Swag or Tent????

[Yorkshire_Jon]

Ok chaps... 16 days left until I leave London for Darwin...:D:D:D

Once settled in and before Leeds and I head south I need to buy some accommodation!!

Whatever I get I want a good quality one and one that'll keep the creepy crawlies and mozzies out! I hope to leave it in the 110 (to get it home) and use it on future travels also...

So, should I buy a Tent or a Swag? Pro's and con's of each please.

Furthermore, given availability of tents/swags in Darwin (or immediate area) what would you recommend / where should I go to hand over some AU$?

Bit of an open ended, subjective question I know!

Thanks.
Jon

[Tank]

Ok chaps... 16 days left until I leave London for Darwin...:D:D:D

Once settled in and before Leeds and I head south I need to buy some accommodation!!

Whatever I get I want a good quality one and one that'll keep the creepy crawlies and mozzies out! I hope to leave it in the 110 (to get it home) and use it on future travels also...

So, should I buy a Tent or a Swag? Pro's and con's of each please.

Furthermore, given availability of tents/swags in Darwin (or immediate area) what would you recommend / where should I go to hand over some AU$?

Bit of an open ended, subjective question I know!

Thanks.
Jon
I have both.
If your old and decrepit like me and getting up off the ground in the morning is taking longer and longer, go for a Tent with a stretcher bed (fold up) and high enough to stand upright in. Make sure whether you get a tent or a swag that you get the really fine insect mesh (no see-um) as sandflies will get through Standard insect mesh.
I have an OZ-Trail Swag and it is great in cold areas, I have not used it in summer yet, but I would imagine they would be too warm in summer if it was raining, with the top cover zipped up.
I have a 6 man Dome style tent with 2M of inside height and it will comfortably take 2 stretcher beds and heaps of room left for gear.
If I am going to camp overnight I setup the swag, because it is easy and quick, if I plan to camp for a few days I will setup the Tent and stretcher bed/s, they pack up small enough to fit in the back of the Disco.
Some quick setup tents when packed up are about 2m long and wont fit inside and have to be carried on top.
I think my setup is good for me and it is less than half the price of some of these quick setup tents and takes up less room, hope this helps, Regards Frank.

[gunny]

If your not keen on a swag maybe something like an oztent (http://www.oztent.com.au) for wet weather or longer stays. As its 2m long it needs to go on racks while your traveling but could be stored in the vehicle for the trip home, great thing is its quick to erect and can stand up to the weather.

If its dark and/or wet its a bit of a pain setting up some tents...not with the oztent

[Yorkshire_Jon]

The 110 has no roofrack so fold up size is important.

I believe Leeds has 2 tents with him, a small one for overnighting and a bigger one for when he's in one place for a while or when Barbara is with him.

Primary needs then are small (carrying in back of 110) size, quick to erect and big enough (when in use) not to feel like a sardine. Must keep the little blighters out though!

Anyone in Darwin with knowledge of whats available?

I found the BCF store in Darwin, they seem to list on their website (ultimaswag.com) the ultimaswag and some others that I havent heard of. So far everything else seems to be outside of NT!

As for tents, wouldnt know whats a good or bad one for your climate!

Thanks
Jon

[gunny]

I've heard good reports about Black Wolf (http://www.blackwolf.com.au) Turbo tents...there are several retailers in Darwin on their site that sell them. I'm sure you'll get a heap of replies from others once the sun is up here ;-)

[Blknight.aus]

throw tents are good if your by yourself as are swags.

in darwin its much of a muchness but as you go further south a swag will keep you warmer

tents are lighter per size than a swag but once youve set the tent up you have to then put your bedding and stuff inside of it...

ALDI is about to sell some good looking swags for under $150 and for that money I dont think you can go wrong.

[dmdigital]

Jon, when you get to Darwin check out NT General Store, great place for camping gear.

Up north you'll find the tent better if its wet and also with the heat as it is less confined, but down south the swag is fine.

I've just bought a Black Wolf Turbo 210 tent and will be using it this weekend for the first time. It is fairly bulky though, more so than a cheaper dome tent.

[Bundalene]

G'day. By the time you get to Darwin it will be the build up to the Wet season (they had 100mm rain yesterday). Sleeping in a swag is no fun in the pouring rain, even if you do put a tarp over the top.
Like Tank, we carry both swag and tent, although I think ours might be a bit too bulky for your limited space. Noramlly we swag under the stars but if it looks like wet weather we set up our centre pole canvas tent and put our swag (which is a bed roll with matresses, sleeping bags etc.) inside.

Even if you do get a tent you still need bedding of some sort. The bedding is an individual thing, some can sleep on a 1 mm foam mattress, and others need a camp stretcher with an air bed, depending on the condition of your back.

When you go to the likes of BCF you should have a huge range to choose from and will see the tents set up and packed up. But PLEASE make sure you get fine mesh on whatever you buy as the sandflies can make camping hell.

Good luck
Cheers

[waynep]

Hi
I agree with above comments - I have both a tent and swag too.
The swag is good for quick overnight stops and it's dry - but you need to try one first- if you're at all claustrophobic they're probably not for you.
I still think for tents the centre pole heavy canvas style is the best all rounder - quick set up, very durable and insect and waterproof, and pack down to a reasonable size. Look at brands like Southern Cross or Freedom Camping.
Get quality gear whatever you buy - that includes your sleeping bags and mattress too ( self inflating e.g. Thermarest are the best. ). You might pay a bit more but it'll be worth it in the long run.

[Bushie]

I think as a lot of the others have said there are pro's and con's for both. A lot will depend on where you are at the time. Having just spent 6 weeks in a swag (except for 2 spots where we tented) I'd have to say the swag was great - but - I wouldn't like to spend that time if there was regular rain.

From the tent perspective I would go for a good quality centre pole design (Southerncross canvas or Freedom)

The swag I have is a Saul (double) brand but I suspect this may be too hot in the tropics/summer as it was designed for the Vic high country it was however, great in the desert in winter.

Maybe not a lot of help.


Martyn

[DirtyDawg]

Go the swag and something to keep it off the ground, as you know Australia has more venomous snakes then anywhere else in the world and we have 10 in the top 20, plus there is wild pigs and crocs....would hate to have you burdening our health system with a venomous bedfellow:D:D:D:D oh big spiders too;)

[Bundalene]

I
The swag I have is a Saul (double) brand but I suspect this may be too hot in the tropics/summer as it was designed for the Vic high country it was however, great in the desert in winter.

Maybe not a lot of help.


Martyn

We also have a Saul double swag and are very happy with it - had it for years. It's excellent quality all around. It is quite warm to use in the tropics -but OK with just a sheet over us and an insect net if the weather is fine.
In the cooler weather it's fantastic.
Cheers

[Yorkshire_Jon]

Thanks for the input guys.

If BCF has the biggest shop display, then I guess a trip to see them is on the cards, as too NT General store.

I will be taking/bringing a good sleeping bag with me. Its seen hot and cold African nights so Im presuming it'll be OK for Darwin down to Alice.

Derek, I looked at (on the web) the Turbo 210 tent earlier today. Very interested to hear your thoughts after youve used it - how appropriate do you think it would be for the UK weather - typically 5-20^C and often wet! Also, does it go up and down as quick as the video on the black wolf website would have you believe? Will it keep the sandflies out?

Regards,
Jon

[dmdigital]

The trial set up in the back yard proved the tent to be as simple as the video.

As to the rain etc we shall see. The mesh on the screens is sandfly level, so I hope it does, will know the result by tomorrow night :eek:

[Narangga]

Thanks for the input guys.

If BCF has the biggest shop display, then I guess a trip to see them is on the cards, as too NT General store.

I will be taking/bringing a good sleeping bag with me. Its seen hot and cold African nights so Im presuming it'll be OK for Darwin down to Alice.

Will it keep the sandflies out?

Regards,
Jon

Check out in the following order:

1. NT General Store - Mitchell St in the city
2. BCF - McMillan's Rd, Millner
3. Mitchell's Camping - Stuart Hwy, Berrimah

If you are going to camping anywhere north of Mataranka for more than one or two nights then you will need the swag plus the tent.

Sleeping bag will be OK. Darwin nights 25 or so, Alice between 12 and 18 at night.

Tents will keep the sandflies out but mozzie nets will not. Few sandflies south of Katherine.

[Yorkshire_Jon]

If you are going to camping anywhere north of Mataranka for more than one or two nights then you will need the swag plus the tent.

Sleeping bag will be OK. Darwin nights 25 or so, Alice between 12 and 18 at night.

Tents will keep the sandflies out but mozzie nets will not. Few sandflies south of Katherine.

Is the idea to use the Swag for the higher night temps or cooler ones? Im assuming swag=hot dry night, tent=cooler nights & wet??

Tell me if Im stupid or wrong, but I had planned to only buy one good tent/swag for the whole trip. Or should I plan to buy cheaper examples of each?

[Tank]

Is the idea to use the Swag for the higher night temps or cooler ones? Im assuming swag=hot dry night, tent=cooler nights & wet??

Tell me if Im stupid or wrong, but I had planned to only buy one good tent/swag for the whole trip. Or should I plan to buy cheaper examples of each?
The swag will be too hot in the tropic North IF it is raining and this time of year and for the next few months it will be, raining that is. A dome tent for around $150 with standing room height only takes 5 minutes or so to put up and will be much more comfortable up North. A swag will be more convenient if you are only staying overnight, the swag is more suited to cooler climes and in the dry season, Regards Frank.

[EchiDna]

Is the idea to use the Swag for the higher night temps or cooler ones? Im assuming swag=hot dry night, tent=cooler nights & wet??

Tell me if Im stupid or wrong, but I had planned to only buy one good tent/swag for the whole trip. Or should I plan to buy cheaper examples of each?

mate swags are used in all kinds of conditions, just like tents - but the material weight of the one you buy will vary its usefulness a lot. I've slept in the snow in a swag and been completely warm, but the same swag would be horrible in the tropics as you would sweat like a pig and there was no insect mesh to keep you "unmolested" by the insect life.

Minor rant: "Swags" are also not necessarily "swags" anymore, they are often tents with matresses built in and more poles and guy ropes than a typical small tent. How these things have anything to do with what used to be a folded sheet of canvas with your bedding inside that you tied up to your bullbar or a tree at one end and climbed into is beyond me...

Lastly, you are visiting two completely different climatic zones - tropical in the start of the wet season where it is hot and humid all the time and desert country where it can be below freezing at night and mid 40's (even 50's and higher) in the day (probably not in November though), basically there is no perfect tool for the job - either you can handle the scenario where everything is dripping wet and the only dry spot is in bed and in a swag, that means lying down with a bit of room to read a book, in a tent you can at least sit up and hang up your wet clothes to dry

[Poida4x4]

I've got an A.O.S swag that's been great. It's a double with a full length sandfly mesh. I've used it extensively in the Kimberley, mostly during the dry. It's great with just the mesh when it's hot. I'd often roll it on the roof rack and catch the breeze if there was any. Exposed skin up against the mesh can result in mozzie bights though. The few times I camped in the build up were not so pleasant, but I doubt anything but airconditioning or a ceiling fan would've made it better. Camping with this swag in the cold weather is excellent, warm and dry. If it was closed up in the tropics to stay out of the rain, I'd get into the car and keep going.

I'm looking at a tent now. The swag's great for overnighting etc, but a tent is good if you need more shelter to live in as the swag's only for sleeping in and in the wet, you're kind of trapped in it. I've just bought a shade shelter and will make do with sleeping under that if it's wet for now. As far as tents go, I'm pretty convinced by the single pole tents, like the Southern Cross or Freedom, or the cheaper Oztrail, which seem to be just as good. They pack up to be relatively small, are a very simple design and easy to erect/pack away.

[leeds]

Will put my tuppence worth in.

Swags are out on grounds of room. Forget them Jon.

Mozzy tent for you my boy. They come with flysheet. and cost about £50

If weather is wet the big tent is waterproof. Ask Barbara about rain in Norway!


Regards

Brendan

[Narangga]

Will put my tuppence worth in.

Regards

Brendan

Two-bob over here china!

[dmdigital]

Two-bob over here china!
Especially with the current exchange rate:mad:

[dmdigital]

anything under 20 onite in NT is cool I'd guess!!
No, anything under 20C would be bloody freezing, anything under 25C is cool for the next 6 months.

An unfortunate downside of just about anything you get is the sandfly proof mesh. Its either let in the breeze and stay cool and get eaten alive OR have have no breeze (unless its blowing a gale) sweat like crazy and not get eaten by all the insects. I always go with the second option.

[Yorkshire_Jon]

Interesting...

Id always thought the swags would be a smaller option. Oh well, thats easy decision made!

ickle pickle mozzi tent then!

[Bush65]

I have a dome tent that I don't use much now unless I want to stay one place for more than a few days - pain in the rear to put up/down by myself and difficult to fold pack.

Main problem erecting and pulling down is the poles for the annex (part of the fly), which have to be fed into/out of a sleeve, which is best with 2 people. Where the main part of the tent use clips there is little problem. The job is harder if windy.

Everything with dome tents is hard to pack neatly, because of the shape when flat on the ground.

I've never been able to get everything back in the bag because the tent and fly aren't packed neat and tight.

For wet weather or when staying a couple or 3 days I have bought a blackwolf turbo tent. These are terrific tents but the one I have is too small to use stretchers inside. They are fine for sleeping on a foam mattress on the floor.

They are quick to put up down, and for an overnight stop, if it is not windy/wet, there is no need to put the fly over.

I would get another Black wolf turbo, but would prefer a larger size (for stretchers) and would not have the rear extension as it is harder to pack away neatly.

I use a swag most of the time for overnight stops, and use it inside the tent for bedding, even on a stretcher. If it is warm I have the swag open.

[Olive Drab]

When i lived in South West Rocks the mountain behind my house was called sandfly hill. you can imagine how bad they were at dawn/dusk trying to fish.
homemade repellant
Equal parts-metho-dettol-baby oil. keeps well in a small jar or plastic container. put a sponge in the container. if you are moving around a lot put the sponge in a plastic bag so you can re-apply as required.
Believe it not it works and doesn't scare the fish off either.
hope someone finds this useful