by Biggles » Thu 29 Jul, 2021 2:05 pm
The MacPac Microlight fly has always had a sagging problem that is related to the large amount of untensioned fabric on the largest wall section; pegging out the corners taut has no effect. This has for a long time been a subject of a lot of discussion among bushwalkers using the Microlight, and representations to MacPac have been made about the perceived "design flaw", but to my knowledge (and I have been a MacPac owner of tents since 1990), no significant change to the design had taken place to improve or reduce sagging. It is particularly bad when the wall is subject to wind force, and when sitting up making contact with the inner fly. A couple of owners I have known over the years took their Microlight for modification, having patch-reinforced guy-line points attached (2?) to the outer fly in order to overcome the sagging and/or flapping.
I used the Microlight on the summit of Kosziusko in 1991, cowering inside as a ferocious wind and electrical storm passed overhead. Then...calm. The flapping as described above was absolutely horrendous. I probably had it only for a few months longer, moving up to the Minaret in the following autumn (I have the Minaret, Moondance 1 and DuoLite).
If the tent is 10 years old, I would consider it to have provided very good and reliable service, and an upgrade could be considered, especially if the proofing has worn out or the seam-sealing is peeling off. Tents today are very, very expensive for what they are, so it is very much a personal choice what road you take.
“Is é comhrá faoin aimsir an tearmann deiridh ag an duine gan samhlaíocht.”
—Oscar Wilde, 1890.