Tarptent Stratospire

Sue

Sue

Ultralighter
DuneElliot said:
Dang, TT pulled my "first impressions" review and posted it on their FB page for all to see (and no I didn't send any of it to them so a little surprised at it's appearance). A little surprised as it wasn't all "this tent is 100% perfect" but definitely appreciated in many ways as it is nice to know they are wanting to get real reviews out there, and also good for my unknown blog too. Either way, a feel good moment for me tonight.
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A good review - well done.
I agree that it's interesting that they shared it although you highlighted some issues. I have to say that I'm not impressed that they do the extra QC checks only on tents being sent abroad. It doesn't say much about their overall approach to quality.
 
Dave V

Dave V

Moderator
Staff member
DuneElliot said:
Dang, TT pulled my "first impressions" review and posted it on their FB page for all to see (and no I didn't send any of it to them so a little surprised at it's appearance). A little surprised as it wasn't all "this tent is 100% perfect" but definitely appreciated in many ways as it is nice to know they are wanting to get real reviews out there, and also good for my unknown blog too. Either way, a feel good moment for me tonight.
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It's good when a cottage or mainstream manufacturer does this. Real people, using the gear in a real situation not someone potentially being paid to write something :)
 
H

hshires

Summit Camper
Sue said:
A good review - well done.
I agree that it's interesting that they shared it although you highlighted some issues. I have to say that I'm not impressed that they do the extra QC checks only on tents being sent abroad. It doesn't say much about their overall approach to quality.
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I debated about whether or not to respond to this but here goes: We try very hard to inspect everything with multiple pairs of eyes. It is NOT true that we don't inspect tents being sent domestically and it is true that we do an additional pass on tents going abroad simply because the sheer complexity and cost of responding to a problem from "across the pond" is so much greater. Over the years we have received an innumerable number of requests from people outside the US specifically asking us to "please double inspect my tent before shipping" and we have tried to comply.
 
Sue

Sue

Ultralighter
@hshires
Thanks for your response.

I apologise for quickly posting a simple comment about what is a complex issue. I certainly did not mean to imply that you do not inspect tents sold domestically.

As background, I worked in Quality Assurance for some years although it was in a very different industry. I fear that the mention of QC checks as a way of ensuring good quality products subconsciously hit some buttons that I thought had long since disappeared. I made the mistake of writing a post in the same way I might make a comment in the pub, without carefully consideration. I am learning that this is a mistake that many can make on open forums.

In my job, it was a constant challenge to help some of our production colleagues understand the benefit of QA vs QC. That is not to say that no QC checks should be done, but that prevention is always better than correction and even 100% checks do not find all faults. For that reason, “extra” QC checks - and especially just for a specific market - hit a nerve. I suspect/hope that your Quality folks agree.

I have read many good things about your tents and hope to see one in my travels on the hills.
 
Dave V

Dave V

Moderator
Staff member
Flappy Panels

I've used the Strat on four occasions now and three of them have been breezy. This week I was pitched behind a tor but still a little exposed and had to use earplugs as I am not used to panels flapping around. In the morning, I noticed that only two panels that were actually flapping/slapping about were the doors with the seam running vertically.

I plan on adding a tieout on this panel and add some bungee, has anyone else done similar?

EDIT: I should add, apart from retentioning before bedding down, there was zero sag in the shelter and it remained taut all night.
 
wtrfall

wtrfall

Backpacker
Slight bump of thread here but what stakes are people using on their Strats?

I've recently received a Strat Li (Thanks DuneElliot) and I only have 8 leftover titanium shepherds hooks in my possession, so will need to pick up some more stakes.

Which would you say are the critical areas to focus on when choosing beefier stakes, the pitchloc ends, or the vestibules?

I was considering grabbing some MSR Groundhog Mini's or Carbon Cores to use in areas where it really needs staking in, and then the ti hooks for the rest.

Cheers
 
Clare

Clare

Thru Hiker
Eastons or groundhogs on pitchloc ends and vestibules. Eastons in soft ground, groundhogs in hard ground (full size not minis). I use ti nails on peak guy lines but only so as to have a different sort of peg in the bag should it turn out to be useful. I wouldn’t bother with shepherds hooks except for perimeter tie outs.
 
DuneElliot

DuneElliot

Section Hiker
I used MSR GH Minis on the doors and corners without pitchlocs, MSR GH regulars on apex guylines and pitchloc corners. However, on my WHW hike I use the regulars on all points as the ground was a lot softer and needed the longer, beefier stakes.
 
dovidola

dovidola

Thru Hiker
Another vote for the full-sized stakes (of whatever profile you prefer; in my case the Groundhog type) at any point which bears a significant loading.

The Hexpeak isn't that different from the Strat in terms of the fully staked-out six-sided pegging structure (although it lacks the pitchlock corners and 'dual' features), so I'll take 6 of the full pegs for those corners, another 2 full pegs for guy lines, and 4 others for other pegging points. These last 4 can be lighter/smaller options, but I use them as a way of extending my options to include (for example) Ti spikes, fat V-pegs, or whatever might work better in unexpected ground conditions.

Yes, this means I'm usually carrying 12 full-weight (c15g) stakes, which some may think a bit OTT, but when the wind gets up, any tent that's not freestanding is only going to be as good as what you're using to bolt it to the ground.
 
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ElteeOberonus

ElteeOberonus

Backpacker
I use gold Eastons and carry a couple of extra RaqPak stakes (basically Groundhog/Alpkit YBeam copies but lighter and longer than the YBeams) for use on the Pitchlock ends on poor ground or in windy conditions.
 
wtrfall

wtrfall

Backpacker
Can anyone recommend somewhere to purchase some apex guyline cord for my strat li? 2mm I believe
 
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wtrfall

wtrfall

Backpacker
Clare said:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/301829298207

The consensus here seems to be that 3mm is best for ensuring no slippage in a Lineloc 3, which is what they have on the apex’s. I like reflective line on the apex lines so I bought the stuff in the above link.

edit. I hadn’t seen other thread.
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Thanks Clare, I'll order some of that I think :)

Edit: went for this one - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/323620410815

Matchy yellow colour and reflective, for £3!
 
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wtrfall

wtrfall

Backpacker
The yellow spectra cord that comes with the strat ;-)

I’d get a bit weird about having 3 different cord colours on one tent!
 
Clare

Clare

Thru Hiker
Mine’s all one colour because I changed the other tie outs. On @Mole s good advice I made them all longer including the distance between the knot and end of cord so that there is more than 1.5cm or whatever it was to grab hold of when you want to pull to tighten.
 
edh

edh

Thru Hiker
As close to a review as I'll get for something I've only used for 5 weeks....I've had the Notch 6 years...

I've used the Strat Li for a fair few nights now - mainly at elevation and often on rough ground.
  1. It's a clever design - the adjustable elements help to smooth the inherent 'rigidity' of DCF compared to Sil.
  2. A biblical thunderstorm one night showcased the waterproof bathtub - water levels 4-8cm flowing beneath and to the side of the tent.
Yep.
Impressed.
We really like it.

What is not good;
  1. One of the corner floor adjusters was sewn on the wrong way round and made for head scratching until we realised we had to re-thread the buckle to compensate
  2. The inner we have appears to be cut on a bias (it's wonky}...even on the local bowling club green (flat...but for some reason full of irate locals :happy:) it won't sit 'just' right.
  3. Pinhole in the floor upon receipt. Tape fixes this....but, on a $700 tent - this should not happen.

I've a Notch Li on the way (so evidently keen)....hoping not to have any issues with that; destined for 6 weeks of hiking soon.

And Franco - if you come on to bask......read back and address the comments on the Delrin rings rather than passing the buck eh?
 
F

Franco Darioli

Ultralighter
If by : And Franco - if you come on to bask......read back and address the comments on the Delrin rings rather than passing the buck eh?
you are referring to this :

since TT ships out many thousands of those rings every year (plus all of those used by other manufacturers) TT should be aware of the problem and more to the point so should Dupont, the manufacturer.
http://www.dupont.com.au/products-a...hermoplastics/brands/delrin-acetal-resin.html

what did you expect me to do ?
I am not the buyer of those bits nor have any access to quality control, after all this happens in Nevada City California, I am in Melbourne.
Anyway I was pointing out that Dupont makes those bits and obviously TT is just one of the many customers , they are not custom made for TT. So if indeed there was a problem I think it should have come to be known by Dupont.
As I mentioned yes I did pass that on not in the sense of passing the buck but in the sense of making someone that could have done something about it aware of it. ( that would have been either Henry or the guy in charge of procuring materials at the time) .
BTW, I am still listed on the TT site but it is now just a hobby for me, not a paying hobby.
 
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maddogs

maddogs

Ultralighter
Can anyone advise on repair of my cuben (DCF) ground sheet on the SS Li please?

Just getting round to sorting it out after 150 nights out on the PCT last year. All 4 corners have shredded like this. Rather awkward to just tape over.

I'm tempted to make a fold and stitch through, like a hem.

Are there any glues suitable for use on cuben? That would provide a nice reinforcement and help seal stitch holes too.

20201024_180140533588872356725962.jpg


(Wasn't sure whether to post here or in the MYOG forum, mods feel free to move)
 
EM - paul

EM - paul

Thru Hiker
maddogs said:
Can anyone advise on repair of my cuben (DCF) ground sheet on the SS Li please?

Just getting round to sorting it out after 150 nights out on the PCT last year. All 4 corners have shredded like this. Rather awkward to just tape over.

I'm tempted to make a fold and stitch through, like a hem.

Are there any glues suitable for use on cuben? That would provide a nice reinforcement and help seal stitch holes too.

20201024_180140533588872356725962.jpg


(Wasn't sure whether to post here or in the MYOG forum, mods feel free to move)
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loctite hysol u09-fl can be used to bond dcf. Id be looking for a way to trim it back to solid fabric though.
 
maddogs

maddogs

Ultralighter
paul said:
loctite hysol u09-fl can be used to bond dcf. Id be looking for a way to trim it back to solid fabric though.
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V. Helpful, thank you!

Yes, rather than trim, I thought I might just fold it over on itself to cover the frayed bit, and both glue and sew the new seam. Might be stronger than just replicating the 2 layer seam cut back to unfrayed material. Maybe.

And add tension adjustment to the fixed length pitch lock corners to try to ease the stress.
 
EM - paul

EM - paul

Thru Hiker
maddogs said:
V. Helpful, thank you!

Yes, rather than trim, I thought I might just fold it over on itself to cover the frayed bit, and both glue and sew the new seam. Might be stronger than just replicating the 2 layer seam cut back to unfrayed material. Maybe.

And add tension adjustment to the fixed length pitch lock corners to try to ease the stress.
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If you need some cuben scraps for the job then just shout as ive always got plenty you can have for postage cost.
 
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