Hides?

[bernard0368]

I am looking to get a one man chair hide, as stealth gear no longer do these, has anyone got any recommendations?

 

[ShaftInAction]

There is a guy on Ebay selling them for £60. Search 'chair hide' brings it up.

 

[Briony]

Would not bother they are really very very small. :thumbsdown: :shake:

No room to move legs in when you have a tripod and that is a 2 man tent.:shrug:

I have a 2 man one and hardly any room in it, not waterproof. :thumbsdown:

 

[Gonetae]

Would not bother they are really very very small. :thumbsdown: :shake:

No room to move legs in when you have a tripod and that is a 2 man tent.:shrug:

I have a 2 man one and hardly any room in it, not waterproof. :thumbsdown:

I had a look at one the chair hides recently and that was pretty much my opinions also that they looked very cramped. I'm now looking instead to just pickup a camo scrim net type thingy when funds allow that I can cut a hole in for the camera and throw over me, camera and tripod. Think this will be better for me in the long run as my backpack is heavy enough atm anyway so no way I could carry around another bag with a hide but a bit of netting I could roll up and pop into my bag would be alright I think.

 

[bernard0368]

There is a guy on Ebay selling them for £60. Search 'chair hide' brings it up.

I seen this guy but I could not find any reviews on his gear anywhere. As Goantee and briony have said they are cramped. I will keep looking.
Thanks

 

[chazza]

Are these any good?

http://www.stealthwildlife.co.uk/hides-bag-hides-camouflage-concealment-products-803-0.html

 

[Ceejay]

Would not bother with them either, Ok for photographing straight ahead but as Briony mentioned you cannnot move camera and tripod around to side windows no room.
A Pop-Up hide is much better, but you have to take your own chair.

C

 

[Briony]

Are these any good?

http://www.stealthwildlife.co.uk/hides-bag-hides-camouflage-concealment-products-803-0.html

The pop up hide is only 4 ft square, I looked into these, not much more room than the 2 man I have, still no room for much gear, better to go for a fishing bivvy/fishing oval brolly with camo net, if it is in the same place, plenty more room and so much more comfy, and totally waterproof.

I can't use my 2 man chairhide if it has been raining it has 2 puddles in the seats where the water runs in through the window zips and I can fore see that happening in all of them. Shame really as they look really good.

I have had a look on the USA sites and they work out much more cheaper even with the shipping to here if you want a pop up hide, but after using one definately would not buy one again for winter use, but mine is bearable for short periods (i.e. couple of hours) or the summer (dry ones )

Willl add though that the windows in the back are great if only they would design them ( so they opened like the others) so you do not have to shoot through mesh, and nice to have all round views, great for wild life watching.

 

[fracster]

The pop up hide is only 4 ft square, I looked into these, not much more room than the 2 man I have, still no room for much gear, better to go for a fishing bivvy/fishing oval brolly with camo net, if it is in the same place, plenty more room and so much more comfy, and totally waterproof.

You are misinformed.

I can't use my 2 man chairhide if it has been raining it has 2 puddles in the seats where the water runs in through the window zips and I can fore see that happening in all of them. Shame really as they look really good.

The majority of pop up hides with chairs in leak if left outside all the time.They all need to be waterproofed on a regular basis to maintain the ability to repel water, bit like boots.

I have had a look on the USA sites and they work out much more cheaper even with the shipping to here if you want a pop up hide, but after using one definately would not buy one again for winter use, but mine is bearable for short periods (i.e. couple of hours) or the summer (dry ones )

Really? Any links.

Willl add though that the windows in the back are great if only they would design them ( so they opened like the others) so you do not have to shoot through mesh, and nice to have all round views, great for wild life watching.

All the pop up hides I have seen, plenty for your information, all have windows on each side, some on the corners,most with removeable mesh.Fishing bivvies and tents don`t have these, even though they are better in your opinion.................

For portability,pop ups take a lot of beating.They are not perfect, but things seldom are. Ill informed posts like yours help nobody Nicki.

 

[Tractor Boy]

I have one of the one man chair hides and have to say that it is pretty good. No it is not waterproof, No it is not huge but for use in my garden and on local farmland it is just the job. You have to be realistic about what you want and what you expect from them. For me the fact that you put it up/down in about 30 sec and store it in the shed easily is the bonus.

I have found no problem getting within about 8 feet of the birds in the garden and most of the garden bird shots in my flickr were taken from the hide.

HTH

Nick

 

[Briony]

You are misinformed.



The majority of pop up hides with chairs in leak if left outside all the time.They all need to be waterproofed on a regular basis to maintain the ability to repel water, bit like boots.



Really? Any links.



All the pop up hides I have seen, plenty for your information, all have windows on each side, some on the corners,most with removeable mesh.Fishing bivvies and tents don`t have these, even though they are better in your opinion.................

For portability,pop ups take a lot of beating.They are not perfect, but things seldom are. Ill informed posts like yours help nobody Nicki.

Fracster, I am only speaking from experience, and it seems that you have it in for me:thumbsdown:

I have been told in fact that the measurements of the "pop up hides" that YOU recommended me were only 4ft square, so I have not been mis informed on that.:razz: just not big enough for me when I want to spend quite a few hours in the hide. If you would like me to quote the company and the name then I will.:shrug: Yes the hides have mesh on all four sides and yes they do open, if you read my post correctly I did in fact was specifying the back window do not open which is great for viewing but not for photography, in fact my "porta loo" which these are now named as has mesh side windows do open but not the back ones.

As for links to the American ones, for the sake of repeating oneself over and over again, if you read my thread about hides somewhere there was a link posted.

I wanted a hide that I could leave out all the time as I have the land etc and these were not for me as I wanted to be able to leave the hide in place (which I thought was recommended by yourself at some stage) so that the wildlife gets used to it, bit difficult when it is raining, snowing etc to keep a dry hide, that is why I went for the bivvies which in MY opinion are far better than the pop up hides and far more comfy and more room. Yes if you just wanted a day hide where you can move it around to see wildlife in general and take pot luck in what you see, the pop up hides would do, but as I sadi not for me :shrug: although I do have one I use if only going out for an hour and it is under a tree where there is shelter, even though I had had to peg it down with proper pegs to stop it blowing away in the wind


I am not alone on this arguement, it seems from some of the comments about pop up hides, just my choice and telling people my opinions not MIS INFORMING THEM,:razz:

 

[fracster]

I don`t have it in for you at all Nicki. I have spent more time than most trying to help you, but you have the ability to speak rubbish rather than fact. The four wall pop up hides are more than four foot square, trust me I KNOW that.

End of discussion, you know so much more than anybody else about everything that, quite frankly, you are becoming tedious.

Farewell.

 

[Briony]

I will however reccomend that the "Jack Pyke" Clear view netting is very good and can be easily used to make a hide as it is "one way viewing" so the wild life cannot see you but you can see them, but only for temp. use.

 

[Briony]

I don`t have it in for you at all Nicki. I have spent more time than most trying to help you, but you have the ability to speak rubbish rather than fact. The four wall pop up hides are more than four foot square, trust me I KNOW that.

End of discussion, you know so much more than anybody else about everything that, quite frankly, you are becoming tedious.

Farewell.

When I rang the company, then I was told that these were 4ft square and not big enough for me and just stating the facts I have been told by the company that YOU recommended to me as I was wanting to buy one better than the one I had got, in the end I went for the "fishing bivvie " as it was more suited to the job I wanted it for.

In fact we are now putting up a permanent wooden hide also, as this is going to be more beneficial to all, and waterproof.

It is up to people to do their homework on this as I am just offering my opinions, yes I have a 2 man chair pop up hide for OCCASIONAL and short term use, but not suited to my long term needs.

Tedious or not - don't reply to my posts then :razz: simple:shrug:

I ask questions, I offer answers on the facts that I know about and have had experience about. is that a crime :bang:

 

[fracster]

Are these any good?

http://www.stealthwildlife.co.uk/hides-bag-hides-camouflage-concealment-products-803-0.html

If you buy from there, I would wait a week or two, a new design is on the horizon by all accounts.

 

[sawman]

I notice that Briony is now talking about a wooden hide.
A bit of advice to anyone thinking along those lines.
Make sure that the floor is good & firm otherwise you will get vibration up your tripod!

My hide floors are made of one inch thick boards fixed to 3insx2ins battens (on there edge) which I space at 12 inch spacing. The floor is then set on a strong level base. No problems with vibration.
Had my hide in place for 4 years now & the only problem I have had is when the GSW's pecked a hole in the roof!

 

[Briony]

I notice that Briony is now talking about a wooden hide.
A bit of advice to anyone thinking along those lines.
Make sure that the floor is good & firm otherwise you will get vibration up your tripod!

My hide floors are made of one inch thick boards fixed to 3insx2ins battens (on there edge) which I space at 12 inch spacing. The floor is then set on a strong level base. No problems with vibration.
Had my hide in place for 4 years now & the only problem I have had is when the GSW's pecked a hole in the roof!

Thanks for the advice - taken on board

 

[sawman]

Thanks for the advice - taken on board

The bill will be in the post!

 

[Briony]

The bill will be in the post!

How did you get my address :nono:

Don't worry when I come up there and get some nice piccys I will buy you a scotch or 2

 

[fernface]

I dont have a lot of experience of these pop up hides, but i did spend five hours in Brionys pop up portaloo. So claustrophobic!, after a few hours you get the impression that you have been sitting on the loo, the chair is so uncomfortable.

I suppose if you are only going to do a couple of hours, on a fine day with no (or little wind) you would be ok. The alternative to this imo cramped unstable type of hide for short stays is the Oval brolly, contrary to some peoples conception of a fishing brolly it does not have a centre pole, and so affords lots of space. The seams are all (vulcanised) i think it is called, anyway totally waterproof, they can be erected in minutes, usually six pegs does the job. There are lots on the market and can be picked up in used condition very cheaply on a well known auction site Recently found this one which with a cam net over it and with some foliage weaved in would be a cracking temp hide Chub S-Plus Shelter, i found it for £84 new. It weighs less than 4 kilos. Quick google will find it. I do accept that you do not have a view to the rear, but personally i can accept that for the extra forward vision and comfort. After all if you want to enjoy something you have to be comfortable.

As regards long stay hides for me (in the absence of a wooden hide), its my bivvy. Again i accept no rear view available. But cannot be beaten for comfort. Twin skinned (no condensation), pretty warm, totally waterproof and when a gale is blowing you are hardly aware of it, it is that stable. I have been carp angling for 20odd years so i do know what i am on about
My bed (american cot) is set up in it at the moment together with reclining chair, loads of room. I have swopped one form of madness for another i think

 

[sawman]

When I build my wooden hides I only put windows in one side. I have a theory that the more windows you have in them, the more time you will spend faffing about thinking the view will be better behind you. Look one way & at least you will be reasonably ready to take a shot.
I might also add that I have a portable canvas hide from Wildlife Watching Supplies. It is a dome tent thing & works fine but I do like the comfort ( & storage capacity) of my wooden hide. It measure 6ft x 4ft & you can stand up in it with no probs. It can seat three but is better with only two if tripods are being used.

 

[fernface]

When I build my wooden hides I only put windows in one side. I have a theory that the more windows you have in them, the more time you will spend faffing about thinking the view will be better behind you. Look one way & at least you will be reasonably ready to take a shot.
I might also add that I have a portable canvas hide from Wildlife Watching Supplies. It is a dome tent thing & works fine but I do like the comfort ( & storage capacity) of my wooden hide. It measure 6ft x 4ft & you can stand up in it with no probs. It can seat three but is better with only two if tripods are being used.

Good point there on the windows, as was your earlier one on the flooring/vibration aspect, i would not have thought of that until i hit the problem

 

[sawman]

Good point there on the windows, as was your earlier one on the flooring/vibration aspect, i would not have thought of that until i hit the problem

The way I think about it is this. If it is a permanent set up, which a wooden hide would be, then you will also be doing some feeding & have some props set up. So not a lot of point in having windows behind.
My 6x4 hide is sat on three timbers of section 12ins x 6 ins & although some have raised an eyebrow at how solid it is, there is no problems with a tripod.
Easier to get it right at the start than skimp on timber then have to try to firm it up later.

 

[Briony]

Can I add that the more windows you have in them, the more light you are letting in, the more chance you have of being seen also, I will be blacking out the walls inside also, so does not matter what is worn in the hide.

I agree windows to the front and the door to the back, that is what I plan to do anyway, feed on the ground in front of windows.

Right when do I get started then

Pop up hide will be VERY redundant when this is done, or may be it could just go in by the release pens as an extra, for the summer use only as not waterproof.

 

[sawman]

Can I add that the more windows you have in them, the more light you are letting in, the more chance you have of being seen also, I will be blacking out the walls inside also, so does not matter what is worn in the hide.

I agree windows to the front and the door to the back, that is what I plan to do anyway, feed on the ground in front of windows.

Right when do I get started then

Pop up hide will be VERY redundant when this is done, or may be it could just go in by the release pens as an extra, for the summer use only as not waterproof.

Well with winter coming in I would have thought the sooner you start the better.
Do not black up the inside till after you have tried it. You may well find you do not have to.

Oh & do not go to a timber merchant for your timber. Find your local friendly sawmill & you will be surprised how cheap timber can be!

 

[fernface]

Well with winter coming in I would have thought the sooner you start the better.
Do not black up the inside till after you have tried it. You may well find you do not have to.

First sentence. That is exactly what i was going to say

 

[sawman]

First sentence. That is exactly what i was going to say

I really enjoy sitting in my hide when it is snowing. Something almost magical about it. No sound just the wee birds (& my red pals) busily feeding.

 

[Briony]

First sentence. That is exactly what i was going to say

Oh forgot the "No smoking " sign on the door also

 

[razor777]

Just out of blatant curiosity, whats the normal reaction of passers by when they notice the tent - do they just roll up and start asking question or do they just keep their distance? Or maybe you run off with the hide still around you (in the style of a couple of legs appearing from the bottom of the hide and retreating back into the woods)

 

[Briony]

I really enjoy sitting in my hide when it is snowing. Something almost magical about it. No sound just the wee birds (& my red pals) busily feeding.

That is just what I am aiming for to see these kites and buzzards feeding in the snow (pigs just gone flying over the top )

 

[Briony]

Just out of blatant curiosity, whats the normal reaction of passers by when they notice the tent - do they just roll up and start asking question or do they just keep their distance? Or maybe you run off with the hide still around you (in the style of a couple of legs appearing from the bottom of the hide and retreating back into the woods)

No chance of that with me, my own land and they should not be there in the first place, I never put up anything where there is public access, spoils everything, no peace etc.:bang:

These hides (well mine) are pegged down very well.

 

[sawman]

That is just what I am aiming for to see these kites and buzzards feeding in the snow (pigs just gone flying over the top )

My hide is a wee bit hemmed in by trees for Buzzards to visit. Hide two will be set up with Buzzards etc in mind.
I did step out the door of mine one day & was almost ran into by a roe deer.
dunno who got the biggest surprise.

 

[fernface]

Oh forgot the "No smoking " sign on the door also

Thats not very nice, surely my half could be a smoking area

 

[Briony]

Thats not very nice, surely my half could be a smoking area

:nono: :nono: :nono: