Companion forum thread to:

Terra Nova Laser Ultra 1 Tent Review

But for $1,050 you could add a bunch of neat gear to your closet. I do appreciate the innovation, experimentation, and thought that went into this shelter and hope that it has a very positive affect on shelters in general. And Will, thanks for reviewing this. And even more so to comparing it to other shelters that are at least somewhat similar. Helps me as I think about a one-person ultralight shelter. Which will probably wait until next year anyway.

Just checking quickly - you can get the Laser Ultra for $589 - $635. Still in the territory where my wife would quite rightly go into shock if I bought one.

Nice review. It's good to see that the Laser has reasonable space for one. It's too bad they used such a light variant of cuben for the floor and that the price is so high.

The HMG Echo I really stands out as being a smarter pick. It's half the price and it uses far more durable cuben for the floor (1.5oz), so IMO a ground sheet is not needed. This puts the weight at virtually the same but your getting a far more versatile shelter for the same weight, half the money and the HMG is really well built. I think HMG is using a heavier grade of cuben for the fly (0.74oz) than Terra Nova (0.51oz) as well, and HMG's Echo is very well reinforced. The only thing the HMG is lacking is headroom but I don't really mind this because when I'm solo camping I spend little time in my shelter besides sleeping.

I'm glad to see the Terra Nova's efforts at innovation. Thanks for the review.

"Still in the territory where my wife would quite rightly go into shock if I bought one."

But Barry, just tell her you NEED that tent! She'll understand...

Edited by El_Canyon on 06/22/2011 10:31:56 MDT.

Thank you for the review. I noticed in your video tour that you used a woman's sleeping pad (66" long) and it appeared to take up most of the length. Is the quoted 85" length accurate? My boyfriend is tall and has noticed that not all companies use the same measuring tape...

Thanks,
Melissa

Appreciate the excellent, thorough review,

But....

$1000+ for a single man tent? Seriously, these manufacturers have gone a little nuts. I like ultralight as much as the next guy, but unless you're corporate-sponsored, that's going to be a bit out of the comfortable price range of most people.

I'm currently experimenting with designs to make myself a 1 man, single wall, (but with good ventilation) tent out of silnylon and cuben fiber combined. There's got to be a better trade-off between weight and price. At least....I'm hoping!!

Wow - the pricing is a little nutty. GG's The One weighs the same and seems like an incredible value in comparison.

On the other hand, there are cuben tarps out available that cost $400 beans so the pricing for this tent is probably right in line.

No mention of construction method?
The Ultra is sewn only. Folk may have opinions on sewn only with cuben.

"$1000+ for a single man tent?

$1000 is MSRP. It's $590 at MoonTrail.

Edited by greg23 on 06/22/2011 14:23:09 MDT.

I have been looking at a cuben fiber solo set up, but there are stronger, nearly as light with more space set ups available at a fraction of the cost.

Just does not seem worth it even at half the MSRP.

"I have been looking at a cuben fiber solo set up, but there are stronger, nearly as light with more space set ups available at a fraction of the cost."

Like the Cricket. Someone on here is selling one. Hmmmmm, who could that be.....

"Choosing the Terra Nova Laser Ultra 1 gives you the distinction of owning the lightest one-person single-wall tent in the world."

Six Moons Design's new Skyscape-X is 16 ozs (stakes not included) and costs $450. Begins shipping Jul 13.

http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/tents.html?page=shop.product_details&product_id=57

Bill

(Not in any way affiliated with SMD ... just sayin')

The Terra Nova uses “one 7.55 mm Scandium Alloy aluminum center hoop pole, and two end carbon fiber struts.” The Six Moons tent uses: “a dual (trekking or optional fixed length) pole support structure, slightly offset from the center of the tent.” For those of us who bring trekking poles anyway, this is clearly a weight saving in favor of the Six Moons tent, all else being ignored.

What is the benefit of the hoop over two poles (one higher than other) to give a tent of more or less same shape except for more polygon-ish shape:

the curved-ness just looks like it makes it flappy(noisy).

I think the polygon shape would use very slightly less material (would reduce height of bell end faster, but would seem insignificant, unequal pole heights would mean roof slopes, hence not collect water

I think I will stick with GG One. Always new it was a great little tent, this just confirms it.

The One is on my short list. Unfortunately it is not in stock and the site says they have no timeline for when it will be ...

I work for Sport Hansa LLC, the US importer and distributor for Terra Nova.

The UK retail price of 650 Pounds is for the UK market and included value added tax which, in Europe, is included in the stated retail price for all goods.

The suggested retail price stateside is $700.

Thank you, Matt

Hi Matt -
Is this tent made in the UK?
- Barry

Good Evening Barry. This tent is made in Vietnam. Terra Nova manufacturers their light weight pieces and Asia and their expedition line in Alfreton, Derbyshire in the United Kingdom.