Portable Hides (1 Viewer)

Barry Boswell

Well-known member

• Feb 12, 2005

• #1

This is aimed mainly at uk members especially if they can give me good advice on where to purchase in the UK.

Having taken up digiscoping some months ago I have come to learn the importance of being as close as possible to the birds you want to photograph. I live in the south midlands, well away from most good RSPB reserves etc but in the middle of some great countryside and I am looking to buy a portable hide. I can find several for sale on diferent web sites (mostly rather overpriced, it seems to me), but would welcome any information before I commit to buying one.

So, if anyone has experience of such things and can make recommendations on types, sizes, weight etc. I would like to hear from them.

Thanks, Barry Boswell.

 

P

pete schofield

Well-known member

• Feb 12, 2005

• #2

Hi Barry

Had one of these made by Jamie (something or other for the life of me can't remember) anyway it was a bit like a camping toilet tent held up with poles. I don't know why I bought the thing and never did use it too cumbersome and extra weight to carry out in the field.

I believe there is something now called a Dome hide which collapses quite small, no idea of the price but if it is over £100 why don't you consider on of those small tents that come with fibreglass poles. I believe these can be bought quite cheaply, and the only prob I can see is the colour they do tend to be bright?

Just a thought

Pete

 

nigelblake

don't re member

• Feb 12, 2005

• #3

Warehouse express have a number of dome hides and the 'Jamie Wood' hides. Also there is kevin Keatleys wildlife watching supplies.
http://www.wildlifewatchingsupplies.co.uk/

 

Barry Boswell

Well-known member

• Feb 13, 2005

• #4

Thanks Pete and Nigel for the response. I did find the dome hides offered on the Warehouse Express site, and I was trying to find out if anyone had positive feedback on them or knew of alternatives. At around £200 they seem very expensive to buy on a whim and just to try out.

Barry Boswell.

 

Andy Bright

Administrator

Staff member

• Feb 13, 2005

• #5

Check e-bay... i didn't Ordered a dome hide and then ten minutes later saw one on e-bay. Careful where you store it, my old fensman hide was eaten away by mice. Kevin Keatley does some cheap throw-over hides, you may want to check these out... though, because they're not rigid, you have to keep very still otherwise your movement will impact on your set-up ... not so bad with dslr+long lens but maybe a problem with digiscoping and the low shutter-speeds you often have to work with.

cheers,
Andy

 

souterman

Well-known member

• Feb 13, 2005

• #6

heres an advert to try but Idon't know anything about it
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=52509&item=7133314582&rd=1

 

Andy Bright

Administrator

Staff member

• Feb 13, 2005

• #7

souterman said:

heres an advert to try but Idon't know anything about it
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=52509&item=7133314582&rd=1

Click to expand...

I think that's just a basic pigeon shooting hide... effectively a big strip of realtree fabric. Every now and again a Keatley hide comes up. I think there are some pop-up dome shooting hides, not sure if they're effective or not.

Of course, you can always make your own semi-permanent hide, using many natural materials... best suited to a specific area where you know the subject will be present (and it's less depressing if local kids wreck it, if it's good they won't find it))

cheers,
Andy

 

tracker

Tom

• Feb 13, 2005

• #8

Hi Barry,
Im also looking for the right portable hide for my requirements; weight and portability being very important. As a starting point, how about trying one of those angling lean-to's? Certain high street stores stock them. As im writing this im considering having a look at these myself. I know theyre not always very strong, but with some fore thought, i reckon they could be adapted and made more suitable. Just an idea... In the meantime, do let us know what you decide on.

Tom

 

Last edited: Feb 13, 2005

Barry Boswell

Well-known member

• Feb 13, 2005

• #9

Thanks to everyone for their responses. E-bay certainly holds some possibilities - perhaps better than spending all thet money on a new dome hide.

Tracker, I reckon that the folding pole hide at the following e-bay link might be a better bet than a fishing lean-to - particularly from the point of view of camorflage and portability.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=52509&item=7123315251&rd=1&ssPageName=WD1V

Barry Boswell

 

tracker

Tom

• Feb 13, 2005

• #10

Does look very tempting, although not sure i'd want to purchase it from USA. May be worth a look over here. Thanks for the link.
Tom

 

Stewart J.

Well-known member

• Feb 19, 2005

• #11

Hi Barry,

Used hides for many years mainly Fensmans one of which I extended vertically using aluminium poles and a velcro'd on skirt made it a lot more versatile. I also bought a lightweight toilet tent at a camping caravanning exhibition. My wife modified it by fitting a funnel and observation slits. I then went beserk with some cans of spray paint, very pleased with result (it cost a lot less than a fensman) I still trundle it out occasionally.

Stewart

:bounce: