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View Full Version : TT Notch Vs Skyscape Trekker for Someone Tall



Tron-Life
05-06-2014, 18:11
They both looks like great shelters and I'm leaning towards the trekker because of the weight and color, but how much room is there for someone who is 6' 3''? Technically the trekker seems longer but does that length and increased space equal more usable room?

Also, I'm concerned that the trekker might wet up you feet a bit more because of the steep slope of the wall by your foot. Has anyone had problems of this type who is over 6 feet tall? How about set up time? which one sets up quicker and easier? They look comparable but I would like to hear form someone who has used both.

Sorry for this somewhat redundant topic but I haven't found the answers I need from other threads.

shakey_snake
05-06-2014, 18:17
henry and ron both quickly communicate via email and pretty familiar with each other's products. You might ask them how you'd do in their own product.

Slo-go'en
05-06-2014, 18:27
The Skyscape actually has a pretty good foot box at the bottom. You can't really see it in the photos because the top overhangs the end. I'm 5' 11" and have plenty of room, I don't think an extra 4" will make all that much difference.

I replace the SMD Lunar solo with the Trekker as my feet or head would rub up against the Lunar solo walls, since their at such a steep pitch. Don't have that trouble with the Trekker. Plus it fits in a smaller space. The only problem is the two poles needed to keep it up is a little bit of a pain to set up, although it does get easier with practice, but this is true of all tents to some extent or another.

Tron-Life
05-06-2014, 18:31
"Awwww. Fat Mike, too?"

Frisky Dingo quote by any chance?

HeartFire
05-06-2014, 20:24
Have you looked at the LightHeart Gear SoLong 6? It was designed around someone 6'8" http://lightheartgear.com/index.php/tents/lightheart-solong6-tents/product/view/7/7

Tron-Life
05-06-2014, 22:39
Have you looked at the LightHeart Gear SoLong 6? It was designed around someone 6'8" http://lightheartgear.com/index.php/tents/lightheart-solong6-tents/product/view/7/7

Too big. I've narrowed it down to the two tents that I mentioned. I checked out the LH tents but I don't really like them.

shakey_snake
05-07-2014, 09:32
Tron-Life: Boosh.

Tron-Life
05-07-2014, 10:42
Tron-Life: Boosh.

Great show. Season 1 and the first half of season 2 had some of the best writing of any show ever!

Venchka
05-07-2014, 11:31
A GOOGLE search results:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=63438

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=50297

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=62213

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=69224

You may even find information here at WhiteBlaze..

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?74435-SMD-Skyscape-Trekker-big-guy-review-right-out-of-the-box!

http://hikelighter.com/2012/04/03/six-moon-designs-skyscape-x/

That should keep you busy for awhile. There is more if you are interested. GOOGLE knows where.

Wayne

Tron-Life
05-07-2014, 12:22
A GOOGLE search results:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=63438

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=50297

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=62213

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=69224

You may even find information here at WhiteBlaze..

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?74435-SMD-Skyscape-Trekker-big-guy-review-right-out-of-the-box!

http://hikelighter.com/2012/04/03/six-moon-designs-skyscape-x/

That should keep you busy for awhile. There is more if you are interested. GOOGLE knows where.

Wayne

Thanks. I've read most of those already but they don't really answer my question, though the whiteblaze review does in part because the reviewer is 6'1'' and says he is at the limit. I'm not sure if the notch is any bigger though; every one who reviews them seems to be short, especially the youtube reviewers. Any tall people used the notch?

Mobius
05-07-2014, 12:53
At 5'10" I have room in the Notch for extra clothes at the top (solid 6" +) and room at the bottom for socks and whatever I kick off at night. If you look at the diagram it shows an enclosed "floor" of 7 feet (assuming I did the math right. I can set it up and check at home if you want). Because of the way the netting slopes outward, not inward, all of that space is available. I suspect you'd fit just fine but not have a lot of extra space. The Notch did strike me as narrower than I thought it would be but it hasn't been an issue. Just pointing it out.

I do not have room for a pack inside (unless I place it under/in-lieu of a sleeping pad). I generally hang my pack on a trekking pole under the vestibule.

daddytwosticks
05-07-2014, 13:57
I use a Notch and agree with Mobius^^. I'm 6 foot even and use a regular sized WM Megalite on a full sized Prolite for reference. Great shelter. :)

StealthHikerBoy
05-07-2014, 15:13
I've owned a LightHeart (regular Solo), the TT Notch, and my hiking buddy has the Skyscape. So, I have seen all 3 in action.

The pros of the Notch are it has the best vestibule room of the 3, and the removable inner makes it pretty flexible. The negatives are the actual room in the tent is not as great as the other two, and for a big guy I think that will matter. I also found the Notch to be frustrating to pitch tightly. And, damn near impossible to get back into the stuff sack.

My pick of the three would be the LH. It pitches taught and has room for me and my pack. I like the Skyscape as well. So, my 2 cents would be to go with the Skyscape from the two you are looking at, but consider the LH Solo as well.

All 3 tents and companies are great, so I don't think you will go wrong.

Franco
05-07-2014, 18:53
Packing the Notch back into the sack can be very simple provided it is done this way.Spread the shelter stretched end to end on the ground so that the fabric is flat not bunched up.
Fold one end over the other
Fold the mid part into itself so that it is the width of the struts,
Now roll in from the middle to the struts, if you do it from struts to middle the fabric will balloon out.
You can see the same done with the Moment in this clip :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxg4miBqh-Q

start at 4:20


There are several set up clips on the net as well of course the one on the TT product page.
This is me setting it up in heavish rain :


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFrnmny7Ho0&list=UU0PuLUKvG7Fxxex5BMVK4vw

Gray Bear
05-08-2014, 05:56
I'm 6'1", 245lbs. I have a XTherm large pad (25x77) and a WM Alpinlite 6'6". This setup fills the Notch to capacity but be cause of the design the mesh inner never comes in contact with the fly so it's not an issue. In wet windy weather just make sure the fly is closed to the ground.

stranger
05-08-2014, 10:45
Remember that the entire floor of the Notch is useable because of the struts in the fly, so when it says 7 feet long (or however long it is), you don't lose 10 inches in sloping walls. From what I've seen the Notch is tough to beat because it's modular, so you can use the tarp alone, then the net in shelters if you're on the AT, also it has a drip free entry, while the newer SMD shelters have zipper and entry points that overhang your sleeping area, so if it's raining water will get in when you open the door.

My only gripe on the Notch is the poorly covered zippers on the fly, I've raised this before with Tarptent and while they acknowledged the zipper is exposed to rain due to the stormflap not being adequate, since they haven't had complaints they weren't going to change anything. They continued to say it wasn't in the sleeping area, only the vestibule, so again not all that important. I don't know, call me crazy but if you are going to put a storm flap over a zipper, maybe do it correctly? However this clearly is not a widespread issue or they would have changed it by now.

Tron-Life
05-12-2014, 18:37
I ended up getting the LH Solo since, as far as I can see, it has the most room and has more lines out for a tighter pitch. It was a hard choice but the thing that pushed me over the line was the ability for me to choose my own color pattern. I could have went either way but I didn't like how the Trekker walls collect condensation and the Notch seemed too tight inside and too loose outside. The lady from LHG seems very nice and has done alot to keep in contact with me which is really great. I'm looking forward to trying the new tent out sometime soon, possibly next weekend if it comes in time.

Paddlefoot
05-14-2014, 14:39
Too big. I've narrowed it down to the two tents that I mentioned. I checked out the LH tents but I don't really like them.

LH Solong = 31 ozs.
TT Notch = 27 ozs.

I looked all over for a tent long enough for me (6'8").

I'm certainly jealous of all the choices average-sized people have when shopping for gear. Usually there is a serious weight trade-off for anything that fits me.

I'm not sure what you don't like about the Solong, but I used mine for 6 weeks last summer and loved it - and didn't have to feel like I had to make a compromise.

Tron-Life
05-15-2014, 18:13
LH Solong = 31 ozs.
TT Notch = 27 ozs.

I looked all over for a tent long enough for me (6'8").

I'm certainly jealous of all the choices average-sized people have when shopping for gear. Usually there is a serious weight trade-off for anything that fits me.

I'm not sure what you don't like about the Solong, but I used mine for 6 weeks last summer and loved it - and didn't have to feel like I had to make a compromise.

Actually, after looking at it more, I do like it; though, it is a bit too big for my needs. I'm not thinking of the weight, just the foot print. I usually use a tarp and will continue to use it as my default shelter, so I'm able to pitch above any obstacles on the ground and squeeze in where I can. With a tent, you have to be much more conscious about the size of your foot-print, which is why I went with the LH Solo. It handles condensation well, is just big enough lengthwise, somewhat roomy, and pitches more rigidly then the others I've seen. I nearly got the trekker, but I didn't like the the slope of the walls and the LH Solo is 133'' vs the Trekkers 120''.

Definitely feel you on the whole jealous of short folks man, especially when it come to shoes, sleeping bags, and clothes, etc. I guess the only thing we can do is to take comfort in being able to help old ladies grab stuff off of the rack in buses, planes and at the grocery store.