Armadillo Altiplano

Review Date
July 19, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: netrymer ,  Car Camper

Price Paid:  $199.00 at backcountrygear.com

Summary:
The Altiplano by Walrus rocks. Its very easy to set up, vestibule provides space to leave shoes,etc, inside provides space for 4 people plus gear. When it pours rain, I have never gotten wet. The screen room lets in a little mist of rain, but not enough to get you wet, I have weathered many rain storms in this tent, and the inside tent pod is always dry, the vestibule is damp, but totally do-able. For anyone who likes camping, but hates the bugs,this tent has its own screen room, viola,BUG FREE! The value is excellent. The zipper pull on the front of the tent just wore out, after 3 years of heavy use, so the quality is superb. If you can set up a folding table, you can use this tent. If you can't, you probably shouldn't be camping anyway!

Customer Service:
REI provided a screen replacement (when my dog ran under the tent while I was setting it up for the first time, and came thru one of the screen panels...and REI did a wonderful job putting in a new screen

Review Date
May 27, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Matt (Unregistered User) ,  Car Camper

Price Paid:  $199.00 at REI

Summary:
Well I have been using this tent for about 1.5 years. I have been in several pretty server rainy weather conditions and have been dry in the morning everytime. In one instance, when we got up the next morning several of our fellow campers had packed up and left during the night.

As far as the previous reviews of quality issues, I can only say that my tent has no defects and has been used extensively. The first time you put the tent up in can seem a little hard, but as long as you can put together one of those crappy little bookcase or desks from Walmart you can do this. After the first time it is a snap since you no longer have to deal with putting the interliner up (once in leave it in, don't take it in and out). I can have mine up in about 5 mins with no help. Taking down takes no longer. I think the previous reviews would have trouble lighting there lanterns also.

Seriously, this tent is a very good family quality tent. It is easy to put up and down, has a nice area to take on and off your shoes before you get in to keep the dirt down in the tent. All in all I'd definately buy this tent again.

Customer Service:
No dealings with customer service because I can follow instructions.

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
November 24, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: forsythi(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Being an avid backpacker, it has been difficult to finally conceed the need for a larger more "family orienteed" tent. The Armadillo Altiplano was the tent which we chose which most closely represented technology combined with more room. We have been nothing but pleased with the results of this tent thus far. The tent has held up in a number of weather events. This tent is quick and easy to set up and the large vestibule is a huge plus. Even our dog is able to sleep comfortably there. I would recommend this tent to anyone which has a family and still wishes to have some semblance of the outstanding characteristics of modern tents. The only problem we have come up against thus far is the poor desing of the staking system for the entrance to the tent. It is impossible not to trip over the stake and fly as you enter the tent.

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
November 24, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: forsythi(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Being an avid backpacker, it has been difficult to finally conceed the need for a larger more "family orienteed" tent. The Armadillo Altiplano was the tent which we chose which most closely represented technology combined with more room. We have been nothing but pleased with the results of this tent thus far. The tent has held up in a number of weather events. This tent is quick and easy to set up and the large vestibule is a huge plus. Even our dog is able to sleep comfortably there. I would recommend this tent to anyone which has a family and still wishes to have some semblance of the outstanding characteristics of modern tents. The only problem we have come up against thus far is the poor desing of the staking system for the entrance to the tent. It is impossible not to trip over the stake and fly as you enter the tent.

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
August 12, 2001

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Reviewed by: Moe(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Tracy, CA

Price Paid:  $199.00 at REI

Summary:
Well, got my replacement from REI. This morning I decided to pitch it in my backyard to work out the kinks. Got the shell taut and in the process discovering that the shell was too big for the frame created by the poles as the guy lines were making the clips on the shell irrelevent. Stepped into the shell to hang the inner and discovered that there was no way I could. Now the inner was too small for the shell.

I will return it to REI. I kind of feel sorry for REI as they end up with two tents they cannot sell as new.

Based on my previous experience with Walrus products; Hurricane Hole and my recent experience with Armadillo Posada and Altiplano, my recommendation to MSR would be to go back to just selling water filters and stoves etc. and sell the tent business to someone who knows what tent making is all about.

Customer Service:
Emailed the customer service on 8/5 (7 days ago) and a week later still have not received a response. Do not have the time to experience the endless telephone loop.

Similar Products Used:
None