Nash Scope OPS Recon Brolly

How well is it built?

Nash have used a 10,000mm Aquasense cover on the Recon, which is double the hydrostatic head of the ESP Quickdraw and a strong figure for a brolly.

The frame uses 8mm high-strength fibreglass ribs, and the central bell cap has stainless wire in it to remove a common stress point on shelters.

The space-saving centre boss keeps the ribs tight to the cover, so you get more room under the canopy, and there's a central mesh pocket for receivers, keys and phones. The central pole has an EVA grip, which makes putting it up and taking it down that bit easier.

At 3.5kg for the brolly alone it's lighter than the ESP Quickdraw 58in, which I think is impressive given the heavier-duty cover, and everything about the frame looks built to take regular use.

Wind Resistance & Stability

The extended storm panels are the standout here.

They come further round than normal brolly storm sides, so a sleep system set at the back is protected from rain blowing in from the side, and they roll back independently with elastic toggles when it's dry and you want to see more of the water.

Nash supply two cam-locking 91cm storm poles and T-pegs, and the extended internal skirt is a clever touch. On wooden platforms or concrete, where you can't get a peg in, you put your sleep system's feet on the skirt and they pin the brolly down.

With the storm poles in and the panels down, I'd expect it to be a stable shelter for its size. My one gripe is that you only get two storm poles, where the ESP Quickdraw comes with four.

Coverage & Adjustability

Open, the Recon is 240cm wide, 150cm deep and 125cm high, which is a compact footprint but enough for a sleep system set across the back.

It isn't as deep as the ESP Quickdraw 58in, so if you want lots of room for kit as well as the bed, a bigger brolly or a bivvy will suit you better.

The removable zip door mosquito-mesh front is what makes it a summer shelter. It forms a barrier against biting insects, the zip door means you can get out quickly when the alarm goes, and you can take the whole panel off when you don't need it.

With the storm panels rolled back you get a wide view of the water, and with them down you're tucked in for the night, so it adapts well to the weather. For a brolly this compact, I think it gives you a good balance of cover and visibility.

Is it good value for money?

The Recon is one of the dearest brollies around, costing a fair bit more than the ESP Quickdraw 58in and more than double the Fox Easy Brolly 60. That's a lot for a brolly, and it's why the value score is the lowest of the four.

What you're paying for is the 10,000mm cover, the extended storm panels, the mosquito front, the internal skirt and a short pack that connects to your rod luggage.

If you already use Scope OPS Rod Skins, the way the roll-top bag connects to them makes it an easy brolly to carry on a long walk to the swim.

It suits mobile carp anglers who fish jungle swims, short overnighters and guest waters, want a compact shelter that travels with their rods, and are happy to pay more for proper weather and insect protection.

If you mainly fish from the barrow and want more room, the ESP Quickdraw 58in is the better buy.