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From: Ron Dunnington <rbdunningtons1_at_charter.net>
subject: [Paddlewise] Eureka vs. Coleman
Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2002 10:59:55 -0600
Rick,


Looking over the spec's of the 2 tents, the materials in the floor and body
are identical. The Eureka is a little bigger (41 vs 34 sq. ft.) and a little
over 3 pounds heavier (5-3 vs 8-6). The Coleman measures 6" x 15" when packed,
the Eureka is 6.5" x 23". Is the Eureka worth $45 more? Hard for me to say.
The price of $119. for that tent is a great one though!


Ron





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From: <Rick.Sylvia_at_ferguson.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Eureka vs. Coleman
Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2002 13:44:13 -0500
> Looking over the spec's of the 2 tents, the materials in the 
> floor and body
> are identical. The Eureka is a little bigger (41 vs 34 sq. 
> ft.) and a little
> over 3 pounds heavier (5-3 vs 8-6). The Coleman measures 6" x 
> 15" when packed,
> the Eureka is 6.5" x 23". Is the Eureka worth $45 more? Hard 
> for me to say.
> The price of $119. for that tent is a great one though!
>

Thanks for the info.  

I wonder.... with many tents having the same materials, how much
emphasis should I place on construction?  Are they all using some
standard specification for strength of stitching and so forth?  Can you
even compare that objectively, or is it simply subjective opinion
regarding the workmanship?

Thanks for all the help!

Rick

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From: <Rcgibbert_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Eureka vs. Coleman
Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2002 14:05:00 EST
Rick asked: I wonder.... with many tents having the same materials, how much
emphasis should I place on construction?  Are they all using some
standard specification for strength of stitching and so forth?  Can you
even compare that objectively, or is it simply subjective opinion
regarding the workmanship?

Keep in mind you may be beached with 35 knot winds one day and become an 
advocate of wind shedding designs, not wind shredded designs. As for weight, 
I failed to include why it is important. Since you are an Easterner, "The 
Virginian", you are not all that far from the Everglades. There you will need 
to ship all the freshwater you will need for 1-2 weeks. The 8-10 pound tents 
will infringe on the space and weight capacity of your boat. I fight with 
this all the time. I'm 225 pounds and I like long and skinny boats that 
handle between 300 and 350 pounds payload. That makes water at 8 pounds per 
gallon x 1 gallon minimum per day an issue. I like quality lightweight tents 
because they do not inhibit space or weight restrictions in places like the 
Everglades or Baja, where water has to be carried. Both my tents have been 
blasted with winds in the 35-40 knot steady range and I never fear their 
durability. The taller domed tents seem to be aimed at the less severe 
weather market. You may also check out www.rei.com. They sell very good stuff 
at reasonable prices. Good luck and we expect a well drafted trip report when 
you get back. RG

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From: Mark Z <seakayaker_at_dotzen.org>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Eureka vs. Coleman
Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2002 20:28:04 -0700 (MST)
>
> I wonder.... with many tents having the same materials, how much
> emphasis should I place on construction?  Are they all using some
> standard specification for strength of stitching and so forth?  Can you
> even compare that objectively, or is it simply subjective opinion
> regarding the workmanship?
>
> Thanks for all the help!
>
> Rick

for my 21st birthday i "treated myself" to a good tent. i wanted a roomy
[or relatively so] tent, built to really last, take the abuse of being
used in the snow, on rocks, and realized i would pay the weight penalty.
i bought the eureka timberline, which has been made for a million years or
so... but i "splurged" and paid the extra for the outfitter's model, which
was heavier duty... i'm turning 41 in a couple months. i keep it clean,
but packed in it's stuff sack. it got used far mare in the first 10 years,
roughly 15 overnighters a year, plus weeklong trips. the last 10 only 4 or
5 times a year, but with my kids... i am "splurging" this year and getting
a whole new frame, but it still has the original zippers, only has
pinholes at most in the floor, never a rip, tear or burn [ok, that one i
can control somewhat, but smoking and cooking have been done inside on
more than one occasion.

as folks say 'your milage may vary' last i knew the outfitter models were
still sewn in the USA, the rest imported... but that was years ago. i
expect i'll get another 10 years out of it. [kids are moved out!!]

oh, when we went to buy our daughter her own tent, we bought a eureka.

have fun

mark

-- 
#------seakayaker[at]dotzen[dot]org-----/------------------------------
mark zen                            o__/             o_/|   o_.
po box 474                          [\/              [__|   [__\
ft. lupton, co 80621-0474  `\--------/--------/'  (`----|-------\-')
http://www.dotzen.org/folks/markz ~~/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~_at_~~~~~~~~_at_~~~~~
#----------------------------------------------------------------------
A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner.  ~~ English Proverb
http://www.dotzen.org/paddler -
Rocky Mountain Sea Kayak Club,  The Colorado Paddlers' Resource

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