"Outstanding product; best parts of a tent and a tarp! I use the tarp or the bug insert seperately but carrying them both is easy enough -- together they weigh just under four pounds; and I can sleep three people inside with room to spare for gear. In fact I only carry my Swallow tent during the hinge season.
Three-minute set-up time. I like last years tarp for the grey color, but this years insert for the three doors.
Shop around as I paid under $200 for the whole thing."
"Positive Aspects (tarp):
1.) lots of living/storage-space, even for two. sleeps three in a pinch, but the awning-door might need to be opened if bumping elbows is a problem.
2.) lightweight luxury (under 3 lbs).excellent space/weight ratio. light enough to carry alone, big enough to share.
3.) quality manufacturing. MSR at its finest. stong, resilient tent-fly nylon fabric. taped, double-stitched seams endure taught pitches and windy storms with ease. zippers won't pull apart. tough trekking-pole holding pockets (interior ridge-peaks) won't tear or stretch even after much abuse.
4.) creativity. far more than the listed 30 setup-configuations. easy to manipulate according to varying terrain, weather, or needed function. doors open wide and close up tight to ventilate or protect from weather. lots of guy-out points/grommets for increased stability and setup possibilities. add a few ropes into the mix and string up the tarp with trees(hanging supports) and rocks(for staking-out).
5.) suprisingly modifiable. its just a shaped tarp, so clip, snip, and sew all you want. just don't ruin the quality. KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING!
6.) with experience, setup time gets short, fast. dont be intimidated by the non-freestanding setbacks of this versatile shelter. practice makes perfect.
7.) no poles to pack. just stuff it anywhere you can in between uses.
Negative Aspects (tarp):
1.) non- freestanding.
2.) no bug protection.
3.) no floor.
4.) requires some engenuity for effective setup.
5.) some condensation in humid situations when doors must be closed.
6.) if bright orange bothers you, this tarp is not for you.
Positive Aspects (insert):
1.) makes the tarp a tent by adding a floor and keeping the bugs out.
2.) organizer pockets on the interior.
3.) bathtub-style floor with taped, double-stitched seams seals out water.
4.) clips to the interior peaks and walls of the tarp for maximized living space.
5.) easy entry/exit. one large door, two smaller doors. the one big door takes up an entire sidewall of the mesh insert. face it toward the wide open awning and watch the sun set, bug-free; or go in or out.
6.) all mesh canopy ensures almost breezy ventilation.
7.) can be set up on it's own (without tarp) as a bug-free stargazing shelter.
Negative Aspects (insert):
1.) no weather/sun protection.
2.) a bit small for 2 big guys. (but still managable if all the gear stays in the 2 cavernous vestibules or outside in the rain.)
3.) too heavy (for ultralighters) to carry together with the tarp. (a bit over 4 lbs.)
4.) don't tear the mesh. sticks, pack, knives, etc. may rip a hole in the wall.
Overall Analysis:
excellent shelter. great investment. lots of space without the weight penalty. versatile. modifiable. durable. packable. very, very orange."
"A little tricky to set up the first couple of times, but it gets easier. Plenty of room considering the two huge vestibules. Different set-up configurations make it a real treat. I pitched it using trekking poles, sticks and the guy out lines. The trekking poles worked well as long as you adjust them to the right height . Using the guy-lines can be a bit difficult as you have to pick your set up spot carefully and make sure that you have room between the insert and tarp (if you use the insert). When pitched properly without sticks/trekking poles, you could fit 3 with gear in a pinch. Rather light considering all the room and the 3 doors. Overall I'm impressed with the construction, weight, and space. Hopefully this is the last tent/tarp I will be buying for a long time."
