Pop-up tent as portable hide

[Tordan58]

Hi,

Sharing with those of you interested in wildlife/bird photography.

Pop-up tents can be used with great success as portable hides. They take less than a minute to deploy, weight is low, and cost is low.

To turn them into a photo hide the only thing you need to do is cut holes at desired height, then glue or sew velcro to keep non-used holes closed and avoiding flies and bugs entering the tent. One hole at about 30cm above floor for low perspecive shots and one at about 80 cm for taking photos while seated. You could also cut out holes pointing at different directions.

Samples what this enables, coming really close to the subjects.
http://e-group.uk.net/forum/showthre...ght=bee-eaters
http://e-group.uk.net/forum/showthre...hlight=rollers

These pop-up tents come in various sizes colors. Here is the one that I have been using.

LengthxWidthxHeight is 220x120x95cm which is just about right. Enough space for storing your gear and provide comfort, while still compact enough to be deployed virtually anywhere. Thanks to the floor bugs will not annoy you and you will avoid getting dirt or sand into your photo gear.

Hope you find this useful.

[Jim Ford]

Re: Pop-up tent as portable hide

I remember reading that wildlife are not bothered by camouflage. It can be any colour and the only use for the camouflage is to deceive humans.

Jim

[MJ224]

Re: Pop-up tent as portable hide

Try putting the pop up tent back in its bag.....

[Phill D]

Re: Pop-up tent as portable hide

Looks like a pretty good idea to me, especially if it would get me images like yours Tord . I've tried putting one away though.

[Tordan58]

Re: Pop-up tent as portable hide

Try putting the pop up tent back in its bag.....

Here is how: [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9O6r2jDBkyc"]Pop Up Tent Gnat Guard How To Fold It Back in the Bag Tutorial - YouTube[/ame]

Once you learned the trick, it's easy.

[Tordan58]

Re: Pop-up tent as portable hide

I thought some of you would be interested in seeing how it looks like, after I made improvements.

1. Cut out 3/4 of the ventilation mesh and fitted a velcro
2. Cut 2/3 of the "rain curtain" in front of the mesh and fitted a velcro to allow either having it open, closed, or semi-closed depending on lens size
3. Cut out an opening 15 cm above floor and fitted a velcro.

1. and 2. allow to operate a camera at 70-80cm above ground and also to have an observation viewport (with or without velcro).
3. Is to take photos at low perspective.

Sewing was a bit tricky, took a while to "master" the technique. Could have been done more "professionally", but the design works as intended.

[Wreckdiver]

Re: Pop-up tent as portable hide

Just wait until a Glastonbury event is over and there'll be thousands to choose from - free

Adding: Great idea though, I might just get one, and a low camping stool as well

Steve

[Beagletorque]

Re: Pop-up tent as portable hide

Less sewing!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nitehawk-Pop-Up-Hunting-Camouflage-Blind/dp/B00B9F0PNM/ref=cts_sp_1_vtp

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nitehawk-Pop-Up-Hunting-Blind-Chair/dp/B00B9F0ONI/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_200_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=GW738Z7N0NSZXRK5E2R7

Take a friend...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Habit-UK-Photography-Watching-Wildlife/dp/B07MBWD4WZ/ref=cts_sp_3_vtp

[Tordan58]

Re: Pop-up tent as portable hide

Less sewing!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nitehawk-Pop-Up-Hunting-Camouflage-Blind/dp/B00B9F0PNM/ref=cts_sp_1_vtp

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nitehawk-Pop-Up-Hunting-Blind-Chair/dp/B00B9F0ONI/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_200_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=GW738Z7N0NSZXRK5E2R7

Take a friend...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Habit-UK-Ph...f=cts_sp_3_vtp

Thanks for the tips but it's too high, too short, and way too heavy. Probably design for hunting or observation.

[Jim Ford]

Re: Pop-up tent as portable hide

If you've already got a self inflating camping mattress, a suitable low seat for the tent is:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Therm-Rest-Trekker-Chair-Tomato/dp/B01MYV6UPA/ref=sr_1_37?keywords=thermarest&qid=1560201481&s=sports&sr=1-37

I've got one and it works well (but is a silly price for what it is).

Possibly a better one that's cheaper would be:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Highlander-Folding-Lightweight-Portable-Festivals/dp/B07MQV1JRG/ref=cts_sp_2_vtp

Jim

[Tordan58]

Re: Pop-up tent as portable hide

If you've already got a self inflating camping mattress, a suitable low seat for the tent is:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Therm-Rest-Trekker-Chair-Tomato/dp/B01MYV6UPA/ref=sr_1_37?keywords=thermarest&qid=1560201481&s=sports&sr=1-37

I've got one and it works well (but is a silly price for what it is).

Possibly a better one that's cheaper would be:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Highlander-Folding-Lightweight-Portable-Festivals/dp/B07MQV1JRG/ref=cts_sp_2_vtp

Jim

Hi Jim,

I already have a seat looking somewhat like the cheaper one.

Cheers Tord

[olbond]

Re: Pop-up tent as portable hide

Just go on ebay, amazon or review sites and search for the cheapest you can find for the size you want, they are usually called grow tents. There are some manufacturers (secretJardin?) that may produce higher quality versions