Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

General => General Chat => Topic started by: Oisín on June 13, 2011

Title: Everyone is trying to sell me a Groundsheet as a Tarp.
Post by: Oisín on June 13, 2011
After my thoughts of buying a groundsheet as a "Tarp" were confirmed I decide to go look in the other camping shop in Ballymena. The Great Outdoors I think its called.
I asked about a Tarp and if they had any and he pointed me in the direction of a groundsheet. I had to explain it was the lightweight tarp I was talking about. He had none anyway. I wasnt planning on buying one, just looking for prices and what not. He also siad this "Tarp" (groundsheet) was what most people used.

Is this right guys? I doubted that most people who use a tarp will carry about a heavy groundsheet when they can buy a lightweight one?

So whats up with everyone selling me groundsheets?  :D
Title: Re: Everyone is trying to sell me a Groundsheet as a Tarp.
Post by: LennyJ1 on June 13, 2011
Just go and get a Army one from most Ex forces store.
Title: Re: Everyone is trying to sell me a Groundsheet as a Tarp.
Post by: Oisín on June 13, 2011
I will be buying one of eBay or a similar site. I just like looking about to compare the price a shop has to charge compared to an internet site.

I just found it strange that even a camping shop seems to be convinced that groundsheets are tarps.
Title: Re: Everyone is trying to sell me a Groundsheet as a Tarp.
Post by: Greyfox on June 13, 2011
Really a lot of it's down to information, most camping shops will believe that their grounsheets do the same job because they are misinformed. Using tarps and vivid is really a new thing to camping shops it started with the bushcraft and survival fraternity. It has  now become for many the way to go as it's lightweight and puts u in the middle of the environment you are staying in instead of excluding nature with a tent. As with everything retailers see a possible niche and try to fill it with what ever they have. Give endicotts army surplus a shout they will sort you out and it is one of the best and reliable online retailers you will find.

GF
Title: Re: Everyone is trying to sell me a Groundsheet as a Tarp.
Post by: spartan00117 on June 13, 2011
Is this what your after.
http://www.raymears.com/Bushcraft_Product/81-Australian-Waterproof-Hootchie-Flysheet/
Title: Re: Everyone is trying to sell me a Groundsheet as a Tarp.
Post by: cerbera147 on June 13, 2011
(http://www.thebushcraftstore.co.uk/ekmps/shops/bduimportsltd/images/ines-green-regular-lines-guy-lines--%5B4%5D-1543-p.jpg)

http://www.thebushcraftstore.co.uk/dd-tarp-basha---3m-x-3m-1542-p.asp

 ;D

BTW I've seen British Army Gortex Bivvy Bags for sale on another forum :)
Title: Re: Everyone is trying to sell me a Groundsheet as a Tarp.
Post by: Oisín on June 13, 2011
Oh I know what I'm after.  ;D

But not at that price.

BTW I've seen British Army Gortex Bivvy Bags for sale on another forum :)
How much were they looking for the bavvy bags? Couldnt have came at a worse time for money. :D I hate when a good deal pops up just after you spending money.

Will be sometime this summer I'l be getting it, so I have some saving to do.
Title: Re: Everyone is trying to sell me a Groundsheet as a Tarp.
Post by: cerbera147 on June 13, 2011
He's got one in perfect condition for 30 pound.

(http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj298/ptr10001/GortexBivvy1a.jpg)

Also has one that with some holes that he fixed for 20 pound.

He's selling this as well for 11 pound although you can buy new for about 14 pound
(http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj298/ptr10001/ArmyBottleCup.jpg)

I bought my one from him ;D

***My pound symbol isn't working :(***
Title: Re: Everyone is trying to sell me a Groundsheet as a Tarp.
Post by: Matthew on June 13, 2011
I bought the following a few weeks ago. Ii arrived v quickly and I was very impressed.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290308064110&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

The army Bivvy bags are great by the way I would defo get one.

Matthew
Title: Re: Everyone is trying to sell me a Groundsheet as a Tarp.
Post by: cerbera147 on June 13, 2011
What about this?

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/tarp-3243880/#
(http://www.decathlon.co.uk/products-pictures/250/gd-asset_15062251.jpg)

Or if you fancy get ripped off, buy the same thing for 39 quid; 14 quid more than retail  :o

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/QUECHUA-TARP-SHELTER-KHAKI-/320538913414?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4aa19baa86

Cheeky barstewards  >:( 
Title: Re: Everyone is trying to sell me a Groundsheet as a Tarp.
Post by: Oisín on June 13, 2011
As much as I'd love to buy all that stuff I cant afford it at the minute. But I'll keep those links. Thanks guys.
Title: Re: Everyone is trying to sell me a Groundsheet as a Tarp.
Post by: RedLeader on June 13, 2011
Can't beat the DD Tarp. Only £29! Out of stock at the mo though.
Title: Re: Everyone is trying to sell me a Groundsheet as a Tarp.
Post by: ChuckMcB on June 13, 2011
While it's great to be able to splash the cash and buy a lightweight tarp, there nothing wrong with starting off with using a cheap plastic sheet of any type. As long as it's got good eyelets/loops to stop it blowing away/ripping, is big enough to cover the top of your body and you are realistic in where/when you use it. It may be heaver, but what are we talking? a couple of hundred grams?
Title: Re: Everyone is trying to sell me a Groundsheet as a Tarp.
Post by: big chris on June 14, 2011
Thinking along the same lines as Chuck, wouldnt an outer fly sheet from a ridge tent do the same job ???
Title: Re: Everyone is trying to sell me a Groundsheet as a Tarp.
Post by: VMCC on June 14, 2011
I got a tarp with two poles and plenty of guy rope from millets on special offer for a tenner. It's worth checking through the various websites, I'll keep an eye out for you too. Mine is very like that decathlon one, and the same colour too.
Title: Re: Everyone is trying to sell me a Groundsheet as a Tarp.
Post by: MG1 on June 14, 2011
The tarp i use is a builders tarp from b&q £3.00 and it does the job.
Couple of Bungies and some pegs

£6-£7 and your sorted i've been using it for bout 2 years.
Title: Re: Everyone is trying to sell me a Groundsheet as a Tarp.
Post by: DryBag on June 14, 2011
I've a tarp I got off DDHammocks way back when they were just selling on ebay,
but for my first solo bivvy last weekend I ended up taking the scissors to my £10 lidl tent.  the flysheet was a good size, but more importantly very lightweight.
Title: Re: Everyone is trying to sell me a Groundsheet as a Tarp.
Post by: Spud on June 14, 2011
The tarp i use is a builders tarp from b&q £3.00 and it does the job.
Couple of Bungies and some pegs

£6-£7 and your sorted i've been using it for bout 2 years.

thats the way to do it!  ;)
Title: Re: Everyone is trying to sell me a Groundsheet as a Tarp.
Post by: DryBag on June 14, 2011
Alpkit got Trail Magazine's best in test
http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16474&category_id=290

but I like this one:
http://welshridething.blogspot.com/2011/02/danger-of-suffocation.html
Title: Re: Everyone is trying to sell me a Groundsheet as a Tarp.
Post by: suspectmonkey on June 15, 2011
Can't beat the DD Tarp. Only £29! Out of stock at the mo though.

I think the DD is hard to beat for the price.  And the camo version, which is the same size but boasts a couple of extra attachment points, is still in stock as far as I can see for the same price - http://www.ddhammocks.com/product/tarp-mc