Fast Pitching Tarps?

Sorry guys, I just added the @tarptent. I avoided doing that before because I did not want Tarptent to be associated with some of my stupider comments but there it is now. (but thanks for the support…)

Franco: "Watch my two videos (the blue "Notch set up" bit is a link to a video clip)they are in real time and not all that polished either particularly the one under rain. You can contact me at franco@tarptent.com if you like." I watched all that when I did my research before buying the Notch. I will just say there is a HUGE difference between setting it up on a lawn and setting it up out in the wilds. Irregular and multi sloped surface make a big difference. When I first set it up in my living room (entirely flat surface) it was similar to your video. But not so in a real campsite. This is not an easy tent to set up. Sure you can throw it up, but if you want it taught it takes a lot of guy adjusting, stake moving, trekking pole adjustment, etc. Personally, I think the sales videos out there are make it seem deceptively easy. It is MUCH harder on uneven surfaces, sometimes dual slopes, rocks, roots, etc. Billy

"Personally, I think the sales videos out there are make it seem deceptively easy. It is MUCH harder on uneven surfaces, sometimes dual slopes, rocks, roots, etc." That goes with ANY shelter. Are you suggesting that the less than 2 minute claim include the time it takes for you to find a suitable site, pull the tent out of your pack, scratch your nuts, and ponder the meaning of life? You sound bitter.

"You sound bitter." Gee, didn't know sounds came through on these posts. Perhaps I better not fart or belch when posting :) No. I just think you guys are blue skying a toy that you love and not getting the whole story out to prospective buyers. I just want prospective buyers to have a dose of reality. I'm not trying to argue against anyone. Your experience is valid, but it is not necessarily the only kind of experience out there that people have with the Notch. Mostly I don't post contrarian view here on BPL to argue, rather to make sure the readers get the whole story. Though I do understand that when people are enamored with their toys the sometimes take offense when someone does not agree. When I timed myself putting up my Notch it was after learning to put it up, after site selection and grooming (I believe I stated that above)and after getting the tent out of the pack but not removed from its stuff sack. I did not try for a fastest time, but I did not take my time either. My effort was to put up the tent in an efficient manner without dinking around or trying to set a speed record. I don't doubt that some people are faster. But I also don't doubt that some will be slower. Also, some people will be satisfied with a less perfect pitch. For the record, I like my Notch… but it is rather finikie to set up. It's not just leave the right amount of slack when staking out the length… that's actually easy. The complicating thing about the Notch is you need to have the long axis pretty close to perpendicular to the short axis. And then there are sites that have more than one angle to the surface or lumpy. The idea of this tent is simple, but the execution get complicated in a hurry if you are not on a perfect surface. I'm done with this post. I don't want it to turn into an argument. Like I said, just warning the people who view the 2 minute video that it ain't always so. Billy Billy