Norwegian Bison tipi - anyone seen these before?

[Martyn]

I've been looking for a tipi style tent for a while. I had a mosk Arran5 for a while and it converted me to the design. But I wanted a bigger one for car camping and these look good. Good price too. Most of the site is in Noggin, but there is a bit in English...

http://webvertical.greit.no/webvert...rk3.asp?KID=25&PRID=373&Action=Visproduktinfo

The poly-cotton Tundra16 is 3500NOK, that's about £300.

TUNDRA 16: Diameter 600cm (almost 20 feet). Heigth 350cm (11.5 feet), weigt 22 kgs (big enough?)

The tundra 16 export:
http://webvertical.greit.no/webvertical/moduler/bilder/20/Tundra 16 gutt.JPG

The Tundra 16 domestic (dunno what the difference is) is 4500NOK (about £450)
http://webvertical.greit.no/webvertical/moduler/bilder/20/Tundra 16 skog.JPG

Is this the holy grail?

 

[chewie]

No experience of any of these, but there is also:

Wolfcamper
GoLite Hex 3
Helsport
Venor
Frisport
Jutul
Fritex

 

[Bigman]

Some very good prices there, I'm tempted, so how would you go about ordering one.

As some of the sites are in Norwegian.

 

[BorderReiver]

Some very good prices there, I'm tempted, so how would you go about ordering one.

As some of the sites are in Norwegian.

Simple,learn Norwegian.

 

[jake trg]

there is a bison tepi on ebay at the moment £175.00 pick up only

 

[Moonraker]

I've been looking for a tipi style tent for a while. I had a mosk Arran5 for a while and it converted me to the design. But I wanted a bigger one for car camping and these look good. Good price too. Most of the site is in Noggin, but there is a bit in English...

http://webvertical.greit.no/webvert...rk3.asp?KID=25&PRID=373&Action=Visproduktinfo

The poly-cotton Tundra16 is 3500NOK, that's about £300.

TUNDRA 16: Diameter 600cm (almost 20 feet). Heigth 350cm (11.5 feet), weigt 22 kgs (big enough?)

The tundra 16 export:
http://webvertical.greit.no/webvertical/moduler/bilder/20/Tundra 16 gutt.JPG

The Tundra 16 domestic (dunno what the difference is) is 4500NOK (about £450)
http://webvertical.greit.no/webvertical/moduler/bilder/20/Tundra 16 skog.JPG

Is this the holy grail?

Well, the TUNDRA is nearly twice as large as the Moskoselkåtan Arran5 . 6 metres diameter compared to 3.8m But it also weighs a lot more. Arran5 is 7.6kg complete while the Tundra16 is 22kg complete so three times the weight. If it's for the car not such a problem though.

Bear in mind that I don't think there is an option for a inner tent for the Bison models or even a groundsheet, which you have with the Mosk. Make a difference in all year use.

The price difference I think you will find is an export price which is (approx) less the Norwegian Sales Tax (VAT) of around 25% ( I think) for sales outside Norway, however you would be liable to pay VAT at UK rate, import duty and maybe a handling charge by the carrier, as Norway is outside the EU (like goods from the USA). Details:

2.2 Do I have to pay import duties and/or import VAT on goods sent to me?
Most goods arriving in the UK from outside the EU are liable to any or all of the following taxes:

customs duty
excise duty
import VAT
and must be paid whether:

you purchase the goods or receive them as a gift
the goods are new or used (including antiques)
the goods are for your private use or for sale.

source: HM Revenue & Customs - Shopping on the Internet

I don't think you pay duty for tents imported from the EEA (inc Norway).

Last time I asked, postage for a slightly smaller lavvu was 440NOK (approx. £40). Looking at UPS or Norwegian Postal Service is could be less.

For the price of the VAT, postage you could also grab a cheap flight to NO and buy it tax free and have a nice trip You would still strictly be liable for vat on entry to the UK, but in practice it is very rare to be stopped these days. Just don't take much with you as baggage allowances are tight.

 

[Moonraker]

Some very good prices there, I'm tempted, so how would you go about ordering one.

As some of the sites are in Norwegian.

Bigman, don't listen to BorderReiver I found that nearly all Norwegian suppliers will respond to an email in English and are generally really helpful. Sometimes payment with credit card can be an issue with smaller setups. Also note the point on tax, delivery costs etc when considering true cost. I posted above.

There is info in English for the following lavvu/tipi makers in NO:

Moskoselkåtan - Tentipi - English

There are a number of UK outlets now including online.

Helsport - English

for example:

Varanger Lavvu

Test Winner, Norwegian ‘Villmarksliv’ Jan. 2006!
Helsport Rainguard® Flame retardant outer tent
Aluminium Center Pole
Compatible with Helsport Lavvu Oven
Attachment points for inner tent and floor (sold separately)

Villmarksliv is a outdoor magazine which recently tested lavvu.

I know people here have owned a Helsport lavvu. There is a thread here;

Anyone familier with HELSPORT

Emile posted there, a nice text saying they were good, with some great photos here;

Anyone familier with HELSPORT - Emile post

Frisport - Lavvu

Not sure how easy it is to get these direct? You can get them from online shops, for example;

Sport Og Fiske - Frisport Lavvu

Outdoorcode are the UK reseller for Venor who have a good reputation;

Outdoorcode - Venor

To see models etc go to the Venor site;

Venor - Models

Another lavvu which was recommended by outdoor here on BCUK who runs a shop in Denmark was the Beacon models. He also does the Frisport;

Friluftsshop.dk - Beacon (& Frisport) Lavvu - English

Friluftsshop.dk offers outdoor gear from Scandinavia!
We offer Lavvu-tents(Tippi´s) from the Nordic brands Frisport and Beacon.

Frisport produces three different fabric types. Two different tent fabrics made of Polyester that both are coated with aluminium (4000 mm hydrostatic head capacity) and one made of rip stop cotton for use in the winter time and especially harsh environments. Another specialty from Northern Norway available from Frisport is the Gamme.

The lavvu from Beacon is good quality for less money. You get a lavvu with 2000 mm hydrostatic head capacity and coated with aluminium.

His comments;

Anyone familier with HELSPORT - outdoor post
Finally there are some cheap options here;

Sportshuset - Lavvu

The Basecamp LAVVU 8 for instance is nearly half price there at k1499 NOK (£125)! but no idea what it's like. You generally get what you pay for

And;

Bison Telt - English

I think for value for money the Bison Telt TINDE range would be hard to beat starting at 1450 NOK (£125). For instance the Tinde 4 person;

Bison - Tinde 4

[few words corrected] "TINDE is our lightweight alternative to the TUNDRA-tipi. It consists of a light, but strong polyester rip-stop fabric, aluminium telescope-pole, steel-pegs and guys. Mesh (mossie net) in the entrance area. Taped seams. Other solutions and measures are similar to the TUNDRA-model. The fabric is waterproof. 3500mm water column, heat treated so that heating, both with an open fire and stoves are optional."

Diameter 4.0 metres
Height 2.7 metres
Weight 6,5 kgs.
Cost (Export) NOK 1750 (£150)

I have never used one so it would be good to hear some personal experience of them.

Hope that helps.

Happy shopping

 

[Martyn]

Well, the TUNDRA is nearly twice as large as the Moskoselkåtan Arran5 . 6 metres diameter compared to 3.8m But it also weighs a lot more. Arran5 is 7.6kg complete while the Tundra16 is 22kg complete so three times the weight. If it's for the car not such a problem though.

Yeah I know, I had an Arran5 and sold it cos I wanted a bigger car camping tent.

Bear in mind that I don't think there is an option for a inner tent for the Bison models or even a groundsheet, which you have with the Mosk. Make a difference in all year use.

There was no inner or groundsheet with my Arran5. You can get em, but they are extra's.

The price difference I think you will find is an export price which is (approx) less the Norwegian Sales Tax (VAT) of around 25% ( I think) for sales outside Norway, however you would be liable to pay VAT at UK rate, import duty and maybe a handling charge by the carrier, as Norway is outside the EU (like goods from the USA). Details:source: HM Revenue & Customs - Shopping on the Internet

I don't think you pay duty for tents imported from the EEA (inc Norway).

Last time I asked, postage for a slightly smaller lavvu was 440NOK (approx. £40). Looking at UPS or Norwegian Postal Service is could be less.

For the price of the VAT, postage you could also grab a cheap flight to NO and buy it tax free and have a nice trip You would still strictly be liable for vat on entry to the UK, but in practice it is very rare to be stopped these days. Just don't take much with you as baggage allowances are tight.

Good info, thanks.

The Bison site does have an English bit, with directions to send an email with your questions.

http://webvertical.greit.no/webvert...rk3.asp?KID=25&PRID=373&Action=Visproduktinfo

 

[Bigman]

Thank you Moonraker for the information.

Now it's just a case of sorting out which one I want/would like,
it's got to be better than trying to scramble in on my hands and knees to get into a tent.

 

[Moonraker]

Thank you Moonraker for the information.

Now it's just a case of sorting out which one I want/would like,
it's got to be better than trying to scramble in on my hands and knees to get into a tent.

No problem; and being able to light a fire 'inside' of course