My Hilleberg Akto that I reviewed and described in the Gear & Tech section of the main site now has a new owner: James over at BackpackingBongos. I read about his recent TN LaserComp failure and spied the chance to recoup some of the Akto outlay: this was the tent that I sent away for modification to have mesh panels inserted to improve the woefully inadequate ventilation of the inner, a big improvement - there are pictures in the review.
The boxy shape and guying structure of the Akto is inherently more resistant to strong winds and I was keeping it in reserve for wild weather, but reflecting on the likely scenarios, if the forecast was so hair raising that I was seriously worried about the integrity of the LaserComp, I wouldn’t be out there anyway (not being committed to prearranged dates is a great advantage!). If things go true to form the Akto would gather dust in the closet forever: better for someone else to make good use of it.
I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the stability and resilience of the LaserComp in windy weather (so far), and once inside I love it in spite of one or two minor grievances that I can live with. The initial problem with the sensitivity of the pegging and subsequent inability to close the door is not in fact a deficiency of the tent design, it’s just a matter of practice: I can pitch the LaserComp consistently now so that the door is nice and taut but closes easily and perfectly every time. The complication of an extra cord to guarantee correct spacing - similar to the Akto cord - is not necessary.
The dreaded pole hood has been tamed in very simple fashion: I just keep 3 of the 4 cords permanently tied in the supplied loops, and I enlarged the 4th. loop so that one quick easy knot is all that’s required for a perfect fastening.
All in all we get along very well now!.
10 Comments
The Laser Comp is easy to pitch. I cant work out why folks struggle with it? Space and weight make it a fantastic tent. You wont miss the Akto - I did not miss mine.
Glad it has got a good home and hope it gets some good use - I was watching the comments between yourself and James. I find the Akto just the right size at the moment for my daughter and I (though as she gets bigger that will change). I must confess to having also got a Laser Comp just to fit myself in though it hasn’t had as much use at the moment as I would have liked!
Great move
I’ve had a Competition since 2006 but it was only on the Challenge I’ve just completed that I started removing the end poles when packing it up. I’d simply assumed it would be fiddly to fit them back, particularly in poor conditions, but in fact nothing could be easier, and it makes packing the tent away an absolute doddle. If you’re not already doing this then it’s certainly worth a try.
You have given it to a good home Geoff! Hopefully to be spotted in some daft spot on a mountain top soon…….
Martin,
Pitching is easy now with a well oiled routine. As long as nothing happens to shake my confidence I won’t want to use anything else.
Phil,
I found the Akto had space to spare for me, but would be appreciated by anyone tall. I hope you get out for some trips soon.
PW,
That’s a possibility to bear in mind, it might be useful to separate the inner on occasion.
James,
I’ll look forward to the first report. This type of tent with low ends will get some condensation in the inner in the worst conditions, but the mesh inserts did help considerably.
Hi Geoff,
good decision on the Laser Comp. I use the Laser Comp all the time now (unless its a tarp trip) and really dont see the need for a different tent these days. I also used to own a Soulo and an Akto and still think the Laser Comp is a better tent than either for a variety of reasons and not just the obvious uber lightweight!
Yes it’s a very good tent, I’ll be using it for every solo trip now throughout the year and there is nothing else that comes close at the moment.
I’m curious about the design of the forthcoming TN Solar Elite, a freestander at about the same weight:- now that sounds really interesting.
I’ll stick with the laser Comp for now but will ne interested to see what this new solar elite tent is all about
Dave,
Just a picture of the Solar Elite so far, on LightHiker’s World.
yowch! freestanding AND uberlight
I AM interested
wont be cheap though…….