What are the Pennine folding campers with the Quartz 6 (Isotex) "canvas" like for breathability compared to the earlier cotton types? What are they like in hot weather? Does it get stuffy inside?
And is the Q6 (uses Isacryl cloth) that has replaced the Quartz 6 (uses isotex cloth) better or worse?
Hi,
We have a quartz 4 with the newer fabric -we had a countryman with canvas previously. Took a while to make the decision to change as we were very happy with countryman. However -thrilled with the change, camped in Germany and Holland last Summer, had some very hot weather but also torrential rain - new fabric was great, watertight, but main advantage was how quickly it dried. After a particularly heavy night of rain, was able to allow to dry and pack up completely dry after a short period of sun and wind.
Would not go back to canvas - but 'horses for courses' -we don't tend to go very far south, maybe if temperatures were very high they would not 'breath' as well but you do have very good ventilation with large netted windows so I don't think it would be a problem.
I'm sure you will get far more technical replies from the very helpful crowd on here but for ease of use I would go for new materials.
Enjoy! -Can't wait for the spring!!
We had a crusader with the isotex and had no problems whatsoever, totally watertight, warm in the colder months and not overly hot in the summer in France...never had traditional canvas, so can't comment on the difference. It does dry off remarkably quickly.
Hi, wee have a Quartz 4 with the Isotex. I will echo what Jankelly says, although we have had some problems with condensation around the bedroom area on colder nights, which we never had with our trad fabric cruiser. We have used the Quartz in hot weather in France twice, 2012 in the Dordogne and 2013 on the South West Coast and never found it uncomfortably hot. I do find the fabric harder to handle, due to it's thicker nature
The newer Q6 does use the Isacryl, which is I believe more breathable, easier to handle and feels more like normal canvas. The water flows off quickly, like the Isatex, but it does not have the wipe clean ability of the Isacryl.
Veema, I think yours would have had Isacryl, which was used on the Conway badges models, whilst the Pennine Quartz had the Isatex. All these Isa's got me confused!!
I am told the reason they stopped the Isatex was because the added cost of the material pushed the price too high so people were not buying them. However we do love our quartz 4.
------------- Alan
2016
February C&CC Theobalds Park
March C&CC Salisbury
May C&CC Adgestone IOW
July Le Clos Auroy, Auvergne France
August C&CC Polstead
August C&CC Oxford
October C&CC Lauder
That was about it Veema, and they found the ones with the old fabric for saleable. Too many ISAs, and I always thought they were a savings account
------------- Alan
2016
February C&CC Theobalds Park
March C&CC Salisbury
May C&CC Adgestone IOW
July Le Clos Auroy, Auvergne France
August C&CC Polstead
August C&CC Oxford
October C&CC Lauder
Both Isatex and Isacryl are materials from Isabella, tent and awning manufacturers - hence their both starting with "isa".
See their website, http://www.isabella.net/uk/awnings, and look up the blurb on a few awnings.
The Isatex is described as not breathable, waterproof and easy to clean.
The Isacryl is described as "very breathable" and also as "lightweight".
Water vapour from just breathing and perspiring create condensation issues and stuffiness issues; breathability is vital to a tent just as when you store vegetables in a sealed plastic bag you have damp, smelly or mouldy carrots.
Hi Delba, We have never found our quartz 4 stuffy, and there our plenty of ways to ventilate. The two windows at the rear and the bedroom windows have a mesh, with plastic inside & out. The inside plastic can be zipped open and the outer one can be held with the bottom open by the "Pen Vents" providing good ventilation whilst not risking a wet inside if it rains. When we are with the camper during the day, we also roll the outer plastics up & open for even more ventilation if it's hot.
In colder times it is finding a balance of keeping warm but allowing some fresh air to flow by having a small piece of a window open, or not blocking all the gaps where the gas struts fit through. Hope this helps.
------------- Alan
2016
February C&CC Theobalds Park
March C&CC Salisbury
May C&CC Adgestone IOW
July Le Clos Auroy, Auvergne France
August C&CC Polstead
August C&CC Oxford
October C&CC Lauder
We purchased a pathfinder last year 2013 q6 With isacryl and its been great. We have had no issues with leaks and the rain runs off and drys really quick and I mean quick 10 mins no rain and you could pack up.
As for stuffy we have not found this at all, in hotter times we just open the window vents and colder times it seems to hold heat well
Sounds good Glamcamping. I think if I was buying a 2nd hand unit and had a choice between one with Isacryl, as I have now or Isatex, I would go for the Isatex, mainly because of the condensation, which although not bad is a niggle.
------------- Alan
2016
February C&CC Theobalds Park
March C&CC Salisbury
May C&CC Adgestone IOW
July Le Clos Auroy, Auvergne France
August C&CC Polstead
August C&CC Oxford
October C&CC Lauder
well that's confusing Alan, don't you mean you'd go for the Isacryl...? According to your posting of the 18th yours has the Isatex, so surely it is the Isatex which has the condensation niggle.
The Isacryl being lighter as well as breathable does seem to suggest it to be the better option.
Many thanks to all for your comments on this. Delba.
Senior moment, and I re read that twice to make sure I'd got it right! Yes we would go for the Isacryl as on the Q6.
------------- Alan
2016
February C&CC Theobalds Park
March C&CC Salisbury
May C&CC Adgestone IOW
July Le Clos Auroy, Auvergne France
August C&CC Polstead
August C&CC Oxford
October C&CC Lauder
Hi all I have just purchased a quartz 4 does anyone have a manual for it showing all the equipment on board and how it all works any help greatly appreciated as I can't seem to find anything specific on the Internet for the Quartz 4
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Topic: pennine Quartz 6 canvas breathable?
