Just got a new Tent! ALPS Mountaineering Vertex 4AL Tent

[Jesse]

On Saturday I did a test setup of my new ALPS Vertex 4AL tent in the backyard and since the winds were gusty I thought it would be a nice test for the tent!  The setup was simple, took me about 7 mins to stake down, setup and install fly!  This is my first aluminum pole tent and my first thoughts were that it would be flimsy due to the thin/lightweight poles, but I was soo wrong.  The wind gusts (30 mph) didn't even bother the tent; the frame is very lightweight, but strong.  There wasn't a lot of wind noise inside either.  Nothing looked cheap about this tent.  The construction is well thought out.  It includes two interior wall pockets and a removable gear loft.  The fly also has clear plastic over the two side window area so you see out even with the fly over it.  I wouldn't consider it a backpacking tent due to its weight and packed size; I plan to use it for car camping.  I got it for $188 off of Amazon.com--no shipping or sales tax. I can't wait until the first trip to Garner State Park to use it!

ALPS Mountaineering Vertex 4 Backpacking Tent

** UPDATE ** 03/24/2010
I finally had a chance to use my ALPS Mountaineering Vertex 4 Tent at Garner State Park this weekend and wouldn't change much on it. I just wish it had vents on the fly like the Tarus model, but you can get around that. It was in the 30's at night, I didn't close the vestibule on one door and cracked the window open a bit...got no condensation on the inside of then tent, but had some on the inside of the fly.   The setup was simple and fast.  This is my favorite tent so far!  

Features:
features at a glance
• Free Standing Pole System with 7000 Series Aluminum Poles
• Easy Assembly with Pole Clips that quickly snap over the tent poles
• 75D 185T Polyester Fly resists UV damage and stays taut
• Factory Sealed Fly & Floor Seams give best weather protection
• 75D 185T Taffeta Floor with 2000mm Coating
• Extra Large #8 Zippers on Doors and Vestibules
• Easy Entry & Great Ventilation with 2 Doors (both with zippered mesh windows)
• 2 Vestibules for gear storage and extra weather protection
• Weatherproof Fly Buckles on for maximum adjustability and protection
• Mesh Roof Vents increase ventilation and improve star gazing

Here are some specs:
Base Size: 7’6 x 8'6
Center Height: 4’4
Vestibule Depth: 35"
Tent Area: 64 sq. ft.
Vestibule Area: 31 sq. ft.
Tent and Fly Weight: 8 lb. 1 oz.
Total Weight: 9 lb. 1 oz.
Packed Size: 8" x 22"
Pole Diameter: 9.5 mm
Color: Sage/Rust
Style: Two-pole rectangular dome
Use Rating: 3 Season
Sleeps: Four






Amazon.com has the best price, buy it by clicking the link below:
ALPS Mountaineering Vertex 4 Backpacking Tent

[camper1]

Nice looking tent!  Awesome back yard, good for a camp out anytime.  Looks like there's room for all of us there!  I'll bring the hot dogs. 

[Jesse]

I'll be waiting for those hot dogs!    I almost spent a night out there, it was nice and cool.  I'm trying to get some of my family to do a camping trip in Feb, but they think it's too cold.  blah! weenies--maybe we can roast them?

[campermom]

Jesse, was this tent easy enough for one person to set it up? I have a large two room Coleman instant tent that we love and is very easy, takes one to two minutes to set up. Problem is that it takes two people and I need a smaller tent for times it is just my son and myself.....

[Jesse]

Yup it's real simple to setup and take down for one person.  If it's a gusty, it's still possible for one person, but it's better to stake down one end so that it doesn't try to fly away.  They have a 2 man which should be even more easy to setup.

http://www.amazon.com/ALPS-Mountaineering-Vertex-2-Tent/dp/B000JO5PRK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1279245629&sr=8-1

If you are doing summer camping, I don't recommend this tent due to the lack of window mesh.  It's great for fall/winter/spring camping. 

[campermom]

I think I am done with summer camping. I will stick to fall and spring...

[Jesse]

If it is just for two, a 4 man tent is perfect!  Easy to put up and doesn't take much space in the car/truck.  How much are you willing to spend?  the more you are willing to spend usually buys you a better tent..meaning it's constructed better and usually has a thicker water proof coating.  The clips also make it real simple to setup.  I don't like pole sleeves much.