Darche Air-Volution AD1100 Air Swag Video

[Jon Burrell - Tentworld]

Hi Swaggers,

The team finished filming & editing this video today for the Darche AD1100 Air-Volution Air Pole Swag.  These types of swags are still fairly unseen, and it's difficult to realise what you are seeing when you're in our shops and they're already setup.  The magic of these swags, is when you're setting them up.  So I thought I would share this video for you to check out and see what they're all about. 

Personally,  I have not yet pitched an air swag myself but after watching Luke in this video I'm looking at my old swag with different eyes........ 

Let me know what you think!  Here is the link:  https://youtu.be/7Ie9gdF_xAw

Here is a picture taken from the video, so you can get a bit of a preview as to what the video is like.  (I cant work out how to embed youtube videos?)




For your convenience,  please find the links to the different sizes this swag is available in:

Single 900mm wide: 
https://www.tentworld.com.au/buy-sale/darche-air-volution-swag-ad-900

King Single 1100mm wide: 
https://www.tentworld.com.au/buy-sale/darche-air-volution-swag-ad-1100

Double 1400mm wide: 
https://www.tentworld.com.au/buy-sale/darche-air-volution-swag-ad-1400

We are of course stockists of many many brands & styles of swags.  Our entire range can be viewed here: 
https://www.tentworld.com.au/swags/

Keen to hear what you think about this swag, does it get you excited like it did me?  What type of swag do you own?  What do you like about it?

[BaseCamp]

good video, Jon..
Thanks for sharing.
That swag is a novel concept.


Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[McTavish]

Hey - seriously looking at the Darche Dusk to Dawn - likely the 1100 wide - seems to be a good compromise on room and storage space.

Not having a go here - but from an no swag experienced person looking at the 1100 'Standard' swag verse the Air-pole swag - I'm struggling to see the rather large gap in the price tag $370 v $650 for what you get for the extra $280.   

I have a mate who has the 900 size Darche air swag and he loves it and yes it took only a few seconds to pump it up.   Just curious to know a little more about these if you have some info?

Thanks,

McT

[Jon Burrell - Tentworld]

Hi McTavish,

Happy to try help. 

As we do not manufacture these ourselves we're only going from what we've been told from all air tent/swag manufactures that we partner with - Darche, Zempire, Outdoor Connection, OZtrail etc. 

All of these manufacturers have experience making air pole products - swags, gazebos & tents. 

They all tell the same story - air poles are plain expensive. 

To add to the problem - Darche in their design have decided that a single inflation point is very important - and it is great!! Fantastic in this video!! 

However,  this does make the air pole system even more expensive as there are more welds and custom work that have to happen in these poles.

By comparison,  tent poles for all dome tents (that most swags use) are very similar, and there are many manufacturers who've been doing it for years in big quantities.

So we're battling with a few issues. Age of technology, and efficiencies of scale. 

Probably where we see these swags are most popular is with those who've owned a few regular swags in the past and have suffered from a few broken poles.  It can happen all too easily, as to achieve the arch required for a swag - the pole is bending at angles close to its limit.  Completely within specifications, but not much spare. 

Where this becomes a problem, is if you're in a hurry and are a bit rough with the poles, or if you're setting it up after a long night of socialising  and perhaps your motor skills are a bit reduced.

This can sometimes result in bending the pole, beyond its limit and snapping it. 

We always recommend to every camper, always set up your tent, and sleeping equipment before you begin socialising. However,  despite me for years advising customers of this.... I have once found myself guilty of not practicing what I preech.  A few years ago... I was pitching my swag in the very early morning at a bucks party. Only to break a pole. 

After years or advising others to not do this I was very dissapointed in myself, let me tell you!!

So in summary -

Air poles, whilst they're expensive - are practically impossible to burst - unless you're using aftermarket pumps etc.  So this problem is eliminated.  Swags are great all in one convenient sleeping pads.  Going with air poles in my opinion does add additional reliability to your setup.

You could of course buy a spare set of poles when you buy your new swag....  But that could be too sensible!?

There is obviously the appeal for some in having something different to the norm too.

Another swag to consider,  if you're quick.  Is the Zempire Ranger https://www.tentworld.com.au/buy-sale/zempire-ranger-1200-air-canvas-swag

It's an airswag from Zempire (very experienced in canvas & air poles) - the design is a bit different to the Airvolution, a bit more like a regular dome pole swag. 

It has a single air pole at the head, and then uses a different type of pole system for the foot end.  It's not free standing however.

Nice price on them until we've cleared the stock out!

I hope my ramblings above make sense!  Any questions please let me know.

Cheers,

Jon

[McTavish]

Jon - thanks for your 'ramblings' !      

Makes sense - and I really appreciate your candid comments on this product and indeed all the aspects you have mentioned.   

You've made some good points so I can make up my mind based on all the aspects - I just need to work out suitability verse price verse convenience.

Either way, I'll be making my way down to your Browns Plains store before Christmas to make my purchase.

A little off topic - but nonetheless - I'd like to put out a 'Plug' for their store as they've always looked after us really well.   We've bought 2 CFX fridges (50 & 28) through this store and multiple other bits and pieces for our camper.  There was an issue with the 28ltr but the guys provided outstanding service sorting it out.   I was really impressed how much they cared about getting the right outcome for us.     

It's obvious that Tentworld has built a good culture, and management supports the staff to support the customer per our experiences.   

Your passion for the business and understanding the products in your answer prompted me to google who owns/manages the business and I was pleasantly surprised to find your name as GM.    Love it when the 'brass' are hands on with this stuff - well done!!

McT   

[Jon Burrell - Tentworld]

Thank you McTavish 

Really appreciate your support, and for your shoutout!

You are right, I am the GM and the business is my families - I work beside my father Alex he is the MD, he's 2nd generation in the business after my grandfather Rex started it in 1968. 

We havent always been in camping, we started in caravanning, but it has been a natural evolution for us to be here.  We've been in camping since around 1988 - it started as a division, for addon sales with caravans & grew into its own beast.   

Retail is often thankless so this great feedback does mean a lot to me & the team at Browns Plains thank you - I will be passing this on to them to enjoy too. 

If it wasnt too much to ask.  Would you mind leaving us a Google review for Tentworld Browns Plains please?

We find this is a really great way to help people who arent familiar with us as a business know that we're worth the effort of visiting.

Unfortunately unlike TripAdvisor for restuarants - there is not a great culture of leaving reviews for retail businesses - unless when unhappy.

For instance,  Browns Plains only has 144 reviews - but obviously we served many many many more than that.

If it's not asking too much and you're comfortable doing so the link to take you straight to where you do it is here:  https://bit.ly/2Rs9zqR

Of course, if you're not a reviewer &/or dont have a Google account - please dont feel under pressure to do so! I am able to accept your great feedback here & enjoy it without asking for more. 



Cheers, 

Jon


BTW - I look forward to hearing how your visit to Browns Plains goes!  Thanks again for your support. 

[McTavish]

Great minds think alike - but I beat you to it - as I provided positive feedback there already earlier this year!!

[Jon Burrell - Tentworld]

Great minds think alike - but I beat you to it - as I provided positive feedback there already earlier this year!!

Legend you're all over it.  Thank you very much!   

[McTavish]

Jon - sorted mate - and same with the swag - now tucked away nice and safe ready for Christmas - I just need to practice my Ahh what's this under the tree for me routine!!
James looked after me - and no surprises but he knew his stuff...

[Jon Burrell - Tentworld]

Jon - sorted mate - and same with the swag - now tucked away nice and safe ready for Christmas - I just need to practice my Ahh what's this under the tree for me routine!!
James looked after me - and no surprises but he knew his stuff...

Thank you for your support McTavish - very much appreciated, and I'm very glad to hear that James was able to assist you!  

Swags look great under the Christmas tree.  It gets everyone wondering what that big present is!