Talk me out of a Zpacks Duplex
- Thread starter gixer
- Start date
He loves it but that video isn't the best advert for the Duplex. 
snowbound
Trekker
I'm unsure whether he's going to try to sell me on the Watchtower or the Koran. Either way I'm uneasy whenever I encounter the cult of Abela. It's his way or the highway. And that's my point here - disregard the personality, he's almost always below treeline, and that just doesn't apply in the UK or where I am in the Rockies. Wind and sideways rain aren't the norm for him.
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gixer
Thru Hiker
I can understand what you mean, his internet persona seems extremely arrogant, on the flip side though he has been very helpful, answered every question i've posed and snapped any pics i've wanted.
I know from experience that forum users and mod's can really strangle a persons personality until it becomes sterile, which oddly enough seems to wind other op's up even more.
Add to that the nit pickers with nothing more to add to posts than pedantic snide remarks and i can understand how someone can get to "my way and i'm sticking with it" sort of attitude.
So i completely understand what you mean and i do agree that he does come off like that on some forums (he seems a LOT more chilled on FB), but he has been helpful so i'm happy to give him the benefit of doubt.
More worrying to me is his post on BPL.
On one hand it could just be good manors to get a manf's response about perceived problems before posting, on t'other hand i do find it odd that a non sponsored person that pays full wack for their gear from a manf would get them to "review" their article.
I highlighted review as to me that's the word that changes the meaning.
If he'd have put "asked for feedback" it might have come off better, but review seems a bit like they have more control of over the article.
Dunno might just be me and i've fallen into the nit picking pedantic trap
Even after saying (alllllllll) that his review did bring up some great points on the buckles, fabric weight and how the tent performed during long term use and abuse, so pedantic word analysis aside the end result is worth a read if you're looking to buy a Duplex, i recon.
theoctagon
Thru Hiker
Has your order gone in yet or are you waiting to check if the pack is right first?
Because of this thread I've looked at these so much now I kind of want one
.74 cuben
linelocs added to perimeter tie outs
Leave off the square door tie-back thingies and I'll add my own similar to this
Lineloc side release buckles added to doors
Because of this thread I've looked at these so much now I kind of want one
.74 cuben
linelocs added to perimeter tie outs
Leave off the square door tie-back thingies and I'll add my own similar to this
Lineloc side release buckles added to doors
gixer
Thru Hiker
Has your order gone in yet or are you waiting to check if the pack is right first?
Because of this thread I've looked at these so much now I kind of want one
.74 cuben
linelocs added to perimeter tie outs
Leave off the square door tie-back thingies and I'll add my own similar to this
Lineloc side release buckles added to doors
I think i'm fairly happy with the pack sizing now.
If i ordered another one i'd probably go a inch or 2 shorter, but on last weeks hike even at the highest setting (mesh panel tension with 1cm gap) it was still comfortable, so it's just not worth faffing about returning it.
Thought about selling it and buying a smaller one, but i'm not sure i'm willing to lose money on it for the sake of a inch or 2 (said the nun to the vicar
) I have sent them a few emails but it seems they need a couple of days to answer, sent them an email Friday asking about getting line-locs fitted and am waiting for a reply, no rush on my part.
I'm also going to ask to see if they'll replace those square buckles for the doors with velcro as it's likely going to be tricky messing about with em with 1 hand, i do like that idea you've linked to.
The doors do seem to be a bit of a faff don't they.
Seems easier just to use 2 pegs (1 for each door) with a bit of shock cord and unhook the shock cord loop from the peg
WilliamC
Thru Hiker
Re the doors, I don't find closing them to be much of a problem at all BUT I almost never close them and when I do it's usually from the outside. As for the square buckles, I don't find them difficult with two hands and not wearing mittens. One handed or with mittens would probably be another story, however.
Mark, I have a photo I took yesterday of the mod I had done when I ordered the tent that I think is worth doing. I'll post it when I've got a bit more time later.
Mark, I have a photo I took yesterday of the mod I had done when I ordered the tent that I think is worth doing. I'll post it when I've got a bit more time later.
gixer
Thru Hiker
Nice one mate, thank you.
edh
Thru Hiker
Has your order gone in yet or are you waiting to check if the pack is right first?
Because of this thread I've looked at these so much now I kind of want one
.74 cuben
linelocs added to perimeter tie outs
Leave off the square door tie-back thingies and I'll add my own similar to this
Lineloc side release buckles added to doors
Sell me your Solomid and you can have one
theoctagon
Thru Hiker
Out at the min but I'll drop you a message this aft
gixer
Thru Hiker
Matt from Zpacks just replied to my email, he is suggesting buying the line-locs with the loops attached then using a Harp's head loop to attach them to the tent.
Kinda like that idea because if a line-loc breaks i don't have to return the tent to replace it.
Are the loops on the tent big enough to get one of these loops through though?
Have asked to see if they can fit velcro for the door fastenings (open), we'll see.
Kinda like that idea because if a line-loc breaks i don't have to return the tent to replace it.
Are the loops on the tent big enough to get one of these loops through though?
Have asked to see if they can fit velcro for the door fastenings (open), we'll see.
theoctagon
Thru Hiker
WilliamC
Thru Hiker
That's what I did with mine. It works with no problems. I think Paul on this forum also sells them on ebay?
gixer
Thru Hiker
Nice one.
If you ordered another Duplex would you do the same or try and have the line-locs fitted at the factory?
WilliamC
Thru Hiker
The only difference with having them factory fitted that I can think of, is that you'd be able to peg the fly about 2 cm closer to the ground. But then, you wouldn't want to do that, and even if you did, you could just peg directly through the tie out itself. This is my fourth ZPacks tent (I know, I know), and I've done the same with all of them.
), and I've done the same with all of them.
WilliamC
Thru Hiker
This is the customisation I ordered with my Duplex. I copied it from the (no-longer made Hexamid Long). An extra tie out is added at the bottom centre of the side walls. It consists of an inverted conical pocket attached to the fly with heavy duty bungee. There is also a tie-out loop at the apex of the cone. If you are 2 people and have four poles, you can put the tip of a pole into the pocket and attach the mid-height tie out to the handle of the pole. If you only have 2 poles, you can peg out the pocket via the tie-out loop. I think it adds a good amount of support to the panel in wind.
gixer
Thru Hiker
Thanks mate.
Order placed, went with the .72 in the only colour that's available with that material, dark green.
Ordered some line-locs with loops and a spare tent pole (i only hike with 1 hiking pole).
In talks to see if we can sort out velcro straps or a better solution for the door open straps.
Order placed, went with the .72 in the only colour that's available with that material, dark green.
Ordered some line-locs with loops and a spare tent pole (i only hike with 1 hiking pole).
In talks to see if we can sort out velcro straps or a better solution for the door open straps.
theoctagon
Thru Hiker
Has this arrived yet?
gixer
Thru Hiker
Has this arrived yet?
Arrived !!!! it's still not properly ordered yet
Email correspondence is painfully slow
Getting 1 response per working day, which is making discussions about modifications seem like continental drift is a spectator sport.
Still it seems like it's a fairly small company so the fact that the workers aren't answering emails all day non stop must mean they're busy making stuff, so a good sign.
Plus i'm in no rush over wise i'd give em a call
It also gives me some time to make my mind up about ordering their Challenger jacket as well, as my mind changes more often than Beyoncé's wardrobe.
Be nice to get the details sorted though so at least it can go in the order queue
WilliamC
Thru Hiker
I think email responses were faster when it was a smaller company. I think that now that they've got (relatively) bigger, responses are slower, particularly as if you are corresponding about customisations you need Joe to respond. I get the impression that there are 3 main times you are likely to get an email response: first thing in the morning, mid-day and close of business (all according to Florida time).
By the way, Joe's away until Wednesday according to an automated mail I received.