Aricxi/Knot Tarp Owners Club

Balagan

Thru Hiker
Merged the Aricx/Knot "Ray-Way" style shaped tarp and Aricxi Tarp Owners Club threads as suggested by a member.
fluffkitten 15/05/20




Time for the Aricxi / Knot Outdoor "Ray Way" style shaped tarp to have its own thread where the various info spread around the various threads can be collected. And yes, "Ray Way" style because it is as different from a Mountain Laurel Design Patrol Shelter as that is from the Ray Jardine shaped tarp.

This is available from various sellers on Aliexpress, such as this one and the price hovers between £25 and £35.

The tarp is very compact and light at 307 grams in the smaller of the two stuff sacks it ships with (it comes with heavy pegs but these were dumped):

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But that small package actually contains a tarp that is larger than expected (front pole set at 125 cm in this quick pitch for seam-sealing):

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The official dimensions indicated below are definitely on the cautious side, with a 125 cm pitch, I get 170 cm between the front corners and 250 cm between the front pole and rear apex tie-out.

Ultra Light Rain Fly Tent Tarp, Waterproof 20d.png

Same pitch slightly modified to bring the sides down: without changing the pole height, the front corners and their pegs were brought closer in and the beak shortened (there are three tie-out loops and you can attach the carabineer to the central one or to both outer ones to shorten).

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Only the two lower front and the rear apex tieouts have Linelock 3 copies with the others being simple webbing loops.
 
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Balagan

Thru Hiker
Modding time!

I decided to replace the LineLock 3 equivalents by actual LL3s and add them to all perimeter tie-out points and the central beak point. I also added a tie-out point on the front apex and some internal hanging points for a bivy or a door. Cord was replaced by some thinner one. All-in weight for seam-sealed tarp with additional plastic bits and guy lines is 317 grams in its stuff-sack.

Additional front apex tie-out point
IMG_20190908_170504.jpg

Inside view of the front apex: a length of light webbing with two D-rings for attaching bivy and/or Ray Way Batwing-style door. The webbing doubles up as reinforcement for the new tie-out point and beefs up the handle contact area.
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Proper LL3s all around
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Modified rear tie-outs
IMG_20190908_170239.jpg

Cord length adjustment is now done by the LL3 located after the pole rather than the one on the apex (which I've left temporarily but I'll switch to a fixed-length up to the pole)
IMG_20190908_170216.jpg

130 cm airy pitch
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120 cm stormy pitch
IMG_20190908_170147.jpg

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EM-Chiseller

Thru Hiker
I 'sort of' like that, but am reluctant to use a tarp that I have to crawl under and can't exit quickly or easily.
Since reluctantly parting company with 'The Monk' I am leaning back towards sucking up the extra 100g + of the deuchutes that at least gives me an open front side lay option aswell as 360° coverage /privacy when needed.

A future purchase may be the Yama gear flat tarp? Or will I succumb to 'The Cricket'?
I couldn't see me using an Aricxi / Knot rayway type tarp for anything more than an overnighter.

How do you cope with the confined space when it's silin' dahn?
 

Raul

Backpacker
I am an owner of this tarp too. Was the first one that needs seam sealing, and for me the experience was horrible. The result was not bad despite my lack of experience.

I was planning to do the exact same modification in the front pole to be able to lose the beak in order to enter/exit without losing tightness.

Im curious what 3F will offer about this tarp. The inner tent for example looks very promising.
 

Balagan

Thru Hiker
I 'sort of' like that, but am reluctant to use a tarp that I have to crawl under and can't exit quickly or easily.
Since reluctantly parting company with 'The Monk' I am leaning back towards sucking up the extra 100g + of the deuchutes that at least gives me an open front side lay option aswell as 360° coverage /privacy when needed.

A future purchase may be the Yama gear flat tarp? Or will I succumb to 'The Cricket'?
I couldn't see me using an Aricxi / Knot rayway type tarp for anything more than an overnighter.

How do you cope with the confined space when it's silin' dahn?
One man's poison, bla bla bla... ;)

Short answer is "it's quite a bit larger than you'd think". The available space between the apexes is the same as the total outside width of the Deschute. Going in an out is less hassle than with a Trailstar IMHO.

This wouldn't be my first choice for a long trip in constant rain either (but then again I'm spoilt for choice) but if it's ****ing down, I'd push my stuff to the rear, sit down, dig out the brew kit, have a cuppa, have my tea and then go to bed.

Here is a photo from user Diesel on the Randonner Leger French UL forum. That's hardly cramped...

IMG_20190909_095730.jpg
 

Shewie

Chief Slackpacker
Staff member
I've looked at this style of shelter a few times, I think it would tick a lot of boxes for my bivvy camping but I never got round to trying one.

I'd probably go with two poles at the front in an A and carry another support for the rear.
 
I've looked at this style of shelter a few times, I think it would tick a lot of boxes for my bivvy camping but I never got round to trying one.

I'd probably go with two poles at the front in an A and carry another support for the rear.
Wondering about one but leaning to the side. How far could you shift it off centre do you reckon? 20cms 30? Two in an A would put you under the beak wouldn't it? Although looking again should be right.
 

fluffkitten

Moderator
Staff member
The tarp itself looks quite interesting, the inners for it are really tight little bivys and I'm not sure if they've upgraded the mesh on the "summer" version to full midge proof or not. I have one of the early ones and it is only mozzie proof.
 

craige

Thru Hiker
Looks pretty good. I'd definitely want to use it with 2 poles in an A at the front though. Trying to get into an MLD grace duo was a total pita and the reason I sold it.
 

Balagan

Thru Hiker
I'll give the inverted V poles a go when I can but I'm wary of trying to turn this tarp into something it isn't. It's advantage is low weight and incredibly small packed volume, adding a rear pole and a DPTE thingie sort of defeats the purpose. At some point, you're better off carrying a mid.
 

Arne L.

Thru Hiker
Might be a good option for UL overnighters in the woods of Southern Belgium. Dipping my toe into tarps without a big financial investment.

I don’t carry poles but I suppose I can easily find a stick or buy a carbon pole?

I love my tent though; especially for extended trips & exposed camping. I wouldn’t feel comfortable in a tarp, I respect people who do.

So this could be an interesting experiment.
 
Modding time!

I decided to replace the LineLock 3 equivalents by actual LL3s and add them to all perimeter tie-out points and the central beak point. I also added a tie-out point on the front apex and some internal hanging points for a bivy or a door. Cord was replaced by some thinner one. All-in weight for seam-sealed tarp with additional plastic bits and guy lines is 317 grams in its stuff-sack.

Additional front apex tie-out point
View attachment 18967

Inside view of the front apex: a length of light webbing with two D-rings for attaching bivy and/or Ray Way Batwing-style door. The webbing doubles up as reinforcement for the new tie-out point and beefs up the handle contact area.
View attachment 18974

Proper LL3s all around
View attachment 18968

View attachment 18969

View attachment 18970

Modified rear tie-outs
View attachment 18971

Cord length adjustment is now done by the LL3 located after the pole rather than the one on the apex (which I've left temporarily but I'll switch to a fixed-length up to the pole)
View attachment 18972

130 cm airy pitch
View attachment 18965

View attachment 18966

120 cm stormy pitch
View attachment 18975

View attachment 18976

View attachment 18977

View attachment 18978

View attachment 18979
G'day @Balagan I can't quite tell -have you glued/sewed a piece of reinforcing fabric into the pole socket/pocket?
Also wondering if it felt sturdy before you put the extra peak guy out?
One more please? What do you reckon the internal foot end height under the wee apex would be?
Just wondering about the use without anything other than seam sealing.
Ta.
 

Balagan

Thru Hiker
G'day @Balagan I can't quite tell -have you glued/sewed a piece of reinforcing fabric into the pole socket/pocket?
Both pole "sockets" already have reinforcing fabric sewn in. All I did was add a tie-out on top of the front "socket" and the piece of light webbing I was adding to have internal attachment points doubled up as reinforcement for my tie-out.
Also wondering if it felt sturdy before you put the extra peak guy out?
Plenty sturdy enough. I've no reason to think the existing setup isn't sufficient.
One more please? What do you reckon the internal foot end height under the wee apex would be?
It is 50 to 55 cm roughly, maybe a little more depending on your pitch. It would work just as well with an internal pole but you would reduce the useful length a bit.
Just wondering about the use without anything other than seam sealing.
Ta.
It's perfectly fine "out of the box" but I just like to tinker with things. ;)
 
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Both pole "sockets" already have reinforcing fabric sewn in. All I did was add a tie-out on top of the front "socket" and the piece of light webbing I was adding to have internal attachment points doubled up as reinforcement for my tie-out.

Plenty sturdy enough. I've no reason to think the existing setup isn't sufficient.

It is 50 to 55 cm roughly, maybe a little more depending on your pitch. It would work just as well with an internal pole but you would reduce the useful length a bit.

It's good to go out of the box, I just like to tinker with things. ;)
Thanks very much.
 

Jamess

Section Hiker
Nice...

Very nice...

But I don't need another shelter...

I can resist everything except temptation...
 

TinTin

Thru Hiker
I'm very tempted by one of these but I think I'm going to save up for a MLD Trailstar (not making any comparison with this patrol shelter). I have a few Ali shelters and I just have a nagging doubt about their bomb-proof-ness in conditions that you really want them to be. I guess that is the benefit of a branded shelter that has been tried and tested in real conditions, you know what you are getting. It may well be that they are just as good but arrgh!!! I'm going to have to keep my pennies in my pocket.
 

Paiolo

Backpacker
At the beginning of december 2019 a new version of this tarp has been released:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32965526071.html

These are the differences between the older version:
- Seam-sealed (yeah! :-D )
- Better (and lighter) pegs
- Better (and lighter) rods
- Nylon 15D instead of 20D
- Price lowered from 30€ to 27€ (yes, before it was too expensive...
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)

H9fe2ed62fd23466ebe56052275a97749S.jpg


H764a8e17fa644a10af55b822ca91f7d5g.jpg

I ordered it and received this week: it weights 394 grams all-included (less than the 408 grams declared!), divided as follows:
- tarp 307 grams (seam-sealed, I can confirm)
- bag 6 grams
- 4 cords 24 grams (4 * 6 grams) - (I will probably use only two)
- 6 aluminum pegs with "Y" section 54 grams (6 * 9 grams) (thinking about adding other two pegs for the two central extra tie-out)
- pegs bag 3 gram

...I hope to test it soon on the field!
 

HillBelly

Section Hiker
Latest quick pitch. Abandoned the bug nest first off to get the hand of a decent pitch - after first establishing the optimum height of pole required for a taught mesh.

DSCF9001.JPG
Simple to pop up. I went from the back first. I may put a length of grosgrain across the front so I've no need to guess at the required width. I have it set at 170cm wide at the front which gives me a pole height of 125-130cm.

Not easy to leave a tent/tarp up round for long round here before it becomes a visitor attraction!.

I reverted to my favoured pole and went bottom up, finally securing the biggest with an old metal key fob ring. The rubber foot added to create a good fit with the apex.

DSCF9008.JPG

I opted for @Rog Tallbloke suggestion of a short pole on the inside rather than the external pole approach, and it worked out fine. The short piece was a defunct old pole I salvaged whilst clearing the workshop, as was the little plastic end cap which I have no idea where it came from, but was persuaded onto the end to make a useful guy guide. My next task is to modify a clipping in point at the rear of the bug nest to optimise the fit with the tarp.

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So far so good. A bit of a faff at the moment getting the nest right, but that should come good. I'd imagine if I went bathtub approach it would be the easiest set up, and would come in around 500g.

Apologies for the poor state of the grass. It took a battering this winter and is under the Caledonian pine so is being robbed of water!
 
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Rog Tallbloke

Thru Hiker
@HillBelly
Not sure what you mean by "guy guide" but you may get some rapid wear if you're pressing the fly material into the pole top with the guyline. A good wind might shake it loose too. That's why I stitched a small plastic 'bucket' onto the underside of the grosgrain inner attachment loop where it's box stitched through to the top rear guy pullout. It gives positive location to the pole top and protects the cloth. You could use a much lighter section of cf fishing rod or golf club shaft for the rear pole, it doesn't get much stress.

Otherwise, looking neat!
 
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EM-Chiseller

Thru Hiker
Storm mode then... Mines a mre airy pitch.
Why have a pole inside and Rob some of the usable space?
I've opted for the deodorant cap with some mitten hooks for the inside of the beak.
I still can't get my head around why they've gone for three guys on the beak... Mine seems fine with just the centre guy, but the beak sides will probably vibrate in a good wind.

Been meaning to seam seal the ridge all day and still not done it... Ah well, nowt special to do tomorrow.
 

Rog Tallbloke

Thru Hiker
@Chiseller
In storm pitch, the beak angle gets shallower, so you'd need a much longer front guyline if you didn't clip the three loops together.

I use both my trekking poles in A frame for the front, so an inside pole for the back is shorter, less prone to wagging int'wind, and provides a barrier to the foot of my quilt straying in to the condensation zone. Also provides a reference point in the dark for my toes, so I know without looking the foot end of my pad is in the middle and I'm not wicking condensation off either of the sides. But HYOH etc.
 

Shewie

Chief Slackpacker
Staff member
Latest quick pitch. Abandoned the bug nest first off to get the hand of a decent pitch - after first establishing the optimum height of pole required for a taught mesh.

View attachment 23190
Simple to pop up. I went from the back first. I may put a length of grosgrain across the front so I've no need to guess at the required width. I have it set at 170cm wide at the front which gives me a pole height of 125-130cm.

Not easy to leave a tent/tarp up round for long round here before it becomes a visitor attraction!.

I reverted to my favoured pole and went bottom up, finally securing the biggest with an old metal key fob ring. The rubber foot added to create a good fit with the apex.

View attachment 23191

I opted for @Rog Tallbloke suggestion of a short pole on the inside rather than the external pole approach, and it worked out fine. The short piece was a defunct old pole I salvaged whilst clearing the workshop, as was the little plastic end cap which I have no idea where it came from, but was persuaded onto the end to make a useful guy guide. My next task is to modify a clipping in point at the rear of the bug nest to optimise the fit with the tarp.

View attachment 23194
View attachment 23193

So far so good. A bit of a faff at the moment getting the nest right, but that should come good. I'd imagine if I went bathtub approach it would be the easiest set up, and would come in around 500g.

Apologies for the poor state of the grass. It took a battering this winter and is under the Caladonian pine so is being robbed of water!

Looks a good pitch and probably the height and front width I'll be going for with mine, I can see it being a great shoulder season shelter along with my MLD bivvy
 

HillBelly

Section Hiker
@HillBelly
Not sure what you mean by "guy guide" but you may get some rapid wear if you're pressing the fly material into the pole top with the guyline. A good wind might shake it loose too. That's why I stitched a small plastic 'bucket' onto the underside of the grosgrain inner attachment loop where it's box stitched through to the top rear guy pullout. It gives positive location to the pole top and protects the cloth. You could use a much lighter section of cf fishing rod or golf club shaft for the rear pole, it doesn't get much stress.

Otherwise, looking neat!
The top plastic guide bit got popped on at the time I took the old pole apart to find a use for it. I had it in mind it would run a guy through, but under the canopy it doesn't get used... the pole is a perfect fit and props the end up nicely. I see what you mean by rubbing - the pole is a decent diameter but a deodorant bottle top or something will probably come into play next time. Now I just need to clip the nest end into the loop on the fly. @Chiseller the pole is at the end of the inner net anyway so I'm not losing space as such. If I was bath tubbing it I think I would have the pole outside.

[update]. The pole was on my desk.. as was a spare rubber foot. Made for a good fit, so that should do it.

I've got a bivvy bag so the addition of a bath tub should be a good next step. Got my eye on another lightweight bag cover, so shave some weight off. My current one is the Hunka.
 
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