Anyone have a chance to check one out yet?

Any thoughts on the design?

I think it looks great. I'm hoping that the 2 person Haven tent is just like this but wider. The trekking pole layout looks perfect for giving great headroom yet not blocking the doors.

The Vamp tarp weighs 16oz, the Vamp net tent is 11oz and then you need 5 stakes (~1.5oz) for a double wall weight of 28.5oz. That's pretty impressive when you consider that the TT Moment also weighs 28.5oz, yet that's a single wall shelter (which doesn't use trekking poles).

I wouldn't be surprised if SMD eventually is able to bring the cuben version of the Haven to the market for under 2 lbs. Considering that the cuben Refuge X weighed 16oz and that included a silnylon floor, I'm guessing the cuben version of the Haven tarp will weigh 12-13oz. The Haven net tent will probably weigh weigh 50% more than the Vamp, so about 16-17oz. That's a total of 28-30oz plus stakes. The initial silnylon Haven tarp will probably weigh more like 20oz for a total initial weight of tarp, net tent and stakes of ~38 oz.

I designed, on paper, something similar a couple of years ago with the poles at high end and clear of entry but I never have time to make my own gear so it counts for nothing. I just said that to show why I like the Vamp's looks. There are a few points that Ron could consider the first of which I pointed out somewhere when Refuge was a prototype:

- The bathtub rim is too short, though better than Refuge. Ron simply does not appreciate climes where continuous rain and surface water like we have in the UK is a big problem.

- The outer shell should be long enough to pitch close to the ground and away from the bugnet so air still circulates. The reason is similar as in areas of serious rain and specially with tarptents rain splash can be a serious problem.

- The zipper should go almost all the way to the foot-end of the tent. It will add so much to the functionality, ease of use and sheer enjoyment of the product if he did so. As opposed to the current small entrance. Currently it is ruining a great design.

- I hope he puts in loops at the top where the poles are incluing the footend struts too, so it can be hung from trees or a line for a poleless pitch.

I think with a little modding the Vamp can be pitched with one long pole in non-violent weather. I wish Ron would not get obsessed by saving a few ounces for UL fanatics and just do what would be timeless and classic when he thinks about designs, or simply dream of what he would want. The Vamp design proves to me yet again what I have been thinking for the last few years that Ron is probably the best tent designer at work today and the true successor to good old Ray. Long may he run.

P.S. I bought this today:

http://www.mountainwarehouse.com/Tents/1_2_Person_Tents/sc1408/p16690_specification.aspx