Well, now I have done it. I have been wanting a 4 season (or a tent that could handle colder temps and stronger winds) ever since my son's school went to a balanced calendar last year (shorten summer breaks and an additional week during fall and spring breaks). Since they have shortened summer break, it is really difficult to take more than 2 camp trips during summer break. Hence, the need to get out and camp more during his fall and spring breaks (it is just 3 of us camping). In Indiana, mid/late October (fall break) and late Mar/early April (spring break) can range from warm and pleasant to downright nasty and cold, with rain/snow and blustery winds. And that is where I got the idea of adding a 4 season tent to my gear...until you check out the prices. Yowza.
So I have been searching at least the past 6 months...craigslist, eBay, other internet sites, etc. looking for closeouts and/or discontinues. I had to get a deal as I am not sure how much the wife will enjoy cooler weather camping and I don't want to spend big $$$ on a failed experiment.
I finally found my tent on.....eBay. New in the box....70% off msrp (and there you go TP - lol - ...just takes a long time and being in the right place/right time). However, don't laugh at the brand. It is a Field & Stream Cloud Peak 4 Geodesic Dome tent. Lists for $349....I picked it up for $109. I have no idea who manufactures F&S, but this tent's size and specs match that of Cabelas Alaskan Guide Series 4 person tent.
Yes, I know F&S is not one of the high end tent manufacturer's, but the list of features (6 7000 series aluminum poles, 2000mm coating on fly, 3000mm coating on 210D oxford floor) and specs appear to make it a good candidate for the style of camping we will be trying out, it should be super stable in winds with the dome shape and 6 aluminum poles and 11 tie downs.....along with a price that won't kill me if cool/cold weather camping turns out to not be my wife's cup o tea.
List of features:
4 person tent
4 season tent
Dry Safe™ - 2000 mm waterproof coating and taped seams protects against precipitation
Element Barrier bathtub-style floor has all major seams factory taped and a 3000 mm waterproof coating
Fly provides a barrier against harsh weather
Windows and roof vents designed with no-see-um mesh for air circulation
Breathable fabric roof panels keep the tent cool in warm weather
Vestibule offers shelter when entering and exiting the tent, as well as extra storage space
Compact roll size
6 poles
7000 series aluminum poles
1 door
1 vestibule
3 windows
3 roof vents
Fly included
Specifications:
Dimensions: 9'7" x 8'6"
Floor area: 9'7" x 8'6"
Peak height: 4'8"
Fly material: Dry Safe™ - 2000 mm polyurethane waterproof coating
Floor material: 210D poly-oxford with a 3000 mm polyurethane coating
Here it is in stock photos (I will set it up on arrival and take a few additional "set-up" photos to share along with my thoughts).
Any thoughts my fellow tent campers? I really could not find a whole lot out about this tent when researching it. But.....I figured I couldn't really go too far wrong on this one since it was only $109 so I nabbed it. The real test may come in October when we next camp....and bring this tent along.
So I have been searching at least the past 6 months...craigslist, eBay, other internet sites, etc. looking for closeouts and/or discontinues. I had to get a deal as I am not sure how much the wife will enjoy cooler weather camping and I don't want to spend big $$$ on a failed experiment.
I finally found my tent on.....eBay. New in the box....70% off msrp (and there you go TP - lol - ...just takes a long time and being in the right place/right time). However, don't laugh at the brand. It is a Field & Stream Cloud Peak 4 Geodesic Dome tent. Lists for $349....I picked it up for $109. I have no idea who manufactures F&S, but this tent's size and specs match that of Cabelas Alaskan Guide Series 4 person tent.
Yes, I know F&S is not one of the high end tent manufacturer's, but the list of features (6 7000 series aluminum poles, 2000mm coating on fly, 3000mm coating on 210D oxford floor) and specs appear to make it a good candidate for the style of camping we will be trying out, it should be super stable in winds with the dome shape and 6 aluminum poles and 11 tie downs.....along with a price that won't kill me if cool/cold weather camping turns out to not be my wife's cup o tea.
List of features:
4 person tent
4 season tent
Dry Safe™ - 2000 mm waterproof coating and taped seams protects against precipitation
Element Barrier bathtub-style floor has all major seams factory taped and a 3000 mm waterproof coating
Fly provides a barrier against harsh weather
Windows and roof vents designed with no-see-um mesh for air circulation
Breathable fabric roof panels keep the tent cool in warm weather
Vestibule offers shelter when entering and exiting the tent, as well as extra storage space
Compact roll size
6 poles
7000 series aluminum poles
1 door
1 vestibule
3 windows
3 roof vents
Fly included
Specifications:
Dimensions: 9'7" x 8'6"
Floor area: 9'7" x 8'6"
Peak height: 4'8"
Fly material: Dry Safe™ - 2000 mm polyurethane waterproof coating
Floor material: 210D poly-oxford with a 3000 mm polyurethane coating
Here it is in stock photos (I will set it up on arrival and take a few additional "set-up" photos to share along with my thoughts).
Any thoughts my fellow tent campers? I really could not find a whole lot out about this tent when researching it. But.....I figured I couldn't really go too far wrong on this one since it was only $109 so I nabbed it. The real test may come in October when we next camp....and bring this tent along.
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