Any interest in the Plexamid?

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Any interest in the Plexamid?

Postby Lamont » Sun 24 Jun, 2018 2:48 pm

http://zpacks.com/shelter/plexamid.shtml

A "new" iteration/variation.
Any Altaplex or any users have any comments? Lots of pegs, condensation?
Drew in the pic is 183cms but appears to be on a CCF, what happens if you are on an inflatable mat? Good size footbox-touching the ends?
Some inconclusive stuff/video on RedditUL re size.
Any thoughts?
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Re: Any interest in the Plexamid?

Postby Neo » Sun 24 Jun, 2018 3:24 pm

A cursory glance at the product pics... not liking the low angle of the head/foot ends at all, but an impressive low weight!
(I'm about 6'2")
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Re: Any interest in the Plexamid?

Postby Zapruda » Sun 24 Jun, 2018 7:59 pm

I think it looks ok... The weight is good but I really don’t like the struts. I think they will be a weak point.

I have used the Altaplex for the past 3 years and really like it. I’m 6’3” and on an xlite with my -7 bag I just miss the walls. Summer on my ccf with my lighter bag is fine. The head height is great.

Condensation in the Altaplex is the same as any other single wall shelter. It’s been ok for me. Site selection plays a huge part but some mornings in the alpine are just dewey and there is nothing you can do about it.

The 10 peg thing is overblown for the this and the Altaplex. Who cares really. My 10 pegs weigh 55g total. No big deal. 4 of the 10 are just mid panel pull outs. They aren’t 100% necessary.

Like all mid shaped shelters, they can be awkward when pitched on uneven ground. You can lose a bit of interior space.

I would like to see some more in-depth reviews of the plexamid before I pass any judgment.

Cheers
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Re: Any interest in the Plexamid?

Postby crollsurf » Sun 24 Jun, 2018 10:47 pm

6'2" and spent too much time looking and keep coming back to my Protrail. The maths never add up until now... so maybe.

We will see but if things pan out. I might just throw some money at this with the understandind that nothing is perfect


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Re: Any interest in the Plexamid?

Postby Lamont » Tue 26 Jun, 2018 10:06 am

Ta for your thoughtsS, yes the little hat is interesting! Suppose we need someone to use it now.
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Re: Any interest in the Plexamid?

Postby photohiker » Wed 24 Oct, 2018 2:38 pm

Looks good.

I’ve been using the Tarptent Notch in tight areas since it was made, and the Trailstar in bigger areas. Both been great.

Had a look at the Notch in Dyneema and is nice, but would prefer something different and just saw the info of the Plexamid.

No-one here have one yet? Be good to hear local opinions from a bushwalk member here. Not cheap, but none of the Dyneema tent versions are cheap.
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Re: Any interest in the Plexamid?

Postby Lamont » Wed 24 Oct, 2018 2:53 pm

Was just reading this-take it for what it's worth.
My "towel" spongey thing for the Duplex weighs about 20 grams. He says his is a couple of hundred grams so......
but the info on the little strutty hat ("The weight is good but I really don’t like the struts" ....clearly a bit early to say conclusively but will you give me the tattlotto numbers zaprudaS ) is at least interesting....
https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/com ... id_review/
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Re: Any interest in the Plexamid?

Postby photohiker » Wed 24 Oct, 2018 9:09 pm

Here are some videos and info of it:

Grizzle Gear: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBtBkh82YKQ

Mittencamper https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukPJQntSUmU&

BackpackingVideo, Pre for sale version. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgEU_aw69Ds

Hammer: https://player.vimeo.com/video/265503676

Zpacks Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0tBkJvscnc

Willis Wall: http://www.williswall.com/willis-wall-b ... tent-51118

fwhiker: https://www.fwhiker.net/forum/gear/138- ... oz-shelter

Some images: https://imgur.com/gallery/CA2NVE4

Plus some reddit discussions...

The tent is new this year, pity that one owner has had a problem with it. Hopefully, that is not for all the owners! :)

A few of the videos are from early versions before it was actually on sale.

Interesting Zpacks offers camo colours for their tents:

Image

This material has the same Dyneema thread count as standard .51 oz/sqyd, but with a slightly thicker laminate with a Camo pattern on it. The Camo print brings the fabric weight to .67 oz/sqyd.

It blends in to nature well. It is darker, less transparent and offers more privacy. DCF has a bit of a sheen to it when it is new, but it dulls down significantly with some use.

This video by John Abela shows the Opacity and Color of the Camo fabric: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxuBz0x9pmQ

This material is more expensive. It adds around .6 ounces (17 grams) to the weight.
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Re: Any interest in the Plexamid?

Postby Zapruda » Fri 26 Oct, 2018 6:48 am

Lamont wrote:will you give me the tattlotto numbers zapruda


5,8,9,12,13,18,19.....

I think time will tell if the struts will work or not. I just don't get the appeal. Less moving parts the better with ultralight stuff in my opinion. I hope they bring back the Hex line (Including the Altaplex).

Six Moon Designs are bringing out their Deschutes and Haven tarps in DCF, which should be nice. Ill pick one up to play around with when they release them in Jan.

Lamont wrote:He says his is a couple of hundred grams so......


Those guys on that forum need to understand the difference between atmospheric condensation (dew) and expelled condensation. He notes condensation as a weakness of the tent... It would have been dew for sure. Nothing you can do about it unfortunately. And I agree Lamont. 200g for a *&%$#! towel??? I dont get it.

photohiker wrote:Interesting Zpacks offers camo colours for their tents:


They have done for a long time. I have always wanted a DCF camo tarp... I dont know why. But I cant seem to go past the spruce green, everytime. I had a white Duomid for a while. Wayyyyy to bright with a full moon out.
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Re: Any interest in the Plexamid?

Postby Mark F » Fri 26 Oct, 2018 12:36 pm

Off topic on the smd tarps, I tried to find something about them reintroducing DCF into their line up. What I read suggests a sil-poly is more likely. They did make a few items in dcf but discontinued them - I have a Haven in 0.74 dcf if you want to have a look. I am planning to add a dcf (1.0 oz) floor and net/fabric side doors in the similar to the Zpacks Duplex and eliminate the net tent.
"Perfection is attained not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing more to remove".
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Re: Any interest in the Plexamid?

Postby Zapruda » Fri 26 Oct, 2018 3:44 pm

Thanks for the offer mark. I may take you up on it.

SMD have been talking about it for some time. It was confirmed by a poster on Reddit ultralight that they were aiming for release again in Jan. Apparently SMD are pretty forthcoming with future releases. It may be worth emailing them if you wanted to know more.

Cheers.
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Re: Any interest in the Plexamid?

Postby Lamont » Fri 26 Oct, 2018 5:02 pm

Mmmmm those numbers. I'm on it. House in Rome for me! Buon giorno caro! On the SMD stuff and the management I fired several emails at them. Finally responded after 2 months "no stock at the moment". I think if they have stock it may be a different matter. But I could have ordered a Haven and been left in the lurch. Get confirmation from them before you order just in case. Yes ZaprudaS as commented I felt the condensation in rain all locked up was barely there. Just a wee bit in the apex. Tonight in the dupe I am in the open and tomorrow in a blind gully right on some water. Temp and moisture nerding about to happen. If it seems likely to be dewy I am locking up. Also I will eventually try undoing the rainbow mesh door about one cm at the very top to see if a change in the airflow at the apex makes any difference.And less moving parts -yep the little duplex metal snake is strangely compelling after the zippered world.Full moon adds a whole new dimension to sleeping, under DCF
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Re: Any interest in the Plexamid?

Postby photohiker » Mon 05 Nov, 2018 12:02 pm

Well, I decided to buy a Camo Plexamid.

Ordered it, and arrived this morning. The Plexamid was not in stock but in process and finished for shipping on October 26, so about 10 days in transport.

Posting was for US$45 with USPS Priority Mail. Cheaper via International Mail for US$24.95 but can take longer and not as reliable or tracking. Could see the tracking of the USPS easy.

Was accepting that I would likely be charged for GST etc, but nothing. The tent arrived direct with no duty or GST. Yay :)

Ordered it with tent pegs.

Image

Very shiny! :)

Weight is 440g in the bag without the tent pegs. Don't think the bag weighs anything!
My Tarptent Notch is 896g without tent pegs.
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Re: Any interest in the Plexamid?

Postby Nuts » Mon 05 Nov, 2018 12:21 pm

I'd be keen to know how they manage the stitching, is it taped over the stitching or stitched through a pre-taped seam?
It's a curious design, the force would normally be on the trekking pole but this appears to put that force onto at least some of the struts first?
It obviously 'works'.

Not a fan of Zpacks but they do come up with some innovative designs (or suck/see proto's for their legion of testers :) )
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Re: Any interest in the Plexamid?

Postby Lamont » Mon 05 Nov, 2018 3:55 pm

Pic in the Camo Plex is required.
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Re: Any interest in the Plexamid?

Postby Zapruda » Mon 05 Nov, 2018 4:18 pm

Congrats Photohiker. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on it. I agree with Lamont. Pics!!!!
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Re: Any interest in the Plexamid?

Postby photohiker » Mon 05 Nov, 2018 9:17 pm

Ok, my time today to do the family cooking, did it all and managed to get the tent up before dark.

Setting up the tent was pretty easy.

* Set the trekking pole height to 122cm.
* Set the corner guys at 45 degree angle, and don't make them tight.
* Insert the trekking pole, the install the front guy line.
* Install the back centre guy line and adjust the angles and tighten them up.
* Last is to add the extra guy lines and roll up the doors.

Image

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Once it was all done, it was very stable, but no high winds here then...
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Re: Any interest in the Plexamid?

Postby photohiker » Tue 06 Nov, 2018 9:05 am

Some more photos items closer to the Plexamid tent.

Nuts wanted to see how the stitching is done. A couple of photos here, looks that it is stitched and then taped outside at the top.

Image

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Let me know if you want any other photos.
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Re: Any interest in the Plexamid?

Postby Zapruda » Tue 06 Nov, 2018 11:51 am

Very nice, Photohiker. I love the camo.

You did well with the pitch. I always find it hard to get the bathtub floor even when setting the Altaplex up on uneven ground.
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Re: Any interest in the Plexamid?

Postby Lamont » Tue 06 Nov, 2018 2:48 pm

Great photos-talk about detail.
Pitched very nicely as well. Hope you enjoy it.
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Re: Any interest in the Plexamid?

Postby Nuts » Thu 08 Nov, 2018 9:29 am

Thanks for the pics Michael, always seem to have have something 'under construction' (lately, finally, a trailstar type of shelter) so any new ideas are welcome.

I see now, the whole area is reinforced/ the pole just needs to land close to the crossing point of those struts..

Maybe it's not warranted, if a design works is all that matters here (I asked Zpacks how they cut fabric and , given their experience. It appears, so far, heat-cutting DCF isn't necessary)... but there's something about the structure fighting against itself.. other than at it's pegged base..

(like Scarp crossing poles, for which there is a fix: )
Screen Shot 2018-10-10 at 1.54.04 am.png
Screen Shot 2018-10-10 at 1.54.04 am.png (99.45 KiB) Viewed 22765 times



The printed fabric is a good compromise, DCF isn't very private for busy camp spots.
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Re: Any interest in the Plexamid?

Postby photohiker » Tue 25 Dec, 2018 10:13 am

New video of the plexamid in the USA:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czHqc4F_WPQ
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Re: Any interest in the Plexamid?

Postby JoeD » Wed 06 Mar, 2019 1:37 pm

Hey Photohiker how have you found the Plexamid?
I've been eyeing it off for a while and the grizzle gear review really helped, but still a significant decision.
I'm in Mt Barker - any chance I could check out the tent sometime?
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