Terra Nova Lasercompetition/ Laserlite Review
I’ve used one of these on almost all the trips I’ve been on for the last couple of years. It has performed above expectation, and beyond it’s remit from Terra Nova. It’s small footprint, weight and usability transformed the scope of what I felt was acheivable when wild camping in the mountains.
There’s an awful lot of whining and moaning about these tents from folk who are apparently trying to pitch them whilst wearing socks on their hands and their balacalvas on back to front. They’re easy to get right after a couple of practise pitches. It lives in it’s stuff sack in one easy-to-use lump, you just add the two carbon rods, the pole and the pegs. Aye, the pegs. The carbon pegs are fine. I’ve lost one brass tip and plastic top (inconveniently on different pegs), and one whole peg is still stuck in a summit up north. Folk pulling off the plastic tops are doing it because they’re pulling them out of the ground by the tops, grip the carbon shafts instead… I do supplement the pegs with two long stakes at either end which makes tying up the three guys and bungees here a piece of piss. In snow I’ll take a mix of V pegs and stakes.
Pitched, it is surprisingly stable if fastened up right. I’ve had it in winds so strong that the fabric was pushed down so far it was touching my face. No sticthing popped, no poles bent, no pegs pulled out. The pole-channel cover does add a bit of tightness and stability to the outer if you tie it up tight, so I use it. Inside there is plenty of room for one to sit up and move about without contsantly touching the two skins together causing drips onto yourself. Condensation is not a problem anyway as the ventilation is very good, worth taking into account when picking your kit for winter nights.
The porch is huge. I store all my gear easily in one half, the other half is fine for cooking, some storage and you’re still able to get in and out without kicking your cup over.
Experience teaches you a few things. like pitching it pointy end into the wind. I don’t care what Terra Nova say, it works better. Carry earplugs just in case, if the wind really gets up it can be a rattly bugger, especially the pole cover (keep it tight). The lowest I’ve ever pitched it is 807m, it lives on Munro summits when it’s not in the house. It sheds snow, rain, takes the wind very well in it’s own way and it’s comfortable to stay in when it’s dreich outside. It’s more durable that it looks, it doesn’t get the same UV exposure as you’re not leaving it pitched all day. You’re in it for the night and away after breakfast again. Don’t pitch it on sharp rocks and you won’t tear the arse out of it. Honestly it’s not difficult, it’s not a test of endurance and discomfort.
You don’t need any more tent than this 99% of the time. The detractors are just feart of it and should stay on their couch, or just carry that 3kg “mountain” tent, just in case the monsoon comes or the end of the world happens while they’re out.
The proper info and spec from Terra Nova is here.
That one above is a Laserlite I think. I was looking for a photie to compare, so here’s one with two lites and a comp.
We use the same pegging arrangement on them all, but I’m not sure what’s been altered.
I’ll have another look at some point.
I picked up a Laser Comp back in October for the bargain price of £164 at F&T, partly since I’d been more than a bit tempted since they first appeared, and partly as a wee solo tent that MoS can carry herself when she fancies. I agree about the pitching being easy after a couple of goes – the video on the TN website helps a lot and it really is straightforward. I follow their way and use 2 pegs at each pointy end.
All that said, neither of us has taken it for a proper outing yet – it’s the two-person jobs that are getting the use just now!
You know the Comp is designed for two friendly adventure racers to fit into. I’m sure you two would be just fine in it it :o)
That’s a man on a mission that is :o)
Having just updated my review of my custom-modified Akto with its first sub-freezing weather trial, condensation is also a significant problem in cold damp conditions, so I just might try the Lasercomp, especially as it has a mouthwatering 0.5kg weight advantage. Do you have any photos that show the inner mesh bits, or is it easy to describe in words?.
But, it has triangular mesh panels (with velcro flaps) at the pointly ends right where your head and feet are. It’s the top half of the gable-end triangle of the inner.
It works well in our usual cool and damp mountain conditions.
If I find a photie I’ll stick it on.
And the top 1/3rd of the inner tent door is mesh, again no velcro panel to cover it.
You can fold it up with the carbon poles left in, I’ve never taken those out once. Lay them side by side and it fits back in the stuff sack fine.
As my packs got smaller though it became better to strip them out and stow them with the pole for safety as the tent itself was getting pushed into ever tighter corners or external pockets.
I know someone that broke one of the carbon rods, not carrying it but while the tent as pitched. I think it must have been cracked previously though as I can’t see it being the first component to let go in high winds.
Nice site PTC!
I clicked on your link there “3peaksafrica”. Is it not live yet?
I’m hoping to build my own site this year if I get chance. It would be great to get one sorted before I have another attempt at the 10×10 challenge in July or August. I can then run any challenges I’m involved in from one site, instead of having to build seperate ones. Peewiglet kindly did the Africa one for us.
The only mods I see are folk adding or changing guy positions, or adding more guy attchment points. I leave mine assembled apart from the pole and carbon rods which I take out and store separately.
It’s a pain in the arse to dry it this way, but much quicket to pitch.
But still…
Hope all goes well with the pack.
ok so its not exactly really testing weather at the mo but I must say I really love my LC
it pitches really easy and there is something very satisfying in achieving a really taut pitch……
so far only downside is the condensation but then again its less than 1000g and the inner has been completely dry
its my favourite bit of kit at the mo and lets me go lightweight if i am in doubt (or chicken out) about using the tarp in certain weather circumstances…….
I’ve noticed a bit more condensation with the red Comp than I had with my old Lite. But like you say, none of it has made its way through to the inner.
It’s a fine bit of kit, every home should have one :o)
thanks Pete
if you bomb over to OM and look at the latest pics by DW, you will see my well pitched LC surrounded by a sea of Aktos….
I really rate this tent and I got it partly due to your unstinting compliments about it (and the fact that you have used it many times in places that perhaps others wouldnt…..)
In fact the use of the LC and the Golite quilt/bag enabled me to downsize to the OMM 32L classic for the weekend. Really happy with all three and the fact I could have an overall light/small pack load
bring on the summer!
I’m the same with my pack size, it’s going down all the time. With the PHD sleeping bag it’s tiny.
I’m not losing any comfort or peeformance, it’s marvellous stuff.
Good point about me sticking the LC in odd places, it’s given me a trust in it that maybe would be hard to get otherwise?
I’m glad you’re getting along with it. It certainly changed my life in the outdoors completely.
That’s a hell of a lot of weight to drop in one go, your pack will feel as light as a feather!
Happy trails ahead no doubt.
I’ll never forget the first time out with my original Laserlite. There was no going back after that :o)
After weight saving in other areas I’m so looking forward to trying out the new backpack
A great site PTC
That’s some weight loss from your pack, that’ll feel great on the trail.
It’s been great looking at photos and writing up trips from when I got my first Laserlite, it made such a difference to my time outdoors.
I still say it’s the best tent out there, I’ve been testing other stuff for months and as good as they are the Lite/Comp ticks more boxes than anything else.
Alright!
I reckon you ought to ask TN for some form of commission Pete……. :)
Well since I bought mine, I have had it in all sorts of weather including a real storm in the Western Brecon Beacons. The wind got up to 67mph and yes I had that fly/inner-touching-face experience when the wind got up to that speed. No damage in the morning and still tight as a drum
I just love it. Oh and its much prettier than the Akto…… :)
It’s got competition now, the MSR Hubba HP being close on its tail, but it’s still the king of lightweight tents.
Am thinking of getting one of the Laser range of tents but am torn between the 2009 revised Laser and the Laser Competition… SWMBO is keen on the Laser as we could both fit into that more comfortably than the Comp if doing a multi-day trip but if it’s me mainly on my lonesome then it seems a shame to pack the extra weight if its not needed.
Have no qualms with the quality of TN tents as have had a Super Quasar for several years and it is bomb-proof but would welcome folks’ thoughts on toss-up between Comp and Laser 2009?
Cheers!
You won’t go wrong with the Laser, but I think the Comp is better on more exposed pitches as it’s a smaller tent and catches less wind.
I dunno, 250g isn’t a huge weight penalty if you chose the laser, I carry tents up to around 1350g and it’s not an issue.
But, the Comp has been my best pal for many trips indeed.
Not an easy choice!
Now for some lightweight approach shoes to replace my boots with hehe…..
Now, despite what you me hear or read elsewhere you don’t need to start adding axtra guys and the like, the flexibility of the design is it’s strength. What is vital is good pitching, and that does take practise. When you get it right it’ll be tight, smooth and solid in all but the worst weather. The inner will stay off the outer too and you won’t have issues with condensation coming through.
Experience shows that changing the guy lines and pegs are trouble saver. I’ve got dyneema guys with Line-Lok adjusters on my Lasercomp and Photon and the performance is perfect. I use Vargo titanium nails (both weights, but the heavier ones are better I think) and the blue aluminium Y-pegs from Camcleats.co.uk (Hilleberg have a gold version, exactly the same peg). I have mixed bag of the pegs now and just take them on every trip, I ditch whatever pegs come with any tent I use!
Not often you’ll hear me say this, but get in the garden or the park and pitch it a few times. There’s a few adjustments to learn that it’s good to be familiar with before you go out with it.
It’s not a tent you know, it’s a passport to adsventure :o)
Keep me posted.
You can get super light ones made though from sil-nylon, even a bit of light plastic sheet. I think the proper ones are both heavy and expensive?
Pacific Outdoor are worth a look, identical to Big Agnes mats and plnety nice and fat models.
Ach, visit the shops, drag a few out and try them out. See if the lengty is good, even where your elblws lie when your on your back, on the mat or on the floor? That’s something not many folk find out until the first night in a tent with it.
Me browsing for a new shelter, so thanks a lot for all your effort here checking out gear for all of us :-) Well, at the moment I’m balancing between the Laser Comp and the Hubba HP and a few others. The Comp is tempting, it reminds me somehow of my Gatewood, at least it was GREEN too :-) But a big concern for me is the noise in the wind, as big an issue as the weight. How much wind m/s does the Comp take before the noise start you think, when pitced right ? Heard that the Carbon Reflex comes in green next year, but then again, it’s all windy mesh. Even heard that the Comp now comes with 2 way zipper in the fly for some ventilation. I’m 189 cm in a long WM Caribou, on a 9mm Evazote, will that fit in the Comp witout blocking the vents ? Once saw someone who added Akto end guy attacmentpoints on the Comp, but unfortunately missed the link.
Thanks,
Eagleeye
The Comp and the Hubba HP are both good choices. The Hubba is quieter in the wind but, the smaller inner just edges the Comp in front of it.
The Comp vents should be clear, but lenght wise you’ll be definitely be end-to-end in there. I sleep on fat sleep-mats and at a whisper under six feet I’ve got plenty of room at my head and feet, but it’s often down to how much room you like to have around you.
Noise, there is no escaping it. Pretty much any wind will give a ripple on the fly, and in very high winds it’s like a having a machine gunner outside. But, I kinda tune it out as it’s just such a good tent to spend time in, I’ll happily take the hit.
Extra guys, poles, any other modifications to “strengthen” or “stabilse” it are pointless, it’s flexibility in the wind is what saves it. The newest models have the good guy lines and adjusters, so it’s good to go as stock. Well, maybe some new pegs too…
That “machinegunner” issue takes the decision for me, as I already have noise enough in my head :-)
Accepting that the perfect tent doesn’t (yet) exist makes the decision even harder, when left with too many options, as usual :-)
Thanks,
Eagleeye
I can take a lot6 of shortcomings, but a tent that’s too short is the one thing that drives me mental!
Finally found my new custom made green shelter, with a 240 cm nettent floor length and 80 cm for the shoulders. Even get an additional closed inner for winter. Look at that vestibule !
http://www.bearpawtents.com/pyratent.html
95 % leaves only 5 % for mental :-)
Eagleeye
I’ll be in an unfamiliar tent in a couple of days. Always a step into the unknown and the possibility of misery is always present!
Eagleeye
The Lizard needs some pitching tweaking from me, I’ll need to dial it in like I did with the Lasers.
It’s huge inside, like sleeping in an unfurnished room!
I’ll write up the trip and the gear over the weekend, I’ve got 411 photies to sift through first :o)
incidently I marked out the floor plan of the Tarptent Scarp 1 and the Laser comp inner tents on the floor for comparison.
The rectangle is the area of the Scarp, and you should recognise the laser floorplan. Mat is a regular size multimat.
Phil used the Photon on the trip and we were comparing notes on smallness. I reckon I’m so used to small tents now that a bigger one just makes me feel a bit odd when I’m in there in the dark?!
http://i578.photobucket.com/albums/ss226/gagfax/corrour%20camp%20and%20Carn%20a%20mhaim/DSCF4753.jpg
Also got a footprint but never felt the need to use it yet.
Garry.
That is a fine tightly pitched Comp there gagfax!
Cheers,
Eagleeye
But, the HP is the strogest of all those mentioned, so if you can sleep in it you’ll be the winner!
The izard felt like I was sleeping in a spare room, too long spent in tiny tents :o)
Eagleeye (Last tent standing) *
:o)
http://www.terra-nova.co.uk/Product_Type/Tents/Superlite_Tents/Solar_Photon_2_Tent.html
E
It’s the way tent prices are going, the next two seasons are seeing huge price hikes. Takes the fun out of it!
Have just sold my Vaude Taurus Ultralight and am going to go for the TN Laser Competition. Just wanted your thoughts on whether it’s really worthwhile going for the newer version?
The cheapest I have seen the Laser Comp 1 for is around £270, but I can get last years model for around the £200 mark.
The only update I really like is the two-way zip on the main door, but I’m not sure if that’s on last years models as well?
My Lasercomp is 2009-spec I think and I’m quite happy with it, if you can get that or any kind of 2010 update for £200 it’s a killer deal.
The Comp is still my favourite tent!
I enjoyed your tent reviews in the current issue of Trail. Seeing the significant weight difference (and pack size) between my trusty Laserlite that I’ve had for nearly 6 years and the latest generation, I’ve been tempted by the Power Tokee. However, your review has thrown the Photon into the mix (I’d previously discounted it as I thought it might be a little too fragile and a little small).
1. Which (Tokee or Photon) do you think is the more durable (groundsheet the driver here?), and which feels the largest internally (irrespective of the actual numbers)?
2. The Power Tokee looks to be designed to sleep with your head at the opposite end of the tent from the door opening (the plans make it look wider at that end); however, is it feasible to sleep with your head at the door end of the tent (this is much better in my view)?
3. Finally, versus the LaserLite, is there a massive difference in the length of these tents or internal space?
My Laserlite is regularly pitched above 600m (the highest on the Beinn Mheadhoin plateau at nearly 1200m) so I’m confident in the design being good for all but the worst conditions.
I managed to get the Laser Comp (2010) model for £199 inc p&p. Thanks for the advice, can’t wait to use it!
Both feel about the same size inside, I like to lie door-end as well which is fine, the biggest fcator here will probably be the thickness of your sleep mat. A Karrimat make a Photon feel like a palace compared to sleeping on a fat mat!
Versus a Lsserlite, and indeed a Lasercomp you immediately notice a difference in internal and porch space.
You’re right about the design, folk underestimate it and fret over it in their gardens rather than use it!
Good job!