The Dargo MKII by Aussie Disposals, reviews?

[Alittleruff]

G'day,
I'm slowly building up my hiking gear for an overnight hike at the end of the year. I'm a beginner at best. I don't want to spend a heap of money, but I want good gear that will last, have multiple purposes and won't let me down. So I've been thinking about a hiking tent.

It seems like the little dome tents would do the job, are relatively cheap at $34 for a 2 man tent and fairly light at 3kg. However, I'm thinking there must be a reason why they make tents specific to hiking. That is why I was checking out the Dargo MKII from Aussie disposals at (2.6kg, 2 man tent) $99.95. Other hiking tents seem to be really expensive (cough) I don't think I could afford something like that just to indulge a hobby for me. So I'm looking at the under $150 price range for a two man (three man would be better). However, there is little that I can find in that price range. Sure. Last seasons Marmot tent the limelight is $279.95 at Mountain design, but this is like 3x the price I was expecting to pay for a tent.

Just wondering if anyone has used this tent, and if it was any good?

Generally, we camp with our family 2A 3K, and we take a camper trailer. A tent and hiking is a big step, and it would just be me to start with. I'm looking at joining a group that go every year this year. Then maybe down the track we could buy another hiking tent and go with the family when the kids are a little older and can carry a bit more & walk a bit more. But you know, I'm just testing the hiking waters for now.

Thank you so much for reading. I appreciate any suggestions RE basic kit to start hiking and are scanning through the forum Thanks again.

[Moondog55]

There's a basic rule
Cheap. Lightweight. Strong. Pick two
A cheap tent will last 2 or 3 trips but maybe only one if you get a run of bad weather
The cheap end of the market is OK for summer camping tho but remember anything with a woven PE floor will be very bulky when packed and much heavier than proofed nylon or proofed polyester.
That said a decent 2pole dome tent properly made can be a very good investment.
So a couple of points to look for.
Poles
Fiberglass poles are heavy if strong but very flexible, the wrapped type of FG pole is stronger than the plain pultruded type but dearer. A good FG pole is probably better than a cheap aluminium pole A good aluminium pole is light strong and expensive but a good tent maker will tell you what brand of poles they use and rally there are only 2 makers DAC from Korea and Easton from the USA.
So do some reading and think about a decent second hand tent before rushing out and buying a cheap heavy new unit.
You will probably not want a snow tent so look for a LW 3 season tent, snow tents start to get heavy and expensive for a reason and are not needed below the snowline [ usually] and a realistic weight would be around a kilo per person
read thru these threads for much more information

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=19567

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=19574

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=13133

[Empty]

If you are just getting into bushwalking there may be some some things you can economise on but I don't think a tent is one of them. A good tent is an investment and a cheap tent is a false economy.

If you are to have any success and enjoyment from bushwalking you want your first experience to be a good one. I have seen many people over the years lug around a whole lot of heavy and inappropriate gear on their first trip and have such a miserable experience they never set out again.

As far as a tent goes I think your budget is a little small.

[Franco]

"there are only 2 makers DAC from Korea and Easton from the USA"
and Yunan also from Korea.

Not to derail the thread any further, I haven't seen Yunan poles sold as spare parts, or poles alone but the only brand I see commonly available for DIY is Easton.
WE amongst others used Yunan.

[Moondog55]

OK Thanx Franco I didn't know about Yunan
Are Yunan poles available as after market?

[Mickl]

Seeing that you mentioned Mountain Designs I will throw another option in that we bought from MD's a while ago. http://www.eurekatentscanada.com/produc ... =section_4

Its a 3 person tent (they also do a taron 2 person model which is lighter but only has one door) The Taron 3 is only marginally heavier than the 2 person you mentioned and is a very good tent for the money. I think on sale it was around $175 or so. It would be a bit heavy to carry solo but if you had someone to share it with would be fine and would be a very roomy comfortable 2 person shelter. Might be worth a look as a cheaper option.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk-CSQHK8lI

[David M]

I know you want good gear that will last but if you are a beginner and not sure if you will continue and only go out in mild conditions, you can get a 2 man dome tent at Kmart for $15 and from memory it weighs about 1.5kg. Don't use it in Alpine or Arctic conditions though...

[Alittleruff]

So I've been doing loads of thinking. I'm after something around or below 2kg. Because, I just weighed the tent I've had since I was 15yo... and it's at 2.6kg. I know this tent well. I know it fits me & DH & gear. It was a K-mart special. But, boy is it bulky! I'm going to struggle spending money on something that is of similar weight. The one thing that has caught my eye is the second hand stuff on this site. There is a one man tent there that is around 1.4kg... ummmmm thinking. There is probably quite a few tents that would fit the bill and be lighter. My pack is getting HEAVY! I may have to reduce weight so I'm comfortable hiking.

[perfectlydark]

In your original post you mentioned 2 adults 3 kids. Are you looking for a tent (s) for all or mainly yourself and 1 other?
On cheap tents i bought one from aldi about 2 years ago for $70.A little on the heavy side (as MD said pick 2) but neno problems with durabaility, that said i dont tend to walk in cyclones or blizzards.
as another tactic, have you considered a tarp? You can buy a good tarp for the price of a decent tent and you can get them as large or small as you need. Much lighter too. You can also go down the DIY path which can be cheaper if your prepared to put some time into it

[Empty]

Her original post mentioned that it will be just her initially and perhaps later, when the kids are older, they and hubby may come along. That is why I suggested that a cheap, 3 kg tent for one person will be death on a stick (a false economy in other words and too heavy to boot).

At least get a decent tent and save on some of the less important items until money allows that they be replaced with better, lighter gear.

[Alittleruff]

I figured that if I brought a tent that is big enough for two - three people at a stretch, down the track we could take the family. DH carrying the tent that we have already (my old K-mart special) for the kiddlets, and I could carry a two man tent on the larger side for me & DH and so I can breastfeed my little one at night. Once our bubba is older he could join the big kids in my old tent. Just a thought.

[Empty]

It's a tough one I know. You want to dip a toe in the water without committing a heap of dough. It is a shame you cannot borrow or hire some gear just so you can see if bushwalking is really your thing. It is quite a bit different to car camping and unfortunately not a lot of the gear you use for that will have a cross over application. You sound like an outdoorsy type though so I am guessing you will love it.

As the only bushwalker in my family I can sometimes think it can be a selfish indulgence but I think family members doing what they love makes for a happier family overall.

I am sure a lot of experienced members on this forum have started out at the cheaper end of the market and subsequently wished they had gone about it differently. I guess you just have to the best on your budget. Good luck.