OneTen
'Two Breakfasts'
Reged: 23/06/2003
Posts: 4118
Loc: Lancashire
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I've bought a chair hide from ebay for £70 total including delivery.
The hide itself is built from sturdy metal hoops attached to one of those collapsible travel chairs. It's all one unit, you sit in the chair and pull the hide over your head from behind:
The complete hide:
The front panel can be unzipped for a wider view:
There's a smaller front window with netting:
There are two small side windows on each side, each with net and cover:
Initially I'm very pleased with it, especially for the money. It seems very well made and sturdy, I just need to test it in the field. It's quite heavy, so more a case of finding somewhere and leaving it for a while rather than carrying around everywhere.
I'll keep you updated of my experience with it if any is interested.
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Richard .......... My Flickr
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Roger_Provins
Made-it Man
Reged: 22/10/2005
Posts: 4366
Loc: Gloucester, UK
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Quote:
It's quite heavy, so more a case of finding somewhere and leaving it for a while rather than carrying around everywhere.
... you'll just need a porter 
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Rog
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mediaman
Nearly Laid Back
Reged: 28/07/2008
Posts: 1057
Loc: edinburgh
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IMO it looks like a baby buggy...without the wheels 
Hope you enjoy useing it.
If I had to use something like that....the seat would have to come out...and a portaloo installed. [Old age/cold/inactivity etc] Hope it does the job for you tho.[no pun intended]
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Kenny.
The tears of laughter were running down my legs.
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beejaybee
Marvin
Reged: 18/07/2007
Posts: 6283
Loc: Really Here In Name Only
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Quote:
If I had to use something like that....the seat would have to come out...and a portaloo installed.
Just what I was thinking.
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daft_biker
Action Man!
Reged: 11/10/2006
Posts: 10579
Loc: Oot n aboot
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Quote:
I'll keep you updated of my experience with it if any is interested.
Yes, please.....would be interested in getting my Dad one if they turn out to be good.
How are they on uneven ground?
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Andrew (BSRIPN) ... My pics on Flickr.
We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.
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Overread
Not a veteran
Reged: 17/01/2008
Posts: 1578
Loc: UK; Suffolk
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Isn't this the same design/product that was being used by the BBC. I seem to recall one of the wildlife supplies websites having similar hides (both a single and double seat edition) which were being advertised as such.
Definatly keep us updated on how it works in practice - especailly if your using it round this time of year in the colder weather. Larger hides always have that feature that you can getup and take a few (maybe 1 or 2  ) steps to warm up if its cold.
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My blog
My (more up to date) flickr
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OneTen
'Two Breakfasts'
Reged: 23/06/2003
Posts: 4118
Loc: Lancashire
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It seems to have been used on Autumnwatch. I've used it today and it's very comfortable with pletnty of space for kit, tripod etc. I used it unpegged and was able to get up and move around whilst still inside it (must have looked a bit daft though).
I have dropped a huge b*ll*ck though, Jen has just told me that I've ruined Christmas because she's bought me the Wildlife Watching Supplies dome hide.
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Richard .......... My Flickr
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bob58
old appendage
Reged: 27/11/2005
Posts: 2050
Loc: devon
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Quote:
I have dropped a huge b*ll*ck though, Jen has just told me that I've ruined Christmas because she's bought me the Wildlife Watching Supplies dome hide.
oops
so you will be selling this one then
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Simply enjoy photography
Take more crap than good pics but the good ones make me feel good
No more than an amateur so feel free to ignore anything i say 
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bob58
old appendage
Reged: 27/11/2005
Posts: 2050
Loc: devon
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when i see these hides i always smile, i remembering watching johnny kingdom using a home made one, he was on a lake when the thing collapsed, could only happen to johnny me and the missus p***** ourselves with laughter
hope it works out ok for you, i know you will certainly make use of it
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Simply enjoy photography
Take more crap than good pics but the good ones make me feel good
No more than an amateur so feel free to ignore anything i say
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beejaybee
Marvin
Reged: 18/07/2007
Posts: 6283
Loc: Really Here In Name Only
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Quote:
Larger hides always have that feature that you can getup and take a few (maybe 1 or 2 ) steps to warm up if its cold.
If it keeps the wind off, that's worth quite a few degrees C.
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OneTen
'Two Breakfasts'
Reged: 23/06/2003
Posts: 4118
Loc: Lancashire
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I've been using the hide over the last few days:
Positives:
- It's comfortable, there's plenty of headroom, space for kit etc. The chair took it's toll after a while, although adding a piece of foam sleeping mat made all the difference.
- Provides good concealment.
- Offers good vision, plenty of small windows and the large front opening.
Negatives:
- It's not waterpoof. This was a big problem for me because I need to be able to use it in all weathers. The seat ended up full of water after a couple of hours of rain.
- It's heavy and bulky and not something you'd want to carry far from the car.
Conclusion: Not for me and I've arranged for it to be returned. If you want something to use in good weather, is comfortable and does the job well, then I'd say go for it, it's good value. Just remember that if it rains your bum will get wet.
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Richard .......... My Flickr
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Overread
Not a veteran
Reged: 17/01/2008
Posts: 1578
Loc: UK; Suffolk
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I am surprised at its lack of waterproofing (either by materials used not being resistand or by design allowing water entry). for an outside wildlife resource I would have thought that waterproofing would have been a major consideration!
Its a shame because it looks like a portable and usable item and not so big as to be difficult to sight.
Now though we all wait the review of the larger hide
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My blog
My (more up to date) flickr
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