Tents...

[Aurelius95]

I am going to see a man about a tent tonight after work. It's a Eureka Timberline 4 that he said was used twice. He doesn't use it b/c his wife decided she does not like to camp, so he went with a smaller tent. He's selling it for $100, but I think I can get it for less. I'll let you know...

[crashdive123]

I've always liked the "pup tent" style.

[Rick]

Do yourself a favor and inspect all of the tent including the poles. I once bought one only to find two of the poles had been bent and were cracked. My bad for not inspecting all the pieces before walking away.

[Aurelius95]

Do yourself a favor and inspect all of the tent including the poles. I once bought one only to find two of the poles had been bent and were cracked. My bad for not inspecting all the pieces before walking away.

No doubt. I will set up the tent, and check it for damage.

[Batch]

I didn't know PA had mountains.........more like hills.

Anyways, you can sleep warm and dry in a bug free space without a tent and using a tarp. Lots of people do it. It is just a matter of breaking with the norm. But, that doesn't mean carrying a tent is bad. Everyone has their own style and likes and dislikes.

I camp a lot in primitive sites with no amenities. Some with fancy amenities like they mowed the grass. But, we always are close to a truck or quad. I have started trying out hammock camping and now have an ultra cheap parachute type hammock. I also bought a Hennese Hammock.

But, I would love some advice about tarp camping bug free down here.

By the weigh. That tent may be heavy. But, you either have one person carry the main tent, the other the poles and another the rain fly. Or, you can just distribute other items in the other two people packs. So, its not nearly as heavy as it might seem.

[crashdive123]

Batch - let us know how you like the Hennese after you give it a test run.

[Batch]

Will do. I have set it up a in the yard probably like 8 to a dozen times. So far it is very cool.

I am going to take it hunting this weekend for the opening of archery on public land. But, where we are going is going to be a mad house of hunters.

[crashdive123]

Did it come with netting and a rain fly? (or do they all have them?)

[Batch]

Yeah, I had to get the big man expedition or what ever. They said otherwise you get claustrophobic if you over 6'.

But, I think there is a lot of room in there. You can use the rain fly and be sleeping minutes later.

The ground beneath you makes no difference.

[Trabitha]

I am going to see a man about a tent tonight after work. It's a Eureka Timberline 4 that he said was used twice. He doesn't use it b/c his wife decided she does not like to camp, so he went with a smaller tent. He's selling it for $100, but I think I can get it for less. I'll let you know...

That's the one we got. We spent almost 180.00 new on ours. We've used ours all summer and put it though a LOT but we LOVE it. It's a trooper! The replacement parts are inexpensive, the entire piece is quite light. It holds up great in bad weather, it's really easy to set up, and the accessories are amazing and affordable.

We sleep 2 adults and a child in ours, and still have plenty of room to keep our packs with us.

GREAT TENT!

[sgtdraino]

Anyone got any opinions on the Ecotat Freedom Shelter?

http://www.imsplus.com/index.php?tar...oduct_id=30421

It's a 4lb bivy tent that can also be used as a poncho, sit in shelter, or sleeping bag liner. Two of them can be combined to create a 3-man tent. I have one of these, but have not tested it out yet.

[finallyME]

I camp a lot in primitive sites with no amenities. Some with fancy amenities like they mowed the grass. But, we always are close to a truck or quad. I have started trying out hammock camping and now have an ultra cheap parachute type hammock. I also bought a Hennese Hammock.

But, I would love some advice about tarp camping bug free down here.

By the weigh. That tent may be heavy. But, you either have one person carry the main tent, the other the poles and another the rain fly. Or, you can just distribute other items in the other two people packs. So, its not nearly as heavy as it might seem.

You are right Batch, you have to consider the weight breakdown if others are spreading the weight. Anyways, tarp camping bug free is easy. You just need a bug net . A simple way is this guy.
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http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___86660
You just have to put a tie out point under the tarp to suspend the top of the bug net.
This guy is also sold in OD green for the military.
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The tarp I made has four tie outs on the underside to tie the corners of the military cot bug net one. I got those by accident when I put on the outside tie outs.
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Another option is to sew bug netting on the edges of the tarp. This is basically a floorless tent. Here are instructions from Tarptent on how you can make your own tarp tent.
http//www.tarptent.com/projects/tarpdesign.html

Another option is a net tent under the tarp. Ray Jardine does it that way.
http://www.rayjardine.com/ray-way/Tarp-Kit/index.htm

A light bivy that has a lot of bug netting is also an option.
http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/suppor...teor-bivy.html

There are probably more ways to do it. Needless to say, it can be done.

[finallyME]

Anyone got any opinions on the Ecotat Freedom Shelter?

Well, you asked.....

I don't like it. $350 for a 4 lb one man tent . If you want a one man tent that can be a poncho, I would recommend the meteor bivy with a poncho. You can even use a military poncho ($15-$30) for camo.
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http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/suppor...teor-bivy.html

Anyways, just my opinion, but you did ask for it.

By the way, have you seen this video?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgoqA...layer_embedded

[Batch]

Thanks for the links finallyME!

[sigma_pete]

They're excellent tents, it's a classic design that's held up well against the competition because of the simple but genius design. A lot of Boy Scout troops use Timberlines and they hold up to years (even decades) of teenage abuse. They are a bit on the heavy side but about the same/better than most 3-4 man tents. Back when I was doing 50 mile hikes (it's been a over 2 decades now), we'd split them up with 1 person carrying poles and the other carrying the tent and rain fly. If 3 to a tent, the 3rd would carry the fly. We used them year round in upstate NY.

For the past 2 years, my son's been using the very roomy but lightweight Eureka Spitfire2 (2 man @ 4.5#) for monthly campouts. I only got to use it once before he commandeered it from me.

[sgtdraino]

I don't like it. $350 for a 4 lb one man tent .

Well, the link was mainly to give you an idea of what I'm talking about, not a price. Sometimes you can find these things for around $150.

If you want a one man tent that can be a poncho, I would recommend the meteor bivy with a poncho.

Just to clarify, you're recommending a tent plus a poncho, not a tent that can be used as a poncho, yes?

What do you think the combined weight of the meteor bivy plus a poncho would be?

Anyways, just my opinion, but you did ask for it.

You may well be right, like I said, I haven't really field tested the Ecotat yet. One thing I do like about the concept, is how two of them can fit together to make a 3-man shelter, as well as potentially eliminating the need for rain gear. Then again, the Ecotat seems kinda complicated.

[finallyME]

sgtdraino hopefully I didn't come off as too rude. I apologize for any offense. My opinion was based off a picture and some words written about the ecotat. I could be wrong. Personally, I would have to physically see it.

You are right that I was recommending a net tent plus a poncho. The net tent is only used for bug protection, not waterproofness. Just goes to show how heavy 4 lbs is. The meteor bivy weighs 7 oz, or a little less than half a pound. I think a military poncho weighs about 1.5 lbs (I am guessing here). The coghlans mosquito netting weighs 5 oz. You would still need a ground cloth for this. So the total weight of a net tent plus poncho is probably around 2 lbs.

Of course, my solution isn't perfect. A normal poncho makes a small tarp. The meteor bivy compensates a little by covering the foot end of the sleeping bag. A full bivy with a poncho tarp would be better protection, but then your weight is getting real close to 4 lbs, plus you still need poles.

Don't get me wrong. The ecotat isn't a bad shelter, nor is it really heavy. If weight is your concern (only you can answer that one personally), then you can get the same function (a water and bug proof shelter that also serves as rain gear) for half the weight and price. But, if you need a bomb proof shelter that can handle high winds and heavy snow loads, and serve as rain gear, then 4 lbs is probably light, and the ecotat seems to fit the purpose perfectly.

Me personally, I don't like using my shelter as rain gear. I like having those two separate (which goes against being light weight). But that is personal preference. In the end, we all have to make our own decisions, and just because you decide something that I wouldn't, doesn't mean you are wrong.

[sgtdraino]

sgtdraino hopefully I didn't come off as too rude. I apologize for any offense.

Not at all!

You are right that I was recommending a net tent plus a poncho. The net tent is only used for bug protection, not waterproofness. Just goes to show how heavy 4 lbs is. The meteor bivy weighs 7 oz, or a little less than half a pound. I think a military poncho weighs about 1.5 lbs (I am guessing here). The coghlans mosquito netting weighs 5 oz. You would still need a ground cloth for this. So the total weight of a net tent plus poncho is probably around 2 lbs.

Wow, that is really light!

Of course, my solution isn't perfect. A normal poncho makes a small tarp. The meteor bivy compensates a little by covering the foot end of the sleeping bag. A full bivy with a poncho tarp would be better protection, but then your weight is getting real close to 4 lbs, plus you still need poles.

I would really like a setup where my wife and I can carry pretty much the same thing, which could be used to make an indidual shelter for each of us, or combine to make a larger shelter for the two of us together. I watched that video you linked, pretty neat! Tempted me to run out and buy a couple of ponchos! Might still do it, would probably be handy rain gear to have.

I guess the two main concerns I have, are (1) bugs, and (2) proper ventilation. Those ponchos don't look like they "breath" all that well. Would it be safe to completely close myself up inside of one?

Don't get me wrong. The ecotat isn't a bad shelter, nor is it really heavy.

Well, it might be a bit on the heavy side considering it's only for one-person. I have a 2-man bivy tent that's only about 3.6 pounds. I'd need two Ecotats for 2 people, and that would be 9 pounds of weight!

Me personally, I don't like using my shelter as rain gear. I like having those two separate (which goes against being light weight).

Not necessarily! A 3.6lb tent plus two 1.5lb ponchos is 6.6lbs, still significantly lighter than two Ecotats.

[finallyME]

I would really like a setup where my wife and I can carry pretty much the same thing, which could be used to make an indidual shelter for each of us, or combine to make a larger shelter for the two of us together. I watched that video you linked, pretty neat! Tempted me to run out and buy a couple of ponchos! Might still do it, would probably be handy rain gear to have.

I guess the two main concerns I have, are (1) bugs, and (2) proper ventilation. Those ponchos don't look like they "breath" all that well. Would it be safe to completely close myself up inside of one?

Any tarp shelter will breath better than a tent. That is the main benefit of a tarp. I guess lighter weight is another. Tarps are open and allow cross ventilation. It is also easier to find a site. You only need to find a spot that is big enough to lay down on. A lot of people like to lay next to logs. A poncho doesn't breath when you wear it, unless you get one that is waterproof/breathable. But, you generally get wind blowing under it that helps mitigate this. A rain jacket has to be breathable or you will get soaked. Personally I like to wear a rain jacket that is very breathable, but not super-duper waterproof, and then don a poncho when the rain gets out of control torrential. If it is raining, I will generally cover my pack with the poncho and then roll it back behind my head when it isn't raining very hard. If it starts dumping, then I pull it over my head. A good cheap breathable and light rain jacket is the dri-ducks by frogg-toggs.

As for two shelters that can be combined, I have been thinking about the same thing for me and my wife as well for the BOB. I think it is smart that she has a completely self sustaining BOB apart from mine, in case of accidental separation. A tarp is easy to set up individually, or together. Plus it is cheaper than a tent, and smaller/lighter. A slighter larger bug net can squeeze two inside as well. I said earlier that I like to carry a tarp and a poncho and not rely on my poncho for shelter. An 8X10 silnylon tarp is around 16 oz. So a tarp+bug net+ground sheet (6 mil painters drop cloth) is probably around 25 oz (2 lbs = 32 oz). Oh and by the way, you can buy a lighter than military poncho tarp that is 58"X104" and weighs 9.5 oz. http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___20275 But I don't like sleeping under tarps that are less than 8X10.

Not necessarily! A 3.6lb tent plus two 1.5lb ponchos is 6.6lbs, still significantly lighter than two Ecotats.

Yes, but if I am carrying a tarp plus a poncho, plus a bug net, then the tarp is redundant. I could just carry a poncho and a bug net. But, I personally don't like being stuck in my shelter with no rain gear to wander around in. So, I carry a dri-ducks rain suit, a poncho, and a tarp. Excessive, I know.

[Rick]

Would it be safe to completely close myself up inside of one?

I don't think you have any safety issues to worry about unless you're trying to have a fire inside of it. I know you know better than that. Condensation from your own breath would be another thing. You could wind up with a wet bed if it doesn't have any ventilation or very little.