Luxe Sil-Hexpeak- First pitch (Successfully!)

[ADz-1983]

I thought with the Minpeak you had to join two hiking poles to get the necessary 145cm pole length (or extend one pole with an extra long section)? Maybe I picked that up wrong though.

Well that obviously depends on length of your pole. You can get poles that are 145cm, Mine is.

 

[Jurassic]

I pitched my Hex Peak on an island on Loch Lomond last night. I used the webbing straps that come with the tent to give the correct spacing of the first four pegs and found it pretty easy to put up after that (although it'll be easier and quicker next time). I did have to faff about a bit to get rid of some of the creases that show in the pictures.
I'd fitted storm guys to the five extra loops using dyneema and line loks from BPL and used them just in case. In the event although the wind was gusting up to F7/8, I found a nice sheltered spot so the Hex Peak wasn't exactly pushed to it's limits overnight but it did provide a nice comfy and roomy shelter. I'm looking forward to using it again soon.

 

[Jurassic]

I made a crappy video as well.
[video=vimeo;86849608]https://vimeo.com/86849608[/video]

 

[Shewie]

Looks good mate, I'm struggling to work out where you're camped though, is it IM looking north?

Is that the Mini Peak pole you're using?

 

[Jurassic]

It was just south of the narrows on Inchtavannach Rich. I had a look at a few spots including the usual one but it was really windy and that was about the best I could find in terms of being sheltered. Yes I got the pole as well for those occasions when l wasn't going to have walking poles with me. I think I could use a paddle at a pinch instead but as I'd bought the pukka pole I figured I may as well try it out.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[Jurassic]

Just realised the reason you can't work out where I camped, the first pic was indeed IM looking north when I was recceing for a spot. ;-)

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[theoctagon]

Good stuff, nice to see some new pictures of these getting used. Where's the video?

Found it! Didn't show up on my phone...

 

[rik_uk3]

Good video With my Hex 3 I used to take the lid off a small billy can and rest the end of the pole in it, this stopped the pole sinking into the ground and was handy for storing phone/lighter/knife etc or burning a couple of tea lights.

 

[Jurassic]

Good video With my Hex 3 I used to take the lid off a small billy can and rest the end of the pole in it, this stopped the pole sinking into the ground and was handy for storing phone/lighter/knife etc or burning a couple of tea lights.

I like that idea rik_uk3, I used a disc of 20mm closed cell foam which worked well enough but didn't have the dual usage of your billy can lid.

 

[Moosemap]

I like it, thanks a lot for the pics and the vid

 

[widu13]

I like that idea rik_uk3, I used a disc of 20mm closed cell foam which worked well enough but didn't have the dual usage of your billy can lid.

Nice successful set up. I often use a motorbike side stand disc (just a ridged plastic disc) there are usually around 49p.

 

[Purgatorio]

Yeah looks good! And thanks for posting!


Verzonden vanaf mijn iPhone met behulp van Tapatalk

 

[Podcast Bob]

Thanks Jurassic, you beat me to it

I've been sleeping in mine in the garden now for a couple of days in the rain to see if it requires seam sealing, while testing some other gear as well.

I'm sure the neighbours think Rose has thrown me out again!

So far there's no sign of leaks which is good, but heavy weather is due again in the next 48 hours as I want to get it saturated under pressure to see how it performs.

For pole support the motorcycle side stand plate is excellent, I usually make a like plywood frame for the recess and drill a hole in it for the pole to stay central. Other customers have used a Marmite lid (which they either love or hate).

I would like to think my videos are fair and open and comments are based upon experience and observation. I do my best to be as balanced as I can.

 

[Jurassic]

I have seam sealed my tent but it only rained a little during my overnight. The tent was great, exactly what I'd hoped to be honest. Pitching was easy (but then I was brought up pitching canvas bell tents many moons ago ) and will be even quicker and easier next time. If I was going to nit pick then the loop to suspend the inner was a little fiddly to get hold of when the pole is in place (I may add an extender loop to rectify this) and maybe another pocket at the other end of the inner would be nice but that really is nit picking. Overall I'm delighted with the tent so far.

 

[Podcast Bob]

Florian the German retail has had better weather and just released this video showing a few tips which might be useful.

[video=youtube_share;whuXMUdx5_Y]http://youtu.be/whuXMUdx5_Y[/video]

 

[Huon]

Thanks Jurassic, you beat me to it

I've been sleeping in mine in the garden now for a couple of days in the rain to see if it requires seam sealing, while testing some other gear as well.

I'm sure the neighbours think Rose has thrown me out again!

So far there's no sign of leaks which is good, but heavy weather is due again in the next 48 hours as I want to get it saturated under pressure to see how it performs.

For pole support the motorcycle side stand plate is excellent, I usually make a like plywood frame for the recess and drill a hole in it for the pole to stay central. Other customers have used a Marmite lid (which they either love or hate).

I would like to think my videos are fair and open and comments are based upon experience and observation. I do my best to be as balanced as I can.

Hi Bob,

Your reviews and videos seem very balanced to me. Your gear choices seem well informed and driven by an enthusiasm for the outdoors rather than simply an interest in sales.

I don't think you need to justify yourself.

Cheers!

Huon

 

[Moosemap]

As I can see it, Bob is sold out again with the Hexpeak, so has anybody of the new owners got any new insights about this shelter? Or more pics?

Regards
Heinz

 

[widu13]

Still not managed to get HP up in "normal" conditions. When I do, it'll be an honest review and not a feedback sandwich. If it's all good that's what I'll feedback; same if it's not so good. In the interests of openness though I must divulge that I'm a happy Mini Peak owner.

 

[Squidders]

I still don't get why companies feel it's ok to sell something like this and instead of completing it, they give you a tube of seam sealer to do yourself.

Can't they just complete it before selling it? Why must the consumer seal it when they know it needs doing enough to provide it? There are £15 tents available that have sealed seams.

 

[Moosemap]

Ever seen a Hilleberg tent with seam sealing? And these sell for about 3 to 5 times more money than the Luxe range of tents...

It is in the material used; if it is some PU coating, seam sealing tape will stick, if it is siliconized (and more expensive and more UV resistant and more tear resistant) sealing will have to be done by the customer, as it is a time consuming process, tricky and perhaps a bit messy. And most of the high quality tents made from siliconized materials get away without seam sealing, though I always seal mine, just to be on the safer side.

But, as I see on the german website, there the description says that the tent fabric is siliconized on the outside, but PU coated on the inside and sealed with a hefty strip...

Perhaps Bob can help here, or some of the other users.

BTW, I prefer a PU coating to siliconized materials, as there is a lot less condensation with PU, so being PU on the inside and water beading silicone on the outside, perhaps it is the best of both worlds...

Widu, if you want to get rid of yours for a reasonable price...???

Regards
Heinz