markskor
Trail Wise!
Mammoth Lakes & Tuolumne Meadows...living the dream
Posts: 651 
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Post by markskor on Sept 16, 2015 9:17:56 GMT -8
Tarpent Rainbow -
After only ~500 Sierra bag nights, my Henry Shires Rainbow has given up the ghost. BTW, Over the last 5 seasons, have replaced those zipper slides 4X - this year, only got about 60 nights before they failed again - just too light. I asked Henry if there was any way to put heavier/ sturdier YYK zippers into his tents as this seems to be their weak link... (He said no! - did say the re-oriented the zipper design - said would/should last longer.) - otherwise a great palatial tent for one dirt-bagger - Sierra.
I probably could have replaced those slides again, but another problem also arose this season, making repairs moot. Tuolumne, one of those pesky (bubonic plague ridden?) critters decided to gnaw through most of the bottom mesh area - now just too expensive to replace that damage.
Thinking of purchasing a new Rainbow - like the extra room provided, its minimal weight (34 oz.), having a side entry, and that when stuffed, it fits in my backpack's side pocket.
Thoughts?
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BigLoad
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Pancakes!
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Post by BigLoad on Sept 16, 2015 10:00:21 GMT -8
For solo, I really like the Tarptent Notch. It's faster and easier to set up than my Double Rainbow, and the full inner mesh is nice. For more space, I'd go for one of the Stratospires.
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BlueBear
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@GoBlueHiker
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Post by BlueBear on Sept 16, 2015 10:02:49 GMT -8
500 bag nights isn't necessarily a small amount for a nylon tent. Someone going out 30 nights a year (which is a lot for some folks, not as much for others) would take 17 years to acquire that many bag nights.
It sounds like you're happy with the design of the tent, just not the zippers. I guess they've (at least partially) addressed that with a design update that doesn't strain the zipper so much? If that's the case you might be happy with it. If not, it likely wouldn't be that hard to take to a seamstress and ask them to put a new zipper (of your choosing) on there.
Just my suggestions anyway. Best of luck!
- Mike
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Sept 16, 2015 11:29:08 GMT -8
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driftwoody
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Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
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Post by driftwoody on Sept 16, 2015 13:53:15 GMT -8
Six Moon Designs has a roomy side entry w/vestible 24oz 1P tarptent, the Lunar Solo. I have the 2P Lunar Duo, which is a palace for 2 and weighs 41oz. These tents have bathtub floors & mesh, and utilize trekking poles for structure. If you don't use trek poles you can buy SMD tent poles separately, though that would add to the weight & cost.
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franco
Trail Wise!
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Post by franco on Sept 16, 2015 16:49:21 GMT -8
Those N5 YKK zippers are commonly used by other tent manufacturers, some use the thinner N3.
At BPL I spotted comments about folk being happy getting 200 nights out of their $400/600 Cuben fabric shelters...
franco@tarptent
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toejam
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Hiking to raise awareness
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Post by toejam on Sept 17, 2015 4:26:32 GMT -8
I'm a big fan of the Rainbow. Several people I hike with use it. I'm currently using the SMD Lunar Solo and think the Rainbow is a better tent.
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markskor
Trail Wise!
Mammoth Lakes & Tuolumne Meadows...living the dream
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Post by markskor on Sept 17, 2015 17:06:59 GMT -8
"I'm a big fan of the Rainbow."
Indeed, me too. After using mine extensively for the last 5 seasons, rain, snow, and all things Sierra, just pulled the trigger on a new one - $301.00.
Hope the zippers last, if not, this time after failure, will probably introduce heavier YYK system myself.
For the record, almost bought the Big Sky instead - alas, just too short.
Not a big fan of Cuban Fiber either.
Thanks all for the discussion!
mark
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reuben
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Gonna need more Camels at the next refugio...
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Post by reuben on Sept 20, 2015 17:36:10 GMT -8
Ron Bell of MLD swears by it and throws in a free bit with his shelters. Really? I didn't get any with my Solomid. |
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Sept 20, 2015 20:11:28 GMT -8
Ron Bell of MLD swears by it and throws in a free bit with his shelters. Really? I didn't get any with my Solomid. Well I only bought the one, thought it was common. Maybe not. Or not anymore, that was a couple years back. He is a fan though. |
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driftwoody
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Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
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Post by driftwoody on Sept 21, 2015 7:01:55 GMT -8
I bought the Tarptent Rainbow about 7 years ago, but haven't used it much since I mostly hang these days. However, I'm heading to some places in southern Utah where I can't count on trees for my hammock, so I set up the Rainbow this weekend and discovered the rainfly zipper was off track at the top and also has some broken teeth lower down (my buddy had been using it but didn't mention the broken zipper). I'll be taking my SMD Lunar Duo instead.
I'm no good with a sewing machine. Does Tarptent replace zippers, and how much do they charge? Also, there has always been excess netting on the sides, which sags no matter how I pitch the tent. I remember reading a few years ago that some people have done a repair to remove the excess netting, though it's more of a nuisance than a real problem.
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franco
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Post by franco on Sept 21, 2015 12:49:14 GMT -8
DriftWoody The current version of the DR has several details (including the floor design) that are different from the original 2006 version and the one after that. The version sold now came out in 2010. If you post a couple of shots of your set up I might be able to help you with the sagging floor bit. I need to see a low shots of the corners as well as a shot or two of the full tent. BTW, SMD use the same zippers as we do. (so don't lend your SMD to your mate...) For repairs contact info@tarptent.com My video on the current version of the DR www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv8Mxbpc1acfranco@tarptent |
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driftwoody
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Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
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Post by driftwoody on Sept 21, 2015 13:35:07 GMT -8
Thanks Franco, sometime after I return from my trip in a couple weeks I'll follow up.
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