Well, it is December, so I will write a review about a - TENT!
The Gelert Eiger 3 is a three man budget tent, designed for weekend use or backpacking. It is actually only made to last between two and three seasons, but of course it depends on how you use and abuse it.
The bag - this is made from the same material as the tent, and measures just 16 x 53 centimeters. It weighs four & a half Kilos, and can be worn on the back like a rucksack. Inside the bag, you will find fibreglass poles with elastic inside, these are "idiot proof" so they are easy to assemble. You will also see the tent itself, consisting of a flysheet, an inner tent with integral groundsheet, and 18 metal tent pegs. Sewn into the bag, is an instruction sheet printed on material, this is a good idea as you can not lose it. The instructions are well written, and also have pictogrammes.
The tent itself is a dome tent, meaning it has some headroom in the middle, in this case 130 centimeters, but only in the middle. The floor is square, and measures 210 centimeters, there is room for three, but you would have to be very friendly indeed. On one wall, is a handy storage pocket, I keep a knife in there, just in case of fire. There is also a vent on the back wall. The door is closed with a zip, making it draught free, and there is a mosquito net screen, also with a zip.
Then there is the flysheet, this gives an extra layer of protection, and has doors which can be tied open. You can form a porch using poles, however my tent does not have these. I shall however, be making some up. Between the flysheet and the inner tent, is a space you can use for muddy boots and wet gear, a very good idea. The current buzzword for these is a "vestibule".
The complete tent is held down with conventional metal "meat skewer" type pegs, and guy ropes, and is very quick to assemble. It is advertised as being waterproof to 1500mm of hydrostatic head, although I don't really understand that myself, if you do, please let me know and I will add it to the review.
The tent fabric is made of PU coated polyester with taped seams, the inner is the same but this material is breathable, and the groundsheet is made from cheaper Polyethylene. I think this groundsheet is the weak link in the chain, so I use a piece of polythese underneath. The colours are Royal Blue outside and light blue inside.
As for the price, the Recommended retail price is listed as £40.00 at the moment, but we never pay that, shop around and you will find cheaper. Try in high street shops as well as online, and remember to allow for shipping if mail order. One reason I am doing this review in winter, is because you can get some very good out of season bargain now. I bought mine in the summer, and it was £25 from Millets, and I suspect you could get them a lot cheaper now. I have just looked and have seen them for £27.50 online.
Gelert are a Wholesale and retail outdoor equipment company, they have been on the go for thirty years now, and have a good reputation. The company has a website, see here:- http://www.gelert.com You will be able to locate places where you can buy these tents, as well as other products like sleeping bage, clothing, and plenty of other camping and walking accessories. You can even join the "Gelert Online Club" and receive the Gelert e-newsletter, giving you all the latest news and reviews. You can also register your product online.
Detains for contact:- Gelert Ltd, Gelert House, Porthmadog, Gwynedd, LL49 9NX, North Wales,
Tel: 01766 510300 Fax: 01766 510301
E-mail address: info@gelert.com
In the Specific Criteria, I have scored the UV Resistance as average, as I have not had any long term experience of exposure to UV rays. . .
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
A vestibule was something that you stood and waited in before being summond to the headmasters office for a telling off.... ( not that I ever was I may add ) I was a prefect and sent many a trouble maker to the vestibule. !! Nice tent. Thanks. J.xx
fna2007 19.12.2007 00:29
sounds good
Morning_Becomes_Electra 16.12.2007 13:22
It looks like a nice tent! ~ Well reviewed. Electra :-)
exceptional by (2%):
very helpful by (98%):
