Salop Matt Posted April 13, 2015 Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 Folks I havent done any fishing for years, how ever......... Twice a year I go to shooting meets where I camp over. Up untill now I have always used a small hike tent and slept on the ground on a foam roll matt. How ever doing this last year found me waking in the morning after a poor nights sleep feeling like I had been run over in the night by a tank I am now in need of a new tent/Bivvy and when I think about it the folk at these meets who have appeared to sleep in most comfort have been the lads with the carp fishing Bivvys and the beds! So I feel I deserve a bit of comfort and a decent nights sleep so I figure I should go for a Bivvy and bed too. So what I need to know is: * Is it possible to get something for £100? * Would a one man Bivvy be okay for a bed and a bit of room for storing a cloths bag, or is two man a nessarsary ? * What brands/models should I look out for? * Would I be better buying second hand for better quallity? * If second hand is the way to go where should I look other than ebay/preloved ? Cheers guys, Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suffolkngood Posted April 13, 2015 Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 (edited) Most important thing is its ability to keep the weather out and good ventilation to prevent condensation ( often worse than the rain getting in). There's nothing wrong with second hand as many carp fisherman upgrade (tackle tarts) often. As I've already mentioned, condensation can be a big problem so good ventilation or a second outer skin will reduce this dramatically. Also need a decent groundsheet. Before you buy or bid on anything used, talk to the seller and ask them if they are happy to put a hose on it in their garden for a while to prove seams are waterproof. If they won't then don't buy. Type in biivvy with winter skin or twin skin (remember that there needs to be an air gap between the inner and outer skin to prevent condensation) in eBay and there are loads of used options which will make a lot less than your £100. Look for something with 5000 hydrostatic waterproof material. I've just looked and You can buy a brand new twin skin on eBay for not much more than £100 that'll be guaranteed and will be good enough for the little use you'll give it. There's a 2 man JRC STI twin skin used 5 times for £105 buy it now so there are bargains out there with a bit of negotiation. Edited April 13, 2015 by Suffolkngood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted April 13, 2015 Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 Are you a tackle tart? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suffolkngood Posted April 13, 2015 Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 Definitely not Dave.........I only have 3 bivvies now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted April 13, 2015 Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 Most important thing is its ability to keep the weather out and good ventilation to prevent condensation ( often worse than the rain getting in). There's nothing wrong with second hand as many carp fisherman upgrade (tackle tarts) often. As I've already mentioned, condensation can be a big problem so good ventilation or a second outer skin will reduce this dramatically. Also need a decent groundsheet. Before you buy or bid on anything used, talk to the seller and ask them if they are happy to put a hose on it in their garden for a while to prove seams are waterproof. If they won't then don't buy. Type in biivvy with winter skin or twin skin (remember that there needs to be an air gap between the inner and outer skin to prevent condensation) in eBay and there are loads of used options which will make a lot less than your £100. Look for something with 5000 hydrostatic waterproof material. I've just looked and You can buy a brand new twin skin on eBay for not much more than £100 that'll be guaranteed and will be good enough for the little use you'll give it. There's a 2 man JRC STI twin skin used 5 times for £105 buy it now so there are bargains out there with a bit of negotiation. Spot on...though I don't find condensation too much of a problem personally because I always sleep with the door partly or fully open. I recently bought one of these and for the money its excellent. http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/tfgear-force-8-speed-lite-bivvy-1-man-p196118 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salop Matt Posted April 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 Mike, Go outdoors caught my eye also with these two: http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/vision-kenwick-st-quick-rib-p207812 http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/vision-kashkym-xt-twin-skin-1-man-dome-p218154 But its knowing if one of these beds will fit in it one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suffolkngood Posted April 13, 2015 Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 (edited) Mike, Go outdoors caught my eye also with these two: http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/vision-kenwick-st-quick-rib-p207812 http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/vision-kashkym-xt-twin-skin-1-man-dome-p218154 But its knowing if one of these beds will fit in it one Either will do the job.............. But if the weathers nasty and you need to zip the door up a bit then the twin skin will stop the condensation dripping on you and your gear whilst you sleep. You just need to check that the twin skin actually comes with the groundsheet shown in the picture as it's not mentioned in the spec? Edited April 13, 2015 by Suffolkngood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salop Matt Posted April 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 No worries on the ground sheet as I have a good thick one here. I think I would preffer not to have an attached ground sheet because of using a bed with feet ! ATB Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suffolkngood Posted April 13, 2015 Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 No worries on the ground sheet as I have a good thick one here. I think I would preffer not to have an attached ground sheet because of using a bed with feet ! ATB Matt I much prefer removable ground sheets as easily replaced if damaged or simply don't use if you wish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Juicer Posted April 13, 2015 Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 (edited) I use a 10 quid blow up mattress, it's great sleeping on compared to a foam mat. Pump runs off car. Edited April 13, 2015 by The Juicer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmydean Posted April 13, 2015 Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 I would loook for a cheap trailer tent. Off the floor and a decent matress. You can tow it and you know you need a tow bar. Take a couple of mates with you to justify the cost - luxury and an enjoyable day after, why sleep on the ground ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted April 13, 2015 Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 I use a 10 quid blow up mattress, it's great sleeping on compared to a foam mat. Pump runs off car. Yes when I am renovating houses I have one I bought from argos years ago and I sleep really well on it. That was only about £12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeds chimp Posted April 14, 2015 Report Share Posted April 14, 2015 have a look at JRC bivvys...cracking value and last a long time.. I have had mine nearly 7 years now...never leaked in any weather ..stable and very easy to put up and down...and I have used it when working at festivals etc is one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/jrc-sti-mk-2-twin-skin-bivvy-/271835407393?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3f4aa72421 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jrc-sti-10-000-bivvy-/321723220550?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4ae832c246 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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