I'm Really Happy to See so Many Tent Manufacturers Incoroprating Changes

[NYCgrrl]

Seems like the days of lower grade fiberglass poles are ending or at least options are being made available outside the specialty markets.

Now I have to say that fiberglass has done well by me what with not dry/bicycle or motorcycle camping anymore ( No I never tried the moto version but did know the wants were different from car camping). Pole section breaks soooooooo buy a new section/contact the maker if you are still under warranty or just upgrade to aluminum via the many online tent part suppliers out there. Or maybe pull out that duct tape until you get home.

Also seeing many companies using UVB/A resistant fabrics and better no seeum mesh in lower and mid priced point products.

Now if they would only add more tent stake tabs for better ground coverage and emphasis the importance of well made zippers and guyline locales I'd be overjoyed.

What are you seeing in the marketplace that makes you happy?

[tplife]

Re: I'm Really Happy to See so Many Tent Manufacturers Incoroprating Changes

Yep, polyester tent fabrics have it hands-down over nylon for UV resistance. Dupont Autograph 2 is replacing the 1st gen, so besides metal utensils and even heating fry pans can go into the oven. Carbon fiber is becoming the go-to pole material, because those anodized aluminum poles are s-o-o 2000's.

[terasec]

Re: I'm Really Happy to See so Many Tent Manufacturers Incoroprating Changes

its easy for me to complain about gear. no shortage of topics there
picking a positive is actually tough
i will go with
glad they are still making cheap $25 tents
2 tents i have were $15 and $25
$15 tent is 30 years old and still use it,
$25 tent is about 10 years old and gets lots of use

[NYCgrrl]

Re: I'm Really Happy to See so Many Tent Manufacturers Incoroprating Changes

Yep, polyester tent fabrics have it hands-down over nylon for UV resistance. Dupont Autograph 2 is replacing the 1st gen, so besides metal utensils and even heating fry pans can go into the oven. Carbon fiber is becoming the go-to pole material, because those anodized aluminum poles are s-o-o 2000's.

Can you elaborate on what you mean there? Been cooking with pots and pans at extended high temperatures for decades but not so much utensils.

Still not seeing carbon fiber and anodized alum in mid and lowed price point tents though. Any examples of manufacturer's using them and what would be the need for the average weekend or short term tenters as opposed to the more specialised users?

As for poly vs nylon textiles I think it depends on the application. An entire tent made out of polyester makes no more sense than one of nylon, again for the average consumer.

I guess this is where those questions we invariably ask new poster about use makes best sense.

[tplife]

Re: I'm Really Happy to See so Many Tent Manufacturers Incoroprating Changes

Thanks, carbon fiber tent poles have been around for a over a decade but Easton engineers in SLC Utah seems to have perfected the lay-up of fiber for tent pole use vs. arrows and other applications to make them smaller, thinner, stronger and lighter than aluminum. Dupont Autograph is hard-anodized so you can use any metal utensils without worry, and their next-gen series have much higher heat tolerance, allowing their use in ovens and other high-temp apps. They are true multi-taskers with their folding handles, light weight, even heating, and metal utensil safety. Polyester is only a little more expensive a fiber than nylon, but its superior UV resistance means a much longer life as sunlight is what kills tents. Not having ever met an average consumer, I won't speculate as to what their preferences are, LOL.

Anyone who reads the OP statement will likely notice the question about "What are you seeing in the marketplace that makes you happy?".

[wecamp04]

Re: I'm Really Happy to See so Many Tent Manufacturers Incoroprating Changes

Growing up our old coleman tent had big medal zippers and real medal poles ,Now you get small plastic zippers ,flimsy fiberglass poles

[NYCgrrl]

Re: I'm Really Happy to See so Many Tent Manufacturers Incoroprating Changes

Thanks, carbon fiber tent poles have been around for a over a decade but Easton engineers in SLC Utah seems to have perfected the lay-up of fiber for tent pole use vs. arrows and other applications to make them smaller, thinner, stronger and lighter than aluminum. Dupont Autograph is hard-anodized so you can use any metal utensils without worry, and their next-gen series have much higher heat tolerance, allowing their use in ovens and other high-temp apps. They are true multi-taskers with their folding handles, light weight, even heating, and metal utensil safety. Polyester is only a little more expensive a fiber than nylon, but its superior UV resistance means a much longer life as sunlight is what kills tents. Not having ever met an average consumer, I won't speculate as to what their preferences are, LOL.

Anyone who reads the OP statement will likely notice the question about "What are you seeing in the marketplace that makes you happy?".

Oh no problem about what makes you happy.

Just was trying to figure out what the use of this newer technology for others. Personally I don't see much use for anodized cookware and have none yet know it is highly touted by marketers yet still haven't figured out why besides perhaps a higher advertising budget to get the message out.

Most worldwide cooking techniques don't go past 500 degrees and in truth no higher than 375 degrees is pretty much the norm for daily cookery in the "1st world" which is the designation that uses more fuel and higher temps than 2nd and 3rd, in general. CI and weighted s/s take higher temperatures with ease so for me I see no reason to pay more for the newer technology at this point. Should anodized aluminum learn some more tricks I'm up for reevaluating is higher cost. I also own or have owned folding handled pots made of durable materials that were not "anon"d.

As for tent structures.....total agreement that Easton is different from other aluminum and bet that if I was consistently using tents in extreme conditions it would be worth the big step up in price. However I currently consider self an average camper. To me that means I'm not using it to sleep in the Himalayas, Denali or the Alps. Or need the lighter weight (and strength) to "human power" the tent into the "outback".

I guess that's why I took the time to say specialized tenting vs car camping. Car camping is the norm or average in common parlance for the American experience at the current time.

I find that the use of a lower grade of aluminum poles over fiberglass is a step up for lower to mid priced tents.

[a65hoosier]

Re: I'm Really Happy to See so Many Tent Manufacturers Incoroprating Changes

Thanks, carbon fiber tent poles have been around for a over a decade but Easton engineers in SLC Utah seems to have perfected the lay-up of fiber for tent pole use vs. arrows and other applications to make them smaller, thinner, stronger and lighter than aluminum.

Yep. Still....you don't find a lot of carbon fiber poles in anything but mostly high end tents (yet) where the weight savings is appreciated. But woooooo they are nice! I have the Easton Torrent 3P which uses their made-in-USA Syclone poles. They're not carbon fiber, more of a wound composite. Very lightweight and, according to Easton..."is the most resilient tent pole ever made. Syclone poles can flex further and take more turbulent abuse than any other pole material—they’re 80% less likely to bend or fail than aluminum poles in wind and flex-testing." That sounded like a challenge to me so I bought the tent!!! lol

Link to a great video showing the same tent in 80mph winds using aluminum poles and then the Syclone poles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue7PsJDvi2I

I haven't experienced any high winds yet with the tent so I can't vouch for the poles performance. I do find the Syclone poles are more "bendy" compared to aluminum poles. I'm interested in seeing how they perform longer term. Something different to try out.

Polyester is only a little more expensive a fiber than nylon, but its superior UV resistance means a much longer life as sunlight is what kills tents.

Agree. I prefer polyester tent flys for this reason...and polyester stretches less than nylon when wet, meaning less re-adjustment of lines during wet weather to keep everything taut. I do prefer nylon for the tent floor as it has better abrasion resistance than polyester.

NYCgrrl: I agree on the fiberglass poles. Kelty makes a decent fiberglass pole that is wrapped. They also make mid-price family tents using DAC aluminum poles (Trail Series). Good stuff and nice to see. If only fiberglass poles could lose the need for ferules (snaggers!)..sigh. I honestly believe that many of fiberglass pole breaks occur due to poor tent placement, poles segments not completely seated, bad pitch technique, or failure to fully and properly guy-out, and stake down with decent stakes. Seldom because of the fiberglass alone. Aluminum gives one some additional margin...but even they'll acutely bend if not handled correctly. I still see aluminum poles creeping into the low mid-priced series of tents and that is a good thing in my opinion.

As far as marketplace happiness....pick a gear category, there are neat and new things in each. I think this is an excellent time to be a camper. Many choices within each category. The internet makes it possible for small manufacturers of gear to reach a larger audience. Forums such as this makes it possible to share information. And if you are a frugal camper like me that really has all the camping gear I need...the internet provides me access to discounted/discontinued gear at sale prices, allowing me to feed my habit. lol

[NYCgrrl]

Re: I'm Really Happy to See so Many Tent Manufacturers Incoroprating Changes

Yep. Still....you don't find a lot of carbon fiber poles in anything but mostly high end tents (yet) where the weight savings is appreciated. But woooooo they are nice! I have the Easton Torrent 3P which uses their made-in-USA Syclone poles. They're not carbon fiber, more of a wound composite. Very lightweight and, according to Easton..."is the most resilient tent pole ever made. Syclone poles can flex further and take more turbulent abuse than any other pole material—they’re 80% less likely to bend or fail than aluminum poles in wind and flex-testing." That sounded like a challenge to me so I bought the tent!!! lol

Link to a great video showing the same tent in 80mph winds using aluminum poles and then the Syclone poles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue7PsJDvi2I

I haven't experienced any high winds yet with the tent so I can't vouch for the poles performance. I do find the Syclone poles are more "bendy" compared to aluminum poles. I'm interested in seeing how they perform longer term. Something different to try out.


Agree. I prefer polyester tent flys for this reason...and polyester stretches less than nylon when wet, meaning less re-adjustment of lines during wet weather to keep everything taut. I do prefer nylon for the tent floor as it has better abrasion resistance than polyester.

NYCgrrl: I agree on the fiberglass poles. Kelty makes a decent fiberglass pole that is wrapped. They also make mid-price family tents using DAC aluminum poles (Trail Series). Good stuff and nice to see. If only fiberglass poles could lose the need for ferules (snaggers!)..sigh. I honestly believe that many of fiberglass pole breaks occur due to poor tent placement, poles segments not completely seated, bad pitch technique, or failure to fully and properly guy-out, and stake down with decent stakes. Seldom because of the fiberglass alone. Aluminum gives one some additional margin...but even they'll acutely bend if not handled correctly. I still see aluminum poles creeping into the low mid-priced series of tents and that is a good thing in my opinion.

As far as marketplace happiness....pick a gear category, there are neat and new things in each. I think this is an excellent time to be a camper. Many choices within each category. The internet makes it possible for small manufacturers of gear to reach a larger audience. Forums such as this makes it possible to share information. And if you are a frugal camper like me that really has all the camping gear I need...the internet provides me access to discounted/discontinued gear at sale prices, allowing me to feed my habit. lol

Agreed on many levels! I'm willing to pay more for certain gear like my Snowpeak lighting just because it's more compact; has dual power sources thus can be used at home as well as outdoors and has a better level of construction than many other lamps. Of course then new new technology comes along and makes the light bulb obsolete, LOL.

Last year was my fiberglass pole nadir. 2 sections of my Kelty freestanding shelter structure shattered and no amt of duct tape would fix one section in the field. Made a man I know veddy happy since he despises putting the shelter up. Unfortunately for him the pole section broke after a violent wind storm (they are becoming quite the norm in CT!) and that thrifty woman he's hooked his star to found the perfect sized piece in a campground dumpster. No rest for the weary and well no getting away from my mindset:he:.

[MacGyver]

Re: I'm Really Happy to See so Many Tent Manufacturers Incoroprating Changes

In my world, the greatest things to come along for camping have to be LED lights and reasonably affordable solar power. I'd been lighting up campsites with deep cycle batteries and lights for at almost 30 years. When halogens came along in the 80s, I was thrilled because incandescent light was a huge drain on the batteries. But now, with LEDs becoming the mainstream for portable lighting, and along with the solar panels, I've been able to do away with all the weight of lead acid deep cycles in favor of smaller and light AGM batteries. But, even for "normal people" who don't feel the need to take a ton of gadgets with them, LED lanterns and headlamps and solar charging for smartphones have definitely lightened the load in their vehicles and backpacks.

[tplife]

Re: I'm Really Happy to See so Many Tent Manufacturers Incoroprating Changes

NYCGirl, our hard-anodized Autograph frying pans aren't good to 500-degrees F like the 2nd-gen versions but the fact that they don't scratch up inside like the old stuff ("not for use with metal utensils") means they will (and appear to have) outlasted their prehistoric ancestors of frying pans. Their higher price MSR product was actually a better value than the non-anodized pans that scratch up and wear out quickly. Technology seems to keep delivering better value for those willing to pay a little more for the advantage, providing you'll actually use the gear to capture that value. I.E., our Sierra Designs fiberglas poles, made with helicopter-rotor technology, which gave us 27 years of service until a corner section broke (replaced free by the factory) in 55+ MPH desert winds.

[NYCgrrl]

Re: I'm Really Happy to See so Many Tent Manufacturers Incoroprating Changes

In my world, the greatest things to come along for camping have to be LED lights and reasonably affordable solar power. I'd been lighting up campsites with deep cycle batteries and lights for at almost 30 years. When halogens came along in the 80s, I was thrilled because incandescent light was a huge drain on the batteries. But now, with LEDs becoming the mainstream for portable lighting, and along with the solar panels, I've been able to do away with all the weight of lead acid deep cycles in favor of smaller and light AGM batteries. But, even for "normal people" who don't feel the need to take a ton of gadgets with them, LED lanterns and headlamps and solar charging for smartphones have definitely lightened the load in their vehicles and backpacks.

LED lamps have really revolutionised usage,outdoors, residential and commercial applications. Currently, talking with a electrician about changing the guts of existing light fixtures to update em. Still waiting for the eureka moment for solar but it'll come and in our lifetime.

[Happy Joe]

Re: I'm Really Happy to See so Many Tent Manufacturers Incoroprating Changes

I'm with MacG and NYCgrrl; for me decent inexpensive glare free long lasting (efficient) LED lighting, including flashlights, has been the biggest change in the last decade or so. In the last century it was compact (and not so compact) fluorescent lighting. AGM batteries are fair (still waiting on the advanced, inexpensive, lightweight large capacity batteries).
Modern higher capacity, rechargeable, nickel metal hydride batteries are quite a bit better than the old Radio Shack 800 or 1000 mahr AA batteries.... never have cared for nicads.
Having used small, portable solar over the last several decades, I wouldn't wait for any eureka moments just get some thing moderately good and use it; my old stuff works just as well as the new stuff its just slightly more bulky and very slightly heavier (as well as likely a bit tougher).
chinese disposable inverters (Harbor Freight and others) are at least cheaper to replace than the older heavier, more expensive, ones... and mean that any 110/120 volt Edison base (basic 120 volt bulb) lighting fixture can run pretty well on battery power using 110 volt LED light bulbs, without conversion hassles, just as they worked with the somewhat less efficient CFL "bulbs".
I hear some complaints about fiber glass poles breaking but it has never been a normal use issue for me.


For those that insist on generator power the modern low noise fuel efficient inverter generators (primarily Honda and Yamaha) are a godsend to those of us trying to sleep within a quarter mile or so.


Enjoy!

[wecamp04]

Re: I'm Really Happy to See so Many Tent Manufacturers Incoroprating Changes

I totally agree about the led lights ,theirs some nice inexpensive lights available now but I still like the hiss from my old coleman lantern. .. lol

[tplife]

Re: I'm Really Happy to See so Many Tent Manufacturers Incoroprating Changes

LED Headlamps...one of the most appreciated at camp (and at home) appliances ever to come down the aisle at REI!