New Darche swag

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New Darche swag

Post by alan j » 09 Oct 2015, 2:58 pm

Has anyone used one of the new darche swags ? I am looking at the dusk to dawn free standing with a pole across the top between the two hoops. All darche swags are made overseas now, how is the quality in the field?
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Re: New Darche swag

Post by AusC » 12 Oct 2015, 1:28 pm

Do you have Aussie Disposals stores in QLD there?

They are a stockist of Darche.

One thing I noticed with the Darche that impressed was the frame holes the canvas in the proper shape. Between the semi-circle frame at each end and the pole running down the top inside is actually a semi-circle cavity instead of the walls sagging in like others do.

The Darche didn't sag and you can use the room instead without the sides draping over you all the time.
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Re: New Darche swag

Post by Wobble » 14 Oct 2015, 2:08 pm

Perfect timing, I've been looking at the SW-1400 plus the collapsible legs to get you off the ground if anyone knows it?
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Re: New Darche swag

Post by alan j » 14 Oct 2015, 6:20 pm

Ive heard the air pumps that come with the darche air hoop swags are very low quality, one thing to consider. I ended up buying the dusk to dawn, the canvas is as good as my old burke and wills, its great having the foot end the same height as the head end, lots of room for your feet, and turning over there is no canvas anywhere near your body. It is actually more like a small tent that you can roll your bedding up in, you can sit up in it, darche says it is 800mm high but it is 900mm. Mine is the single and measures 1000mm wide. Overall IMO it is a great swag if you feel a bit closed in in the traditional hoop swags.
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Re: New Darche swag

Post by BBJ » 19 Oct 2015, 2:15 pm

I've found every air pump that "comes with" is ordinary.

All seem like the cheapest thing they could get away with just so they could write it on the box as a selling feature.

Budget to buy a good one as well IMO, they ain't that much.
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Re: New Darche swag

Post by Xerox » 22 Oct 2015, 11:05 am

Can't remember the brand but I got a $40 one from BCF which works fine.

Runs of 4 D batteries, just gotta remember to take them out and bag them between trips as it's a bastard for draining them while in storage.
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Re: New Darche swag

Post by huccl » 26 Oct 2015, 10:58 am

I just got one of these, $17.

http://www.bcf.com.au/online-store/prod ... pid=326866

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Not the best built thing ever but cost bugger all and works fast :thumbsup:
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Re: New Darche swag

Post by Norton » 28 Oct 2015, 1:15 pm

Battery air pump is the way.

Get RSI from having to use the manual ones for 10 minutes :lol:
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Re: New Darche swag

Post by Stubbles McBeard » 30 Oct 2015, 9:08 pm

I've got an Adventure Kings copy of a Darche design, in a double. Damn thing is basically I small tent. But it gave me good excuse to get a new swag as far a the missus was concerned... "Yeah, I'll get a double so we can both sleep in it..."
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Re: New Darche swag

Post by Antie » 02 Nov 2015, 8:19 am

They look good to me. I'm shopping at the moment for upgraded swags and packs as most of my stuff is old and falling apart.

Darche are top of the list for me at the moment.
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Re: New Darche swag

Post by Craimos » 02 Nov 2015, 9:45 pm

http://www.murchisonriverswags.com/

Aussie made swags if you are interested. more basic design, but heaps of people swear by them as far as longevity and quality are concerned.
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Re: New Darche swag

Post by on_one_wheel » 02 Nov 2015, 10:25 pm

Craimos wrote:http://www.murchisonriverswags.com/

Aussie made swags if you are interested. more basic design, but heaps of people swear by them as far as longevity and quality are concerned.


There's nothing quite like something that's been made by someone in a shed, in Australia.

I bought my swag from a bloke who was a ex South Australian Police Saddle Maker. When he left the force he started making and selling swags from his shed.
I've had my swag for over 20 years, used it countless times and it's still pretty much as good as new.

I'd rather pay 3 times the price and get something made in Australia, made to last.
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Re: New Darche swag

Post by on_one_wheel » 03 Nov 2015, 11:04 am

Here's the bloke I was talking about in Adelaide http://www.ggswags.com
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Re: New Darche swag

Post by Craimos » 03 Nov 2015, 12:03 pm

on_one_wheel wrote:Here's the bloke I was talking about in Adelaide http://www.ggswags.com


looks like good gear. not sure that a SA based business should be using WA names like Kimberley and Pilbara on his swags though. Perhaps Barossa and Clare Valley would be more suitable! :lol:
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Re: New Darche swag

Post by on_one_wheel » 03 Nov 2015, 1:39 pm

why not ? Plenty of companies do it ... take Akubra for examlle, they don't make hats in Woomera.

Perhaps he could use names like "The Sturt Stony Desert " and " The Simpson " so he can cover 3 states with one name and leave the WA snobs out all together :lol:
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Re: New Darche swag

Post by The Brass » 04 Nov 2015, 12:54 pm

It isn't going to paint a great picture of what there swags are capable of if they imply they're just designed for sleeping in Adelaide :lol:
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Re: New Darche swag

Post by alan j » 04 Nov 2015, 5:51 pm

ive owned two aussie made swags, Tusker from w.a and b/w, The higher end imported swags seem to be just as good a quality for a LOT less money. The southern cross dome aussie swag is good but there are some very good copies on the market with some features that may be better like a raised pvc floor, more clips to centre pole, more pockets etc. However time will tell if the imported swags will go the distance.
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Re: New Darche swag

Post by huccl » 12 Nov 2015, 9:33 am

alan j wrote:there are some very good copies on the market with some features that may be better like a raised pvc floor, more clips to centre pole, more pockets etc.


Funny how the little things make all the difference.

A few extra clips for the poles always make them better.
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Re: New Darche swag

Post by alan j » 12 Nov 2015, 3:12 pm

yes a free standing swag with the pole that runs along its length a few extra clips can make a huge difference. if it starts to rain heavily, the water still runs off because the canvas is kept tight, the water cant pool on top like it does on some of the other swags. Something to look at , unless you like waking up in a wet bed.
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Re: New Darche swag

Post by SendIt » 13 Nov 2015, 9:06 am

Yeah but then you miss out on that hilarious moment when the tent collapses and does the equivalent of dropping a bucket of water on your mate in the middle of the night ;)
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Re: New Darche swag

Post by OODAH » 13 Nov 2015, 9:18 am

I've got the Nomad 900 that i just roll out on a stretcher, it's nice and comfy with only one pole to worry about. Only thing i don't like about is it doesn't have a flyscreen/mosquito net for those warm nights.
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Re: New Darche swag

Post by Hercl » 17 Nov 2015, 9:26 am

Bit of screen and some tape will fix that :D
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Re: New Darche swag

Post by OODAH » 17 Nov 2015, 2:12 pm

Hercl wrote:Bit of screen and some tape will fix that :D


Its fine for the cooler months but it was a bloody sauna when I went to Cape York :oops:
Defiantly going to sow in a net.
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Re: New Darche swag

Post by Norton » 18 Nov 2015, 9:35 am

I know the feeling, it's like sleeping in a greenhouse here in QLD in the wrong swag when it's hot and humid.
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