Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Outdoor Activities => Northern Ireland Camping and Bushcraft => Topic started by: VMCC on November 12, 2010

Title: Lightweight tent and Ultralight Stove
Post by: VMCC on November 12, 2010
I thought you guys might be interested in a bit of info that was in my Camping Mag, about lightweight gear. The tent featured is a Robens Trailstar which 'proves the manufacturer can break the sub - £100 price for a good backpacking tent.' The design is similar to that of the Hilleberg Akto. It is billed as a 2 man tent but apparently space would be tight.  
http://www.outdooraction.co.uk/acatalog/1_to_2_Berth_Tent_Robens_Trailstar_2_Tent__2010_.html £84.99

(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk296/apple-73/tents%20and%20camping/imagesCA3J9FVT.jpg)

Then, a Japanese Ultralight Titanium Alcohol Stove - 'quite possibly the lightest stove on the planet....weighing a mere 34g. This 70ml Meths burner is capable of replacing a Trangia burner, but for best results should be used with the separate Evernew Titanium DX Stand which increases efficiency and reduces burn time. The meths burns for around 15 minutes - enough for a meal and a brew'

http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/product493.asp £34.99

(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk296/apple-73/tents%20and%20camping/493_C.jpg)
Title: Re: Lightweight tent and Ultralight Stove
Post by: RedLeader on November 12, 2010
Must... Resist.... Titanium.....

I love all titanium stuff but apart from one cup, I can't justify the cost for anything else. I do like meths stoves though, I think they're the best mix of price/weight/efficiency.

For the tent, all 2 man backpacking tents require a degree of friendliness between the users :) Did they say how they thought it performed? It looks suspiciously like a Vango Banshee 200 which would be slightly cheaper but only 2kg.
Title: Re: Lightweight tent and Ultralight Stove
Post by: suspectmonkey on November 12, 2010
Must... Resist.... Titanium.....

Recycled aluminium man... its the future ;)

(http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/upload/productimage/230_f.jpg)
http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/product230.asp?PageID=99

And now that I've had a chance to play with a "real" one I feel ready to make my own - http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=897.0
Title: Re: Lightweight tent and Ultralight Stove
Post by: RedLeader on November 12, 2010
Would you be tempted by a Caldera Cone.
(http://scoutmaster.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/04/29/calderacutaway.jpg)
Title: Re: Lightweight tent and Ultralight Stove
Post by: 666_pack on November 12, 2010
how about this?

(http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/news/images/entire_lift.jpg)


http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/gear-features/the-squeezebox-files/5644.html
Title: Re: Lightweight tent and Ultralight Stove
Post by: VMCC on November 13, 2010
As a car camper I'm always looking for compact things even if lightness isn't the issue for me, packing space is always tight when family camping as I like to get everything into my hatchback without going down the roofbox route or getting a tow bar fitted to tow a trailer. So I do like the look of that Caldera Cone system - I'm away to find out more about it.
Title: Re: Lightweight tent and Ultralight Stove
Post by: suspectmonkey on November 14, 2010
how about this?

http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/gear-features/the-squeezebox-files/5644.html

Thats a very interesting idea, enjoyed reading through the whole design/prototyping process!  Wonder why he didnt go down the patent route in the end?  If they can sell a Caldera Cone for £30 I'd like to think people would pay for the Squeezebox stove as well... mind you there is clearly a lot more to stove design than I would have imagined!

The Caldera Cone is one I've looked at and been rather tempted by.  It's probably the ultimate meths burning system; efficient, light, strong and stable.  Only reason I havent bought one is because you have to buy one for your specific pot.  I still haven't really found a single pot that I reckon I could use for everything.  The MSR Titan Kettle looks hard to beat, but the Evernew Solo Cookset with the 750ml titanium pot and 400ml mug looks like a really good set.  Its quite expensive for a purchase, but given the quality and potential lifespan it might be the only set you'd ever need.  I think Chris Townsend has had his Evernew titanium pan for 18 years!  So if I end up with the Evernew Solo set then I will probably give the Caldera Cone a try.  Jetboil for gas, Cone for meths... simples ;D