A partial review of Arms Streets light weight pavillions
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 2:13 am
Ok so I was lucky enough to get a great deal on his already completed display model. It arrived a bit late (two weeks) but in lew of how far it had to come and the fact that it probably got sent to a major processing center in the lower 48 means it was no doing of Arms Street.
Initial inspection was great. I am a trained industrial canvas artisan so this is what I do for a living and I was very happy with it, especially for the price. It is made of a light weight ripstop nylon much like most modern alpine tents. It is very light weight and quite durable in my experiance. It arrived in its own carry bag with everything needed. This included stakes in thier own bag, though they are of the cheap aluminum coat hanger type and will be replaced after a quick trip to lowes for some aluminum gutter spikes. A pole bag with all the poles inside and a collection of light weight ropes to be used as guide lines to suspend the actuall tent.
Now here is what you have been waiting for.... I thought something had to be missing because it was THAT LIGHT! This can easily go in my armor bag for my fly in trip to Estrella next year.
Now for the fun part. Set up. I was first able to set it up the night before my baroneys ren-faire demo. Well that would be a great test had it not rained the whole set up night and been cancled in the morning. This did mean however I got to try putting up my tent. Here in lays the rub. The poles were five white painted 2x2's in aluminum brackets that when put together reached 14'. Well the brackets were 1 7/8" so with 2x2s that really are 1 3/4 x 1 3/4 you can see the problem. The main pole made a giant C when it was set up with the weight of the tent on it. This meant that while I did infact get the pavillion up it was misshappen due to being severly shorter than it should have been. No big deal I went and ripped some scrap 2x6 (1 7/8" wide) into percet sections that I then fitted tightly on one and and with just a little room for the slip fit on the other. So far this is untested but I do think that it will work.
Problem 2. The aforementioned rain meant that the pavilion had to be put away wet. I was somewhat worrried about the dyes running. This was not an issue. However the stain used on the wodden toggles left big red stains on the white nylon panles.
Problem 3. The stakes were a joke and will be replaced before the pavillion gets set up again.
Now this sounds negative but to be honest I would gladly buy this again even knowing what I do now. I am very happy with this pavillion though it has some set up short comings to be certain. The only real issue I have concern for is that I thought it came with a floor like the new ones but was apparently wrong so I will have to contact Arms Street on that. I will say though that anyone looking for a true light weight pavillion that looks really sharp and I hope will be well shaped with the new poles do not hesitate, buy before the price goes up. I might even order anouther one in my personal colors instead of the baronial colors.
Pictures will follow in about two weeks when I get back from coronet. Oh and as a side not if Arms street reads this before I get an e-mail off please let me know. I say again this is a really great set up if you are willing to do a little work or if Arms Street has already corrected these issues. Please do not think I am bashing in anyway, I am not and am very happy with my purchase.
Initial inspection was great. I am a trained industrial canvas artisan so this is what I do for a living and I was very happy with it, especially for the price. It is made of a light weight ripstop nylon much like most modern alpine tents. It is very light weight and quite durable in my experiance. It arrived in its own carry bag with everything needed. This included stakes in thier own bag, though they are of the cheap aluminum coat hanger type and will be replaced after a quick trip to lowes for some aluminum gutter spikes. A pole bag with all the poles inside and a collection of light weight ropes to be used as guide lines to suspend the actuall tent.
Now here is what you have been waiting for.... I thought something had to be missing because it was THAT LIGHT! This can easily go in my armor bag for my fly in trip to Estrella next year.
Now for the fun part. Set up. I was first able to set it up the night before my baroneys ren-faire demo. Well that would be a great test had it not rained the whole set up night and been cancled in the morning. This did mean however I got to try putting up my tent. Here in lays the rub. The poles were five white painted 2x2's in aluminum brackets that when put together reached 14'. Well the brackets were 1 7/8" so with 2x2s that really are 1 3/4 x 1 3/4 you can see the problem. The main pole made a giant C when it was set up with the weight of the tent on it. This meant that while I did infact get the pavillion up it was misshappen due to being severly shorter than it should have been. No big deal I went and ripped some scrap 2x6 (1 7/8" wide) into percet sections that I then fitted tightly on one and and with just a little room for the slip fit on the other. So far this is untested but I do think that it will work.
Problem 2. The aforementioned rain meant that the pavilion had to be put away wet. I was somewhat worrried about the dyes running. This was not an issue. However the stain used on the wodden toggles left big red stains on the white nylon panles.
Problem 3. The stakes were a joke and will be replaced before the pavillion gets set up again.
Now this sounds negative but to be honest I would gladly buy this again even knowing what I do now. I am very happy with this pavillion though it has some set up short comings to be certain. The only real issue I have concern for is that I thought it came with a floor like the new ones but was apparently wrong so I will have to contact Arms Street on that. I will say though that anyone looking for a true light weight pavillion that looks really sharp and I hope will be well shaped with the new poles do not hesitate, buy before the price goes up. I might even order anouther one in my personal colors instead of the baronial colors.
Pictures will follow in about two weeks when I get back from coronet. Oh and as a side not if Arms street reads this before I get an e-mail off please let me know. I say again this is a really great set up if you are willing to do a little work or if Arms Street has already corrected these issues. Please do not think I am bashing in anyway, I am not and am very happy with my purchase.
