My addled brain is possibly looking for another bivvy to add to the collection but I've (not quite yet) decided to join the herd by getting a Trakker Tempest Advanced 100 Bivvy (not brolly) as it seems to fit the bill - currently in regular use
a) Original Trakker Ultralite - great for 24-48hrs but a big cramped for footroom in a constant downpour and not much space for storage etc
b) Aqua Pioneer 150 - great for 48hrs plus swim hogging sessions and arguably the perfect amount of comfortable space whatever the weather / luggage requirements but bloody heavy and a bit large for tight swims
I'm not unhappy with either of my current 'most used' bivvys and love the headroom in this design compared to most of the hobbit sized kit currently on the market; just looking for the perfect middle ground in terms of space / comfort / permanent twin skin - is the Advanced 100 Bivvy the answer?
Realworld user experience appreciated - !
a) Original Trakker Ultralite - great for 24-48hrs but a big cramped for footroom in a constant downpour and not much space for storage etc
b) Aqua Pioneer 150 - great for 48hrs plus swim hogging sessions and arguably the perfect amount of comfortable space whatever the weather / luggage requirements but bloody heavy and a bit large for tight swims
I'm not unhappy with either of my current 'most used' bivvys and love the headroom in this design compared to most of the hobbit sized kit currently on the market; just looking for the perfect middle ground in terms of space / comfort / permanent twin skin - is the Advanced 100 Bivvy the answer?
Realworld user experience appreciated - !
In reply to Post #1
I have the advanced, and in your shoes I'd probably try and find a decent Tempest V2.
I have the advanced, and in your shoes I'd probably try and find a decent Tempest V2.
In reply to Post #2
Knowing zip all about Tempests (apart from they all look pretty similar to me other than the T100/200) why is a V2 a better bet?
Having a quick search most also look faded / knackered!
Knowing zip all about Tempests (apart from they all look pretty similar to me other than the T100/200) why is a V2 a better bet?
Having a quick search most also look faded / knackered!
In reply to Post #3
Probably cause he has one he could sell you. I find bivvies as personal a thing as rods reels etc, people want different things. I had a v2 bivvy till recently, used it a couple of times. But sold it as i do all my fishing under a tempest 100 brolly. Some people find it too small, i however dont.
The tempest 100 will be fine, but not sure how much better you will find it than your pioneer
Probably cause he has one he could sell you. I find bivvies as personal a thing as rods reels etc, people want different things. I had a v2 bivvy till recently, used it a couple of times. But sold it as i do all my fishing under a tempest 100 brolly. Some people find it too small, i however dont.
The tempest 100 will be fine, but not sure how much better you will find it than your pioneer
In reply to Post #4
Had one, the newer version...nice bivvy, but the poles bended on mine in 2 occasions, within a month.
Replaced them twice, sold it...and went for the Pioneer Ev. Had the older version of the pioneer before the Tempest.
And glad I bought another one...but like Goose says, allot of people will have a great review on these...
Had one, the newer version...nice bivvy, but the poles bended on mine in 2 occasions, within a month.
Replaced them twice, sold it...and went for the Pioneer Ev. Had the older version of the pioneer before the Tempest.
And glad I bought another one...but like Goose says, allot of people will have a great review on these...
In reply to Post #4
If they made a Pioneer 125 that was lighter than the current 100/150 models I'd probably be happy - new Ultralite looks great but its a slightly smaller footprint than the original . . .current water is baitboat dominated so need space to stash this and all the gubbins but don't want to lug Pio 150 if I'm only doing 24
If they made a Pioneer 125 that was lighter than the current 100/150 models I'd probably be happy - new Ultralite looks great but its a slightly smaller footprint than the original . . .current water is baitboat dominated so need space to stash this and all the gubbins but don't want to lug Pio 150 if I'm only doing 24
In reply to Post #1
Hi,
I have the tempest advanced Brolly for overnighters and 100 advanced Bivvy for longer stays.
To be honest the only differences between the brolly and Bivvy is 1) the Bivvy is about 10cm taller which for me makes it perfectly usable and the brolly is just a bit too low. (Im 6'4") and 2) the footprint is identical (compared groundsheets) except on the Bivvy version the front corners are more squared off compared to the brolly which are an angle. This gives the Bivvy about 10 inches of more useable space where you would want it.
Bivvy as far as I am concerned is perfectly sized (use a Nash indulgence bed chair). You mentioned wraps and one of the key things for me is the cap wrap. So quick and easy to fit and remove - really better than full wrap.
The 100 advanced cap wrap is HEAVY though and quite bulky. For the advanced brolly I use the cheaper non-aquatexx version from the standard 100 brolly, really light and easy to pack away and fits perfectly.
When I was looking the choices were for the frontier or the tempest, the cap wraps swung it for me, plus I have been using a MK1 tempest brolly for about 7 years so more than happy with reliability.
Super quick to put up (quicker and less faff than the frontier as you don't even have to lay them on the ground to get the poles together. Just hold and a bit of a shake and they pretty much self assemble.
Finally for the life on me I cannot see how you can bend the poles when erecting unless you have the material snagged or the poles not assembled properly.
Hi,
I have the tempest advanced Brolly for overnighters and 100 advanced Bivvy for longer stays.
To be honest the only differences between the brolly and Bivvy is 1) the Bivvy is about 10cm taller which for me makes it perfectly usable and the brolly is just a bit too low. (Im 6'4") and 2) the footprint is identical (compared groundsheets) except on the Bivvy version the front corners are more squared off compared to the brolly which are an angle. This gives the Bivvy about 10 inches of more useable space where you would want it.
Bivvy as far as I am concerned is perfectly sized (use a Nash indulgence bed chair). You mentioned wraps and one of the key things for me is the cap wrap. So quick and easy to fit and remove - really better than full wrap.
The 100 advanced cap wrap is HEAVY though and quite bulky. For the advanced brolly I use the cheaper non-aquatexx version from the standard 100 brolly, really light and easy to pack away and fits perfectly.
When I was looking the choices were for the frontier or the tempest, the cap wraps swung it for me, plus I have been using a MK1 tempest brolly for about 7 years so more than happy with reliability.
Super quick to put up (quicker and less faff than the frontier as you don't even have to lay them on the ground to get the poles together. Just hold and a bit of a shake and they pretty much self assemble.
Finally for the life on me I cannot see how you can bend the poles when erecting unless you have the material snagged or the poles not assembled properly.
In reply to Post #4
For what it's worth, which may be zero
I have the original PIO. Still in use. But I use the Tempest 100T
Brolly way more.
I use a wideboy indulgence in both.
The only space advantage of the Pioneer is that if its raining
I can just squeeze a chair inside facing alongside the bed.
I tried with the infill on using the 100t and I was pressed
Up against the material.
There really was only about 3 or 4 inches in it.
However the 100T is much lighter and goes up and down quicker so I prefer it for 24 hours.
It's narrower width wise too but I don't find that space much use.
For what it's worth, which may be zero
I have the original PIO. Still in use. But I use the Tempest 100T
Brolly way more.
I use a wideboy indulgence in both.
The only space advantage of the Pioneer is that if its raining
I can just squeeze a chair inside facing alongside the bed.
I tried with the infill on using the 100t and I was pressed
Up against the material.
There really was only about 3 or 4 inches in it.
However the 100T is much lighter and goes up and down quicker so I prefer it for 24 hours.
It's narrower width wise too but I don't find that space much use.
In reply to Post #6
Sounds like all the swims should have little jetties with charging points for people to moore their boats.
Sounds like all the swims should have little jetties with charging points for people to moore their boats.
In reply to Post #1
I have the Advanced 100 Bivvy. I purchased it when they were first released..
I find it's well made and quick and easy to erect. I can just about fit an indulgence wide bed in, and I can see why Trakker adverts have the oval beds in them. I'm happy to live with the tight fit.. and overall its brilliant. I find the skull cap is essential as my wide bed means I am nearer the front door and without the skullcap the rain can get a bit close. I have the magnetic mossie door but don't use it because to get it to work it has to be on a perfectly flat swim... can't remember the last time I fished one of them.
It has lots of vents etc but to be fair I don't use them so would be happy to have it vent less but cheaper as it is expensive.
I have the Advanced 100 Bivvy. I purchased it when they were first released..
I find it's well made and quick and easy to erect. I can just about fit an indulgence wide bed in, and I can see why Trakker adverts have the oval beds in them. I'm happy to live with the tight fit.. and overall its brilliant. I find the skull cap is essential as my wide bed means I am nearer the front door and without the skullcap the rain can get a bit close. I have the magnetic mossie door but don't use it because to get it to work it has to be on a perfectly flat swim... can't remember the last time I fished one of them.
It has lots of vents etc but to be fair I don't use them so would be happy to have it vent less but cheaper as it is expensive.
In reply to Post #10
Ooh now. That's interesting mate about the magnetic door.
I fancied one of them if they ever make one to fit mine
They seemed a great idea.
Ooh now. That's interesting mate about the magnetic door.
I fancied one of them if they ever make one to fit mine
They seemed a great idea.
In reply to Post #11
Got one for my Pio 150 - has remained in the box! Hoping to use it this summer - hoping being the operative word
Got one for my Pio 150 - has remained in the box! Hoping to use it this summer - hoping being the operative word
In reply to Post #3
Slightly larger footprint
Slightly larger footprint
I can only speak for the Tempest 100T and it's brilliant. So if you're thinking of the advanced then I can only assume it's better.
In reply to Post #13
Yes and a sensible height at 140 - also looks a lot lighter than the current EV aquatexx models - just found one that looks fairly decent for £350 - bite or barter?
Yes and a sensible height at 140 - also looks a lot lighter than the current EV aquatexx models - just found one that looks fairly decent for £350 - bite or barter?