Posted: 6/21/2008 3:25:09 PM EDT
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I have a trip coming up where I will need pack in my own shelter that will remain up for several days and be used just for sleeping. I could do any number of quick shelters with a tarp and whatever I find on-sight but since i have the room I'd like to try out a new tent. So far all i have looked at is this one: Sprite 1 Thanks in advance! -John |
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That doesn't look too bad. If it happens to not workout for you, I'm sure you could return it. Here's a couple other options though if you'd like something more subdued. Catoma Stealth tent I've not had any one mans, but had a few Eureka's over the years and there good quality. If I was looking for what your looking for, I'd probably buy this one. Eureka Backcountry 1 |
| I have a Eureka! Apex 2 that works great. It's listed as a two person tent, but I wouldn't try it except for emergencies and pie. |
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Amazon's got the Backcountry 1's for $115 too and free shipping. Eureka Backcountry 1 / Amazon |
+1 Got trees? hennessyhammock.com |
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I have a Eureka Solitaire which is similar to the Sprite1 without the side vestibule. It works OK as a shelter, but I had two issues with it. 1) Its not tall enough to sit up in so you have to go outside every time you want to change anything but your mind. 2) Just like the Sprite, you will have to stake or tie the tent off to something. In hard rocky ground it may be hard to find a spot to put a stake down. I prefer freestanding tents. If I were doing this size shelter again, I may opt for a lightweight tarp and a bivy bag. Since I like my creature comforts now that I am older I opt for a Northface Tadpole. Its a little heavier, but I can sit up inside it and cook under the vestibule when weather is bad. Aviator |
You can find them on eBay for alot less. My first HH was a Snap-on give away deal. I tried it out car camping with some friends. One night and I was sold on hammock camping. I bought the Explorer Asym as soon as I got home from that trip. |
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Personally I can see using the Hennessy hammock for casual camping with friends, but I wouldn't buy one if I intended to spend my money once and intend on the hammock for shtf use too. You'll have to leave all your gear (and rifle) outside while your sleeping in it, out of your immediate control where you'll be zipped up in your hammock and have the harder time to get out of it to do anything if you could even do anything in time. It would sure as hell be alot easier to steal someone's stuff when their in one and their pack and gear are outside. Hell, if you want to kill someone sleeping one of those all you have to do with a knife is find the general area where the vital organs are, come up from undermeath and stab them to death while their wrapped up in the hammock. Personally, I'd rather just have the tent and be on the ground, covered from view, whether for casual camping or shtf so all my gear can be inside with me and I can use my pack as a pillow like always with my pistol or rifle by my side and I'm not wrapped up, more vulerable in a swinging burrito shell. Just my two cents. Hammocks are comfortable though if you don't care about those points. 
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Hmm, now when you put it like that.  
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LOL, I bet nobody here will sleep as soundly in their hammock anymore. 
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I have logged a few nights in my HH and it normally takes a good hour to stop looking at the ground. We had an unidentified critter try to give me a back massage one night (little paws poking my back!). I spun around prepared to fire through the hammock, and heard it race off to safety--keep gun in pouch on ridge line, and have tested an it to hold an AR with 2 attachment points. One thing I realized I needed with my HH was a ground tarp to put my shoes on, not for the night, but literally to stand on while putting on shoes and clothes. I just use a crinkly ground cloth and it covers an area under my hammock about a foot longer and wider than where I sleep. This let's me garbage bag my pack for rain proofing, ziplock (those big ones) the boots, and allows some "early warning" before someone gets under my rain fly. |
That sounds like a good idea to help in the situation a bit.  |
You all should listen to Waldo's wisdom. There are only two kinds of lightweight tents. Tarptents and all the ones you buy before you get a Tarptent. Save yourself some money and just buy the best to start with. |
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I tried a tent like the Sprite on one trip and hated it. Not enough room to move around. Plus, I wanted to move the tent after I set it up and it is so much easier to move a free standing tent around. I returned it and bought a Eureka Zephyr, which is similar to the Eureka Solo Backcountry 1 mentioned by Lympago. The Backcountry 1 looks like an updated version of the Zephyr. I am happy with my Zephyr so I would recommend the Backcountry 1. |
I took my own advise and just ordered one. I love my Tarptent Squall, but I'm getting this for a few reasons. Free Standing, looks like it will shed snow pretty well with the arch design. Maybe I can finally dump my 2 man SD tent that I only use in winter.  It's looks easier to get in and out of than the squall. It's become an issue with my bum knee. Plus the headroom looks nice. I'll take some pics and do an initial review when it gets here and another once I use it in the field. |
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Wilderness Versa Shelter Might be on the heavy side but I guess that's the trade off for "versatility" and "low cost, do it yourself" |
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I have looked into this class of tent, and what comes to mind first is make sure the tent is big enough for you. If you are big, a lot of these tents will be too short or too narrow. Also, does the tent have enough height to allow you to sit up and change clothes? Pay attention to the foot area. and make sure your feet do not press into the tent fabric. If your feet touch the roof, it can cause a leak. For this reason, I would want to avoid 1 hoop non-free standing tents, and instead go with the 2 hoop type, like the Mountain Hardwear Sprite you are looking at, or a free standing one. If you go to the White Blaze forum (bunch of AT hikers), you will find that the most popular 3 lb. tents are the MSR Hubba, the Big Agnes Seedhouse SL2, and the Tarptents. I do not own one (yet), but a possible best buy might be the Eureka Solo Spitfire. |
Yep probably the best wieght reduction to money spent piece of gear i bought thanks to Waldo ......mine I've never been disapointed in the gear i've bought that waldo recomends |
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Well i chose to try a Eureka Solitaire I really like the Tarptent..which I'm sure I will end up with someday soon. In the mean time I got a sweet deal on this Eureka. I set it up tonight for my son to play in and its a pretty nice shelter. Thanks everyone for your input! -John |
Have you tried out the ultra lightweight backpacks? I went from a 6.5 lbs. Kelty Red Cloud backpack to a 1.5 Six Moon Designs Starlite pack. Cost me 110 bucks used. Best money I've spent to date to lower my pack weight. |
QFT. I got a GoLite Pinnacle on sale for pretty cheap (think like $80). Not the best for fast access of stuff, but weighs nothing and is very comfortable for loads in my weight range (less than 30lb). |
No i have yet to be able to lay my hands on a ultralight pack but i've wanted to. I'm really picky on how packs carry/feel loaded up. I hate the camelbacks that most people like........at 15 lbs my camelback is harder to carry than my mountainsmith at 35lbs. I know what your saying though i've looked at the weights and if they work for you it's another big wieght saver for money spent...... |
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Just a FYI for anyone looking for a lightweight tent..... Those advertised weights that most manufactures publish are usually at least a 1lb heavier...... i tried to buy a eureka before the tarptent because it was $100 cheaper and listed at 1lb heavier...... when it arived it's actual weight was 1lbs more than the listed weight so it was actually 2lbs heavier than the tarptent and a lot smaller inside........... |
Whoever weighs the tents at Eureka is either on crack or they conveniently forget to put the poles, stakes, and carry bag on the scale. Maybe both!
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+1 Great advice here. I am saving my pennies for a Double Rainbow for my BOB. Same design, a little roomier and only a slight weight gain. |
Make sure you don't die from the silicone/laquer thinner fumes while sealing. I also ran some lines of silicone sideways (width of tent) on my Tarptent Clouldburst 2 to keep myself and my sleeping bags from sliding around so much. AC 
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