i am in the market for buying a new bivvy or second hand bivvy and have around £230 to spend what would you recommend if it was you buying it

oh by the way i was warcop wanderer but wiped my p.c and forgot my password how thick am i
no response's to that i think i aready know

If youre looking for an umbrella based system I can recommend the one by Aqua products. Well designed and constructed from quality material, something that can't be said for all of them.
I actually wrote a review of this product in Augusts Carpworld ( can I mention that word Paul?) and stand by every word.
And no, it was not a freebie I did pay full price for it. I did the review because I honestly consider it to be the best bivvy I've owned. Super piece of kit.

I agree Graham, Aqua don't get the praise they deserve, its good gear. I suspect it is a case of not being able to compete with the 'big boys' (Nash and Fox etc) as they are a small company.

Steve

Must agree about Aqua products. I bought a Bivvy dome in 94, it has been used in some really foul weather, winds to 50-60 mph & torrential rain. It has never let in a drop of water, despite having never been re-proofed & has always felt totally secure. Not sure what the price is now though, it may be above your budget figure.
Ged

GO FOR THE AQUA BROLLY MATE
YOU KNOW IT MAKES SENSE

any idea on price of the aqua's

All.

I've still got my 'Dave Barnes aquashed' overwrap for a 50" brolly. £20 second hand, from Steve the Heave. (Rodneys bailiff and great character) back in '85.

Thats 'cos I'm tight though

Who was/is Dave Barnes anyway?

Regards Axeman.

Must admit i like the look of the Aqua brolly and the Tackle Box "Scruffy Bob" conversions but once you pile on the goodies your looking at £200+ which is a bit steep for a reskinned/extended brolly that could fold up if your not careful on setting up.I`ve some doubts about zip-on sides as well and prefer velcro attachments (more reliable).
Still use a 50" Steads myself at the moment with full Eustace sides/skirt,cost to replace £110 (thats with brolly)thereabouts.

I was reading ?world today when fishing, and too liked the idea of the Aqua, this was after having a mare trying to set up my eurodome. But, these things cost a small bloody fortune. You have to get the inner, then the winter skin, storm poles and what ever else gubbins you need to make them strong.

At least my euro dome came with everything, even fox screwy tent pegs, so guess Im going to put up with it a little longer.....or untill the missus doesnt realise that I have a new bivvy...

im tempted to go for a titan,maybe a second hand one with all the extras or i was thinking of forking out the extra £50 and get a new titan high top but then i will have to pay £99 for the winter skin,how do you lads rate the titans

If you want a Titan - go for a Viper. There is a review of this in the review section. Avoid the Hi-Top - I have explained why in the other thread on cost. Also, listen to Graham Slater - they are careful what they buy in Yorkshire/Lincs!
Also look at the Aqua Dome, I got eight years out of mine before I moved to the excellent Viper. I also know RAF Lee is raving about the Armadillo (if that's what its called) but I have not seen one.

[This message has been edited by Paul Selman (edited 10-09-2000).]

Axeman, believe it or not I've still got my Dave Barnes Aquashed. Bought from the man himself just before he stopped making them. Although I haven't used it for years I won't part with it 'just in case'. They really were a good piece of kit and mine is still waterproof 18 years on from the original purchase date, giving my age away now!.

Graham.

You dont give that much away. Your profile suggests you like to keep things close to chest.

Seriously I am pleased to hear I am not the only errrm, mature angler on this forum. Although I am only 37.

My 'Aquashed' has only had to have one zip replaced in all the time I have had it.

Never leaked once. Just a little condensation now and again, and I still use it at 3 Lakes. Everyone who walks by it thinks 'what the hell is that!'

Who is Dave Barnes Graham?
Pity he does not know how much I love this Bivvy.

Regards Axeman.

Got to agree on the Aqua,liked the 1man so much I went out and bought the 2 man .Never had a problem with either.When I wanted to upgrade from one to two man I phoned Aqua and with a bit of bartering obtained a secondhand one been used once for £200 for the inner/outer/vented the whole caboodle.Mignt be worth a phone call!!!

cheers tony you dont happen to have a phone number do you if not do any of the lads out there happen to know it

Axeman, mature indeed!.And as for you Paul, I'm tight and proud of it.
Sorry for the delay in replying but I had some petrol so went fishing, and blanked. Don't believe some people when they tell you Elstow is an easy thirties water. Invariably this comes from people who haven't fished there.
I seem to have wandered once again, back to the point. Dave Barnes, met the guy once many years ago at a NASG coference at Reading where he was selling the Aquasheds. He was very bitter regarding a competitor who had copied his designs but used cheaper material and had, in effect, put him out of business. Don't worry Paul, I'm not going to name him.
As far as I am aware I purchased one of the last aquasheds ever manufactured.
Aqua products. I stand by every word I've said, well made from quality material and built to last.

Graham.

I'll second that. If you ever see him tell him to start again.
After reading some of the posts on this forum about bivvys, the new manufacturers are rather missing the point: Quality!

Regards Axeman.