JoeTool Posted March 19, 2002 Posted March 19, 2002 Ok, I'm getting ready to sew together a pyramid tent and I'm looking for any suggestions from anyone who has used one in the past.I.E.: Megamid, Tipikifaru, danas NukTuk,Etc... I'm making it out of silnylon and I'm thinking of making a modified petagon like the Mtn. Hardwear kiva, except putting in 10 stakes so its rounder and more aerodynamical. So, any thoughts... Quote
imorris Posted March 19, 2002 Posted March 19, 2002 Older versions of the megamid didn't have a vent in the top to let out moisture. You had a tropical rainforest in there when the sun came up after a cold night as the frozen vapor melted off the tent walls. Newer versions have a shielded vent in the top but you still get some ice buildup on the inside, particularly if you cook in there. I'm not even sure the megamid is made anymore. -Iain Quote
allison Posted March 19, 2002 Posted March 19, 2002 I've thought about sewing one of these up myself. Curious to know if sewing the "point" of the 'mid gives you any trouble or not. Are you going to flat-fell or French the seams? How many yards is it going to take? Did you find a pattern or are you going to have to make that too? Is the time/materials worth the saved $$? Maybe don't answer that one until the project is done. Quote
JoeTool Posted March 19, 2002 Author Posted March 19, 2002 Whew thats almost as many questions as I asked. Ok; i'm going to flat fell the seams. I don't think the point will be a problem, it just kinda comes together. I figured that 11 yards will give me a tent with a 6' peak and a 10' radius. the sil nylon was $60.00 and all the misc. stuff (zipper, thread, etc...) will cost 80-100 dollars max. I made my own pattern by making paper models.And with a similar tipikifaru costing $565.00 and a kiva that weighs twice as much its already worth it(I think it will take a day to sew based on other projects I've done).Oh and I'm putting a vent at the top and they do still make the megamid. Quote
Beck Posted March 19, 2002 Posted March 19, 2002 Integral designs is making a silicone coat nylon pyramid teepee tent, also the Betamid by BD sleeps 3, regular coated nylon, weighs 2.2 pounds and costs 99 bucks. Might save a bunch of hours tracing,cutting, felling, searing, pinning and sewing. Quote
allison Posted March 19, 2002 Posted March 19, 2002 Nice! Hope it comes together smoothly. Post something after you're done or PM me. Oh, and weigh it, I'm cusrious about that too! People really pay $565 for a fancy tarp? That is CRAZY! [ 03-19-2002: Message edited by: allison ] Quote
JoeTool Posted March 19, 2002 Author Posted March 19, 2002 Beck, i looked at those, the beta mid is alittle to small and the ID one dosn't have the features I like,plus; I love designing and making gear Quote
hikerwa Posted March 19, 2002 Posted March 19, 2002 Beck I think you and I both know that it slept 3 and the swedish bikini team!(thanks to Teddy R) Quote
JoeTool Posted March 19, 2002 Author Posted March 19, 2002 Allison, check outweb page , I'm basically making their 4-person lightweight with only one door and not oval. Quote
JoeTool Posted March 19, 2002 Author Posted March 19, 2002 Beck, i looked at those, the beta mid is alittle to small and the ID one dosn't have the features I like,plus; I love designing and making gear Quote
Beck Posted March 20, 2002 Posted March 20, 2002 All good, joe, I like sewing up gear as well, just tossed out some beta/logistics. Also , I hear it's real tough working with the silcoat stuff, as I'm sure you've figured if you've already got the fabric. Let us know how the finished product turns out! Quote
MounTAIN_Woman Posted March 20, 2002 Posted March 20, 2002 We use a Mountain Hardwear Kiva - just bought it at the beginning of last year. After much deliberating, we decided that we liked their system better than the other ones on the market, especially the inside room. We wanted something to supplement a bivy - enable us to get out of the weather if needed. Quote
freeclimb9 Posted March 20, 2002 Posted March 20, 2002 I'll add an unsolicited comment that pyramid tents have to be staked out; IMHO, that limits their adaptability. Also, in snow they tend to be wet, so you'll then carry a bivy bag --at that point, weight savings become moot. I've got a Megamid thinking it would be the shit. It isn't what I'd hoped it would be. The ultralight backpacking crowd are coming out with some freely shared designs that might be of interest. Quote
RA Posted March 20, 2002 Posted March 20, 2002 I've got an older Megamid that I got for about $129 at campmor.com last fall. We camped up at Dead Horse Creek (above Paradise) at Rainier a few weeks back. There were three of us plus gear. Condensation became a serious issue in the middle of the night. It became a dripping lodge. Another issue is the person in the middle was fairly cramped against the center pole almost to the point of not being able to sleep comfortably. I would concur with the others that you really have to stake that baby down in high winds. I got it because it weighs about 3lb 8oz and it sets up pretty quickly. Cheers,scott Quote
Fairweather Posted March 21, 2002 Posted March 21, 2002 I believe a pyramid weighs less than two or three climber's seperate bivi sacks. (less weight per team) Additionally, two or three people in a pyramid is more comfortable than said bivi bags. Unfortunately, a grizzly bear took a liking to my old Choinard Pyramid up in Wrangell St Elias a couple years ago and I have yet to replace it. Quote
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