Mate. I just ripped all my superheroes posters from my wall and replaced them with your photos. Mate you are officially my new hero. The video made me feel like I was testing the hide myself excellent content. Just welcome your new subscriber

@simoneardley

Жыл бұрын

Haha, very kind words Felix and welcome to the channel. Thanks for the support mate 👍🏼👊🏼

I've watched hundreds of reviews on KZread of all sorts of products. This review is the best I've seen, comprehensive and clear. Thanks for your hard work Simon.

@simoneardley

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Trevor, i always think if a reviews worth doing then do a thorough one. Hopefully it'll help someone make an informed decision. Thanks again mate.👍

Great review - really like the extra steps showing what you can get in there - thats exactly the kind of info someone needs before making a larger purchase like this- keep up the great videos

@simoneardley

3 жыл бұрын

Cheers Rick, yeh its an important part, I agree. You need to know exactly what youre buying especially at the moment where everything is being bought online.A surprisingly roomy little hide!!

Another great review Simon, thank you. Already using the nitehawk after watching your review in a previous video. I always look forward to seeing your content, you’re one of a few that I’ve hit the bell for as I feel it’s an honest down to earth reflection of how the ordinary guy who loves to take photographs of wildlife’s experience is. Wishing you all the best with the channel’s success mate, take care and stay safe.

@simoneardley

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Stephen, kind words. Glad youre enjoying the channel, hopefully i can get out soon and show you some pics. Hope youre enjoying the Nitehawk. 👍🏼📷

Thank you! I just got the v3. It is nice to see a video that show how to mount it. Really well explained!! It is the ultimate review!! :)

@simoneardley

3 жыл бұрын

Cheers Eric

Yet another goodun Simon great review looking foward to seeing you out in the field with it 👍

@simoneardley

3 жыл бұрын

Yeh, me too Derrick!!👍🏼📷👀

Great review...my v 3 arrived a few hours ago...you did a fantastic job, Simon...thank you!!! I am looking forward to getting into the field with it! Cheers!

@simoneardley

3 жыл бұрын

Cheers Stu, you wont be disappointed. They are a great hide, probably my favourite of all the Tragopan hides that I have.

By far the best review of a great hide… that I also own 👍

@simoneardley

Жыл бұрын

Cheers Paul, theyre a great hide arent they👍🏼

Great review Simon. Looks a crackin bit of kit, I much prefer the new colour of this one. The quality of the video and audio is top notch to. Stay safe, cheers mate. 👍

@simoneardley

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks John, yeh the colours great much better than the Monal. As far as i know all the new hides will be this colour. All the best, Si👍🏼

Crackin thorough video exactly what you need before buying a piece of kit like this thank you stay safe

@simoneardley

3 жыл бұрын

Cheers Steve, glad you enjoyed it👍🏼

Great review. Recently found your channel as I've started to do some wildlife photography. These hides look great may have to invest in one.

@simoneardley

3 жыл бұрын

You'll not go far wrong with one of these Simon. Dont forget the discount code in the bio.👍🏼Tragosimon5

You always give your reviews the full Monty brilliant stuff.

@simoneardley

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Denzil

Thanks for all of the detailed instructions. They didn't come with the blind. I think it's going to be a nice blind (hide). Thanks again....

@simoneardley

2 жыл бұрын

Its a great blind, one of my favourites.👍🏼

Nice one Si another top vid Iam struggling to keep up still chasing Kingfishers but its nice to know as much you can about wildlife photography and your vids are top class. New vlog camera seems fine and sound is spot on hope your back out there soon stay safe. 👍

@simoneardley

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Graeme, stick at it mate. It is a steep learning curve but hopefully the films can teach people a few things. All the best👊📷

Thank you so much for your indepth review. It helped me decide on purchasing it before getting the Tragapon V6. I'm using the Hokki to try and capture bobcats and coyotes on my property in Kentucky. I'm going to use the V6 for bears, deer and bald eagles on Cumberland Lake.

@simoneardley

2 жыл бұрын

Youve got the Tragopan bug Al. Great products for sure!!👍🏼👍🏼📷

Hi Simon, Good video, sound and video quality is perfect. The ground hide looks pretty good. Once you've set up and settled down, you're ready to go. I suppose you don't have to lay on your stomach all the while and you could also lay on your side. I think that a lot of wildlife would not be too distracted by it and you will end up getting some cracking ground level shots...😎👍👍

@simoneardley

3 жыл бұрын

Yeh its gonna be a great asset to the camera gear arsenal. There's definitely room like you say to lie on your side which will hopefully make the experience a bit less uncomfortable.#nopainnogain 👍🏼📷

Excellent review

Another great vlog Simon, I have been looking at the Hokki V3 for a little while now with a similar sort of thought process as you, ie possibly using for over nighters. Thank you so much for doing a review it has definitely given me some food for thought and certainly edging me closer to purchasing one. Much appreciated and stay safe. All the best 👍 (Video quality and sound quality are excellent too) 👌

@simoneardley

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ian, I'm definitely gonna use it for overnighters. I kipped in it the other night and the weather was grim, lashing it down and windy. It held up really well. Dry as a bone, you can certainly feel a breeze when youre in there because its not completely sealed but it was great.👍🏼

@ianwarner8894

3 жыл бұрын

@@simoneardley Thanks for the info 👍 it certainly sounds ideal. I had been considering getting a little hiking tent to do over nighters in, but the Hokki seams to be the perfect all in one solution. Just one question if I may, did you notice if the silver inner liner made much of a difference with regards to heat retention and how was it on the condensation front in the morning ? Many thanks in advance. Ian

@simoneardley

3 жыл бұрын

The night I slept in it, it was mild but really rainy. There was no condensation in it at all. When I've done a really cold night in it, I'll let you know👍

@ianwarner8894

3 жыл бұрын

@@simoneardley Top man Simon, cheers mate 👍

A very thorough and practical review as usual. A couple of points. Firstly you mentioned at the start that the hide was just the thing you need to get low down. I was excited at that point because I thought it had some magic trick to fix my dodgy knees and oversized belly. No such luck so I may still find it impossible to get down into it. If I do, there is a serious possibility I may never get back up! 🙄 Secondly, the issue with the mini tripod and video head. With your excellent DIY skills perhaps you could knock up a ground pod using an old frying pan so that you can mount the head directly to that. Just a thought. Great video and it looks a great product. All the best.

@simoneardley

3 жыл бұрын

Haha, sorry Robert cant help out in the mobility department I'm afraid mate. Yep its a bit of an effort getting in there but hopefully going to yield some good results. I like the idea of the pan conversion, i think they call it a ground pod or something like that. I feel a raid on the kitchen coming on !!😆😆

Great review Simon

@simoneardley

3 жыл бұрын

Cheers Adrian👍🏼

Great review Simon very in depth, great for helping people to decide if that’s a bit of kit for them. I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts on staying in it overnight. I use a hooped bivvy for staying out overnight on the mountains of Scotland. ( same size in width & length, very light to carry in my bergan, but one night is enough). Keep up the great videos.

@simoneardley

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Gordon, yeh this little overnighter film is on the ever growing list of films to do. Hopefully getting a new sleeping bag for Christmas so will get out then, it'll make a better film when its a bit baltic!!!👍🥶☃️

Awesone review Simon, very comprehensive and how it should be done:-) well done mate🙏👍! I’ve just reviewed the TRAGOPAN V6 with new colour which I find much better, let’s hope it goes down okay 🙏👍. All the best R :-)

@simoneardley

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Richard, totally agree. The new colour is stacks better, shame I've not got the Monal in the new pattern!! I'm thinking of getting the V6 myself, the missus thinks I've got a hide fetish!! I look forward to the review. All the best 👍 📷👊

Well done Simon with your review on the ground hide, i would send a copy/link of this video to the Manufactures and ask them to consider sending you your money back for the purchase of it, you did a professional review, it should be worth the cost of it to them after seeing the video. If and when you do use the ground hide, watch out for them Cows ??? Lol All the Best Simon Steve

@simoneardley

3 жыл бұрын

Yeh not a bad shout Steven👊

Watching the the New low hide .Great video showing everything you should think about . As I'm 6ft 1 like you tall,I find any that after a while on your elbows my back aches and semi sets .May need blow up small pillow to take to inflate and support under your stomach and will allow a more pleasant time over those hours .Just a thought to save your back.👍

@simoneardley

3 жыл бұрын

Yeh good shout John, ive got a bit of a dodgy back at the best of times so I feel this little hide is going to put it to the test!! The things you put yourself through to get a few shots eh!!😆📷

I'm seriously considering this blind to shoot Greater Sage Grouse out here in Wyoming. The only thing that really concerns me is the camo. For most of the year, veg is in the yellows to light browns (Thunder Basin National Grassland) with sagebrush. When they're on their leks in March/April, it's considerably greener if we've had appropriate levels of snow over the winter. I'm thinking if I got this I'd need to get their tan ghille blanket to put on top to better blend in. Thanks for the thorough review!

@simoneardley

6 ай бұрын

You wont be dissappointed with the hide but as you mentioned each change in the seasons brings a new challenge. I get around this by using natural foliage and an assortment of different coloured ghillie blankets and camo nets.

Great review! Although the quick setup mechanism imo is not great but really pointless. I mean you spend hours in a hide and you save... 20sec (?) setup time, with added bulk & carry weight compared to regular tent poles (which can also be easily replaced in case of an accident). I really like the Tragopan hides except for this detail.

@simoneardley

Ай бұрын

Personally I think its one of Tragopans best design features. Its a lot less faff when setting up, rapid and sometimes you may need to get a hide up really quick. 👍🏼

Great review Simon, looking forward to see it being used out in the field soon, the video and sound is miles better than vlog made three days ago, sorry to say, but the sound that day was terrible.

@simoneardley

3 жыл бұрын

Yeh I'll give you that one James, sorted now. Yeh really looking forward to using this hide, I think its going to be a great asset!!👍🏼

Nice .

@simoneardley

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks

A ground pod (old frying pan) with the video head will give you a lower viewpoint Simon and might also eliminate the need for the bean bags. Greg

@simoneardley

3 жыл бұрын

Yeh a few people have suggested that Greg, I feel another project coming on 👍🏼📷 Cheers

So good i bought one.

@simoneardley

3 жыл бұрын

Hope you enjoy it David, great hide.👍🏼📷

@davidlain8220

3 жыл бұрын

Simon.. My hide arrived today.. So well thought out and well made.. Its going to be cold trying it out gut hey hoo. Keep up the videos..

Hey Simon, If you haven't already.... I think you need to head to the worshope and make a low heavy base for mounting the video head onto for more stable base for video and even for stills than that small tripod and bean bag. You are heading in the right direction for sure! Waiting to see you use this new hide! Sayin' hey.... Greg

@simoneardley

3 жыл бұрын

Cheers Greg, you could be right there. Gonna try the tripod first and see if it works and then tweak the set up if needed!!👍🏼

@maccas5060

3 жыл бұрын

Have you thought of using an old frying pan and mount the video head on the bottom of the pan.I’ve seen someone who drilled a hole in the centre of the pan makes for a solid base.

Morning Simon! Great video as always. I have this hide and would love to know where to get the matress and sheet. Also could you do a video on the making of the groundsheet or maybe link a photo?

@simoneardley

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Nicholas, the groundsheet was made from an old carp bivvy groundsheet and the 'mattress' is just a cheap self inflating camping mat. Try TVS (Tent Valeting Services) at Farnworth for your groundsheet material. Theyre online and very helpful.

@djbuknard

3 жыл бұрын

@@simoneardley Thanks very much for the info!

Brilliant thanks for sharing.. Do you think you will go mirallas in the future like Z6ll thanks

@simoneardley

3 жыл бұрын

No plans at the moment, I'd rather get some new glass Dave. Saving for a 300mm f2.8. I like the idea of the silent shutter and the weight saving but not for the foreseeable📷👍🏼

In my ground hide, not a hokki, I use my camera bag as support for the camera

Hi Simon I have also bought this hide agree with you about the colours. Regarding platform for video head I’ve seen a beanbag with tripod plate on top made by lens coat could be the answer. Another good video thanks!

@simoneardley

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Peter, someone suggested a ground pod utilising an old frying pan!! Looks like its back to the workshop. I'll have a look at Lenscoat, they make some good gear👍🏼

This is a great review. How long can you stay in this position without being uncomfortable? Thanks

@simoneardley

Жыл бұрын

Thanks.Good question. Not long, I tend to turn on my back and have a stretch. The longest I did was just over 13 hrs!!

It was Great review (little too quiet)

It looks a decent hide, Guess I could sleep overnight in it too if I put an inflatable mat inside..

@simoneardley

Жыл бұрын

Definitely Dave 👍🏼

You have a lot of hides review. What is your current best hide to use? One man hide with the chair (font remember the company name) or the ones from Tragopan: Monal v2 or Hokki v3? Did You used the Tragopan V6? Do You leave your hides on the destination for a couple of days so the a

@thomasbednarowski1651

3 жыл бұрын

...so the animals can familiar with the hides?

@simoneardley

3 жыл бұрын

Every situation is different Thomas, ideally it's better to leave the hide up to let the subjects get used to it but due to possibility of theft not always possible. Not had chance to have a good session in the V6 yet👍🏼

Is there any discount codes available for the v3 hide if anyone can help I’m trying to get started with better wildlife photography thank you 😊

@simoneardley

Жыл бұрын

You can use TragoSimon5 for a 5% discount on Tragopans website Eddie👍🏼

Great review but I have tried photography in that position and it is hard on your neck and ribcage.

@simoneardley

3 жыл бұрын

I agree John its not going to be the comfiest session in there but the ability to turn round and put some form of cushioning in there should help.👍🏼

Another great review Simon of an interesting hide.. How comfortable do you think it'll be for a long term session? Also bit difficult to drink your brew and have a jack russell's asshole laid down 😂 looking forward to the field test..

@simoneardley

3 жыл бұрын

Not very comfy Andy but no pain no gain as they say. I think the addition of matting to lie on will help but we'll have to see. Theres no way i'll be doing a session in there without a brew and a fig, we will find a way!!😆😆☕️

Is it good enough to camp out in it overnight mate

@simoneardley

Жыл бұрын

I've slept in mine overnight, no problem. Its proper cosy!!👍🏼

still think the colour is wrong not enough green

I've actually begun to wonder as to whether people enjoy watching these videos, they seem to have about as much enjoyment and excitement as cutting the lawn with a set of tin-snips? A simple piece of low-quality education where Tragopan will use any Vlogger who is prepared to take the time to put a video together, use them for free advertising?

@simoneardley

3 жыл бұрын

Tragopan didn't ask me to do this review Bruce. I bought the hide with my own money and thought other wildlife photographers who were considering purchasing this product might find it useful. Due to the fact that we're in lockdown I'm somewhat restricted when it comes to producing 'exciting' films at the moment. Best get those tin-snips out !!🤣🤣