The Vault Regulars

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

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.

23 comments:

  1. Looks really interesting. I think the liner makes it feasible for the UK. It might be a bit draughty though.

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  2. hi Robin, It’s been a push getting this post done. But here you have a hastily put together job as an opening gambit.

    The inner fits and looks really well. Unless we have a prolonged summer high then this will be staying in place.
    You may be right, it could be a bit draughty. The proof of the pudding an all that.
    We will see. For me, the weight was more important on this one.

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  3. Wait til you see my latest shelter, you might have a fit of jealousy. Luxurious and light!

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  4. Something from MLD i presume?

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  5. Can you stand up in it ? to fry breakfast though !

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  6. Not on your life Danny. Everything has to be done from a low or horizontal position. Especially the 40% proof trialling.

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  7. The mesh "windows" (especially the triangular) are nice! Not only for venting but also for views. I'm sure the inner liner was a good option. The light grey colour makes it look more spacious than e.g. the Akto - or maybe it is? (Haven't compared the dimensions.) Usually this type of tents make me feel a little claustrophobic with their ceiling hanging relatively down (close to your face), but in this one the situation seems to be much better.

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  8. Patience is needed! The Moment looks very stormworthy and I like the fact you can pitch it with two pegs. Impressive design.

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  9. Hi Maria,
    I am pleased with what i have seen so far. The crossing pole seems to help keep the fabric from getting on your face.
    Compared to the Akto there isn't much in it. Swings and roundabouts as we say. But the cost is very different.

    Hi Robin,
    It was so fast to put up but i think i will add 2 more pegging points to the yellow sleeve pole.
    So when do we find out the secret?

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  10. I'm having something specially made for me, hopefully before the end of March.

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  11. Ah Yes, Something like Ooops with a little duomid thrown in for good measuring.

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  12. Alan,
    it amazes me from time to time how these small companies like TarpTent can keep their prices so low compared to bigger manufacturers. Maybe it's because they have a small business so there are not that much overhead costs (no middlemen etc.). The quality seems to be anyway quite good, these tents (or should I say tarptents) seem to cope in many kinds of weather.

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  13. And we are lucky with a reasonable exchange rate at the moment. Fingers crossed it remains so.

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  14. Alan, I had a look at this a while back, but discounted it as it was single skin, I did not realise that you could a breathable inner roof liner. Good choice for summer use Alan and a reasonable price.
    Mark

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  15. Hi Mark,
    I don’t know how much a problem the single skin will make when you read all the good reviews on the Scarp 1.
    Most of my “Camping” will be with Sheila so the Scarp 2 will be our main tent.
    The few times a year that i will get out on my own meant that i didn’t want to pay a high price but i did want the weight down.
    I am still not a convert to the tarp although i do like the look of some MLD tarps, and so the Moment was a good compromise for me. The inner was an extra plus point.
    I can only see what faults it has (if any), when i take it out. Soon i hope.
    Some of the reviews from the US are 3 season and Henry used it on the TGO challenge where i suppose you need to be prepared for any conditions to happen especially if the route chosen is a high one. Therefore i think it will stand up to 3 season Scotland use without doubt.

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  16. Alan, I don't know if it is my age (49), but I don't fancy tarps much I would rather have a proper tent, I want some comfort! I have my Power Lizard which weighs 1 kg. I may be shot down in flames for saying that by the tarp converts. I am not sure you always save that much weight compared to the Moment or the Power Lizard once you take into the account the weight of a bivvy bag as well.

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  17. Mark,v
    I agree with you. In the back of my mind is the need for a bivvy bag and probably a groundsheet of some kind and when you weigh it all up there is only a slight advantage over a 1kg tent set up if any.
    At the end of the day it's the individuals decision.
    I would like to try a decent bivvy bag without a tarp but it would have to be in warmer climes and not the UK. I think it would be superb watching the night sky.

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  18. I like it Alan - with the Fly Creek, clearly I don't need another tent (a few of mine are going on eBay this week) but I do have another shelter to come this year if I actually get a chance to get out into the great outdoors with everything else going on at the moment...

    Nice post.

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  19. Thanks Maz. This weekend will be it’s tester. Moffat to Peebles.

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  20. I have a TT Moment but have missplaced the liner Could you give the dimensions and if poss.a sketch.I am going to make one I don't want to go thru all the hassle/costs of importing another.Thanks in advance.I never tested the liner in earnest ;how useful do you think it will bei.e am I wasting my time
    Doddy

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  21. Hi Doddy,
    Yes i will do that for you. No Probs.
    I would recommend using it, so no you are not wasting your time. Keep it attached full time.

    If you don’t fancy or havn’t really got the time to make one, then Sean at Oookworks (google search) will make you one from the sketch i will give you. (Can you send me your email address.) His prices are very reasonable and will beat importing one with no hassle.

    Also have a look at the door mods Sean did for me too. link below.
    http://alanrayneroutdoors.blogspot.com/2011/05/tarptent-moment-major-modifications.html

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  22. Many thanks for your prompt reply ,I have hunted the house down for my liner to no avail.
    My e-mail address is stuart@dodson22.freeserve.co.uk.
    I will check out the Ookwerks idea. An e-mail friend fitted some silnylon covers on the mesh sides for winter use .Could aid condensation though.The Moment is class I think.

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  23. Hi Stuart.
    Moment liner info sent via email.

    The moment with a modified door is even better.

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