Dipole 2 DW
Max comfort minimal weight. The ultralight Dipole 2 DW offers space for even the tallest users or just those who want a bit more elbow room.
www.tarptent.com
Tarptent Dipole 1 DW
- Thread starter el manana
- Start date
www.tarptent.com
Henry, thanks for the update. Way my holidays line up, I'm looking for a new 2p sooner.
I've put a double rainbow in the basket but I've put out a WTB just in case there's a recent version closer to home. Luckily the li is out of stock as I was tempted but its hard to justify for a casual like me.
Have you seen this impressive showing of a well pitched DR li in strong winds?
I've put a double rainbow in the basket but I've put out a WTB just in case there's a recent version closer to home. Luckily the li is out of stock as I was tempted but its hard to justify for a casual like me.
Have you seen this impressive showing of a well pitched DR li in strong winds?
Thanks for your order. It will be on its way today.
Jakey
Ultralighter
Had a good test for the Dipole on Saturday night, at around 800m elevation with some pretty testing conditions. My pitch was about 10 meters from the cliff edge and overnight the gusts started to blow drizzle over the lip of the edge, causing it to hit my tent sideways and low. Spray was entering under the flysheet and I ended up with a tent that was more damp on the inner than the inside of the flysheet.
I dropped the height of the poles a little and removed the peg on the door, which helped a lot. I also had my quilt cover with me, so I was nice and dry in the quilt.
Bizarre conditions, just goes to show that there is always something to learn…….
The pitch (before the weather changed and I made the tweaks).
On the plus side, the pitch was nice and flat
I dropped the height of the poles a little and removed the peg on the door, which helped a lot. I also had my quilt cover with me, so I was nice and dry in the quilt.
Bizarre conditions, just goes to show that there is always something to learn…….
The pitch (before the weather changed and I made the tweaks).
On the plus side, the pitch was nice and flat
Bison
Summit Camper
@Jakey Nice pitch! did you go for the mesh or solid inner out of interest?Had a good test for the Dipole on Saturday night, at around 800m elevation with some pretty testing conditions. My pitch was about 10 meters from the cliff edge and overnight the gusts started to blow drizzle over the lip of the edge, causing it to hit my tent sideways and low. Spray was entering under the flysheet and I ended up with a tent that was more damp on the inner than the inside of the flysheet.
I dropped the height of the poles a little and removed the peg on the door, which helped a lot. I also had my quilt cover with me, so I was nice and dry in the quilt.
Bizarre conditions, just goes to show that there is always something to learn…….
View attachment 56441
The pitch (before the weather changed and I made the tweaks).
On the plus side, the pitch was nice and flat
Bison
Summit Camper
I went for the same (though think i may grab a solid also for cold months).I went for the mesh, this being my summer tent
I had a similarish issue but with sand getting blown in when camping on a river gravel bar a few weeks back. It would be nice to see the mesh inners offered with a 6 to 8 inch strip of solid fabric along the top of the bathub as per the Double Rainbow DW. Seems like this offers the best of both worlds, with more protection from wind driven rain, sand, spindrift etc, but likely doesn't impede much at all on breeze, views etc. (ie. all the pros of mesh).
Jakey
Ultralighter
Agreed, that would definitely be my preference for an inner tent
Robert P
Thru Hiker
I've now had the 'opportunity' to try the Dipole 1 DW in some windier conditions; it is useful to gain some experience of setup in more difficult real-world conditions. The structure handles the wind very well, I certainly agree that it is as good as the StratoSpire.
I used the guylines on the top of the struts and trekking pole apexes - they do no more than help prevent the poles and struts being pushed in by the wind.
Guylines removed in the morning after wind had subsided:
In the wind it is a little more difficult to stake out a perfect rectangle, as the buffeting means it is more tricky to feel the centre tension point as shown in the pitching video.
The end struts can be held very tightly in position when the tent is pitched, so some care may need to be taken if their position needs to be adjusted (eg to inset the lower end of the pole appropriately). On rough heathery ground it can be difficult to move the base of the strut past woody stems or roots, in which case it is best to release some tension, move the strut and re-tension. I've not had any issues with the strut sinking into soft ground, but I wonder if there are situations where it might be useful to place a small cap over the strut end to prevent sinking into the ground and also make it easier to adjust the position.
Guylines removed in the morning after wind had subsided:
In the wind it is a little more difficult to stake out a perfect rectangle, as the buffeting means it is more tricky to feel the centre tension point as shown in the pitching video.
The end struts can be held very tightly in position when the tent is pitched, so some care may need to be taken if their position needs to be adjusted (eg to inset the lower end of the pole appropriately). On rough heathery ground it can be difficult to move the base of the strut past woody stems or roots, in which case it is best to release some tension, move the strut and re-tension. I've not had any issues with the strut sinking into soft ground, but I wonder if there are situations where it might be useful to place a small cap over the strut end to prevent sinking into the ground and also make it easier to adjust the position.
Bison
Summit Camper
@Robert P Would it be easier to pitch in heavy winds following the original pitching video, ie. installing end struts after rectangle is achieved? i imagine this could help keep the fly a little more flush to the ground. I haven't had to pitch mine in a rage/heavy winds yet, so no first hand experience. I did try pitch it on gravelly sand last week though and gave up after 20 mins (thankfully managed to find a firmer silty pitch which held the corner stake firm), i defo needed those extra guy loops to extend the corner guys to wrap around some big rocks.
Robert P
Thru Hiker
It probably doesn't make too much difference. In my case I always stake the windward end first, and if windy this is best done before inserting any struts to minimise any risk of the tent blowing away! I don't always add the strut at the windward end before staking the other corners. However, I do add the strut to the non-windward end before staking, as I think it makes it easier when finding the centre position through pulling the tension lines and then staking out those corners as accurately as possible.
Very helpful info! I'm going to be in some windy territory during the next month. It was surprising that the apex and strut lines didn't add more stability, particularly on the windward side. What type and size lines did you use for the struts? Any replacement or extension to the apex lines? I have some 2mm Dyneema I was going to cut 3-5' sections for guy loops as @Bison did. Maybe I can get away with lighter cord. I do have to work around a lot of buried rock and roots so will be also be bringing extra stakes. Ti nails have been good - less surface area =easier to thread through roots.
There's a small loop at the bottom strut pocket that I'm assuming the strut has to go through. Sometimes I miss it. It's an effort to insert the strut into the remaining pocket at times as it's so small. I have had it pop out of the bottom pocket a few times, but I might have missed inserting through the loop.
WilliamC
Thru Hiker
In my experience with the Dipole 2 Li, the guylines on the struts may not add much to the stability, but they do relieve the considerable stress that is otherwise put on the corner pegs.
Tension in the fly holds the apex poles firm after they've moved inwards an inch or two, so they're not going to collapse without the guylines, but the inward movement does introduce slack in the fly, so it's probably best to use them in windy weather.
Robert P
Thru Hiker
Yes, that is what I was saying really. In the absence of wind the guylines do little, but I would always use them in wind as they will prevent movement of the strut and pole apexes and keep the canopy tight
Robert P
Thru Hiker
For the apex lines, they come as stock to stake apex and door together. Personally I just untied the middle loop in the cord and with the extra length it works well for staking apexes alone (doors staked separately).
Any low stretch cord would do for the strut guy lines (strength would never be an issue). I just used some 1.5mm dyneema core polyester to attach to the adjustable grosgrain on the apexes.
They do help stability by preventing inward deflection of struts and poles in the wind.
In the absence of wind they don't really do anything, but I stake anyway as I carry the stakes and wind is often unpredictable.
Johnny3000
Ultralighter
Robert P
Thru Hiker
It was released in the last week:
www.tarptent.com
Dipole 2 DW
Max comfort minimal weight. The ultralight Dipole 2 DW offers space for even the tallest users or just those who want a bit more elbow room.
www.tarptent.com
Johnny3000
Ultralighter
Another new video on the Dipole 2 DW:
Bison
Summit Camper
Some interesting tweaks here on the 1p version. I like the internal entry to the end vents (i appreciate this will be because you cant reach them from the round inner like the 1p, though i find this a little tricky on the 1p) and change in placement of the inner pockets. These are two minor grumbles i have about the 1p design.
Also interesting to notice the slight change in setup technique, with tightening the strut guys between stake 1 and 2 before centering the fly and setting stake 3 and 4.. might have to give this a go.
I've also noticed tarptent have shifted to a 15d poly fabric for their solid inners now, i wonder if this will be rolled out across their whole line? and if this offers enhanced sag resistance and a slight durability improvement over the 10d riptstop nylon?
Also interesting to notice the slight change in setup technique, with tightening the strut guys between stake 1 and 2 before centering the fly and setting stake 3 and 4.. might have to give this a go.
I've also noticed tarptent have shifted to a 15d poly fabric for their solid inners now, i wonder if this will be rolled out across their whole line? and if this offers enhanced sag resistance and a slight durability improvement over the 10d riptstop nylon?
Robert P
Thru Hiker
The two most recent tents/updates (Dipole 2W and Moment Li) have the 15D polyester solid inner, so I'd guess it is likely to be rolled out when tents are updated / future production runs. The solid inners are still the same or lighter weight than the mesh, though perhaps marginally less weight saving than with the 10D nylon.
I like the mid height pockets - very convenient positioning.
Jakey
Ultralighter
This is what I paid a few months ago