single dome swag or 'speedy tent'?

Submitted: Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 19:27

ThreadID: 39626 Views:12822 Replies:8 FollowUps:6

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gerri

I have a nice 2 person tent, but often when overnighting can’t bare the thought of erecting it so end up spending money on soul destroying accommodation.
I was going to purchase a Wild River single dome swag for $179 ( normally $229). It has a single dome which would mean that the canvas would rest on me whilst I was sleeping. I would be interested to hear what others think of single dome tents and the Wild River one from Aussie Disposals in particular.
Today I was browsing a ‘Camping World’ advertising booklet and saw a ‘Speedy Tent’ advertised for $129. ‘just take it out of the bag and throw it into the air.’ Looks like just what I need. I tend to be a good weather camper so would normally be using these fro keeping dew rather than rain off me.

Does anyone have any opinions on these 2 easy-to-erect options?

Thanks

Gerri

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Reply By: Mike Harding - Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 19:36

Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 19:36

To be honest gerri... if the prospect of erecting a tent is too much for you then all the other faffing about to get a decent camp set up (and taken down) will bore the pants off you (if you're female; let me know where you're camping :) And unless you're an SAS type then a bit of comfort in the bush makes all the difference, maybe you should stay with the accommodation and do day trips?

Mike Harding

AnswerID: 205950

Reply By: Member - Reiner G (QLD) 4124 - Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 19:43

Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 19:43

I hate tents but I love my swag......you get a much better sleep.
Find a camping hire place and hire a good swag for a weekend. A glass of wine or a beer before bed makes all the difference. just be careful you might hate your bed after a night in a good swag. Make sure it has a good quality self inflating mattress fitted.
Don't get a swag with all the bars and bull........as simple as possible.
Let us know how you went.

Cheers
Reiner

AnswerID: 205951

Reply By: Chris & Debbie - Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 19:49

Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 19:49

My son and I have the cheap single swags from camping world $179 or there abouts on special, these are great fully enclosed with zip up everything, they are imported but the quality of the canvas and stitching is very good and has been tried out in some big storms so they dont leak, the only problem we have had is with the hoop supports they are a bit cheap and break so have had to buy some better quality.
Chris

AnswerID: 205954

Reply By: SA_Patrol - Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 19:52

Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 19:52

I've just brought a speedie tent last week, I think they're great. More room than a swag, lighter, and takes up no more room than a shower tent. It might take 2 secs to open one up and maybe 20 secs to pack it up again.

I say go for the speedie tent.

AnswerID: 205956

Follow Up By: gerri - Tuesday, Nov 21, 2006 at 19:38

Tuesday, Nov 21, 2006 at 19:38

Yes I like the charcateristics of the popup tent too. There is a dealer on ebay selling pop up tents for $79. Not the Speedy brand though. Just wondering if the Speedy is worth the extra $50.

Gerri

FollowupID: 466120

Follow Up By: SA_Patrol - Wednesday, Nov 22, 2006 at 08:10

Wednesday, Nov 22, 2006 at 08:10

gerri

I haven't seen the ebay pop up tents, The speedie tents are made by Oztent. I would pay the extra $50 , but then again I haven't seen the other one.

It would be nice to have both side by side for comparison

FollowupID: 466210

Follow Up By: gerri - Thursday, Nov 23, 2006 at 12:16

Thursday, Nov 23, 2006 at 12:16

Hi SA Patrol
I went to see the Speedy tent yesterday. The dealer couldn't work out how to get it back to a size to fit in the bag. Being technically challenged myself it put me off a bit so am still considering. Have you found it easy to fold up? i will be doing it alone and as I said i'm not that good with technical things. And the reason I am getting it is for ease of use!
Thanks for your help
Gerri

FollowupID: 466483

Reply By: MP - Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 20:14

Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 20:14

When I first got my swag many many years ago I hated the canvas on my face. One cold and windy night cured me for life. Point your toes into the wind and pull the canvas over. Best sleep you'll have in that sort of weather. Go the swag. Do you homework maybe pay a little extra look after it and it will last a lifetime.

Cheers

MP

AnswerID: 205963

Reply By: Member - Ivan (ACT) - Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 21:30

Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 21:30

I've got the Jolly Swag "Bedourie" - at the head end, it's more like a tent - I can lie flat on my back and I can only just touch the highest point of the roof. - it's still 'swag size', just got a fair bit of room at the head. I also rated it because it had flyscreen side and end, so you can get a breeze through on the hot ones...

I've slept in a swag which lay on top of me (and my face) - a bit untidy in decent rain as it comes through where it touches

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AnswerID: 205986

Reply By: c j - Tuesday, Nov 21, 2006 at 07:28

Tuesday, Nov 21, 2006 at 07:28

I picked up my Speedy style of ebay for $79. Have a search for pop up tent.

AnswerID: 206035

Follow Up By: gerri - Tuesday, Nov 21, 2006 at 19:35

Tuesday, Nov 21, 2006 at 19:35

Thanks cj and others.
I found the pop up tents on ebay for $79. just wondering how they compare with the Speedy brand for $129 from Camping World.
I think the pop up is the go for me. I like the idea of its compactness. i already have a good self inflating matress which I could use with the pop up.

Gerr

FollowupID: 466119

Follow Up By: gerri - Thursday, Nov 23, 2006 at 12:20

Thursday, Nov 23, 2006 at 12:20

Hi cj
Stiil trying to make up my mind re pop up tent purchase. Would you be able to tell me the approximate circumference of the tent you got from ebay when it is in the bag? And how do you find getting it back into its bag. The ones you mentioned are now selling at $96 on ebay.
Thanks for your help

Gerri

FollowupID: 466486

Follow Up By: c j - Saturday, Nov 25, 2006 at 08:45

Saturday, Nov 25, 2006 at 08:45

Gerri,

The circumference is about 800mm. Packing up is dead easy and I can do it in under a minute if not half that. I was lucky in that I saw someone demonstrate it once so I physically saw how to do it. I haven't been past Camping World yet to compare it but mine looks just like the one in the ads in 4WD Monthly magazine that are selling for an inflated price. That's the one that I saw demonstrated. As for price on ebay, well they keep coming up all the time and it just depends on the other bidders.

FollowupID: 466789