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6 Nov 2007
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Join Date: Jun 2007
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Black Diamond Mega Light Tent Review
I recently purchased the Black Diamond Mega Light from REI. I chose to purchase from REI because I was unsure if I would like the tent and REI let's you return things no questions asked. I wanted the Mega Light which is a pyramid style tent because of it's light weight, and low packing volume. I figured it would be easy to pack on my BMW.
I don't feel like rewriting it all here since I've already posted it in my blog. So if you are interested you can check it out there.
Empeg9000 Motorcycle Travels: Black Diamond Mega Light Tent Review
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6 Nov 2007
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Well it sure is small and light, and the inside height is good. But it looks like it won't stand strong winds and the gaps between the floor and walls is not a good sign. Does it have an inner tent--if not you may get severe condensation. It looks like another problem might be getting water all over the interior when entering or exiting the tent when it's raining.
My smallest tent is a Gelert Mongoose which is a bit bigger than the Black Diamond and a few pounds heavier. I liked the fact it opened both sides and you could pitch just the inner tent in hot weather.
Gelert mongoose 2 man tent online - World of Camping
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"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)
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6 Nov 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Cullis
Well it sure is small and light, and the inside height is good. But it looks like it won't stand strong winds and the gaps between the floor and walls is not a good sign. Does it have an inner tent--if not you may get severe condensation. It looks like another problem might be getting water all over the interior when entering or exiting the tent when it's raining.
My smallest tent is a Gelert Mongoose which is a bit bigger than the Black Diamond and a few pounds heavier. I liked the fact it opened both sides and you could pitch just the inner tent in hot weather.
Gelert mongoose 2 man tent online - World of Camping
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No there is not inner tent. Its single wall. I could see how it may get some condensation inside. It was kind of iced up in there that night I camped in it. That was the least of my concerns though.
That Gelert tent is way tiny in comparison to the Mega Light. The MEga Light is huge inside. I guess I was a tent that's big, lightweight, and packs small. I want it all!
Last edited by empeg9000; 6 Nov 2007 at 19:31.
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6 Nov 2007
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Join Date: Mar 2007
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From your webpage, you sound doubtful already
If it were mine, I would look around for another tent; I have not seen you telling us what it cost (may have missed it), but anyway -
I would doubt the longterm use of a single skin tent, certainly here in the UK.
When you make all of the modifications, it is more complex to put it up, adding the netting skirt at the bottom for instance. Even then the wind will whistle through at ground level, just where you don't want the wind to blow!
Yep, the sides will billow inward in strong winds, and, as you say, someone lying close up to the sides will either get wet if it is raining, or be awake all night with tent material flapping against their sleeping bag.
Most tents have a sewn-in groundsheet (floor) nowadays, and very useful they are!
Why make all those modifications? There has to be a tent which is more suitable - check that Hilleborg catalogue!!
Cheers,
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6 Nov 2007
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After getting eaten alive by mosquitos when camping in Italy with a tent without a sewn in groundsheet I would never ever consider one again. If the bugs don't get you the rain, sooner or later, will.
You can pick up a Chinese made tent for around £10 here - probably even less in the states. People use them for festivals and leave them there. Even something like that has got to be a better bet
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7 Nov 2007
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Right boys the longest I was in the seat for was 19 hours and the longest I stayed in a place was 3 days and from this I learned some very valuable lessons,
DON'T BE CHEAP WITH YOUR SLEEPING KIT
1. A good, convertable sleeping bag (means you can zip off the top of the bag) so my sleeping bag actually has two layers means that I can have the same bag for both winter and summer by just unzipping the extra layer. Oh plus it's GORE-TEX so it doesn't matter if it gets wet on the bike.
2. 3/4 length Termal rest, get your poor cold body off of the cold hard rocky ground, also good if you sleep in a Hennessy Hammock for extra warmth.
3. Always have a Double Skinned Tent, with a SEALED bath tub floor. Stops wind, sand, mossies and other nasties actually getting close enough to bite your arse. If the inner is mesh you can just put that up if it's nice and warm where you are.
4. You will benefit from having a 2 person tent, sometime on the road you will meet someone you will want to share with  . Plus if your an 1 place for more then a day or two you WILL need the extra room it affords.
5. YOU NEED TO HAVE A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP ON THE ROAD, otherwise you are at risk of DYING, you drive tired the risks go right up that's why the government spends millions a year on driver education.
Blacks - Cygnus TentBLK SS06 1 to 2 Person Tents(BLG Base Catalog)
I bought a Black's Cygnus 2 Person Tent (got it for £35 in the sale), a Little heavy (5.5kg) but you aren't carrying it on your back are you? for the few extra pounds I have a tent that's stable in high winds, warm, roomy, sealed and quite stylish.
Just my 2 cents if you agree then shout out, if you don't then tell me what you have and lets compare notes.
Last edited by juddadredd; 7 Nov 2007 at 00:47.
Reason: added link to text
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7 Nov 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Walkabout
If it were mine, I would look around for another tent; I have not seen you telling us what it cost (may have missed it), but anyway -
...
Why make all those modifications? There has to be a tent which is more suitable - check that Hilleborg catalogue!!
Cheers,
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I swear I replied to this. The tent was $300 USD with the tent and optional floor. Yes I do have doubts already. I love the Hilleberg tents but I reticent to spend so much on a tent and I am wondering if I need to. They seem very light though and they also seem packable. I like the GT tents especially.
I am also interested in the Mutha Hubba possibly but I've read that since the fly doesn't go right to the ground, rain and wind can come into that too.
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