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**05Kingquad700** · 03-13-2015, 07:15 PM

Re: Deciding on a new 3 Person Tent - Give me your feedback/experience/thoughts

I have a marmot limelight 3. When I take my daughter car camping, it will fit an 2 Exped Mega Mats. And they fill it up. It is easy to setup and has 2 vestibules. I like it a lot, put I am worried about 3 people. Is there an REI or other sporting good stores where you could actually see if all 3 of you fit. The nice thing about the marmot, is it comes with a ground cloth, tent and full length rain fly. You can leave the tent at home and just use the ground cloth and rainfly to save weight.

**a65hoosier** · 03-14-2015, 03:53 AM

Re: Deciding on a new 3 Person Tent - Give me your feedback/experience/thoughts

Kingquad - Thanks for the info! I did some searching on the forum prior to posting and knew there were a couple of limelight purchases/users, but they were older posts (couldn't find anything on the other brands/models I was looking at). Your feedback is helpful. I actually do have an REI store within 20 minutes of me--so a setup/test in the store is a good idea.

How wide are your Exped Mega Mats? Are they the 7.5 lxw model at 26in or the 10 model at 30in?

**05Kingquad700** · 03-14-2015, 07:45 AM

Re: Deciding on a new 3 Person Tent - Give me your feedback/experience/thoughts

They are the 10's. I personally think they are the best ones out there. What I like most is the inflate and deflate valves are at the head of the mat. That way, you can over inflate them and release some pressure as you are laying on them. That way you get the perfect pressure.

the only thing I don't like about the Marmot, is that it isn't tall enough for me to stand up in. But no small tents are.

**a65hoosier** · 03-16-2015, 02:09 PM

Re: Deciding on a new 3 Person Tent - Give me your feedback/experience/thoughts

Kingquad - The Exped Mega Mat is definitely a nice pad and cozy comfort for car camping. I can see how 2 of those with their 30in width would fill the footprint on the Limelight 3. I took a look at the Mega and ultimately went with the Therm-a-rest Luxury MAP pad for our car camping adventures (basically--a bit less expensive than the Exped's). The Lux Maps are 25x77 so 2 of those would give us a little more floorspace should we use the new tent for car camping.

I would be purchasing 20in wide pads (not sure which one) for our backpacking trips, so 2 of those in a 60+ wide tent footprint would allow us some leeway/space. 3 20in pads would definitely fill that same footprint with no extra space at all. Not sure how many times I would actually try to squeeze all 3 of us in that tight of a footprint....probably not often as my wife prefers both space and headroom when we tent camp. And those two don't really apply to a backpacking tent.

I did have the opportunity to stop by REI yesterday to see what they had set-up on the floor. They had a new Marmot Tungsten 3 set-up, which has the same dimensions as the Marmot Limelight 3 so I had a chance to crawl in and test it out. I really like the Tungsten. The pole structure has prebent "knees" and specific clip attachment points which creates zones within the tent and expands the usable volume within the tent. Essentially the tent's lower walls are vertical (because of the knee poles) for the first 12 inches so you have more usable space before the tent walls begin slanting in towards the top. I really like the zoned design in the Tungsten and it's a strong contender for my next tent now that I have seen it. Still a relatively heavy tent though. Decisions, decisions.

Tungsten and the zone design:

FYI....hang onto your Limelight, it may become a "collectible". From what the clerk at REI said, Marmot is phasing out the Limelight series and replacing it with the new Tungsten series. They are not getting in any more Limelights (the only ones they had available were in the orange color-both in store and website). On the other hand, the remaining Limelights around on the internet may go on closeout and be had at a better price eventually.

**05Kingquad700** · 03-16-2015, 04:45 PM

Re: Deciding on a new 3 Person Tent - Give me your feedback/experience/thoughts

Keep in mind that REI will be having a 20% off sale at the end of the month. Plus if you are a member, your dividends will be coming out at that time. About the best time to buy a tent, except for the garage sale.

**MacGyver** · 03-16-2015, 07:08 PM

Re: Deciding on a new 3 Person Tent - Give me your feedback/experience/thoughts

hoosier - If you want to shave about half a pound off the weight and still have a durable tent (and a few bucks left in the wallet), believe it or not, you might want to check out REI's Half Dome Plus. It's probably the only 2 person tent that I think would actually work for two people. I wasn't paying attention at the register and wound up buying one by mistake. I thought I'd bought the regular sized Half Dome but, while setting it up, I found the ends hanging over the edge of my 8 x 8 platform. It took me about two minutes to realize that I'd bought the Plus. Anyway... I set it up on the ground and was amazed at the space I had around me. It's a bit wider than most 2p tents, no taper and it's l-o-n-g. Also, new for 2015, it's available in several different colors.

**a65hoosier** · 03-16-2015, 07:14 PM

Re: Deciding on a new 3 Person Tent - Give me your feedback/experience/thoughts

Originally posted by 05Kingquad700 View Post

Keep in mind that REI will be having a 20% off sale at the end of the month. Plus if you are a member, your dividends will be coming out at that time. About the best time to buy a tent, except for the garage sale.

Absolutely. I've been awaiting the arrival of both the 20% off coupon and my 2014 dividend check. Agree now is a good time. Garage sales are ok for gear as long as you know what you need and look it over real good--no REI guarantee on those items.

**a65hoosier** · 03-16-2015, 07:31 PM

Re: Deciding on a new 3 Person Tent - Give me your feedback/experience/thoughts

MacGyver - thanks for the heads up on the REI Half Dome Plus 2. I'll take a look. I was looking at the REI Quarter Dome 3---but it seems like a strange pole structure and tapers in width from one end to the other (that, and it is pricey).

**MacGyver** · 03-16-2015, 07:46 PM

Re: Deciding on a new 3 Person Tent - Give me your feedback/experience/thoughts

I looked at the Quarter Dome 3, too. From the get go, I wasn't real thrilled with the hubbed poles - on ANY tent, not just REI's. They're rigid plastic and actually only allow for free movement in one direction. That's spells broken hub to me, at least eventually. I remember talking to a woman who owned a hubbed tent and she said she just wrote to the company and had them send her a bag of replacements. THAT says design flaw to me. If anything, the hubs should be rubber or silicone, something that gives and can't scratch the poles. As for the Half domes, they don't use the usual dome tent crossover pole configuration either. It uses what I guess is best called a Double Y configuration. A bit tricky maybe on the first setup, but after that, it makes sense and the tent goes up in minutes. If you do look at it, I'll give you a hint for the short pole that keeps the walls straight. I almost returned the tent because, at first, it seemed that pulling the grommet over the end of the pole was too tight, almost to the point where I thought something was going to rip. An REI rep showed me how to get around that by slightly pushing down on the crossover as you bring the grommet to it. If that doesn't make sense now, it should when you go to set it up.

**a65hoosier** · 03-28-2015, 04:44 AM

Re: Deciding on a new 3 Person Tent - Give me your feedback/experience/thoughts

Thought I would follow-up on this thread. Selecting this size of a tent was more difficult than I imagined. Complicating my decision was my need to purchase it at REI since I could combine the 20% members discount, my annual dividend, and a couple of gift cards that I received.

MacGyver - I went to REI this past week (it's about 20 mins from my house) and had them set-up a Half-Dome Plus so I could check it out and size it up. It's a great tent with excellent reviews. I liked the various fly colors available. I saw what you meant regarding the cross pole (they also pushed it down to hook into the grommet). It definitely is long and would comfortably fit 2 adults. The width was a bit tight. I ultimately took a pass on this one (although if there is one at the REI garage sale, I might nab it-can't have too many tents-lol).

I was leaning very much into getting the Marmot Limelight 3...it is a sturdy design that has been around awhile-time tested. Great materials/construction/reviews. I ultimately took a pass on this also....REI only had it available in the orange version, both in store and online, and I just don't care for the orange color.

I went ahead and purchased the new Marmot Tungsten 3P yesterday at REI. It contained the features I was looking for in a tent this size. Comes with the footprint. The knee pole design really opens up the interior space, especially down at the floor level. I could have my head almost at the wall and look up and not have fabric hanging right over my face. Just seemed to be roomy. Can also get 3 20 inch pads in it. I got it in green shadow/moss color (not the blaze orange it also comes in). With the 20% off, my dividend, and cards, the cost was minimal.

Marmot Tungsten 3P:

I was hoping to get a chance to try it out this next weekend. We're visiting family in Corydon, IN and rather than staying in a very crowded house, my wife and I will have our sleeping arrangements in O'Bannon Woods State Park (the park is less than 15 minutes away from our relatives). The dear spouse, however, believes this tent may be too "drafty" with all the mesh. Forecast calls for highs in 50's, lows in 30's with 10-15 mph winds so I will be bringing my F&S Cloud Peak 4, which has the ability to be fully zipped, negating any breezes. First chance for the new Marmot will be the middle of April at my son's Scout Spring Camporee.

Thank you everyone that commented as your feedback gave me additional things to consider/research. Just by listing out the various sizes/features/specs was helpful to me. I can definitely see how someone new to tenting could struggle selecting a tent.

**05Kingquad700** · 03-28-2015, 04:00 PM

Re: Deciding on a new 3 Person Tent - Give me your feedback/experience/thoughts

I just compared the Limelight to the Tungsten and they look like they could be the same tent. I think you should be happy with it. Keep us posted.

**a65hoosier** · 03-29-2015, 08:32 AM

Re: Deciding on a new 3 Person Tent - Give me your feedback/experience/thoughts

Originally posted by 05Kingquad700 View Post

I just compared the Limelight to the Tungsten and they look like they could be the same tent. I think you should be happy with it. Keep us posted.

I did the same comparisons (over and over and over...lol). Don't think one could go wrong with either of these Marmot tents.

I beat the heck out of comparing these two tents in the store. Had them set-up at REI (along with the REI Half Dome Plus). My son and I crawled around inside them. Put pads in them and laid down. Through it all, the sales dude at REI was patient with me. lol.

I think the REI guy's comment about Marmot phasing out the Limelight series and going to the Tungsten series was correct seeing how these are so similar. Also, he indicated that REI will not be getting in any more Limelights.

If REI had the Limelight available in the green color instead of the just the orange, I might still be flip flopping on my decision. The Limelight's a great tent from what I saw and hundreds of past reviews online seem to agree. Hopefully the new Tungsten series will also end up being a great line of tents...I'm about to find out...one way or another. Thanks for your feedback Kingquad - Happy Camping to you!!!

**action** · 03-29-2015, 04:20 PM

Re: Deciding on a new 3 Person Tent - Give me your feedback/experience/thoughts

Really like to here how you like it after you use it.
Thanks
Jack

**tplife** · 03-31-2015, 01:14 PM

Re: Deciding on a new 3 Person Tent - Give me your feedback/experience/thoughts

They are all great tents of high quality. As you know (and we discovered), you cannot fit three 25" self-inflating sleeping pads in a 3-man tent. But most of the time, the 20"-ers will fit!

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Deciding on a new 3 Person Tent - Give me your feedback/experience/thoughts

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