Hi,

I'm contemplating purchasing a Terra Nova Laser tent (not the competition, not the photon), i.e. the 2 person 2 door model.

I am unable to see the tent prior to purchase (never seen one in a shop in Australia) and will be buying O/S anyway.

In photos it appears as though there is an area of mesh on the inner tent that cannot be "closed" (whereas the opposing side appears to have a solid fabric covering).

Is that true?

Seems like it would be good to have the option to close the tent in very cold conditions (and I would be using it as a 1 person tent).

A separate but related question:

I am assuming the workmanship on Terra Nova tents is better than Tarptent which I have seen described as "workman-like" (stitching etc. - though it's difficult to tell whether that is the experience of just 1 or 2 disgruntled people and not indicative of Tarptent generally).


Cheers
Stuart

Someone must know?

I don't know the Laser, but I don't know if I'd want to close off the mesh. You could end up with a condensation issue, But an even better reason is that you need to breath. A lack of good air circulation could effect your quality of sleep.

I have heard few complaints about Tarptent's workmanship. The few that I have heard about were very minor and did not effect the performance.

My Tarptent was very well made. They are hand made so I could see how things can happen. Silnylon is hard to work with, so if a stitch is off here or there I could understand it.

A backpacking shelter is not jewelry.

Stuart
A few years ago I set up a Laser (one door version) and occasionally fiddled with it at the local retailer , however I cannot remember if that panel can be closed or not.
There is a review of it on this site but it isn't clear.
Maybe Ray Estrella will spot this thread .
As fro the Tarptent comments, I happen to be familiar with that particular situation and have the fly that triggered the "workman like" opinion.

(note I am using a 1 cent coin for proportion, same size as our 5 cent coin)

As you can see in my photo, there were two problems with that fly. One was a small cut (a triangle about 3 mm long and 2 wide) , there is a blob of seam sealer on that now, the other is the stitching just below that cut.
That "faulty" stitching also happens to be in the replacement fly that the customer has , however he decided to keep the fly in spite of Henry offering to take it back and refund the money.
Right now I have a Moment set up in my bedroom (I am fiddling with it) , this one has no over-stitching at all, however having seam sealed several TT's every so often there is one that has some double stitching or two.
Should that bother you ? I don't know, like Steve it does not bother me, and I mean it didn't as a customer.
Franco
BTW , if you are in Melbourne you are welcome to come and inspect the Tarptents, I have most of them.
The local importer retailer for the Laser is in the City , a lane off Little Bourke. I know the owner.

No, it is not made to be closed off.

I guess you might be able to make something to close it with some sil and velcro, but there is no facility to close the mesh built in as it comes from the manufacturer.

Struart,

The mesh on the upper portion of the main door does not have a way to close it off. I just realized I never showed it with that door closed. I am in MN right now and the tent is in CA. Here is a picrture from the inside showing that door and the mesh. Sorry I can't do better right now.

Stuart, I purchased the latest version of the Laser right when it came out and was rather disappointed in it. This is partially due to high expectations, but also due to function and weight. You can see my review under the reader review section. I ended up getting a BA Fly Creek UL2 instead, which has significantly more room than that of the Laser and comparable solid fabric coverage for wind resistance. It also ended up being a fair bit lighter with a relatively legitimate vestibule. I plan on eventually making a lightweight fabric cover for the door and top for winter use in the Fly Creek (especially if the breatheable Cuben fiber laminate becomes available.)

I agree with your take completely Aaron,

About the only part of the Laser that I find better than the FC2 is the ability to keep the inside dry while setting up in the rain.

Thanks everyone for your feedback -- very helpful.

Stuart