View Full Version : Tentmakers?
Here's my dilemna: I loved my NF Canyonlands. It was and is the only one-pole tent that I have seen to my liking. I am stuck on this. But they stopped makin' em years ago and those left on the web are sketchy. So, what I want to know is, is that a known tentmaker who could design a similar tent for me using lighterweight material. Or any other one-pole designs you could recommend?
Everytime I set up my Eureka Spitfire, I rue that damn second pole.
On the tentmaker note, anyone remember Omar from '99? He would have fit in well with a few of the cats on this site.
Frolicking Dinosaurs
05-12-2007, 20:38
You need to go peruse the homemade gear forum (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=65) here and at backpackinglight (http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/display_forum?forum=38). You might also want to look at Tarptent Rainbow (http://www.tarptent.com/rainbow.html) or the Six Moon LunarSolo (http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=36)
bigcranky
05-12-2007, 21:13
The Tarptent Rainbow is a similar design, with the advantage of being about half the weight overall.
I had a Canyonlands. Nice solo tent, and I loved being able to stake out the door as an awning using my trekking poles. Just too heavy for me, though, at over four pounds.
I've looked at those Tarptents but they look awfully long to me. I normally throw down in odd areas that sometimes require tight fits, and over 8 ft. is normally too long for that.
I perused Dino and searched but didn't find my specific question. It may be in there, but I stopped looking after 10 minutes.
fiddlehead
05-12-2007, 21:56
I had the similar delemma a few years ago with my Black Diamond Megamid. I took it to an upolstery shop and had them copy the design and make it in sil nylon. I believe Black Diamond has now done the same thing but i now have a tent that i like, made out of the material that i like. The hard part was finding a zipper (before everyone had a website) but now, that should be easier. good luck.
Passionphish
05-12-2007, 22:35
How much did it cost to have that tent made?
Ball park
Thanks for the tip, bro.
I can still hear your voice yelling at Shirt and Peeps, "We're burning daylight!" in the early morning haze of the Wilderness. Hope all your trails have been as kind.
Tipi Walter
05-13-2007, 05:44
I went backpacking with a guy who loved his Canyonlands and I thought of the several North Face tents I had in the past that were fine shelters but as usual discontinued by a company that can't seem to settle on anything except the VE24/25. When something works, why not improve it and keep it alive(like the Hillebergs)instead of dumping it and irritating customers?
There are a few websites that specialize in fixing tents but I believe to make one up from scratch is just too expensive. Most people though, with the abundance of tents out there, just chuck their old models and survey the huge array of new and go from there. My discovery of Hilleberg tents started after losing the ability to get what I wanted with what I had before.
fiddlehead
05-14-2007, 06:34
How much did it cost to have that tent made?
Ball park
I believe they charged me $80 but am not sure, it was a while ago and a friend of mine. I still have the tent. it is great.
Yahtzee, hello my friend, i didn't know you were the same yahtzee but should've known. I'm living in Thailand now and have a 1 1/2 year old boy. Glad to see you're on whiteblaze.
The Rainbow has exactly the same length as the Canyonlands, 98", but is 4" wider and 5" higher inside, not counting the vestibule.
Lots more ventilation and head room than the TNF. (the length is about the maximum that an unsupported arch will hold)
Another one that you can consider, if you prefer a double skin, is the Macpac Microlite, just on 8' and just under 4 lb.
Franco
Check out pyramid tents at owareusa and the Golite Hex...one pole designs.
We all have our pet products but Yahtzee specified that he prefers a small footprint, the Hex ain't it...
Franco
Franco, must admit I didn't compare the specs. I went from the pictures and in the pics it looks huge. Will have to keep in mind. Just looked so long when it was staked out, I worry about cramming into the crazy spots where I tend to throw down.
That was obvious to me but I am always trying very hard to be polite.
When... you order the Rainbow, tell Henry that I did all the work, he gives me a new tent for every 1000 I sell for him. Only 997 to go now. I have some time up my sleeve since he hasn't started designing the tent I am after.
I am glad that everybody got the "x mars the spot" quip.
Franco
If you really love this tent, and want it with lighter fabrics. Talk to Penny (http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/) over at Specialty Outdoors. (http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/)
She's pretty amazing. Give her a packor a tent or just about amny piece of outdoor gear, and she can make one which looks almost exactly like the production model.
Here is her tent gallery (http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/about/tents.asp).
Chef2000
05-20-2007, 09:21
Hilleberg makes a one person, one pole tent The Akto weighs about 3 lbs all together.
peter_pan
05-21-2007, 20:02
Check out Brawny's tents....now available thru AGG.
Pan
Again we are forgetting about the small footprint required by Yahtzee, 8" max.
The Akto is a great tent and obviously loved by most users.
However it requires about 12" of floor space to stand up.
The AGG TarpTent is 10" long plus guylines
BTW, I am not to sure about the use of the name TarpTent, somehow it looks similar to the copyrighted HS Tarptent . Have a look at the Pat McNeilly review at BackpackGearTest.org, he calls the AGG version "Tarptent" every time.
Franco
Jack I'm sending you a PM