Terra Nova Southern Cross 2

Hi Eric,

I used a Terra Nova Laser competition once but did not get one with it, but in saying that a lot of folk in Europe really like their offerings.

Its worth having a look on http://www.outdoorsmagic.com a slot of good review of their tents.

New to the forum so I hope folks don’t mind. Managed to borrow a friends new Terra Nova Southern Cross to have a look over it. Have made a short review film of it and will be live shortly on the old YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCJL3hEU5-o

Good job Ray.

Thanks for the review of the Southern Cross 2 relative. I think if I end up getting a tent it’ll be the 2 person version.

Great video by the way. Give Dora a scratch from me too, please.

Eric

Thanks, glad it helped out.

TN, perhaps undeservedly, have a reputation for being condensation magnets. But much of that is attributed to the Laser Comp. Back in the day, there was open warfare between Laser Comp and Hilleberg Akto owners. I looked at a Laser Comp 2 a few years ago, and was astonished to see how cramped the interior was. The Southern Cross seems like a massive improvement for liveable space, and at least on the 1P (thanks for the video Ray), the vestibule/porch looks generous too.

What are the venting options like? It looks like there isn’t a roof vent, so does that mean the zip on the fly has to be left open/partially open for airflow?

Well guys, had a chance to try out the tent up in the Mamore’s, Scotland and have a few issues with the tent.

Due to the size of the inner pod I found it very cramped in actual use once you get your bag and mat in it and I am 5′ 10″. Also during the night there was about 1 to 2 inches of snow so the outer flysheet ended up sitting on the inner tent fabric. Also the vents in my opinion are just too small and too low. So upshot is that the inner was wringing with condensation in the morning. Everything was wet.

Another issue is that if you have a well lofted winter bag it will block the end vents again reducing airflow. You could possibly open the main flysheet door a little bit but in my opinion you shouldn’t have to. Mentioned in my trip that I felt it should maybe have high level venting.

Appreciate that it was very cold, snow, etc but it left me a little concerned. Also spent most of the night on my left hand side as there is no way I could sit up fully. Also my lower legs were stuck out in the sleat whilst trying to get unpacked and do stuff.

Probably fine for 3 season outings when the weather is fine but wouldn’t like to be cooped up in it for multiple days in bad weather.

Already see reports and reviews praising it. Wonder if they have actually used it in bad weather? No doubt it will be hailed as the greatest thing since sliced bread and I did have really high hopes for it.

Anyway, my new film will be up in a day or two so you can have a look and make up your own opinion.

Will post here as well if I remember.

Film of my latest trip and thoughts on this new tent. Maybe a little harsh under the conditions but a single person tent is just too small for me.

Ouch, that is a pokey inner. I had assumed the ends of the inner would be flat like the Hilleberg 1P shelters. Thanks for sharing your impressions, Ray. I’m pretty astonished the vents were covered with just 2-3″ of snowfall. Would the condensation have been any better if you’d left the flysheet open more, or was that not an option given the conditions?

Hi Stuart. The triangle vents are about 6″ from the ground. With the end facing into the wind and having a flat blunt face so to speak, the snow just built up on that face. Also because of the small inner, once my sleeping bag had lofted it blocked off the foot end.

Something I should have mentioned is that the inner tent was wet but not as bad on the actual flysheet. Wonder if the material used for the inner is the issue. The sleeping side flysheet ended up tight to the inner tent pod due to 1-2″ of snow weight and this cold area would have been an issue in the condensation. Outer  fly wasn’t unzipped but inner has a large mesh side panel and even that was running with condensation.

As I mentioned in my very first review film if it had had guy lines coming off those two big outer side panels it could have possibly prevented the two layers coming into contact if you know what I mean.

Maybe try it out again in non snow conditions and see how it fairs. Just think the inner is too small for me.