Helinox Camping Chair - Chinese Clone

[Moo.]

Hey guys,

I know a fair few people look out for a decent packable camping chair for using on the bike..

I had liked the look of the Helinox chair, but at £80 this seems outrageous..

So i found a copy on ebay from china, for £35 and ordered one.

https://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc49/Evil_Sheep117/DSCF0550_zps4a1969d7.jpg

With a hand for size comparison..

https://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc49/Evil_Sheep117/DSCF0551_zpsdfcbbd98.jpg

Un-zipping the case and taking the contents out..

https://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc49/Evil_Sheep117/DSCF0552_zpsd38ceeab.jpg

Is has those elasticated bands inside all of the poles, so you wiggle it around a bit and it all snaps together

https://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc49/Evil_Sheep117/DSCF0553_zps0b849f52.jpg

Frame all connected up, its fairly low to the ground but feels fairly strong! Although i wouldnt rate it to the same weights as the helinox..

https://s214.photobucket.com/user/Evil_Sheep117/media/DSCF0554_zps77f4822b.jpg.html

The seat material just pops over each corner and stretches out..

https://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc49/Evil_Sheep117/DSCF0555_zps66685487.jpg

https://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc49/Evil_Sheep117/DSCF0556_zps952eac95.jpg

It seems pretty sturdy, although there is a bit of swap when sat on it, thats kinda expected as its not a rigid design.

Seriously comfortable though!! Your reclined slightly backwards and it supports my back nicely.. Taller people (over 6 foot) may find that the seat back ends just below their armpits..

All in all, i'm pretty please with it! Backs down fairly small and is kinda a nice luxury to take instead of those tiny tripod chairs.

Ebay linky.. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390630765872?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
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A2 Passed 18/6/10

[The Shaggy D.A.]

Nice wallpaper - are you really a little old lady?

Seriously though, the chair looks quite cool - how much do you weigh and how stable does it feel when you're in it?
____________________
Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[Moo.]

Haha! Yeah the last owner was a little old lady. Wallpaper in the bedroom is even worse!!

I weight about 75kg and it feels pretty stable, no doubt about it falling down or snapping. Theres a bit of torsional rotation, but nothing majorly worrying.

Forward and back theres no rocking, but its very comfy as theres a little flex as the fabrics kinda hammock'ed between the poles

Only thing that may cause concern is the legs sinking into boggy grass.. would lower the height a bit

Another note.. i don't actually think this came from china. All the post marks on it and writing is in german and euro's.. unless is passes through german customs?
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A2 Passed 18/6/10

[chickenstrip]

An interesting find, and the Helinox original, which I wasn't aware of, thanks

I have been using one of the small tripod chairs recently and also a full size fold-up camping chair on occasion. The full size one is clearly a bit large and unwieldy for bike use, but it's always nice to have a chair with a back so you can relax properly.

How do you rate the Chinese one for strength? Have they cut corners in materials too much to achieve that price? As you say, the original does seem a bit pricey.


EDIT Ok, seen the other posts now ( ), looks good.

[Moo.]

They've emailed me a discount code for future purchases until december 2014.. don't know if this works for everyone, or multiple times but give it a go.. 15% off

SUNTEKSTORE15
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A2 Passed 18/6/10

[DervMan]

Hey Moo, I also bought one of the £35 eBay ones from China last year, after comparing it to an original Helinox they are identical. Except the Chinese one doesn't have Helinox written on it!

It's lasted a summer of use already.

[delsol]

I was thinking of buying that chair, link is not working now, anyone have a working link ?

I cannot find it, search skills must be bad

EDIT

Found it, my bad, me dumb.

[DervMan]

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390630765872&ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:GB:3160

[delsol]

[delsol]

I bought one on reading Moo's post.

I would usually baulk at paying £35.00 for a camping chair, but this one made me fork out because it is so compact.

Tried it out and I am well pleased, it really packs down small, it is comfy and feels sturdy enough.

Only slight criticism, and I can live with it, is that when you stretch your legs out, your body tips forward a bit and you kind of feel like you are slipping out of the seat, and then it is not quite so comfortable.

All in, I'm glad I bought it, cheers Moo.

[stinkwheel]

I also now have one. Got it for my birthday.

Takes my weight. Slightly disconcerting in that it kind of rotates about the middle but HELL it packs small!

Needs more field-testing for accurate assessment of robustness.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Derivative]

These look interesting, might think about getting one nearer the summer. I've been looking for a decent chair that wouldn't end up just being a bit pointless (backrest needed otherwise I'd rather just lie down tbh). Keep us updated!

[Ste]

[The Shaggy D.A.]

Bump.

Any reviews, now peeps have had them a while?
____________________
Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[stinkwheel]

Been meaning to do that.

Yeah. Mine has now done the Dragon Rally and the "Big Knock" diesel bike rally. The latter involved me pretty much sitting in it all day for two days brewing tea then later, drinking cider.

Very comfortable, did not break. Packed away easily and (surprisingly), didn't sink into the ground all that much. You need to watch you don't leave the plastic feet behind stuck into the ground when you move it.

It does a lot of bending and flexing as you move around but I think this is why it doesn't break.

There was someone there with a genuine one. He'd spotted mine, I heard him telling his mate it was a cheap copy and would fall to bits as soon as it was sat on while I was still in my tent. You could feel the butthurt radiating off him when he walked past later and saw the size of me sat in it.

So, three days of repeated sitting at a rally and no discernable damage. That means it has performed better than any of the previous folding camping chairs I have owned.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[RodYork]

Great find & excellent subsequent report from the dragon rally!
____________________
Bike trip through Europe! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2yTtFPM7Xc

[Moo.]

Mines taken some abuse I've lost 2 of the little plastic feet because it sank, so when i pulled it out the ground they went missing..

Just put a few beer cans under the legs and its fine!

Seems plenty strong enough and is seriously comfy to sit in! Goes back in the bag really easily.

As said it does flex around a bit, probably because of the way its constructed with no cross bars or anything. Probably helps with the comfort too..

But for the ease and size of it, makes taking it on the bike car easier i'd definitely recommend.
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A2 Passed 18/6/10

[stinkwheel]

When folded up it fits neatly in one side of one of those Lidl tank bags (not expanded) with room left for a pair of plimsoles, waterproof trousers and a bottle of wine.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[delsol]

Just back from a very warm 3 day bike jaunt, the last night spent below Ben Nevis, long ride back in sweltering heat, must not complain though cause I managed to dodge the midges.
Some German guys and girlies were whacked pretty hard though.


2 long evenings, maybe 6 hours each, sitting (some might say swaying) around in chair.

To be honest it is not as good as the full size type folding chair with arm rests and can holder, but still very comfortable, it's a legs outstretched chair for max comfort, pack size makes up for any minor shortcomings.
(edit: oops, it's a legs close in chair for max comfort, legs stretched out it tips me too far forward)

As Stinks said, rubber feet can come off, one of mine did but I retrieved it by sticking my finger in a damp little hole and teasing it out.

I'm gonna try some adhesive or maybe drill tiny holes and pin the rubber feet to the leg tubes.

Sturdy?, so far all is good, just check the rubber feet are there when you lift it out of soft ground.

[The Shaggy D.A.]

I've a Walkstool that has the "lose the feet in soft ground" problem. I'm tempted by the chinkee copy, and may look at getting some castor cups to throw in the bag too :-

https://www.doorfurnituredirect.co.uk/scpro/bernards/productdetailsmore~productid~6085.htm
____________________
Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[map]

[stinkwheel]

[The Shaggy D.A.]

By the time I've drunk 4 cans, I wouldn't be able to stay in the chair
____________________
Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[DervMan]

This looks interesting!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151345945835

[delsol]