storm poles are a faff as is the poles wihich go into the block (hence why I feel its an archaic design)
Dont take it wrong its a very good bivvy I just think its overkill personally and as most of my sessions are 24 hours the tempest air is quicker to errect and lighter so is the one I use the most but its not a direct comparison to the 150 and if was to do a session 48+ then id use the pioneer
my pal has the 100 and I have the 150 - the150 is a fairt bit bigger and taller - which personally I like the 100 woukld be too small for me personally Im 6#3 so like a higher bivvy
I think it is a very well made bivvy dont get me wrong its a much better quality than my tempests as an example and everything about it is quality, the groundsheet is a beast and the carry bag is also well made
My comment about them being over engineered means that its more than you will ever need for weather in this country and it is as solid as a rock
If you asked me what is the best bivvy I own out of my tempest air, fast and light, tempest xl and pioneer 150 the pioneer wins hands down and is the best looking and most sold but for me its the one that weighs the most and takes the longest to set up - the storm poles are a faff as is the poles wihich go into the block (hence why I feel its an archaic design)
Dont take it wrong its a very good bivvy I just think its overkill personally and as most of my sessions are 24 hours the tempest air is quicker to errect and lighter so is the one I use the most but its not a direct comparison to the 150 and if was to do a session 48+ then id use the pioneer
In reply to Post #7
I think the reduction in depth and width of the Ultralite wouldn't bother me personally as it would be an overnight/48hr maximum use for my type of fishing (I'm seriously considering one) I think combined with using my compact Trakker bedhair which TBF is lost in the 100 although it would be fine I'd welcome the extra height but find the pioneer 100 fine.
Why they just didn't make them the same footprint as the Pioneer 100 with the weight reduction makes no sense well it does it means you cannot mix and match the accessories like zip in panel, skullcap, groundsheet etc... as mentioned in the photo this is the Solar Sp-C tech sleep system at 205cm squeezed right back, placed centrally it would not have pushed the outer material with the Ultralite at 2450mm across its width I think most standard bedchairs would be fine.
I think the reduction in depth and width of the Ultralite wouldn't bother me personally as it would be an overnight/48hr maximum use for my type of fishing (I'm seriously considering one) I think combined with using my compact Trakker bedhair which TBF is lost in the 100 although it would be fine I'd welcome the extra height but find the pioneer 100 fine.
Why they just didn't make them the same footprint as the Pioneer 100 with the weight reduction makes no sense well it does it means you cannot mix and match the accessories like zip in panel, skullcap, groundsheet etc... as mentioned in the photo this is the Solar Sp-C tech sleep system at 205cm squeezed right back, placed centrally it would not have pushed the outer material with the Ultralite at 2450mm across its width I think most standard bedchairs would be fine.
Cheers Robert and Ian, sounds like the 100 is same size as original ultra, think I'm going to have to get a shop to put them up and put a bed in for a proper look.
Got it.
In reply to Post #11
Not available yet in Holland, like that ..:-)
Not available yet in Holland, like that ..:-)
In reply to Post #12
Just weighed in its bag with everything including the wrap and it's 15.5kg, so not lite weight but that doesn't bother me as it feels very solid and the material is very heavy weight, far more so than my original.
Just weighed in its bag with everything including the wrap and it's 15.5kg, so not lite weight but that doesn't bother me as it feels very solid and the material is very heavy weight, far more so than my original.
In reply to Post #13
I've still got (and use) my original Ultralite but I also own a Pio 150 . . .
Rob Booths description is bang on - its a quality bit of kit but arguably a little too big and heavy for quick session use. If I'm doing 48hours+ and I know the weathers looking dodgy I'll generally opt for the 150 - it takes my standard bedchair easily and gives plenty of footroom - I've not used it abroad yet but would def take it over my 2Man Mk2 Armo these days as I love the headroom / visibility and I've not used the full mozzie front I've got in anger yet.
Hand on heart however and for most carping I still prefer the original Ultralite - have seen the Pio 100 on the bank and its too low for someone thats 6'1" - the only problem is the footroom as a standard bedchair is massive these days and means you can barely zip up if sitting on the bedchair and the rain is piling in - have recently bought a compact bedchair (off OldGeezer!) to remedy this situation so can see the 150 becoming a bit UK redundant this season.
If my original ever snaps (hasn't to date) I'd def be buying a new Pio Ultralite with all the trimmings . . .
I've still got (and use) my original Ultralite but I also own a Pio 150 . . .
Rob Booths description is bang on - its a quality bit of kit but arguably a little too big and heavy for quick session use. If I'm doing 48hours+ and I know the weathers looking dodgy I'll generally opt for the 150 - it takes my standard bedchair easily and gives plenty of footroom - I've not used it abroad yet but would def take it over my 2Man Mk2 Armo these days as I love the headroom / visibility and I've not used the full mozzie front I've got in anger yet.
Hand on heart however and for most carping I still prefer the original Ultralite - have seen the Pio 100 on the bank and its too low for someone thats 6'1" - the only problem is the footroom as a standard bedchair is massive these days and means you can barely zip up if sitting on the bedchair and the rain is piling in - have recently bought a compact bedchair (off OldGeezer!) to remedy this situation so can see the 150 becoming a bit UK redundant this season.
If my original ever snaps (hasn't to date) I'd def be buying a new Pio Ultralite with all the trimmings . . .
In reply to Post #14
Just bought the new ultralite and the material feels superb on it.I can set it up quicker than my Tempest v2 bivvy,might be slightly longer after attaching storm poles.No more connecting poles and wrestling to fan the tempest out,ultralite will be only shelter I use now
Just bought the new ultralite and the material feels superb on it.I can set it up quicker than my Tempest v2 bivvy,might be slightly longer after attaching storm poles.No more connecting poles and wrestling to fan the tempest out,ultralite will be only shelter I use now