Tarptent Notch

The Notch is coming....
http://tarptent.com/notch.html



This is a somewhat similar shelter to the SS1 (two poles,separate mesh inner,two doors and vestibules) but lighter and smaller.
On my backyard tests it looks like it will accommodate the taller hikers too.
(that is on a mock up because only Henry has had the real thing...)
More head and foot room than the Moment .
Originally it was called the X 1 because it is the Tarptent 10th anniversary shelter.
Happy 10th anniversary Henry !!!
Avaliable mid next month.
Franco

Henry is really cranking out the new models!

Happy 10th anniversary to Henry and all the Tarptent crew!

Thanks but most of the success is due because of word of mouth and you have done your bit over the years...

As for me having seen again the enormous pack size and weight of some of the tents people carry in the bush , I honestly don't mind recommending something lighter...
(one couple yesterday had a tent that was (stored) larger than my pack...)
Franco

I was looking at the pics on BPL, you could fit a pack animal or two in there too. I've about collected all the old stoves I want, maybe a new tent will show up on my shopping list. Well, there is that one Primus 41 I want still.
Duane

Has anyone had the chance to put the Notch to the test? I haven't seen any reviews.

Thanks.

Not a review but I just shot a video comparing the Notch to the StratoSpire 1 and the Contrail for size.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIt1Oezq2...mp;feature=plcp
(I am 5'8" about 155lbs)
Franco

The one thing I hate about buying a new piece of equipment now days, is that something that looks better comes out relatively soon after buying. This is particularly true with tents/shelters right now! Lots of good stuff available.

This is the next latest then! Pony up dude! They only have so many shapes they can utilize for a shelter. I just did my income taxes last night, I could replace my big three with my refunds, but that's what I did last year, spent my refunds and my bankers bonus on old stoves. Holding off or at least really resising for now, I want a newer pickup and I did not gain any ground towards that goal last year. No overtime at work did not help either.

Duane

I do like the look of this one - it's barely any heavier than the contrail, but the features on it may be worth a couple of ounces.

However, for me it's not lighter enough than my current gear for me to bite. How long 'till I can get cuben from tarptent

Phat
As I posted at another forum and managed to offend another manufacturer with my opinion, I would not switch from the TT silnylon to the LW Cuben used by some.
(I would consider a more opaque and heavier duty type...)
Many have speculated on waterhead tests and all of that about silnylon but Richard Nisley tested the LW Cuben to be less waterproof particularly when "aged".
See his results for yourself :
https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=99d830397376f22d&sc=documents&id=99D830397376F22D%21287

BTW , I don't think those figures really apply directly to tent material because the Suter test puts an even pressure across all of the fabric tested . Rain does not fall like that neither you have a 1 m column on top of the tent, but it is a comparison.
Franco

I proably would do the lw cuben, but I would want a design with a reasonable pitch to the materiel so the water rolls off. - especially for what I would want a lw cuben tent for.. Honestly, I can't see something like the notch design doing badly in light cuben, everything there has a good pitch to it.


In all honesty, I don't buy the "column of water" waterproofness stuff I see in the reviews of people - It would be like my saying sheet aluminum holds more water than sil, so I should make a sheet aluminum tarptent I 've stayed very dry under treated cotton and canvas, and it won't hold water worth a hill of beans. it just needs to be waterproof enough to allow it to roll off

Eventually I'll decide I wanna be out enough money to try it
out with a hammock tarp..

I agree Franco... the Notch will be a tent I will own in the near future. Cuben needlessly raises the cost and isn't "that" much lighter.

Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Phat does make a good point about tent design but you still double the cost of the shelter to lose 6-8oz.
Some will prefer the slightly see through aspect as well as the non sag bit.
Still with the Notch it is very easy to tension it from the inside by lifting the poles up a bit.
Franco

I suppose that is the hard part - while it might be a notch that would weigh a third less, that's probably falls a bit on the side of having money and determined to be lighter. and while lots of people will pay $250 for a tent, not many will go over $400..

I certainly see your point as to why tarptent isn't in a rush to make them till the price can drop more.. much as the thought of a 16 oz notch is actually really appealing

Donno Duane, I don't think I can pull it off with my tax return. I need to get really creative over the next few months. Maybe then...

"I need to get creative..."

You may be interested in what an attorney friend once told me: "I consider my tax return to be my first offer to settle."

I just cannot bring my self to use LOL