tent question

[Hoop]

Newbie here -- hiking solo one week this summer (GA to NC). Does anyone use the BD Lighthouse or HiLight 2? I've seen them only online and wonder if the internal pole system is a hassle. Thanks for any help. This site is great.

[bigmac_in]

Personally, I wouldn't spend much on a tent - especially for a one week hike. I use this one -

http://www.texsport.net/knollwood-bivy-shelter-tent-p-43.html

It has plenty of room, is light (3 lbs.), and inexpensive. You'll get plenty of opinions here about tents, but I guess your question was about the two in particular. No opinion on them - I personally wouldn't spend the money.

[nutlub]

Personally, I wouldn't spend much on a tent - especially for a one week hike. I use this one -

http://www.texsport.net/knollwood-bivy-shelter-tent-p-43.html

It has plenty of room, is light (3 lbs.), and inexpensive. You'll get plenty of opinions here about tents, but I guess your question was about the two in particular. No opinion on them - I personally wouldn't spend the money.

I also have that texsport tent...Its great as long as it doesn't rain...if it does then the door area of the tent gets socked b/c it has zero rain-fly coverage there. :confused: I've wondered if I could improve this tent by sewing a rain fly extension on the front. I think it would be worth it...Grrrr...If it weren't for the rain fly problem it would be an awesome lightweight tent.

[hpowers]

I've got a Lighthouse for sale. If you are interested email me at [email protected].

[SlowLightTrek]

Swiss Gear at Sam's club maybe Walmart. 3 1/2 lbs., single wall 2 person backpacking tent for $30. It kept me dry till about Vermont this summer.

[NorthCountryWoods]

Use the bibler I-tent which the BD firstlight is based on and my next summer tent will be the firstlight (you can share a vestibule, ground cloth and accessories). You get used to the internal poles and don't think they're a hassle at all. Nice to be able to hang stuff on them or hold onto them in the wind at altitude.

The single wall design is nice and waterproof on the I-tent but wonder how good it is on the lighter weight BD? Be interested to hear some real world reviews of this line.

[Tin Man]

You can find many shelter reviews here...

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Shelters/

[flemdawg1]

Swiss Gear at Sam's club maybe Walmart. 3 1/2 lbs., single wall 2 person backpacking tent for $30. It kept me dry till about Vermont this summer.

The current Sam's Club SwissGear Hiker Tent model weighs 5.4 lbs and is a double wall w/ aluminum poles and taped fly. And is currently on clearance there for $31.41.

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=382567

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001C5ZFOS/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&seller=

I own of these and they work very well. I camped with it several times in wind and rain and always stayed perfectly dry. My friend owns an MSR Hubba Hubba and was impressed by it. The two are similarly constructed.

[Just Plain Jim]

Mt BD Firstlite worked fine the past 3 years [360 miles] and I love it.........JPJ