Ventile Poncho

[spamel]

Don't get5 me wrong, I reckon the tatonka tapes are awesome. Due to the size of the slit compared to the length of tape, I reckon they would be pretty bomb proof. Even if they did start to open up, the weave would stop it quickly and the length of tape would allow for a large hole. Due to the fact that they sit almost flush, they won't snag and cordage or karabiners can be snapped onto them easily. If you can get the stuff, I'd use it.

Edit: re-reading my last post, it gets a bit confusing! iswitched which tarp i was talking about halfway through! Sorry!

 

[scanker]

1200g for a jacket, tarp, rain cover, groundsheet, stretcher and bivvi bag isn't bad in my book.

Whilst that's all true, they're exclusive of each other, i.e. you can't be wearing it as a poncho to keep the rain off yourself and be using it as a tarp to keep your gear dry, so you will still need other kit for the other purposes.

I've only just ordered a ventile jacket and haven't received it yet, but in a few reviews people have referred to jackets "going like cardboard" when wet. Did you experience this effect with the poncho?

 

[Wayland]

That was something I was looking out for and it didn't happen at the moot.

I can't say it won't happen at saturation level but the poncho shed most of the water so it wasn't an issue.

 

[Graham_S]

my ventile didn't start doing the cardboard thing until the DWR had worn off.
It still shugs off the weather though.

 

[Spikey DaPikey]

I must admit that i thought why bother with this idea, but after seeing it at the moot, and having a chat with Wayland about it, i do believe its a good bit of kit

Still out of my price range though, but good kit none the less

 

[MikeE]

Seems a good bit of kit and I would be interested!

 

[ZDP-189]

I'm a bit concerned. I stand 5'6" tall in my tallest boots and don't always carry a Bergen, so there's a chance the hem will be dragging in the dirt. There looks to be more than the usual tailoring going on at the hem, so I don't think I can trim it. I think that this may be the ultimate deciding factor as to whether I can buy it.

 

[Wayland]

The "extra tailoring" is an extension put on because the prototype was too short originally.

I'm 5' 10" if that's any help and this last shot is without pack

(Just re-read my post and that could be misunderstood.)

 

[subedarmajor]

Is it possible to change your vote on these polls?
I've had a rethink, and I actually think it's pretty good value if the material is as good as it's supposed to be.

Is the poncho still being developed? If so I'd like to put my name down for one, that's assuming I haven't missed the boat.

Cheers, Alan.

 

[Mike Benis]

I'm also interested....

 

[scanker]

Just spotted this again amongst the new posts. I haven't voted yet, and still haven't. My vote would be for maybe - I think it's good value, but can't afford £110 at the moment.

 

[littlebiglane]

Wayland has sent the Poncho back to Hilltrek with the recommended mods. I am waiting to here back from them.

LBL

 

[littlebiglane]

Dave at Hilltrek has got back to me to say that he has got all the bits and peices from Wayland and also his recommendations. He is going through them now and will get back to me this/next week with a full response, a confirmed price and production/delivery times.

LBL

 

[littlebiglane]

Right. I think we are at the final stages now

I have just heard back from Hilltrek re Wayland's suggested changes.

Yes - the male/female fastenings can be changed so they can be mated properly on each side .

There is an issue with the loops being changed to button-holes however (due to not having the right machine for this job - to make button-holes) so would have outsourced at extra cost if they were to make them themselves. They have asked me though - if anyone can give them the contact details of suppliers of the pre-made button hole strips/rolls. Can someone give this to me? They have also questioned whether this will be strong enough for our use?

If this is not possible (either due to cost or time or whatever) we can keep the existing loops they have designed and, if we like, they can use thinner webbing to reduce the bulk and weight of these. However my preference is that if the loops are not changed for button-holes then you might aswell have the more robust webbing-loops and an over-engineered design so it can 'hold up a marquee in a gale'! However we will have to decide one way or another pretty soon on this one.

They have confirmed final costs to be the same at £115 with their loop design. I will have to wait a while longer to see if I can get costs for the other option with button hole tapes.

So the next and final stages are:
1) Supplier details of pre-made button hole tapes (can someone send this to me please)
2) Confirmation of price for a poncho with this modification from Hilltrek (once they have got the button-hole tape costs)
3) We need to have an agreement on loops or button-holes and go with one design and one price
4) I will need a list of those firmly interested in buying one - this is so we can show the level of interest to Hilltrek and for them to forecast the materials supply, manufacturing and delivery times
5) Then finally - how we are going to cOnduct the group buy - with with myself administering it or setting up some form of deal-direct.

LBL

 

[SimonM]

Littlebiglane
Oetzi
SimonM

Thanks for all the efforts to date, by everyone!

Simon

 

[littlebiglane]

Littlebiglane
Oetzi
SimonM

Thanks for all the efforts to date, by everyone!

Simon

Ouch you jumped into my un-edited posting while I was editing it.

Okay...so with reference to Point 4 in my posting two above this one:

LBL
Oetzi
SimonM

 

[subedarmajor]

ok please add Subedarmajor to the list.

Cheers, Alan.

 

[MikeE]

I definitely want one too!

LBL
Oetzi
SimonM
Subedarmajor
MikeE

 

[Wayland]

I'll hold my interest until we find out about modifications. I'm likely to rip out loops and put my own tapes in and I'll probably change the hood anyway so if I'm doing that lot I might just as well make my own.

I'll try to find a supplier for them but I'm starting from scratch, just like they would have to, so we'll see.

 

[littlebiglane]

anyone else want to join the list? I see that 30 odd people have registered interest in the poll....c'mon...you know you want to.... See post #194

LBL
Oetzi
SimonM
Subedarmajor
MikeE