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Terra Nova Ultra Quasar

rated 5.0 of 5 stars

The Ultra Quasar has been discontinued. It was replaced by the Terra Nova Expedition Quasar.

photo: Terra Nova Ultra Quasar four-season tent

At the time, a shade under 500 quids seemed one hell of a lump of cash to lay out on a tent. I have been on 3 x 6 month solo bike rides with this fabulous tent. The inner survives to this day since 1998, the outer has been replaced twice due to UV damage... It's also been to a few festivals too and has been bombproof and such a well designed tent.

Pros

  • Strength in high winds
  • Two porches
  • Ease putting up

Cons

  • Pitching inner first in foul weather

It's hard to know if there are better value tents around 20 years on, probably but I feel safe getting another if need be.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: £495

Bomb proof, 20 years old, all poles replaced, outer replaced twice, inner feeling a little sorry for itself, but after 20 years is still intact and in fairly good nick.

Pros

  • Strength in high winds
  • Two porches
  • Ease putting up

Cons

  • Pitching inner first in foul weather

At the time, a shade under 500 quids seemed one hell of a lump of cash to lay out on a tent. I have been on 3 x 6 month solo bike rides with this fabulous tent. The inner survives to this day since 1998, the outer has been replaced twice due to UV damage. It's also been to a few festivals too and has been bombproof and such a well designed tent.

It's hard to know if there are better value tents around 20 years on, probably, but I feel safe getting another if need be.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: £495

The best two-man tent in the world?

Pros

  • Build quality
  • Terra Nova's after sales support
  • Feeling of security when the going gets tough!

Cons

  • Perhaps weight

What can I say about the TNQ that hasn't already been said! Is it the best two-man tent in the world? Probably.

I owned mine for about 10 years and it never, ever let me down. Torrential rain, blizzards, howling gales, the lot, it dealt with it all without a single hitch. The build quality is outstanding mainly due to the fabrics TN choose to use. You really couldn't rip one if you tried.

If you are travelling and camping in an extreme location and you know you want to sleep safe and sound, this is the only tent you'll need. Absolutely outstanding in every single way.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: £500

Overall a great tent. Has stood up to some serious abuse and minging weather over the last five years. Have slept three people regularly on backpacking trips. Just make sure you know them well!

You can pitch it pretty much anywhere. Unfortunately all the poles have cracked at the joints and have had to be reinforced with tape whilst on various trips. Eventually replaced by Terra Nova though. A night at Sligachan (Skye, Scotland) cracked one and also blew the porch open, soaking the inside. Make sure you do up the velcro. All the zips on the inner pulled away from the fabric and got knackered but hey, Terra Nova put that down to wear and tear. Just remember, it's a great tent but they are not as indestructible as you might think.

Design: geodesic
Sleeps: 2
Ease of Setup: simple
Weight: 3.7kg
Price Paid: can't remember

Absolute classic and you'll sleep safe anywhere, any place, any height. so quick to put up and so bombproof. had an endurance quasar before and made mistake of selling it for a TNF Mtn 25, which though good just wasn't up there with the Quasar, so I've gone full circle. now using the Ultra for the weight saving and the new design vents with plastic stiffeners don't drip like the old when you open your doors. 100% waterproof...100% foolproof. if I'd change anything, Terra Nova I'd say it's time to put windows on the fly door panels so you can read longer at night and watch storms go by. if you're considering one, BUY IT !

Design: 2 man geodesic
Sleeps: 2
Ease of Setup: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.8k approx
Price Paid: £380 paid

I lived in this tent for eight days in the Talkeetnas in Alaska. It is totally bombproof.

At ~8 pounds it is a tad on the heavy side for one but not so bad when split between two; not to mention, it is quite spacious for two and the two doors are a big plus. Set up is relatively easy. Continuous sleeves for four poles. The rain fly and guying take the most time.

I can say that this is a shelter I would trust if my life depended on it.

Sleeps: 2

I've had my Ultra Quasar for 13 years and it's still as awesome as the day I bought it. It's been in torrential rain in Cumbria, howling gales in Scotland, under a foot of snow in the Alps and in the bush in Africa.

The quality is outstanding and well worth paying for. The groundsheet protector is worth getting.

Love it.

Sleeps: 2
Ease of Setup: Very easy to set up, even by one person.

My wife and I wanted to start serious camping so we bought a serious tent and they don't come more serious than the Ultra Quasar. We have never had a sleepless night in it even in the worst of storms. It is so easy for one man to put up and once up be confident that it will stay up.

Price Paid: £475

OK, so it costs serious money, but you get in return a 2-man tent you can have total confidence in -- rain, snow or force 10 gales won't phase it one bit. I've had mine for about 7/8 years and my respect for it has not diminished one bit. The groundsheet protector is worth getting though...

Price Paid: £340

I have had my tent for one year. It is light, easy to pitch and very roomy inside (three can squeeze in at a push). It has been used on snow and rock -- all with no problems. It's great!!

Design: 4 Season expedition geodesic
Sleeps: 2
Ease of Setup: The tent is easy to pitch having continuous pole sleeves and very very strong pegs for hard ground.
Weight: 3.7kg
Price Paid: About £390

Brilliant, this tent will stand up to anything. I've pitched it on rock where you can only peg with rocks and still it's solid. There is plenty of storage space. Quite frankly, what more could you ask for?

Design: 4 season expedition 4 polegeodesic
Sleeps: 2
Ease of Setup: Easy, if a little slower than say a vaude, Although inner first if you peg out the outer over the inner while pitching it will stop the inner from getting wet
Weight: 3.3 ?
Price Paid: £400

Love it and had it up in some serious weather; does not bat an eye lid. Loves high winds. Would buy another.

Design: 4 season
Sleeps: 2
Ease of Setup: Simple
Weight: 3.65kg
Price Paid: £365

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