Aqua-Quest 'West Coast' Bivi Tent & Tarp

[The_Taffinch]

Hi All,

has anyone come across one of these before:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00D1BSIP4/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1YJ42FTXDJ6MT&coliid=I11FFEYD8SM82Z

...?

I'm looking for a lightweight/compact tent which is very quick to erect and stow. It must have a sewn-in groundsheet and I'd really like the ability to open a large area of canopy to the elements (and still have insect netting). I don't really want a separate inner and flysheet arrangement as I would like a tarp cover as well.

This combo deal seems ideal, but I was wondering whether anyone had seen one or read any reviews?

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[copper_head]

I came across this a couple of weeks a go. My feeling is that it's a bit heavy to consider it a bivvy (as with all hooped style bivvys) and its not standalone tent either as presumably you need trees or poles of some sort to pitch the tarp from. It does pique my interest though as it seems a very versatile system and a good price, you could pay that for a silnylon tarp alone...

Another option to check out would be a Minipeak II.

 

[The_Taffinch]

The Minipeak does look nice, but it doesn't have a sewn-in groundsheet which is a must have for me.

 

[copper_head]

The Minipeak does look nice, but it doesn't have a sewn-in groundsheet which is a must have for me.

The inner vestibule on the MP has a sewn in groundsheet and its a larger area than the Aqua quest. I don't think you'll get a bigger area with a sewn in groundsheet without looking at more traditional tents.

 

[mountainm]

The inner vestibule on the MP has a sewn in groundsheet and its a larger area than the Aqua quest. I don't think you'll get a bigger area with a sewn in groundsheet without looking at more traditional tents.

If you can find a khyam pocket tent (mono or duo) they have a sewn in groundsheet. You can ditch the inner tent and swpa out the straps for zing it and it brings the weight right down. Needs trees or something to tie up to though.

I love mine. For £25 it couldn't be beaten. Not seen any for sale recently though.

 

[copper_head]

Do you have a tarp already Matt? You could get yourself one of these and save a few bob...

http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/shelter-accessories/WB108.html

 

[copper_head]

If you can find a khyam pocket tent (mono or duo) they have a sewn in groundsheet. You can ditch the inner tent and swpa out the straps for zing it and it brings the weight right down. Needs trees or something to tie up to though.

I love mine. For £25 it couldn't be beaten. Not seen any for sale recently though.

Always regretted not getting one of those when they were on eBay still.

 

[The_Taffinch]

Do you have a tarp already Matt? You could get yourself one of these and save a few bob...

http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/shelter-accessories/WB108.html

I've got a cheap pvc-type tarp. It performed well on its first outing at the weekend, but there was no rain and absolutely no wind so I'm not sure if it's a long term solution. So the Aqua tarp and shelter seems like a good buy.

The inner tent from backpackinglight looks pretty good, but has got me thinking whether I couldn't just string up the inner from my current tent and use that for a cheaper option.

I'll take a look at the Kyham micro tent thingy.

My dream shelter, should I have more money than sense, would be the Erblestock Micro-Condo but I will have to sell my first born to afford that.

 

[copper_head]

My dream shelter, should I have more money than sense, would be the Erblestock Micro-Condo but I will have to sell my first born to afford that.

That sure is a nice looking bit of kit but yeah, how much???

 

[tom.moran]

looks nice but whaaaaaat! $899 dont be silly matt, youcould pay someone to hold the dogs lead everytime you went camping for that

 

[The_Taffinch]

Don't worry...I am not serious;-)

 

[ged]

... My dream shelter, should I have more money than sense, would be the Erblestock Micro-Condo ...

"... and a full-length awning that you can orient toward your fire ..."

Hmmm. If I'd just spent $900 on a bivvy made of man-made fibres I'd be damned if I'd put it near a fire!

 

[The_Taffinch]

I came across this a couple of weeks a go. My feeling is that it's a bit heavy to consider it a bivvy (as with all hooped style bivvys) and its not standalone tent either as presumably you need trees or poles of some sort to pitch the tarp from. It does pique my interest though as it seems a very versatile system and a good price, you could pay that for a silnylon tarp alone...

Another option to check out would be a Minipeak II.

Just re-looked at the Minipeak and completely missed that it has a inner nest. This looks ideal as it can be configured as a kind of tarp/bivi combo but then the rear flaps can be folded down to provide a more enclosing tent-like space. A little pricey for my wallet at the moment but maybe I can save up.

 

[copper_head]

Just re-looked at the Minipeak and completely missed that it has a inner nest. This looks ideal as it can be configured as a kind of tarp/bivi combo but then the rear flaps can be folded down to provide a more enclosing tent-like space. A little pricey for my wallet at the moment but maybe I can save up.

Not got one myself I as I was waiting for the Silnylon version to come back in stock, unfortunately they discontinued that model. But a few folk on here have them and rate them highly.