when i did my sea safari across the top of the kimberleys this year we camped on the beach every night in single dome tents, we didn't put the fly as there was no dewQuote:
Originally Posted by Captain_Rightfoot
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when i did my sea safari across the top of the kimberleys this year we camped on the beach every night in single dome tents, we didn't put the fly as there was no dewQuote:
Originally Posted by Captain_Rightfoot
Ive got a blackwolf turbo lite tent, it's is about the size of a dead body when its all wrapped up, weighs 20kg. I found when I was looking around the 2.4 x 2.4 tent seemed a bit small, so I got the 8 man 3.0 x 4.8.
Easy to put up, to put away is a bit tricky but there are some videos on the blackwolf website of a butch women putting it away by herself. So after you watch the video you will wonder how she did it but after a few attempts they fold up quite well.
EDIT:
The aftersales service is excellent, when I bought the tent there were a few holes in the fly. Blackwolf had it replaced in a week with a whole new tent.
Heaps of varying views on the merits of the different types. Personal preference rules at the end of the day?
I have a BW Turbo 300 which I am fairly pleased with. Did have a couple of problems - fly does not fit perfectly, and only noticed this after about 6 months since it sat in my shed until then. Suppose I could try to get it replaced. The other was not fitting well back in the bag, but a couple of people have also suggested that this might improve with experience and also a general freeing up of the frame etc.
A few people have also suggested that BW Turbos are a copy of Serengetti tents from South Africa, which is not strictly correct - there are dozens of `turbo' like tents made and sold in South Africa - `chopper' tents. It probably just happens that the Serengetti Bella Vista was being imported here for a while and may be the only one that people have seen other than the BW Turbos. Having said that, the Serengetti's are excellent and would have been my personal choice over the Turbo if they were still readily available here.
For what it is worth, the Turbos - other than the cheaper Turbo lites - don't have additional roof ventilation which the Serengetti tents and other South African tents often do. Would be worth considering getting a reputable canvas repairer to fit this aftermarket if you go for the heavier polycanvas models.
Finally, for trivia, in late 2007 Turbos were being sold in South Africa as Turbo Tents (no BW) through Sportmans' Warehouse with the extended fly and wall kit for about 2/3rd of the price here for the basic tent alone. Both made in the same factory in Taiwan, so it must have been the exchange rate rather than profit gouging.... Incentive to go on safari and bugger the excess baggage?
Cheers,
For a demo of folding the tent, go to the BW website and watch their video's. Makes it a lot easier when you see how its done:D
The wife and I got a turbo 300 a year and a half ago. Awsome tent.
As stated a few times their is a skill in fast packing but goes up in a flash. Spent 6 days in it at Jervis Bay this year in terrential rain and not a drop inside. The rear awning in the sleeping section seems to sag a little and needs an eye kept on it to ensure that the rain does not pool but if it is set up right is bomb proof.
It's big when packed up though and is a pain in the backside to carry around if you are any distance from the camp ite but that's why we drive Landys.
Also agree that the aftermarket service is good asI too had a small holein one of the window fly scrrens and the rep droped a new tent off to me (AT HOME) two days after me calling them.
It can be used with out the fly if their is no or little rain forcast. Been caught out a few time and we stayed dry though light showers but if expecting rain don the fly.
Had an OZ tent and some cheaper tents over the years as well and the Turbo is the best I have ever used.
It's no Mountain Hardwear assult tent but its awsome at what it's designed for.
Go the Black Wolf... Fantastic tent....
Watched my mate pitch his and then pull it down 2 days later...
Was in envy....
I had a close look at it and very impressed - he uses his at least twice a month and it looks like new 12 months on...
All new models (ie. all Turbos being shipped out now) have been updated with :
- New top vents like the the Turbo Lites
- A bigger bag with a D shapped zipper and 4 huge tension buckles on the bag (It's so easy to get in now)
- The mesh is now finer and sandfly proof. It's not no-see-um-mesh however (which is a good thing as its too prone to tear IMO) but still the strong type like on the old Turbo tents
All this was worth it IMO so I sold my old turbo 300 and ordered in a new one. Arrived last week :)
So if you are buying one make sure you get the place to order one in even if they have the old stock.
I recently purchased the BW Turbo 300 PLUS.
BW support is excellent. Noticed a few isues and they are replacing the whole thing. Very easy to set up. A little more difficult to put away but I have found the trick is to pack it away when the sun hits it for a few minutes. It's the PVC flooring that is hard to manipulate when cold. The sun softens it and makes it very easy.
I also found that once in the bag it is awkward to move around. It's like running through treacle when trying to put it in the car. But getting a roof rack will solve that.
Cheers
Caine
Good to hear from IceFyre that the new full weight Turbos have been updated with the roof vents and bigger bag. I genuinely think both mods are a great idea.
I actually bought mine during a lunchtime rush in late 2007 still in its' box (no floor display models at the particular store) after looking at an erected Turbolite 300 at a local BCF which had the roof vents. Silly me automatically thought that mine would also have them and did not discover the contrary fact until I set it up in the backyard about 3 months later.
Doubt that I would go to the extreme of now selling it - still effectively brand new and a great tent - to upgrade, but think anyone buying a new model will be more than pleased with the result if it has the extra vents.
Re the bigger bag - also a useful change. The advice about letting the sun soften the floor is something that I might need to try, since I tried half a dozen times to get mine back in the bag, including clearly following the instructions, and gave up for fear of busting the zip.
Cheers,