Photography from chair hides

[Connor7]

Originally Posted by Boddie

Whats the name of the group Steve?

Here is that group link if anyone wants to join,

Wild About Britain - Midlands Wildlife Photography Group

[snake]

Hi,
I bought the two man chair hide as used by Simon King a few months ago.
I wouldn't really call it big enough for two large people but its perfect for one person along with plenty of gear.
It's really easy to carry, it comes in a bag designed like a ruck sack, it takes only a few minutes to set up and take down and with a bit of thought when siting it, it really works.
With regards to it's stability, I had a few extra loops sewn onto the skirt of the hide. I also found the pegs that are supplied to be totally inadequate and made some longer and heavier ones which I push in with my feet.
These few simple alterations improved its stability enormously and there is very little movement when you shift your position inside.
Apart from this it is very well designed, there are facilities to photograph from not just the front but from either side and it is very comfortable to use.
A flask of tea, a few sarnies and it will keep you quiet for hours.

[wrogers]

Just thought i would pop in...

I started a thread a while back on hides...

I am looking a the Hub System Hide from stealth nature gear. (Si king tried one too)
looks like you can lie down in one, and there is a fair bit of room...
only problem is it is a bit on the big side....

i am trying to find one to have a look at.

might solve some problems though.

Will

[StephenD]

Hi

Looks good I wish they would show collapsing it.

Steve

[welshcameraman]

I used my 2 man chair hide properly for the first time on Monday. Went with jonsphotos for a day out in Pembrokeshire.

First thing I noticed was although it comes in a bag that has a rucksack type of carrying system this was rendered useless as I also had a Lowepro vertex 200 which I had on my back. So I then put my tripod into the hide bag and carried it under my arm with one of the straps slung over a shoulder. I am quite a fit bloke, but I did start to feel it after a couple of hundred yards, and then we had quite a steep 100 metre climb up a muddy bank, lets just say I was panting a bit.

Erecting it was still quite easy though, and considering we were on a bank with no level ground at all, was impressive. The pegs that came with it were ok, but I never felt completely secure, that said considering the ground we were on that was of no surprise.

2 man????? I am really not sure about 2 men. Maybe on perfectly flat ground..like a lawn. As it was, getting in with just a camera ( eos 1d on a 055XPROB tripod) was hard enough on my own, how you could get 2 guys in there without a real struggle is beyond me, and then I reckon it would be to cramped for comfort.

All that said, once set up, I was reasonably comfortable ( I did end up sitting on the edge and in the middle of the chair a lot of the time) snug and out of the wind, had really good views all around and got very close to the birds. Though Jon, who had come with just a camo net and a stool, got equally close, with a much lighter set up, but he did look cold outside..lol.

I would say, it is far from perfect, but at under £100 and although not essential, its a handy bit of kit and well worth the cost and the effort. That said, with summer coming,I am going to get myself a camo net and stool...lol

Taken on Monday.




Martin

[Jonsfotos]

I agree with Martin, it may be classed as a two person hide but in reality it`s suitable only for one i.m.o. Don`t get me wrong, it`s an impressive bit of kit, easy to set up and it works, but it looked when folded up, a bit on the heavy side for lugging any great distance .I found setting up some camo netting between a couple of small saplings was just as effective in this case although obviously no two venues are the same and more effective means of camouflage may be required when frequenting other areas.
It was comfortable inside even though i was perched between the two chairs to enable me to get the images i wanted.It would be ideal for level ground but the areas i frequent are a bit on the hilly side and obviously it would not work.Would i get one??....mmmm!, still undecided at the moment, but like i said earlier, an impressive bit of kit.

Jon.

[RyanEustace]

I have just purchased a wws mini dome hide for £60 bargain , i was wondering if anyone has had any experience with one?

[BillyPilgrim]

Originally Posted by RyanEustace

I have just purchased a wws mini dome hide for £60 bargain , i was wondering if anyone has had any experience with one?

I don't have any experience of it but it looks like you've got a very good bargain there. Is this the one they have on sale for £216.81?

Wildlife Watching Supplies - Mini Dome Hide


I'm not questioning the quality of the items but their prices seem an absolute rip-off to me!

[RyanEustace]

Yeah i got that and one of their fold up camoflage padded seats for £80 , i never really had any intentions of buying a hide , but for that price you cant say no.

[andrewinpompey]

Wow - £60, that is a bargain! Don't suppose there are any more

I've wondered about some of the cheaper hides that you see on eBay, where the fabric looks quite shiny - maybe it is things like that that WWS earn their money on??