Eureka Extended Stay 19-Foot by 14-Foot Eight-Person Family Tent Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Eureka Extended Stay 19- by 14-Foot Eight-Person Family Tentis no good. Its poor design made it function like a huge parachute. I set it up in my back yard to apply seam sealer and the tent disintegrated in less than 24 hours in a 10 to 15 MPH breeze. I had attached all clips to the poles and the tent was fully staked except for one loop inside, which stabilized the door in the room divider. The two main fiberglass poles that supported the rain fly split lengthwise and then sheered in two. The tent collapsed to the ground and could not be righted without replacement parts. I cannot believe that Eureka put their name on this tent.

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Perfect for large families who enjoy their space and privacy, the Eureka Extended Stay family tent offers the largest floor space of any Eureka model--266 square feet. Additionally, it can be divided into two sleeping areas with the removable room divider and it includes a screen room for enjoying the evening sunset. With the removable zippered room divider you can have one (9' 6"by 14') or two (9' 6" by 7') sleeping rooms. The large floorless screen room comes with clip-on storm flaps, which keep you dry during inclement weather.
This large-volume tent is erected with 12.7mm fiberglass and 19mm cable-corded self-supporting steel poles. Set up is quick and easy thanks to the ring and pin attachments, color coded poles with central hub attachment points, polyester pole sleeves, and fly clips. It features a bathtub floor that keeps seams taut and high off the ground, and factory taped fly and floor seams for superior weather protection. Other features include large no-see-um mesh roof panels, two mesh gear pockets, three accessory hoops with clothesline, and a flashlight loop.
Specifications:
Area: 266 square feet (includes 133 square foot screen room)
Floor size: 19 feet by 14 feet
Center height: 7 feet, 6 inches
Wall fabrics: 1.9-ounce polyester taffeta with 800mm coating
Floor fabrics: 1.9-ounce 70D nylon taffeta with 800mm coating
Fly fabrics: 1.9-ounce 75D Stormshield Polyester with 800mm coating
Pack size: 12 by 32 inches
Weight: 45 pounds, 1 ounce

About Eureka Though the exact year is unknown, Eureka’s long history begins prior to 1895 in Binghamton, New York, where the company still resides today. Then known as the Eureka Tent & Awning Company, its first wares were canvas products--most notably, Conestoga wagon covers and horse blankets for nineteenth century American frontiersmen--as well as American flags, store awnings, and camping tents.
The company increased production of its custom canvas products locally throughout the 1930s and during the 1940 and even fabricated and erected the IBM "tent cities" just outside Binghamton. The seven acres of tents housed thousands of IBM salesmen during the company’s annual stockholders meeting, which had since outgrown its previous locale. In the 1940s, with the advent of World War II and the increased demand for hospital ward tents, Eureka expanded operations and began shipping tents worldwide. Ultimately, upon the post-war return of the GIs and the resultant housing shortage, Eureka turned its attention to the home front during the 1950s by supplying awnings for the multitude of mobile homes that were purchased.
In 1960, Eureka’s new and innovative Draw-Tite tent, with its practical, free standing external frame, was used in a Himalayan Expedition to Nepal by world renowned Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person documented to summit Mt. Everest only six years earlier. In 1963, Eureka made history during its own Mt. Everest ascent, with more than 60 of its tents sheltering participants from fierce 60+ mph winds and temperatures reaching below -20°F during the first all American Mt. Everest Expedition.
For backpackers and families, Eureka introduced its legendary Timberline tent in the 1970s. Truly the first StormShield design, this completely self-supporting and lightweight backpacking tent became one of the most popular tents the entire industry with sales reaching over 1 million by its ten year anniversary.
Eureka tents have also traveled as part of several historic expeditions, including the American Women’s Himalayan Expedition to Annapurna I in 1978 and the first Mt. Everest ascents by a Canadian and American woman in 1986 and 1988. In recent history, tents specially designed and donated by Eureka sheltered Eric Simonson and his team on two historic research expeditions to Mount Everest, this time in a quest for truth regarding the 1924 attempted summit of early English explorers George Mallory and Andrew Irvine. During the 1999 expedition, the team made history finding the remains of George Mallory, but the complete mystery remained unsolved. Returning in 2001 to search for more clues, the team found amazing historical artifacts which are now on display at the Smithsonian.
Amazon.com Tent Guide Selecting a Tent Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Expect the Worst In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in! If you're a backpacker, alpine climber or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to take something designed to handle more adversity.
Three- and Four-Season Tents For summer, early fall and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain-fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are more specifically designed for summer backpacking and other activities. Many premium tents will feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain-fly for enhanced waterproofness.
For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.
Domes and Tunnels Tents are broadly categorized into two types, freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and those that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floor-plan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being more lightweight. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.
Size Matters Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.
Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is also available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.

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BlackPine-14 x 12 Turbo Tent Screen House Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Black Pine Turbo Tent is just what we wanted. Excellent quality materials and some extra neat features. Video showing one-minute setup needs refining. After several dry runs we got it down to 5-7 minutes from unzippering the bag to installing the fly. .....very good for seniors eh! Well it isn't all praises here. The screen house has 6 sides and 6 poles that meet in the centre top hub. You really and I mean really have to push up hard to get the top to flip up into place. It goes up with quite a force but that's OK because there is only air above. But take it down by pulling the handle and watch out because now you are under it. I would venture to say that one could get seriously injured by the downward force created by the reverse procedure in lowering the roof/ceiling. So A+ for the tent and C- for the instructions and the lack of warning here.

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A great choice for keeping your backyard gatherings bug-free or bringing along with your RV travels, the Black Pine Turbo Tent Screen House offers an amazingly easy setup that takes just a few minutes. Just pick your spot, pull the Turbo Tent out of its bag, grab hold of the four corners to lock the legs at the joints, then push the top up. Measuring 14 by 12 feet, this hexagonal screen house has a roomy center height of 7 feet, 5 inches. It's made of a PU-coated 150D canvas/ripstop polyester material, and it features large no-see-um mesh window panels and top mesh roof panels for added ventilation. The panels also offer interior zippered storm flaps for when inclement weather announces itself. Other features include a rain fly with six guy rope points with stow pockets, durable 1-inch aluminum frame set, and a carry bag.
Specifications:
Floor dimensions: 14 x 12 feet
Center height: 7 feet, 5 inches
Wall height: 5 feet, 11 inches
Floor construction: Open
Tent construction: PU-coated 150D canvas/ripstop polyester

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Guide Gear® Single Wigwam Tent Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)We bought one of these tents to 'try out' before purchasing 13 of them for our boy scout troop. It didn't rain on the camp out(extremely unusual), so we showered it from above with a garden hose. The only leaks were through the stitching around the door and window (these seams were not sealed by manufacturer). In general, the boys do like the tent but we thought from the description and photo that we were getting a 12' SQUARE tent which would hold 3 cots. The tent is actually a HEXAGON which means you have 6 five and a half foot sides and can only place 2 cots in the middle. We really haven't decided yet whether to try taping the door/window seams and going with these tents or to purchase something else. We are still looking.

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Compact camping comfort... with room for the whole family! Guide Gear Wigwam Tent, SAVE! FAST setup and the space your family needs to stretch out! Based on the classic lodge style that's stood the test of time for centuries. Keeps your kids happy or provides enough space to keep all your gear safe and sound. Makes a good investment for any youth group or scout troop. Designed exclusively for us for a direct-from-the-factory price you can't get anywhere else! Get your Wigwam here for LESS! Features: Strong 800-denier polyester shell with 1,000 mm waterproof coating for dependable weather protection; Bathtub-style floor keeps out moisture; Incredibly easy setup... erect the center pole, stake out guy ropes and you are done!; Enough room to maintain privacy, but the centralized design encourages conversation... no corners; 4-6 person capacity. 12 x 12', generous 8'10" height. 1 door, 1 window and 1 roof vent for cool ventilated comfort. Weighs 16 lbs. Dependable camping excellence at a price you can live with! Order Yours Today! Guide Gear Single Wigwam Tent

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Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The only reason this didn't get 5 stars is because, as another reviewer mentioned, there is no support for the propane bottle for the stove -- the stove sits on two cross bars on the right (you can see them in the picture). I am considering adding a couple of pieces (or one hinged piece that would fit in the case and would support the stove and propane bottle.
That said, I love how quickly this gets put together. You open the case, and there are four components inside: the stand/base, the two crossbars that hold the stove, the lantern post, and the paper towel/utensil holder.The base simply expands (like a Hoberman sphere) and you flip over the bars that go left-to-right. They clip into place and that's set. Then you put the crossbars for the stove on, turn the case over and put that on (it's the table part on the left). You then put the lantern pole together (it's in two pieces) and slip the utensil holder into place. I can set it up quicker than it took to type this paragraph (and I'm a fast typist.)
Take-down is just as simple -- basically the reverse of set-up. We leave the netting attached and put the two pieces of the lantern holder inside the collapsed base.
The other really great thing about this set-up is the compact size and light weight. I don't know the actual size off-hand but it's surprisingly small when packed up. It's light enough that my four-year-old can carry it. It's got handles that make it very simple to carry.
To sum up, this is a great addition to your gear if you camp regularly with a larger (coleman-type) stove and like some comforts. If you only have a backpacking stove and you eat basic foods, you probably don't need this, but we regularly car-camp with five or six other families and this is very handy.

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With a pot rack, storage shelf, and stove rest all in one unit, the Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen is way more than just a table. This aluminum cooking station unfolds from a briefcase into a full countertop, with an adjoining rack rest that adjusts to fit most large camp grills. A mesh shelf clips underneath to hold ingredients or dishware, and works as a drying rack to boot. A pot and utensil rack stands ready to hold your culinary tools, while a lamp hook allows you to hang a light source overhead. In fact, if you're anything but a backcountry Mario Batali, you'd better brush up on your cuisine before you break this baby out.Product Features
Material: Aluminum
Dimensions: [Folded] 32 x 11 x 4in (81 x 28 x 10cm); [Unfolded] 56 x 24in (142 x 61cm)
Height:
Carry Sack: Integrated case
Weight: 14lb 8oz (6580g)
Recommended Use: Extended car camping, large groups
Manufacturer Warranty:
Country of Origin: China

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Swiss Gear Valais 14- by 11-Foot Family Dome Tent Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The other lady S. Haley obviously started having problems when the poles were missing, so from then on out she wanted something to complain about. The openings are there for a reason and are closable.
The double arch makes it one of the largest area tents in its class, and it is waterproof unlike all others in its class. The overhangs on all sides allow for the largest opening of the screen system I have ever seen, especially during adverse weather. At 28 lbs it is not intended to be a backpack tent, but could be humped in for a short distance. The tent is of very high quality, unlike the Coleman options in class. The Wenger products offer sealed floors and seams, polyester taffeta fabric with two coats of polyurethane coating, the windows are massive for great air flow, an electrical port for supporting electrical devices (generator or for backyard camping), a mud mat, a gear loft for storing the lighter stuff that is always in the way, shoe pockets, and a removable rain fly for an open air experience during those clear sky camping outings.
If you want to save money and get 1/3rd the tent, buy a Coleman, if you want something that lasts and is well built get a Wenger Swissgear.

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Spacious enough to sleep seven campers, this 14 x 11-foot family-sized domed tent with 72 inches of head room at the center has 121 square feet of space on a rounded, sonic-welded polyethylene floor to keep out ground moisture and a removable fly with factory-taped seams for rain protection. The tent is made of polyester taffeta and includes large mesh side windows with protective awnings and a mesh ceiling for ventilation. A shockcorded color-coded fiberglass frame provides easy set-up. Other features include a mud mat outside a "D"-door, a port for electric-cord access, and an inside gear loft and organizer pockets. For storage and transport, the tent packs inside a zippered duffel bag.
Amazon.com Tent Guide Selecting a Tent Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Expect the Worst In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in! If you're a backpacker, alpine climber or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to take something designed to handle more adversity.
Three- and Four-Season Tents For summer, early fall and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain-fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are more specifically designed for summer backpacking and other activities. Many premium tents will feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain-fly for enhanced waterproofness.
For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.
Domes and Tunnels Tents are broadly categorized into two types, freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and those that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floor-plan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being more lightweight. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.
Size Matters Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.
Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is also available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.

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Universal 10 X 10 Shade Tent Attachment Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)We use the tent for the back yard sleep overs. Since the top of the tent is a screen I left it open and did not put the pop up cover on. This way the kids can see the stars. I found a cheap pop up at a sports store. I don't think this would hold up if use for camping other then light use.

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10' x 10' x 102" High.Sleeps Up to 5 persons.Heavy duty taffeta Material,Tub style rip-stop polyethylene floor,Durable speed clips and hook 'n' loop straps secure tent to frame,One large No-see-um Mesh "D" style door and three windows with zippered storm flaps,No-see-um mesh roof panels provide superior ventilation,Draw string cord lock carry/storage bag,flame retardant, meets C.P.A.I-84 specifications,Color; Desert Sand / SpiceThis Tent Attachment will work with Canopies the have the Corner Poles Slanted, If you have Straight Poles you can add additional ties and hooks to make it work..

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Texsport Wood Creek Square Dome Tent Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)We purchased this as a spare for when we have friends/guests along when we camp. We really like it as it's easy to assemble and doesn't leak. Our first camp out with it we were at a music festival along the lakeshore and had high winds with heavy rains. Other tents were collapsing or blowing away around us, but this tent stayed put. We had replaced the stakes with iron sand spikes as we always do when we camp. We don't trust the tiny, thin aluminum(?) stakes that come with most tents. Otherwise a good tent.

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Large enough to accommodate five, this 10-feet-square domed tent protects campers during three seasons and features a full-length peaked rainfly. A D-style door with zippered storm flap, windows, and large roof panels let in lots of light and air and are made of fine mesh to screen out insects as small as no-see-ums. Inside there's a mesh storage pocket. Measuring 72 inches high at its tallest point, the tent sets up on a two-pole pin-and-ring frame system with shock-corded fiberglass poles. Durable steel clips secure tent to frame. Polyurethane coats heavy-duty, flame-retardant taffeta walls and rainfly. The floor is rip-stop polyethylene. Stakes and a carry/storage bag come with the tent. Setup instructions are included.
Amazon.com Tent Guide Selecting a Tent Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Expect the Worst In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in! If you're a backpacker, alpine climber or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to take something designed to handle more adversity.
Three- and Four-Season Tents For summer, early fall and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain-fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are more specifically designed for summer backpacking and other activities. Many premium tents will feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain-fly for enhanced waterproofness.
For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.
Domes and Tunnels Tents are broadly categorized into two types, freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and those that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floor-plan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being more lightweight. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.
Size Matters Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.
Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is also available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.

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Kelty Gunnison 4.1 Tent 4-Person 3-Season Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Let's face it - buying a tent is like buying a house; unless you build it yourself, you are never going to get exactly what you want. That having been said, the Kelty Gunnison 4.1 4-person tent is pretty close to exactly what I wanted, and a great tent.
Packed up: The G-4.1 is at the large end of what you want for backpacking. Packed up, it measures approximately 8"x28" and weighs about 8.5 pounds, so it's going to take up a lot of room either in your pack or (more likely) strapped on the outside of your pack. But if you can hack it, that's really a pretty light weight for a tent this size. On the otherhand, it's a perfect size/wieght for car camping, if not on the small end of that spectrum.
Included in the package are (1) the tent; (2) two super lightweight aluminum poles; (3) rain fly; and (10) lightweight tent stakes with tie down lines.
Set up: This is where the G-4.1 is truly spectacular. When I got the tent, I quickly glanced at the directions for set up and decided to do a test run in my living room. If you want to do this too, make sure you have a BIG living room and lots of room to manuever the poles, cause they are REALLY long and I was constantly knocking over books and pictures. Anyway, I unrolled the tent and put it on the floor. I then put the poles together -- each pole breaks down into several smaller segments that are permanently linked together so you can't lose them. As you can see from the photos of this tent, the poles criss-cross at the apex of the tent, forming a big X from which the tent is suspended. Kelty uses a "clip" system in which the poles simply click into plastic brackets, rather than you having to thread them through anything. Each end of the pole is then fit into an anchor at the bottom corners of the tent. The rain fly was also extremly easy to put on, with the anchors for the poles also doubling as the anchors for the rain fly. The bottom line, folks, is that I think this tent took me all of about three minutes to set up. I was truly amazed at how easy it was. The best way I can describe it is that the G-4.1 is totally intuitive in the set up -- you look at the parts and you can just see how they fit together. Really an awesome design job.
I just took this tent camping for the first time last weekend and set it up in very quickly fading light conditions. I had the whole thing set up and staked down -- footprint, tent, rain fly -- in a little over 10 minutes.
One thing I would recommend is that you grab six (6) little caribiners to attach the rain fly lines to the tent. They don't come with clips and you have to tie them on otherwise. Also, make sure the fly is in as little contact with the tent as possible to prevent moisture buildup from condensation. If you have the fly on properly, this is not a problem because the design of the fly and tent take care of that for you. Also, get the foot print or a tarp for underneath.
Tent Features: The G-4.1 has a lot of really great features. First, it has a circular zip door on each side. This may not sound like a great innovation at first, but think back to your camping experiences and having to climb over people to get into the tent. Second, the G-4.1 is extremely well ventilated. There are large mesh sections of the walls, in the doors, on the top of the tent so that air flows freely through. Third, the G-4 has great visibility if you don't need to have the fly on. The afore-mentioned mesh sections let you see the stars. Fourth, the floor design keeps the bottom seams off of the floor, which will keep you dry. Fifth, there are little "gear" bags on two sides of the tent, to stash your glasses or a flashlight. Sixth, there are clips on the ceiling from which one may hang extra gear bags and the tent comes with a "shelf" that you can tie up there -- very handy for a light or for other stuff. Seventh, the rain fly creates dual vestibules in which your extra gear can be stored and, since you have two doors, both vestibules are easily accessible.
Tent Construction: Along with the "bathtub" seams, this tent is very well put together. Tape stiching at important junctures, double stiching all around, and a good, taut, solid feel to the tent. The floor material is good for soft ground, but I'd recommend the foot print just to be on the safe side. The fly fits on like a glove and provides for some ventilation as well. This is a solid tent, and once you get it set up (and assuming you put the stakes in the ground), it's not going anywhere.
Size: I think we all know that "4-person" in tent-speak really means "4 people no larger than 5'8" and 160 pounds, maximum." The G-4.1 holds true to this convention. I'm 6'2" and I barely fit in this tent the way people are suggested to lie in it (head to toe across the short side), and I don't fit in with a sleeping bag. I had my wife (5'6") and my 6-year old and 2-year old also get in the tent at the same time. Thinking to the future, the G-4.1 will be comfortable for three of us but too tight for all four of us. If we all four go camping, I'd bring a 2-man tent for the kids and keep all the gear in the G-4.1 with the adults. But if you have three or less people, this thing is spacious and feels that way.
I love this tent. Buy it!

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Kelty's Gunnison 4.1 4-Person 3-Season Tent loves anything from starlit summer evenings to wet autumn backpacking trips. Kelty placed the Gunnison's mesh panels strategically, providing ventilation, decreased condensation, which keeps you from feeling like you're spending the night in a cave. Even in the dark, it's easy to secure the aluminum DAC Pressfit poles to the individual clips for set-up, and the Swivel Hub System increases stability and ease of set up. Configured with two doors and two vestibules, the Gunnison 4.1 Tent's floorplan maximizes the available living space. Other features include taped seams to keep water out and internal storage pockets to help organize essentials. Kelty also added a gear loft, putting your treats, iPod, or prophylactics close at hand while you stargaze.Product Features
Material: [Fly] 75D Polyester Taffeta w/ 1800mm coating; [Floor] 70D Nylon Taffeta w/ 1800mm coating;
Freestanding: Yes
Poles: 2
Pole Material: DAC FeatherLite NSL 7001 Aluminum
Doors: 2
Clip / Sleeve: Clip
Floor Space: 100 x 82in (254 x 208cm), 57sq ft
Interior Height: 46in (117cm)
Vestibule Space: [Per vestibule] 15.6sq ft (x2)
Packed Size: 28 x 8in (71 x 20cm)
Seam Sealed: Yes, critical seams taped
Ventilation: Mesh top
Weight: 7lb 7oz (3397g)
Recommended Use: 3-season camping
Manufacturer Warranty: Lifetime

Bathtub Floor: Yes
Ventilation: Fly vents, side wall vents, mesh ceiling
Interior Storage: Internal storage pockets
Packed Size: 8 x 28"
Weight: [packaged] 8 lbs 11 oz, [minimum] 8 lbs
Recommended Use: Base camp, car camping
Warranty: Lifetime
Country of Origin: China

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Eureka Nergy Screen House 1210 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)We have not yet utilized the screen house for camping purposes (the main reason for purchasing it), but we did a dry run yesterday and I note the following observations. A follow-up review, along with detailed photos, will be posted upon our return from an early June camping trip.
SET-UP:
As with all Eureka products I've owned, assembly is easy and fast. From start to finish, my partner and I had the screen house erected in less than 10 minutes. Since we recently ordered the Copper Canyon 1512, we didn't even need to look at the directions. It assembles in almost exactly the same fashion.
SPACE:
The screen house is just right when it comes to interior space. It's just wide and long enough to cover a standard picnic table - with several feet of walking space all the way around - which will be our primary use for the product. The ceiling is high and the side walls are nice and tight with little flexing in breezy conditions.
FEATURES:
As advertised, the screen house contains a main control panel with 4 toggle switches for each of the built-in 12v outlets. 3 of the upper 4 corners and the center of the ceiling contain such an outlet. The main "switchboard" itself plugs into the Eureka PowerPak, which we purchased several weeks ago in preparation for receiving this screen house. All of the wires running to each of the outlets are encased in a sewn-in sleeve that wraps the entire inside of the house where the walls meet the ceiling - not dissimilar to how the poles are fed through sleeves - so replacement should not be a difficult task. Handy loops are sewn in around this same boundary, which would allow you to install a string of 12v party lights very easily. Unfortunately, I didn't count the loops, but I would guess there are 6-8 per wall. You could, I suppose, hang a few very lightweight items from said loops. The center of the ceiling also contains a loop for hanging a lantern, ceiling fan or other device.
QUALITY:
As usual, I am very impressed with the quality of the screen tent, especially considering it's price tag of under $140. The roof is very thick and durable nylon and all of the stitching is spot on and flawless. The zippers are heavy duty and very smoothly glide open and closed. The screen house also comes with very heavy duty cinch sacks for the house itself, with two other heavy duty sacks for the poles and for the stakes (which I will be replacing with heavy duty ones - no big deal). I was surprised to note that the sacks for the house/poles/stakes were actually much more heavy duty than ones I got with my 1512.
OVERALL:
The Eureka N!ergy Screen House is exactly as it was described and I was more impressed than I thought I would be with the quality of materials and incorporation of the "electrical system". Everything is neat and tidy and it fits back into it's stuff sack with more than enough room to spare. We will be ordering two more for summer entertaining when the bugs get bad!
If you're looking for the ultimate screen house with one of the best price points around, no need to look further!
** UPDATE ** UPDATE ** UPDATE ** AS OF JUNE 12, 2009
We've just returned from a 5-day camping trip and this screen house is simply the best. Since I've already detailed everything above, there's no reason to go any further. It did what it needed to do and then some. What a fantastic product. Photos have been posted.

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Ideal for your next family trip to the campground or park, the Eureka N!ergy screen house offers the ultimate in outdoor convenience. The six-pole, rectangular unit boasts 120 square feet of interior space--more than enough room for a picnic table, a family, and plenty of cooking gear. As a result, you can hold family picnics and other outdoor gatherings without being eaten alive by mosquitoes or getting drenched by an ill-timed rain. The screen room's high-quality Eureka construction, meanwhile, is tough and long lasting, with a 150-denier StormShield polyester fabric exterior and 1,500 mm coatings on the roof, wall, and sod cloth.
Perhaps the coolest feature, however, is the tent's E! Power system, which lets you enjoy your favorite small appliances and accessories from inside the tent assembly. Simply hook up your N!ergy screen house to an optional E! Power Pak, then plug into one of the four 12-volt outlets. N!ergy tents are prewired, so there are no extra steps during assembly. More significantly, you can charge the E! Power Pak from any home outlet or your car's 12-volt power supply prior to use. Once you've installed the Power Pak, you're free to plug in a 12-volt light, fan, radio, blender, or any other 12-volt accessory, with discrete on/off switches controlling all four outlets independently. The three detachable corner outlets can swing to the center of the screen house for convenient table-top use, and then tuck away quickly once you're finished. A fourth fixed outlet is positioned in the center of the ceiling to power an overhead light or fan.
The screen house also includes two full-length zip doors for easy entry and exit, along with full mesh walls that provide visibility on all four sides and a ground-level sod cloth to keep pesky insects outside. And thanks to the combination steel and fiberglass frame--which features both shock-corded and steel-corded sections, frame clips, and ring-and-pin attachments--the N!ergy screen house is a breeze to set up. The screen house measures 12 by 10 feet across the floor and 7 foot 3 inches tall, and weighs 22 pounds 11 ounces. It also carries a lifetime warranty.
About Eureka! Though the exact year is unknown, Eureka’s long history begins prior to 1895 in Binghamton, New York, where the company still resides today. Then known as the Eureka Tent & Awning Company, its first wares were canvas products--most notably, Conestoga wagon covers and horse blankets for nineteenth century American frontiersmen--as well as American flags, store awnings, and camping tents.
The company increased production of its custom canvas products locally throughout the 1930s and during the 1940 and even fabricated and erected the IBM "tent cities" just outside Binghamton. The seven acres of tents housed thousands of IBM salesmen during the company’s annual stockholders meeting, which had since outgrown its previous locale. In the 1940s, with the advent of World War II and the increased demand for hospital ward tents, Eureka expanded operations and began shipping tents worldwide. Ultimately, upon the post-war return of the GIs and the resultant housing shortage, Eureka turned its attention to the home front during the 1950s by supplying awnings for the multitude of mobile homes that were purchased.
In 1960, Eureka’s new and innovative Draw-Tite tent, with its practical, free standing external frame, was used in a Himalayan Expedition to Nepal by world renowned Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person documented to summit Mt. Everest only six years earlier. In 1963, Eureka made history during its own Mt. Everest ascent, with more than 60 of its tents sheltering participants from fierce 60+ mph winds and temperatures reaching below -20°F during the first all American Mt. Everest Expedition.
For backpackers and families, Eureka introduced its legendary Timberline tent in the 1970s. Truly the first StormShield design, this completely self-supporting and lightweight backpacking tent became one of the most popular tents the entire industry with sales reaching over 1 million by its ten year anniversary.
Eureka tents have also traveled as part of several historic expeditions, including the American Women’s Himalayan Expedition to Annapurna I in 1978 and the first Mt. Everest ascents by a Canadian and American woman in 1986 and 1988. In recent history, tents specially designed and donated by Eureka sheltered Eric Simonson and his team on two historic research expeditions to Mount Everest, this time in a quest for truth regarding the 1924 attempted summit of early English explorers George Mallory and Andrew Irvine. During the 1999 expedition, the team made history finding the remains of George Mallory, but the complete mystery remained unsolved. Returning in 2001 to search for more clues, the team found amazing historical artifacts which are now on display at the Smithsonian.

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Wenzel Great Basin 18 X 10-Feet Nine-Person Two-Room Family Dome Tent (Light Grey/Blue/Taupe) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This tent was a lot bigger than I expected it to be, which is a good thing. It is very roomy, so if you have a lot of people (or just a lot of stuff), this will work great. There is enough room for multiple adults to stand up straight without hitting their heads on the ceiling. Despite the fact that it is so big, it is very easy to set up (I set it up on my own, with no help). My only complaint is that the air circulation is rather poor. The windows are rather small compared to the size of the tent, so unless you have the rain fly off, it is very stuffy.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Wenzel Great Basin 18 X 10-Feet Nine-Person Two-Room Family Dome Tent (Light Grey/Blue/Taupe)

Spacious and weather-resistant, the Wenzel Great Basin 18-by-10-foot dome tent sleeps up to nine campers in its two rooms, making it ideal for large families or smaller families with lots of gear. The Great Basin is made of rugged, weather-repellent Weather Armor polyester with a polyurethane coating for reliability, helping it keep water out and warmth in. The sonic-sealed polyethylene tub-style floor, meanwhile, is welded and not sewn, eliminating needle holes that might otherwise attract water seepage. And campers will love the variety of ventilation points--including two mesh back-to-back D-style doors and two polyester mesh windows--all of which are aided by an updraft ventilation system that improves the overall airflow.
The Great Basin is also easy to set up, with a shock-corded fiberglass frame and a pin-and-ring system. And when it comes time to hit the sheets, you can either create one huge sleeping room or roll down the divider curtain to create two separate rooms. The rooms can function as individual bedrooms for the campers or as a sleeping room and living room. Other details include two gear lofts for storage, two hanging pockets, a removable fly with a hoop frame over the door, and a storage duffel.
Specifications:
Base: 18 by 10 feet
Center height: 76 inches
Area: 159 square feet
Capacity: 9 people
Stakes: Steel and plastic
Carrying weight: 24 pounds

Amazon.com Tent Guide Selecting a Tent Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Expect the Worst In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all-purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in. If you're a backpacker, alpine climber, or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to buy something designed to handle more adversity.
Three- and Four-Season Tents For summer, early fall, and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three-season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are specifically designed for summer backpacking or other activities. Many premium tents will also feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain fly for enhanced waterproofing.
For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four-season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.
Domes and Tunnels Tents are broadly categorized into two types: freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and tents that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floorplan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being lighter. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.
Size Matters Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.
Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.

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Columbia High Trail Family Dome Tent Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Don't mess around with cheap $100 tents. Spend the extra money on this one and you won't go wrong. I tried the $119 Costco special and was extremely disatisfied. The Kelty tent had too many large panels that kept catching the wind and waking us up all night. This tent is especially great in the wind and stays solid even for one this size. It's light weight and packs up nicely. The best feature is the room divider that will divide the tent into two symetrical individual rooms...A great feature when two couples are camping together or if you want to put the kids in their own space. Each side even has its own door so you won't disturb the whole tent when getting up for the bathroom in the middle of the night.
We used the tent without the rainfly for the first time last trip and loved sleeping under the stars with full mosquito netting over the entire ceiling.
This is a well-made tent that will rival The North Face tents costing $450 or more. My Dad took his North Face tent back to REI and bought this one for $200 less at the Columbia outlet store.
Happy camping!

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Bring the family to the campsite and still have room to spare with the Columbia High Trail dome tent. The High Trail--which sleeps up to eight people--is spacious and versatile, with a room divider that turns the tent from one large room to two smaller rooms. As a result, you'll enjoy plenty of elbowroom while you sleep. The tent also includes four large no-see-um mesh windows, roof vents, and side vents, so you'll enjoy optimum ventilation even during rainstorms. And thanks to the factory-sealed fly and floor seams and the polyester bathtub floor--which wraps up the sides and is protected by a rain shingle--the High Trail keeps the wet weather at bay.
The tent also stores plenty of gear in addition to its eight campers, with two mesh interior pockets, a gear loft for organization, and two hanging cupholders. Finally, the tent sets up easily thanks to its freestanding design and combo clip-and-sleeve assembly. Other features include two large D doors for easy entry and exit, a woven reflective zipper pull, a flashlight loop, a small Camp Port for stretching electrical cords into the tent, and two mud mats sheltered by an overhanging semi-vestibule. The High Trail tent comes with poles, stakes, and an oxford nylon carrying bag with expandable gussets.



Key Features

Capacity: 6 to 8
Dimensions: 15 by 11 feet
Weight: 28 pounds, 2 ounces
Area: 165 square feet
Interior height: 6 feet 6 inches
Pack size: 29 by 10 inches
Poles: 9
Pole size: 19mm steel (2), 9.5mm fiberglass (7)
Pole material: Fiberglass and steel
Doors: 2
Hooded fly: Yes
Windows: 4
Gear loft: Yes
Floor material: 190T polyester taffeta, 1,000mm coating
Fly material: 190T polyester taffeta, 800mm coating
Wall material: 190T polyester taffeta, 800mm coating/no-see-um mesh
Roof material: No-see-um mesh
Netting: No-see-um mesh
Style: Modified hybrid dome
Use: 3 seasons

About Columbia Sportswear Founded in 1938, Columbia Sportswear Company has grown from a small family-owned hat distributor to one of the world's largest outerwear brands and the leading seller of skiwear in the United States. Columbia's extensive product line includes a wide variety of outerwear, sportswear, rugged footwear and accessories. Columbia specializes in developing innovative products that are functional yet stylish and offer great value. Eighty-year-old matriarch Gert Boyle, chairman of the board, and her son, Tim Boyle, president and CEO, lead the company.

Columbia's history starts with Gert's parents, Paul and Marie Lamfrom, when they fled Germany in 1937. They bought a small hat distributorship in Portland, Oregon, and named it Columbia Hat Company, after the river bordering the city. Soon frustrated by poor deliveries from suppliers, the Lamfroms decided to start manufacturing products themselves. In 1948, Gert married college sweetheart Neal Boyle, who joined the family business and later took the helm of the growing company. When Neal suddenly died of a heart attack in 1970, Gert enlisted help from Tim, then a college senior. After that it wasn't long before business really started to take off. Columbia was one of the first companies to make jackets from waterproof/breathable fabric. The company introduced the breakthrough technology called the Columbia Interchange System, in which a shell and liner combine for multiple wearing options. In the early 1980s, then-60-year-old Gert began her role as "Mother Boyle" in Columbia's successful and popular advertising campaign.

The company went public in 1998 and moved into a new era as a world leader in the active outdoor apparel industry. Today, Columbia Sportswear employs more than 1,800 people around the world and distributes and sells products in more than 50 countries and to more than 12,000 retailers internationally.

Amazon.com Tent Guide

Selecting a Tent Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Expect the Worst In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in! If you're a backpacker, alpine climber or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to take something designed to handle more adversity.

Three- and Four-Season Tents For summer, early fall and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three-season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain-fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are more specifically designed for summer backpacking and other activities. Many premium tents will feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain-fly for enhanced waterproofness.

For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four-season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.

Domes and Tunnels Tents are broadly categorized into two types, freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and those that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floor plan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being more lightweight. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.

Size Matters Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.

Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is also available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.

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Coleman Elite WeatherMaster 6 Tent Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Note: This is a photocopy of the same review I gave on another site, going to try and post more of the pictures that I wasn't able to on that site here.
This has to be the best tent that I have had the opportunity to own. I own or have access to Coleman, Wenzel and various other brand tents but only Coleman tents seem to last the best for this class. Heck my last Coleman is now 25-30 years old and it is still usable, though it is now on the small side as that was the tent I grew up in. As for class I mean Family/Car camping tents.
Simple setup and take down. Took only half an hour to put up by myself, only needed a little help with the rainfly. As a side note though I do have to say that users may need to ignore the instructions to raise the poles up to the high or third hole after raising the tent up. At first setup mine was tight enough as it was. Rainfly coverage was excellent, but if there is a high wind and rain, the middle section may have some rain coming in from the screen on the top, the one that is a skylight without the rainfly on. No floor in the screened in area, but thats no big for me. Screens themselves are not no-see-um mesh so keep that in mind. A common comment on last years model was that the tent acted like a wind sock due the the fact the back section had no screen. This years model does have a screen window on the high side of the rear section. Just like the other windows this one can also be zipped shut. Self rolling windows are an interesting idea, though they took me down memory lane and the snap bracelets of the early nineties, mostly cause they function exactly the same way. The biggest difference is that these are not covered in fabric as the bracelets were, so when putting these in only an adult should do it. The supposed injuries due to the bracelets can also occur here but possibly more easily. If you can handle a 1" wide metal tape measure without a problem though I reckon you should be fine. Sleeping accommodations are a little relative, for me I feel this tent can sleep two or three comfortably, with cots or air-beds, a cooler and a chuck-box. If you just want to sleep in it the stated sleeping area is about right, but be prepared for waking everyone up if you have to get up in the middle of the night.
Now the most important part, for me at least, Waterproofness. Can't say how it will handle in a real rainstorm but I will tell you this, it held up good to the settings on my garden hose, with a friend standing inside. To give you an idea what settings I used, one was a fan setting (this puts out an arch that about 90 degrees on a flat plain, I like it cause it creates fairly realistic water droplets at a fairly low pressure). The other was a needle setting (this does just what is says creates a needle of water about the diameter of a wide grip pen, its high pressure). The fan one I used on the sides and the roof at a distance of about 6 feet from the tent for about 2 minutes on each section. Had no leaking issues other that the issue mentioned above were water came in through the middle section on top. Rain-fly worked great as well. The latter I used on the seams. For about thirty seconds to a minute I sprayed each seam to see if any leaks showed up, I thought something had to show up with this setting. To my amazement nothing did. So other than some rain coming in over the middle section there really wasn't an issue.
All in all this is a great all around tent, and in my opinion stays true to the Coleman name. Only time will tell if it holds up to my old Coleman. Edit as of July 28th 2009: After taking this tent out camping in the Black Hills of South Dakota I have a few things to add to the review. First I was out there for five nights and on each of those nights it rained. For the sake of honesty one leak did pop up and that was in the rear room at the base of the two large windows where the spring ends. Outside of that it performed flawlessly. We even had a few strong wind gusts that would have toppled my old dome tent. One of these rainstorms was strong enough that a mountain not 200-300 yards away could not be seen from the screen room. Also, all this was accomplished using only the original Coleman waterproofing. I haven't had to put any on myself yet. Another note dealing with the poles after all that rain I did find some rust on the poles as I was storing them after striking camp. However, for me I consider this normal wear and tear.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Coleman Elite WeatherMaster 6 Tent

From the built-in lighting system to the hinged door and Auto-Roll window, the Coleman Elite WeatherMaster 6 screened tent is packed with features for comfort and convenience at the campsite. Hailing from Coleman's Elite line--which is designed to offer the ultimate luxury family camping experience--The WeatherMaster 6 sleeps six people comfortably, with an extra-large footprint of 17 by 9 feet and a center height of 6 feet 4 inches. The WeatherMaster 6 is outfitted with Coleman's exclusive WeatherTec system, a series of technical features intended to protect you from inclement weather and nasty storms.
WeatherTec tents are built with a coated polyester fabric combined with anti-wicking thread, webbing, and zippers, all designed to keep you dry when the rain comes down. The tent's welded waterproof floor and inverted floor seams, meanwhile, dramatically increase the water resistance by hiding the needle holes inside the tent and away from the elements. And in addition to offering fully taped rainfly seams, the included rainfly covers the doors and windows tightly and incorporates easy-to-use Velcro frame attachments. Add in a strong, wind-responsive frame--which uses redesigned poles and guy-out triangles to anchor the tent--and you have a shelter that performs like a brick house during a storm. In fact, Coleman is so confident in its WeatherTec system that it exposes its WeatherTec tents to a rain room that simulates nasty downpours, and to a wind machine capable of blowing hurricane force gusts. The results? Even after the tests, Coleman guarantees its WeatherTec tents will keep you dry.
The WeatherMaster 6 is extremely spacious compared to most other tents, giving you plenty of room to wander around or pack family members inside. The three rooms can function as individual bedrooms, living spaces, or gear-storage units, with a special screened room that's ideal for sleeping under the stars or relaxing in the daytime during a mosquito-heavy sunset. Campers will also love the hinged door, which includes a rigid doorframe that's easy to install and take down (the overlapping door flap also helps keep insects out when closed). Perhaps the tent's coolest feature, however, is the integrated lighting system, which features a replaceable 15-watt spiral fluorescent tube powered by a D-cell battery pack (eight D-cells required). No more relying on a clumsy lantern for nighttime reading, or fumbling for a flashlight when you need to make a trip outside. The light isn't blinding, but it's plenty bright enough to read by at night. Plus, you can turn the light on and off using a pushbutton remote control from up to 50 feet away, or by using the backlit switches on the light fixture and the battery pack. The light offers two brightness settings and runs for 22 hours on the low setting and 12 to 14 hours on the high.
The WeatherMaster 6 is even built to keep you cool during the summertime, with Coleman's Comfort System letting you control the airflow in conjunction with the vented Cooler Port. Other features include an easy-to-set-up design with color-coded steel poles, continuous pole sleeves, InstaClip attachments, and an exclusive pin-and-ring design; self-rolling windows that let you instantly or partially roll the windows up or down to your liking; an interior gear pocket; an electrical access port; and easy-to-follow instructions sewn into the durable carrying bag, which comes with extra storage bags for the poles and stakes.
Specifications:
Center height: 76 inches
Flysheet: Polyester taffeta 75 denier with 450mm polyurethane coating
Tent material: 75-denier polyester with 450mm coating on inner tent
Mesh: 68-denier polyester Floor: 1,000-denier floor, 140 g/m2
Base dimensions: 17 by 9 feet
Poles: 9.5mm and 11mm fiberglass and 19mm steel
Country of origin: Made in China
Warranty: Limited 1 year

About Coleman More than 100 years ago, a young man with an entrepreneurial spirit and a better idea began manufacturing lanterns in Wichita, Kansas. His name was W.C. Coleman, and the company he founded would change life in America. A man plagued with such poor vision he sometimes had to ask classmates to read aloud to him, Coleman saw a brilliant light in 1900 in a drugstore window that stopped him in his tracks. He inquired about the light inside and discovered he was able to read even the small print on a medicine bottle by the illumination. The lamps had mantles, not wicks, and were fueled by gasoline under pressure instead of coal oil. Soon afterward, Coleman started a lighting service that offered a "no light, no pay" clause--a big step forward for merchants who were burned by inferior products that rarely worked--and drew substantial interest from businesses that wanted to keep their lights on after dark.
In the ensuing years, Coleman expanded its product line well beyond lanterns. The company's current catalog is thick with products that make spending time outdoors a pleasure. There are coolers that keep food and drinks cold for days on end, comfortable airbeds that won't deflate during the night, a complete line of LED lights that last for years, powerful portable grills that cook with an authentic open-grill flame, and much, much more. Coleman has truly fashioned much of our outdoor camping experience, and expects to do so for generations to come.

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Coleman Hooligan 3 Tent Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased the Coleman Hooligan 3 for car camping and used it for the first time this past weekend. I did not purchase through Amazon as I found it locally for $20 off, but I feel the Amazon price is fair and would not hesitate recommending it at the current price ($79.99 on 28 Jul 2009).
The first thing I did upon bring it home was un-pack it and set it up, followed closely by applying a silicon water repellant spray to the entire rain fly. This is imperative, especially with a tent at this relatively low price point, since factory waterproofing often leaves much to be desired.
Setup was quite simple and pretty quick. I set it up alone during the at-home shake down, but had my fiancée to help at the campsite over the weekend. It does go a little faster with two, but it's very doable solo. The poles are typical fiberglass with shockcord and insert into sleeves on the tent; I would have preferred clip-on hooks rather than sleeves so the tent can be erected after you bend the poles individually, but for the price of this tent it's acceptable.
The tent itself is composed mostly of screen material with a door on one side and a small zip open vent on the other. If you want any kind of privacy at all, the rain fly needs to be on the tent at all times. The floor of the tent is made up of heavy duty plastic tarp material and looks like it will hold up well if taken care of. The floor of the tent is large enough for a Intex® Camp Air Bed with Pump with about a foot of room to spare on two edges if you push it into the corner. With a smaller air mattress or just sleeping bags you would easily have room for a substantial amount of gear if you kept it to two full-size occupants.
The rain fly goes over the tent and covers it pretty much to the ground. There are no windows, save the entryway and a small ventilation opening opposite, but it's not really big enough to be considered a window. Don't expect to have much of a view from inside the tent. The rain fly attaches by hooks at the corners of the tent (rings where the tent poles attach) and hook-and-loop strips which wrap around the poles to keep it aligned. The system works pretty well, but could certainly be better, though that would raise the price of the tent.
One of the key features of the tent, at least for my application, is the vestibule. This was a rather important item for me as I bought this tent for family camping and wanted to be able to put a porta-potty nearby for my fiancée and three year old daughter to use in the night without traipsing all about the wilderness. I haven't actually used it for this yet, as the campground we stayed at had facilities very nearby, but based on the amount of space it should work out fine. Aside from the potty, it also makes an idea place to store shoes and any wet items that shouldn't come into the tent itself. We had a small (15 gal) tote and a couple pairs of shoes out there and still had more than enough room to get in and out of the tent. There is no floor in the vestibule, but I remedied that by getting a ground cloth that was a bit larger than the footprint of the tent and using the excess to form the floor. Works great and helps keep the inside of the tent free of dirt and mud while keeping your shoes nice and dry.
Our first night out in the tent it thunder stormed pretty hard; we were confined to the tent for almost an hour and were unable to converse with our friends (in their tent no more than 10' away) over the rain, even when shouting. The tent held up to it great, though how much of that is due to the tent and how much the extra waterproofing I can't say. There were a couple of very small drips, but nothing that would have ruined our night had it continued raining. I intend to touch up the waterproofing before our next outing in two weeks and this should solve the drips, hopefully. VERY impressed with this tent in wet conditions, overall.
One thing to be aware of is that the entry into the vestibule is relatively low and somewhat small. I am average height (67" 170 lbs) and had no trouble getting in and out, but someone a bit larger and/or less spry might have problems getting in and out.
A couple of issues:
The stakes are cheap aluminum and will bend if you are trying to drive them into hard soil. I bought a 4 pack of nail-style steel stakes and used them for the corners of the tent and they worked out fine. I will be getting a few more to use for staking out the vestibule and the guy lines for the rain fly as well, but for light-duty camping in good weather and soft soil you might be able to get away with the cheap factory stakes.
There is a small pole that holds the ventilation opening open that I had trouble with as it kept popping through the grommet meant to hold it in place. Not a big deal, and only took a second to fix, but annoying none-the-less. I'll rig something up to prevent this next time we go out, should be a simple matter of a small washer or a swatch of cloth.
Overall I am very happy with the tent, especially since I found mine on sale. It has a few quirks, but will work for me until I save up enough for a nicer tent and probably a while after that too. It sets up and packs away easily and would be difficult to beat for the price. Don't forget to waterproof, it is VERY VERY worth the time and money to keep yourself (and your stuff) dry.


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A great choice for casual campers/backpackers, motorcyle riders, RV campers and scout troops, the Coleman Hooligan 3 Tent is designed for easy setup. The Hooligan 3 sleeps 3 people comfortably, with an 8'x7' footprint and center height of 4'10". The full rainfly and dry-entry vestibule provide convenient access and adjustable airflow as part of Coleman's Comfort System; the entirely-mesh inner tent provides maximum ventilation. Continuous pole sleeve and an exclusive pin-and-ring design make setup a breeze with the 8.5mm & 6.3mm fiberglass poles.

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Eureka Tetragon 1210 Family 12- Foot by 10-Foot Eight-Person Tent Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I had gone camping many years back and needed to upgrade my tent now that I had kids of age. This tent worked well for a family of five! We did a dry run of setting it up and it was fairly easy. I also took the opportunity to seal the seams. When we got to the campsite the dry run helped me to set up the tent in no time at all! Especially since it was starting to rain. The tent was dry throughout the night!
I also recommend a 16x10 tarp that can be placed underneath the tent. this will give you 4 feet of overlap that can extend from the tent entrance to place shoes etc. Great tent!

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A great choice for car camping or use as a base camp, the Eureka Tetragon 1210 rectangular dome tent comfortably sleeps eight people and includes a divider to create two separate rooms. The double-coated StormShield polyester fly and the polyester bathtub floor combine to provide excellent weather protection. This free-standing, two-pole tent is quick and easy to set up with its durable shockcorded fiberglass frame, ring and pin attachments, combination sleeve and clip assembly, and color coded webbing.
It's well ventilated, thanks to large no-see-um mesh ceiling panels, six windows, and two doors. The hooded fly provides enough coverage over the front and rear door windows to enable you to leave the window partially open for even more ventilation even in rain. Other features include:
Twin track zippers for separate operation of the window in the door
External guy points on the fly help secure your tent in high winds
Natural green color scheme blends into any campground
Attached hinged gear loft and two detachable interior storage pockets
Clothes line loop, flashlight loop
Mesh panels allow for clip-in accessories
Tent, pole, and stake bags included

Specifications:
Area: 120 square feet
Floor size: 12 feet by 10 feet
Center height: 6 feet, 5 inches
Wall fabrics: 1.9-ounce 75D polyester taffeta with 800mm coating
Floor fabrics: 1.9-ounce 75D polyester taffeta with 800mm coating
Fly fabrics: 1.9-ounce 75DStormShield polyester
Pack size: 8 by 28 inches
Weight: 17 pounds, 11 ounces

About Eureka Though the exact year is unknown, Eureka’s long history begins prior to 1895 in Binghamton, New York, where the company still resides today. Then known as the Eureka Tent & Awning Company, its first wares were canvas products--most notably, Conestoga wagon covers and horse blankets for nineteenth century American frontiersmen--as well as American flags, store awnings, and camping tents.
The company increased production of its custom canvas products locally throughout the 1930s and during the 1940 and even fabricated and erected the IBM "tent cities" just outside Binghamton. The seven acres of tents housed thousands of IBM salesmen during the company’s annual stockholders meeting, which had since outgrown its previous locale. In the 1940s, with the advent of World War II and the increased demand for hospital ward tents, Eureka expanded operations and began shipping tents worldwide. Ultimately, upon the post-war return of the GIs and the resultant housing shortage, Eureka turned its attention to the home front during the 1950s by supplying awnings for the multitude of mobile homes that were purchased.
In 1960, Eureka’s new and innovative Draw-Tite tent, with its practical, free standing external frame, was used in a Himalayan Expedition to Nepal by world renowned Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person documented to summit Mt. Everest only six years earlier. In 1963, Eureka made history during its own Mt. Everest ascent, with more than 60 of its tents sheltering participants from fierce 60+ mph winds and temperatures reaching below -20°F during the first all American Mt. Everest Expedition.
For backpackers and families, Eureka introduced its legendary Timberline tent in the 1970s. Truly the first StormShield design, this completely self-supporting and lightweight backpacking tent became one of the most popular tents the entire industry with sales reaching over 1 million by its ten year anniversary.
Eureka tents have also traveled as part of several historic expeditions, including the American Women’s Himalayan Expedition to Annapurna I in 1978 and the first Mt. Everest ascents by a Canadian and American woman in 1986 and 1988. In recent history, tents specially designed and donated by Eureka sheltered Eric Simonson and his team on two historic research expeditions to Mount Everest, this time in a quest for truth regarding the 1924 attempted summit of early English explorers George Mallory and Andrew Irvine. During the 1999 expedition, the team made history finding the remains of George Mallory, but the complete mystery remained unsolved. Returning in 2001 to search for more clues, the team found amazing historical artifacts which are now on display at the Smithsonian.
Amazon.com Tent Guide Selecting a Tent Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Expect the Worst In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in! If you're a backpacker, alpine climber or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to take something designed to handle more adversity.
Three- and Four-Season Tents For summer, early fall and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain-fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are more specifically designed for summer backpacking and other activities. Many premium tents will feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain-fly for enhanced waterproofness.
For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.
Domes and Tunnels Tents are broadly categorized into two types, freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and those that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floor-plan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being more lightweight. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.
Size Matters Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.
Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is also available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.

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Columbia Cougar Flats II Family Cabin Dome Tent Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)BUY THIS VERSION! The tent listed here is model number CB-9001-10. The other third party buying options listed on amazon are CB-9001. I first called amazon and they couldn't give me an answer about the difference. I then called North Pole at 1-866-706-9377 and got the low-down. The CB-9001-10 is the newest, 2010 version.
After a tremendous amount of research, I decided this tent was definitely the way to go for our family of four. I will not repeat everything previous reviewers have said here (read all reviews under other buying options on this site as well as additional reviews outside of amazon), but I do want to pass on newest model info.
The difference with newer model:
1. Added awning: a good addition, but it is not over the door, which would have been more helpful, especially if you wanted to leave muddy shoes at the door.
2. Pole issue has been resolved.
3. Floor is now made of nylon. The rep says this cuts down on noise and is also less prone to holes. They do strongly advise using a tent saver underneath. Most "tent savers" I researched seemed very flimsy, but I found a great tarp that fits this tent exactly and it is sold here on amazon: "Dry Top 210156 10-foot by 15-foot Full Finish Size Reversible Tarp, 10-mm, Silver/Brown". A regular tarp would work fine too, but make sure it is slightly smaller than the tent footprint, otherwise when it rains, water will pool underneath your tent.
Additional Info missing from previous reviews:
1. Rainfly has a 800mm coating. Tent buying guides usually recommend 1000-1500mm, but this tent does seem water resistant.
2. Mesh netting is no-see-um rated.
3. Seams are factory sealed, however rep said you can use Kenyon 3 sealer as extra insurance. A bottle comes with the tent. It's a good idea to seam seal before each season.
4. Columbia does not recommend coating the tent. This can have a reverse effect on moisture control!
5. There is a limited-lifetime warranty on tent, but you must save original receipt.
6. Yes, the second room does not have its own entrance, but we have a 6 and 5 yr old, so it is decidedly a safety PLUS for us.
Hope this helps! I researched the bejeezus out of family, cabin-style tents and this one seems to be by far the best all-around tent for the price, factoring features, materials, quality and price. The only other tent I seriously considered was Eureka's Titan Luxury Family Tent. It does have slightly higher quality materials, but at nearly $200 more, not enough of a difference to justify the price jump.
In Summary: This is the newest model of this tent (verify model #CB-9001-10). Amazon's price is the same as competitors (I researched that too) and you get free shipping. Happy camping!!!
UPDATE: Our tent has been set up and camped in, and we absolutely love it! Can't think of much I'd like improved, except the location of the awning (in front of door would have been much better). We had one night of driving rain, with it pooling on the rain fly because hubby hadn't staked it tightly enough. Same said hubby also admitted he hadn't finished seam sealing. A few drops of water was the only price we paid. We especially love the big windows and ventilation.
If you're thinking of buying this tent, don't hesitate! I can confidently say you will be very happy with your purchase. It's a great value--well built, good looking, with great features all around. We look forward to many outings and building lifetime family memories with our children in this tent.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Columbia Cougar Flats II Family Cabin Dome Tent

Bring the family to the campsite and still have plenty of room to spare with the two-room Columbia Cougar Flats II cabin dome tent. The Cougar Flats II--which sleeps from six to 10 people--is equipped with both a Cyclone venting system and a GoBe Dry rain protection system. The Cyclone system greatly increases the air circulation within the tent, helping you stay cool on warmer days or dry out after a nasty rainstorm. The GoBe Dry system, meanwhile, ensures that the pounding rain won't find a way inside. The tent even includes a patented bay window design that lets you keep the windows open during the storm.
The real highlight of the tent, however, is the spacious interior, which divides its ample sleeping space between two different rooms. As a result, you can give the kids one room and the adults the other, or you can use one room as a bedroom and the other as a living space. You can even zip up the divider and turn the tent into one large room. In addition, the interior of the tent offers plenty of organizational features, such as internal pockets, hanging cupholders for coffee or soft drinks, storage lockers for your clothes, and a gear loft that holds your valuables out of the way. And once it's time to leave the campsite, the tent collapses quickly into a wheeled EZ Pak storage bag, which features an expandable zippered gusset for easy stuffing.
Other features include a sturdy hybrid steel/fiberglass frame with steel and fiberglass poles, two separate doors, a Camp Port for easy cable passage, and a fully seam-taped polyester fly with an 800mm waterproof coating. The Cougar Flats II measures 15 by 7.16 by 10 feet (W x H x D) and weighs 54 pounds.
Key Features:
Tent type: Family
Sleeps: 6 to 10 people
Rooms: 2
Weatherproof: GoBe Dry rain protection system
Venting: Cyclone system for air circulation
Camp Port: Yes
Windows: 2
Doors: 2
Extras: Internal pockets, hanging cupholders, storage lockers, and gear loft
Storage: Wheeled carrying bag
Rainfly: Yes, with 800mm waterproof coating
Dimensions: 15 by 7.16 by 10 feet (W x H x D)
Weight: 54 pounds

About Columbia Sportswear Founded in 1938, Columbia Sportswear Company has grown from a small family-owned hat distributor to one of the world's largest outerwear brands and the leading seller of skiwear in the United States. Columbia's extensive product line includes a wide variety of outerwear, sportswear, rugged footwear and accessories. Columbia specializes in developing innovative products that are functional yet stylish and offer great value. Eighty-year-old matriarch Gert Boyle, chairman of the board, and her son, Tim Boyle, president and CEO, lead the company.
Columbia's history starts with Gert's parents, Paul and Marie Lamfrom, when they fled Germany in 1937. They bought a small hat distributorship in Portland, Oregon, and named it Columbia Hat Company, after the river bordering the city. Soon frustrated by poor deliveries from suppliers, the Lamfroms decided to start manufacturing products themselves. In 1948, Gert married college sweetheart Neal Boyle, who joined the family business and later took the helm of the growing company. When Neal suddenly died of a heart attack in 1970, Gert enlisted help from Tim, then a college senior. After that it wasn't long before business really started to take off. Columbia was one of the first companies to make jackets from waterproof/breathable fabric. The company introduced the breakthrough technology called the Columbia Interchange System, in which a shell and liner combine for multiple wearing options. In the early 1980s, then-60-year-old Gert began her role as "Mother Boyle" in Columbia's successful and popular advertising campaign.
The company went public in 1998 and moved into a new era as a world leader in the active outdoor apparel industry. Today, Columbia Sportswear employs more than 1,800 people around the world and distributes and sells products in more than 50 countries and to more than 12,000 retailers internationally.

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