FREQUENT ASKED QUESTIONS
🛠️ Design & Build Quality
What means 'Hydrostatic Head'?
> Hydrostatic Head (HH) measures a fabric’s waterproofness. The rating, given in millimeters, indicates the height of a water column required to penetrate the material. The higher the number, the more waterproof the fabric. The HH of the photo hides is 2.500 mm and with an additional rain cover it's 5.000 mm.
Are the hides 100% waterproof, or do I need an additional rain cover?> the hides are almost 100% waterproof, but because of the many windows there is always a change of some rain coming in. An additional rain cover is always good for superb protection. Also the Falco Mark IV, Buteo Mark II and Aquila Mark III have one or more integrated rain roofs/caps for protecting your telelens.
How effective is the internal black/dark coating at blocking shadows and silhouettes?> the black coating blocks almost all shadows and silhouettes and if you wear dark cloths it's only better. Tip; stay away from the windows with your face!
What material are the poles made of, and can I get replacement parts if one breaks in high winds?> for all the camouflage tents the poles are made from fiberglass and only the Falco Mark IV has spare aluminium poles you can buy. For all others tents there are replacment poles.
Is the fabric quiet when rustled by wind or when I move inside?> yes, the fabric is quiet when the tent is set-up properly.
Does the hide come with tent pegs and guy lines for high-wind stability?> Yes, all our hides are sold with a small bag with all the pegs and guy lines / ropes you need.
📸 Field Setup & Practical Use
How long does it take to set up and pack down the hide single-handedly?
> after a bit or practice you can set-up all the hides within a few minutes, this is with all poles. Without poles for example the Buteo Mark III it's just 20 seconds for the experienced photographer.
Can I fit a full-sized tripod with a gimbal head and long lens inside comfortably?> it depends on the hide, the Falco Mark IV is a low level hide and not all (big) tripods will fit, but because of the low level a groundpod or beanbag is more practical. All the other hides are spacious enough for a full-sized tripod and for example the Buteo Mark III and Aquila Mark III have slits in front of you while sitting. So you can place 1 feet of the tripod from inside to outside to gain more space inside.
Is there enough room for a second person or extra gear like a backpack and portable chair?
> The Falco Mark IV is for one person with backpack, no chair because of lying down to photograph low-level. One Man Chair Hides have an integrated chair and you can place a smaller backpack. The Buteo Mark III is designed for 1 person with a backpack and chair. Also the Outdoor Club Single Photo Hide and the Stealth Gear Double Altitude Hide are. The Aquila Mark III can have 2 photographers with chairs and backpacks. This is also for Stealth Gear Extreme Nature Square hide and Extreme Professional Two Man Wildlife Square Hide. Stealth Gear Extreme Two Man Chair Hide has a integrated seat for 2 photographers, a backpack is not advisable. Floating Hide The Grebe is designed for the water surface and is suitable for 1 photographer. No chair can be placed and no room for a baclpack, but it has 2 storage bags that you can attach to the floating tubes.
How does the viewing window work? Can I adjust the height for low-angle or ground-level shooting?> The two-part insect nets overlap in the middle with an elastic band that closes neatly around your lens and can be resized with a two-way zip. Buteo Mark III and Aquila Mark III have shooting windows at eye-level and low-level. All the other hides are for photographing wildlife at eye-level.
Are there dedicated snoots or lens sleeves to keep the lens hidden and protected from rain?
> yes there are dedicated snoots / lens sleeves / lenscovers . Falco Mark IV has 3 integrated ones, Floating Hide Grebe II has 2 integrated ones. For Buteo Mark III and Aquila Mark III you can buy them. For all other hides there are no snoots / lens sleeves / lenscovers .
🌲 Camouflage & Animal Behavior
Which camouflage pattern should I choose for my region (woodland, reed beds, snow, grasslands)?
> Green camouflage patterns work well in leafy woodland, hedges, dense vegetation and environments with fresh plant growth. Brown camouflage patterns suit forest floors, heathland, dry vegetation, fallen leaves and locations with earthy colours. Reed camouflage patterns blend into wetlands, dry grasses, reed beds and vegetation around ponds, rivers and lakes. Snow camouflage patterns are intended for light winter landscapes and snow-covered environments.The pattern helps break up the outline of the hide, but placement remains equally important. Position the hide near existing vegetation where this is permitted and avoid creating an isolated shape in an otherwise open landscape.
You may add local grass, reeds or fallen branches to suitable attachment loops. Never damage living vegetation or block photography openings and viewing windows.
Do birds and skittish mammals notice the scent or shape of a newly placed hide?> the scent will not be the problem, some animals will notice the newly placed hide. For more information, see the question below.
How long should I leave a hide in place before shooting to let local wildlife get used to it?> it's very different because of the species. Important is to set up the hide in the dark before the animals arrive. Most of them will accept the new "thing". There are species like for example Ravens, they are smart and you have to bring your hide in place a few days before the day you want to photograph. Tip: do not make noise and sit as quit as you can. Also, bring not a "bright" face in front of the viewing windows and do not "play" with your telephoto lens.
Does the hide block human scent to prevent spooking mammals like deer or foxes?
> yes, the hide will block human scent because of the fabric and the black coating. This is an extra layer to prevent scent going out. Tip: do not use after shave, parfum, soap or deodorant before entering the hide.
🎒 Portability, Weight & Comfort
How heavy is the hide when packed, and does it fit inside a standard travel suitcase or backpack?
> it depend on the hide, but between 2,5 and 5,0 kgs. They will fit in a standard suitcase. Inside a backpack is a complete other story, better is to attach the photo hide at the outside of a backpack.
Are there ventilation mesh panels to prevent condensation and heat build-up on summer days?> yes, almost all the hides have mesh panels to ventilate.
How well does the hide hold up in freezing weather or snow?> the hides are designed to hold up in freezing weather or snow, because they all have a roof with 2 crossed fiberglass poles for sturdiness. Also the hide have no huge open windows. Best is to use the additional rain roof for Falco Mark IV, Buteo Mark III and Aquila Mark III. Chair hides have a roof with a metal frame. The Outdoor Club Single Photo Hide as no fiberglass poles. All other Stealth Gear hides have fiberglass ploes, but no specialized rainroof.
Can I comfortably sit inside for 6–8 hours? What seating setup do you recommend?> if you 're good in quite sitting down it's no problem to hold up for 6-8 hours. But when you have a bad back, it can be a problem.
📦 Ordering, Maintenance & Support
How should I dry and store the hide after using it in wet conditions to prevent mold?
> when coming home take the hide out of the carry bag and errase the hide to flat position. Then dry first the 2 outher sides and then the two other sides. When you have space enough you can set-up the hide totally. Remove all dirt and after that dry it with a towel. Let it dry furthermore in the air and normally after a day the hide is ready to be packed in the carry bag.
What is the warranty coverage on zippers, seams, and frame poles?
> the warranty is for 2 years on fabric and zippers. Fiberglass poles and frames; always send an email so we can discuss.
Do you ship internationally, and what are the typical delivery times?
> yes, we ship internationally and typical delivery times are 2-5 days depending on the country.
Can I buy replacement carrying bags, ground sheets, or extra lens sleeves separately?
> yes you can buy for most hides replacement carrying bags, ground sheets, or extra lens sleeves
🦅 Specialized Shooting Scenarios & Ground-Level Work
Do you offer dedicated ground hides (lay-down blinds) for photographing waders, waterfowl, or low-angle subjects?
> yes, the Falco Mark IV is the perfect photo hide / camouflage tent to photograph low-level for waders, waterfowl and other low-level animals.
Can I shoot through the insect mesh without losing image sharpness or auto-focus accuracy?> it's not recommended to photograph trough the insect mesh as image sharpness will be lost and also the auto-focus accuracy is lost.
Are the window openings silent to operate (e.g., quiet zippers, magnets, or silent toggles) so I don't spook skittish wildlife?> yes, because of the silent zippers and the design of the insect mesch with elastics it's very easy to operate very silent and not spook the skittish wildlife.
How high off the ground are the main lens ports, and can I shoot while sitting directly on a ground mat?
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Can I mount a flash or external light source inside or through the hide openings?
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🛡️ Durability, Extreme Weather & Security
How does the fabric hold up against thorny bushes, sharp rocks, or heavy brush?
Is the material UV-resistant, or will the camo fade after prolonged exposure to sunlight?
What should I do if a zipper gets jammed with sand, dirt, or mud while out in the field?
Is the hide stable enough to leave unattended in nature for several days or weeks?
Are there tie-down points near the bottom to keep wind from blowing under the fabric?
🎒 Comfort, Ergonomics & Long Stays
Is there enough head clearance for tall photographers while sitting on a standard camp chair?
Does the hide have internal storage pockets for spare batteries, memory card wallets, or water bottles?
How effective is the ventilation during high heat, and does opening the vents compromise camouflage?
Is there a floor sheet included, or is the bottom open to the ground?
Can I easily get in and out of the hide quietly without disturbing the setup or wildlife outside?
📦 Compatibility, Accessories & Spare Parts
Will my giant telephoto lens (e.g., 600mm or 800mm with lens hood) fit through the lens openings
comfortably?
Do you sell replacement spring-frame poles or fiberglass rods if mine get bent or damaged?
Are extra scrim nets, scrim gloves, or matching body camo sleeves available to match the hide pattern?
Can I attach extra natural foliage (branches, grass, reeds) to the exterior of the hide using loops or webbing?
