Springbar ~vs~ Kodiak Flexbow

So I came into some money yesterday and Have a real Itch to replace my large tent with one of the above. I Knew it was coming, so I have looked at a lot of reviews of both. I have seen a few Springbars and they are incredibly nice tents. I understand the value of the Springbar being made in USA, the warranty, and all that. But they are really pricey

So I Have also looked at the Kodiak and from photos and reviews, they look as well built... But I have not seen one.

Anybody care to give their opinion on either as far as workmanship, Etc?

Not familiar with them. They do look very similar.

Well... I went ahead and plunked down the $483.00 on the Kodiak this morning... Cabela's didn't charge me state sales tax so that saved me 9.5%!

Going camping Memorial Day weekend. Expect a review after that.

Every year we go camping in a place where the wind blows 80 MPH... I needed a tent for that more than a gun. I did just come into a lot of cash though and am also getting a new handgun so it the best of both worlds!

If I camped where the wind always blows 80 mph I'd want a gun....to shoot myself.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Badawg

Every year we go camping in a place where the wind blows 80 MPH...

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juuust wondering... but umm.... no offense, but if it's blowing 80mph and it's in the desert... sand + wind + sun = cracked painful lips and cracked skin all over. So.... do you wear that mask in your picture like... the entire time or something? lol jk but I could totally see that happening, I mean you gotta protect your skin from wind like that somehow.

You can just face into the wind and open your lips a bit and sandblast your teeth instead of brushing. But don't open your teeth! That would be like a wind tunnel right through you!!!!!!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Badawg

Every year we go camping in a place where the wind blows 80 MPH...

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I have to ask, exactly where is that place where the wind is always blowing 80 MPH ?!?!?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gray Wolf

I have to ask, exactly where is that place where the wind is always blowing 80 MPH ?!?!?

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Now, why would he announce that here? As a good hunter, you should know that you don't give away your secret places, because everyone will be go there....LOL
I love to vacation in sand storms...doesn't everyone

Ok... Maybe I should have said "gusts" to 80MPH...

It's no secret, every year I go to this little get together in the Desert called Burning Man. It's in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada on a dry Alkali lake bed. It's hot, covered with a fine alkali talc, can be extremely windy and a tough place to survive, and the best fun in the entire world... I have completely wasted 3 good tents there...

And... the mask photo is there, in a 40mph whiteout...

So Badawg --- tell me again --- these tents are going to hold up when the big sandstorm hits right?

http://www.dphotojournal.com/images/.../sandstorm.jpg

It's not the sand that bothers me. It's that Scorpion King dude that I'm concerned about. Tent or no tent.

http://thumbnails.hulu.com/9/677/314...BsmrI9JsTQ.jpg

I hope so... They have a good reputation for standing up to it. I will of course use my vehicle as a windbreak, And, it will be under a shade structure... I have never actually lost a tent to this yet, only they are not so "usable" the next time you take it out...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Badawg

I hope so... They have a good reputation for standing up to it. I will of course use my vehicle as a windbreak, And, it will be under a shade structure... I have never actually lost a tent to this yet, only they are not so "usable" the next time you take it out...

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So basically a one time use tent for $400 plus? Might I suggest a new location for the festival.

The Springbar's and Kodiaks go back year after year. Fiberglassed polled Dome tent's break down rather quickly and become junk after surviving the Playa. Problems range from split poles, to rips or seam pulls, ripped out stake loops, Etc.


It's hard to find another place where 40,000 people can go for a week, and still strips out those that can't hack it...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Badawg

It's hard to find another place where 40,000 people can go for a week, and still strips out those that can't hack it...

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Looks like almost 50,000 last year. For those that can't hack it...is it the radical self expression or the radical self reliance. Looks kind of like Woodstock in the desert, but hey, if it works for you.......

People leave for all sorts of reasons. I have camped in deserts my entire life, so for me the environment was something I could deal with. Radical self reliance get's a lot of people to go home early though. As for the expression part? It's really awesome in my opinion. Thjere are still rules, and even LEOs to enforce the few rules, but if you wanna build a bike that looks like a furry pink camel, and ride it nude, nobody is going to stop you. The nudism is not my bag, but I would admire your pink camel...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rick

It's not the sand that bothers me. It's that Scorpion King dude that I'm concerned about. Tent or no tent.

http://thumbnails.hulu.com/9/677/314...BsmrI9JsTQ.jpg

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Dude.... you just supplied me with the most laughter I've had all week. Funny stuff man.

The tent arrived. It's Big! Taking it to the Scottish Highland Games this weekend, so expect a write-up and some pics.

Looking forward to it.....just....no pink camels.

This little dust devil did a lot of damage, including picking up a 24' Geodome and flinging it about 3 blocks. One dude tried to hold it down and ended up in the hospital...

So... Got to setup and spend 2 nights in the tent last weekend. Went to the Scottish Highland Games in Orange county, where we camped amongst many RVs. We were pretty much plunked down in the 42nd regiment, which was good as they were very friendly and kept me in draft beer for the weekend!

About the tent:

Setup: We pulled in Friday evening about an hour before sunset. Found our spot, unburied the 2 tent bags and dragged them out. The fent bag is a roll up type with buckles so you unbuckle and then unfold the bag from around the tent. Then, roll it off the top of this flat cross shaped piece of canvas. I then rolled out and unfolded the 10'x 10' tent, stacked it with the supplied 12"x 1/4" steel stakes and assembled the roof strut. I then assembled the 2 legs and had it up in under 15 minutes with no help. It really went up nicely and much faster than my last Eureka tent.

Inspection: Once it was up, and before moving stuff in, I went over the tent from end to end. It is extremely well constructed and there is great attention to detail and reinforcements. There is even reinforcements on the reinforcements. I walked every seam I could get too, and did not find a single pulled thread or even a ragged end stitch. Obviously there is a very good quality control program going on here. Zippers are all very heavy duty and metal, with a 2' Pull on each one. Poles are Galvanized Steel and heavy duty. Bottom is a vinyl coated fabric and really heavy duty. The Awning roles up over the door and buckles in place that way with a loop and cord lock dealio that is well thought out.

Living in it: 2 days, 3 people! First off, when they said 6'6" roof height, they meant it. That's the low spot and there is full standing headroom in the entire tent. We had 2 big air mats and a table in there plus our luggage and there was still plenty of room to walk around inside. During the day it was quite warm but the tent stayed fairly cool inside. The light color and big a$$ windows helped a lot. At night, it was quite cool(upper 50s?) but nice and warm inside. I spent most of the night uncovered. My son refused to stay in his fart-sack too. All in all, we all found it very comfy.

Takedown: Once it was emptied of a gargantuan pile of crap I struck the tent in under 10 minutes. Two things to note:
1. Once the legs are out and the pre stresed roof truss is laying on the ground, you have to push a detente and slide a tube to one side and then you can lift up the 2 part main beam. That sharp edged tube then comes slamming down on your hand and makes you bleed... WATCH OUT! It still hurts days later...
2. Once all the poles are out you can pull the 12 stakes and fold and roll the tent up, which is where you see the beauty of the wrap-around tent bag. It's big enough to hold the ground cloth, stake bag, a wisk broom, and 2 loading blankets I use on the inside floor, buckles up tight, and is easy to carry.

The only thing I would(and will) change is the closure for the pole bag. It's a piece of ribbon sewn near the end and it's a little too short. I am going to attach a strap from a bike peddle toe clip. It will be easier to use and more secure.

Conclusions:

Great big roomy tent that looks like it will last for many years. Quality is really there and the attention to detail is excellent. Materials are high quality. Carry bags are well thought out. I would give it a 5 out of 5, but I have not really been in any weather yet. In two weeks I will be up in a high desert pass with strong winds and will update after that. And I will be camped next to a friend's brand new "budget" Springbar so I will do a comparison with pics.

B-D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Badawg

Obviously there is a very good quality control program going on here.

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Not as good as ours, Badawg! Of course, when you send Crash and me our samples, we'll post our report. :innocent:

Ok... @nd trip with the tent. Went to a festival that was in the desert last weekend at 4000ft altitude. It was cold and very windy. Set the tent up in under 15 minutes including raking out the rocks and loose cactus spines in 25mph winds. it was 46 degrees when we got there and the sun was not down yet. It was very nice in the tent though with 3 bodies and a candle lamp. I do believe that the candle heated the tent a little bit...

Next morning dawned bright and sunny, and still very windy. You would never know in that tent. We had stayed up late so we slept in until 10AM. When I got out all the other tents around us but my friend's Springbar had been vacated with the denizens going in search of shade. It stayed nice and cool in the tent all day with the windows cracked. Wind just kept blowing and and we had gusts in the 40s. The tent barely moved. Several others collapsed...

That night was another cold one and we left the kids in the tent with cards and a Coleman lamp(vents open...) And when I got back from my shift at the stage, it was 75 degrees in the tent, and 45 outside.

Next morning(Sunday) Had the same experience of sleeping in and not being baked alive like in a nylon tent.

My friend just bought the Springbar Vagabond 14' model. The materials of the two brands are pretty much identical. The canvas is cut differently on his though, and it seemed to set up a little tighter. He has done the "hose down", and I have not yet. Also, His stake loops are steel wire attached to a bolt rope, which looks sturdier than my nylon webbing. Also, the side poles(uprights) on his are adjustable in 1" increments. Mine are a 1 size deal. Also, he was setup on a little crest, and mine was on a a concave surface. Both on a slope.

Yup... Very happy with this purchase.

Quote:

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Yup... Very happy with this purchase.

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And that right there is what really matters. I was gonna say - if it works for you, then it works for me, but.....well.....ya know.

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