X2 on the www.scoutdirect.com and Alps. I have an Alps Extreme 3. It has the fastest setup time I've ever owned by far. It's on level and very similar to the NorthFace stuff. Only at a fraction of the price.
My two sleeping bags, pad, and pack are Alps as well. I've very happy with their stuff.
I don't know about the quality but they just released their new cedar ridge line that is an even cheaper alternative.
It's certainly that time. We leave for our first cub scout camporee of the year on Sat.
2010 29' Jayco, Jay Flight 26BH First real camper
1960 Montgomery Ward popup with slide out galley.(Restored in 2010)
2004 Ford, F150 4x4 lariat 5.4L V8, 3.73 gears, pipes, FIPK, tuner.
Many many mods to the truck
I've been involved with Boy Scouting since 1983 or 1984 when I was a youth. I'm seeing more than 50% of troops using dome tents these days. The Timberline used to be the standard, but troops are moving away from that tent from what I see at Boy Scout camps.
The Alps Mountaineering tents are what I will probably recommend for future purchases.
My personal tent is an REI Geo-mountain 4 I bought in 1996. Although it's above the OP's original price point, it's survived many BSA and hunting camp. First leak occured last September after 24-hours of non-stop rain, snow, sleet, and some hail. I've never broken a pole, although I always keep one of the emergency repair sleeves and some electrical tape on hand. It's a heavier tent but with the extra weight came stouter materials. Too bad REI quit offering them several year ago, I'd buy another in a heartbeat.
No tent can survive if the boys are pulling on the door instead of the zippers. When I was a youth, we had some boys in my troop who did that. We started making everybody check out/check in the equipment and the parents had to sign for it. After they paid for a repair or two, most boys stopped pulling on the doors and started using the zipper pulls. Some stopped using troop equipment and damaged thier own gear instead.
2004 Toyota Tundra SR5 (V8, 4WD, TP, TRD)
2005 Fleetwod Allegance with axle flip
Honeywell 2000i Generator
Me, DW, DS, DD, Dog & Camping Kitty
We use the Kelty Grand Mesa 4 for our Troop. They have 2 aluminum poles, full rain fly and vent well. We've never had any of them leak and no broken poles.
My son's troop uses Springbars. They are an awesome tent and are much quicker and easier to set up than any dome tent I have seen. I would highly recomend them.
tmprkswyo wrote: My son's troop uses Springbars. They are an awesome tent and are much quicker and easier to set up than any dome tent I have seen. I would highly recomend them.
How do the Springbar tent's hold up to the wind in the RS/GR area?
tmprkswyo wrote: My son's troop uses Springbars. They are an awesome tent and are much quicker and easier to set up than any dome tent I have seen. I would highly recomend them.
How do the Springbar tent's hold up to the wind in the RS/GR area?
Very good. The wind blows pretty bad here most of the time and we have never had a problem. I have had more problems with the dome tents in the wind. They become a giant sail. To look at the design you would wonder but they are very stout and very high quality. After using them with the scouts I bought one for myself. There are a couple knock-offs out there with Kodiak being one. They are very well built as well. I have talked to the folks at Kodiak and they offer discounts for Scout Troops. I might add that I believe the Springbars and the clones seem like a much better option for colder weather camping. As far as set-up, it dosen't get any easier. The smallest kids can figure it out very easy. I would bet that most kids could set one up in less than 10 minutes.
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