TarpTent Moment first pitch.

This post is my first look at the TarpTent Moment. It’s not a review as i havn’t taken it beyond the garden yet.
The Moment is a one man, single entrance, single skin tarp tent. There is a central single loop pole and also at each end there are 2 carbon fibre rods permanently fixed into sleeves in an A shape.
An option for the buyer is a separate crossing pole for use in high winds or snow conditions, which is shown fitted in the photo below. For UK users i would say it is a necessity.
 There is a breathable inner roof liner and a Tyvek footprint. I chose all these options. There was no Moment footprint at the time i ordered so i chose the Rainbow model and will modify it.
There is one available now for the Moment.
Weight 0.85kg and cost is US$215. $30 for the liner, $12 for the footprint and $15 for the 2nd pole set. Plus the cost of postage, import duty and handling by Parcel force.
Pitching.

Once the pole has been located into the yellow sleeve, take one of only 2 pegs required with this tent. Pull out the lines on one end and locate the peg. No need to do any adjustments yet.
Repeat the operation at the other end, putting some tension on the material and positioning the central pole as required. (Don’t look to closely at the tensioning on the photo as no adjustments had been made at this time)

Once the tent is upright then it’s a simple matter to set the positions of the carbon fibre rods and by tensioning the lines the fabric is tensioned.
I didn’t time the set up operation but it must have been between 1 and 2 minutes to have a standing tent. It is without doubt the fastest tent i have ever pitched.


Adjustment and venting.
At the base of the centre pole, there are fabric pull tensioners at each end. These can be adjusted to raise or lower the outer material to increase/decrease venting as required.

The triangular shaped fabric at both ends of the tent are semi removable. They can be rolled back and secured. This reveals a mesh allowing through venting.

In the roof there are also 2 vents.

The tent has a floating bathtub groundsheet. Attached all the way round between the groundsheet and the side walls is a venting mesh. It also acts as a midge or bug barrier.

The inner doorway is completely mesh.
The design seems to have the words "Prevent Condensation” shouting at you. However condensation is one thing i don’t believe can be overcome altogether. The conditions have to be just perfect to stop it forming and that’s very rare in my book.
So that’s why i bought the inner liner, incase there is any condensation run off or drips etc it will be caught by the liner and exits through the floor/wall mesh and hopefully not on the sleeping bag.
The liner locates on 4 clips centrally and 3 elasticated clips at either end. The liner can be left in place permanently.

Inner dimensions.
Floor is 213cm long x 107cm wide. The internal height is 99cm. I put a 180cm x 60cm x 3mm insulating mat inside and there is plenty of room.

At this point i got into the tent and lay down assessing head room, turning over, kneeling and sitting up and for me at 5Ft 8 inches it is plenty big enough.

  Inside the tent there is plenty of space for gear on the opposite side to the door and also the porch itself is big enough for a large rucksack, cooking gear and boots.

At both ends are located 2 compartment mesh pockets of useable size. (Unlike the Scarp 2 pockets which are useless). I would expect that these pockets will be put into the Scarp 2 and standardise on parts.
When i came to remove the 3mm pad i got the biggest whack of static electricity i have ever had. Obviously the Sil Nylon groundsheet and the foam insulation material (which by the way is from B&Q and is made to insulate laminate floors) do not like each other. But this matting is too good to throw out so i will try it next time underneath the groundsheet.

Well i hope this little tester proves helpful to others and i will do a more detailed review when i take it on the hill, soon.