Garuda Kaja

Review Date
December 13, 2008

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Reviewed by: Mitha M(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $400.00 at slightly used from a

Summary:
It looks bithin' and comes in ASU SunDevil colors baby!

Review Date
March 15, 2002

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: johnbeanbone(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Maryville, TN, USA

Price Paid:  $299.00 at Northern Mountain Su

Summary:
My review is for a Garuda Tambu. It is a 98 model that I bought new in early 2001. There are definitly some pros and cons to this tent. It is a very solid, wind shedding tent but the sidewalls aren't very steep and it really takes away from internal space. The front vestibule is very spacious and has it's own support pole while the rear vestibule is so small they should have just left it off. The vestibule material is Very sticky and a pain to work with and when it gets wet it turns from a beautiful burgundy to a pale milky color like waterlogged skin. Very funky. Properly seam sealing this tent took several tubes of seam grip and many hours. For the $717 retail price they should definitely be factory seam sealing although they did throw in a ground cloth for this price. There is a seam right in the middle of the floor which makes absolutely no sense. The exterior DWR is marginal so plan on having to retreat it yourself. The ventilation is not bad if the weather is good but not so great if you have to seal up the rear vestibule due to rain. This tent is not breathable so hope for good weather. The single wall design is great for no wind noise from a fly and plenty waterproof after you get it sealed correctly. However, this tent is way too heavy for a single wall tent. Close to 9 lbs. packed weight. Finally, the velcro pole tabs inside the tent are a pain in the neck. All this being said, it has been a good tent for the price but if I had paid full retail I would have returned this tent. I have since bought a Bibler and as much as I didn't like paying for it, there is no comparison in these 2 tents. Live with what you've got until you can get a Bibler and you won't be disappointed.

Customer Service:
Both Northern Mountain and Dana Design were excellent on the phone and in responding to e-mails.

Similar Products Used:
Bibler Fitzroy
Cheap dome tents

Review Date
January 29, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Gregory S Ouellette(Unregistered User) ,  Climber , from fairbanks,ak. usa

Price Paid:  $275.00 at ebay (used)

Summary:
i have only used this once on snow in the alaska brook range in 0 degrees. it was a pleasure to deal with except that the internal velcro pole stays require bare hands to deal with- a hardship at extreme temps. i think i could rig up somthing more suitable if i get motivated to do so. it is a beautiful excrcise in simplicity and fabric engineering. the inside is a velour like affair that wicks any condensation over a huge surface area to get rid of it. no condensation problems. i feel confident taking it into the alaska range for a month this april. extremely light and small. go for it

Customer Service:
no, but the repair they did from marmot damage is a work of art.

Similar Products Used:
eureka 3 season

Review Date
January 8, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: David Levine(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Concord, New Hampshire

Price Paid:  $400.00 at Private Sale

Summary:
Great tent. Very easy to set up. You crawl inside with the poles extending out the door and pop them into place, crossing at the tent's peak, then fasten the velcro loops that run along the inner tent wall to stabilize and stretch the tent. If it's raining you're covered while the tent is going up. The third pole stretchs out the front of the tent, making for lots of shoulder room and sit up height for two people. The vent system is thoroughly thought out and works great, even on muggy nights. Little plastic props keep the top vents open and still fold easily. There are zippers to screen the vents in spring/summer or have them unscreened for late fall/winter. Seam sealing take s afew hours but it's worth doing yourself. The tent is freestanding but the buyout tabs and stakes make the tent roomier inside. All the zippers work great. I've seen list prices of $725 for this tent and it may be worth that. I like it much better than Bibler or Moss tents. It packs nicely and everything about it speaks quality. I love it that it's freestanding and doesn't require a fly.

Customer Service:
I had a few questions and needed advice and they were easy to talk to and responsive. They have an 800 number. They even sent me a free owner's manual when I realized I didn't have one. The person I talked to on the phone was a user of the tent which made me comfortable with the information she was giving me.

Similar Products Used:
Eureka (el cheapo), The North Face (too bulky and heavy)

Review Date
November 12, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: scott gallaher(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Redwood City

Price Paid:  $299.00 at northernmountain.com

Summary:
This tent is the easiest tent to set up that I have tried among Garuda tents, including Kamet and Jana. The seam-sealing took awhile, but the price was worth it and I could do extra touches where stress points occur. Two occasions impress me most about this tent: the first at Loast Coast Trail in Northern California on a really windy day where I pitched against the wind on top of a bluff and cooked on a stove inside the vestibule-- NOT recommended (in fact advised against) but it was the only way to be comfortable and cook, and in fact it was roomy enough to do it. The second time, on snow about 9,000 foot level above Lake Tahoe(using a Kaja groundcloth and Z-rests for insulation) proved that the tent can withstand high winds (gusts of 40 mph + in both places)and be warm. The ventilation is really good. There is sort of a system with side vents-- I got some moisture on the internal poles the first couple of times but then when I camped on snow, I got it right and had almost 0 condensation on the inside, (only a tiny pit in some of the Z-rest indentations). I used this tent once at Pt. Reyes in hot weather and it was also very good-- although warm, obviously, in the direct sunlight on a hot day. I really like the fact that the weight on this tent is under six pounds. Another thing: the poles fit perfectly inside the stuff bag (they do not in the case of the Jana/Arja). And I am able to cram tent/thermarest/down bag all together at the bottom of my pack, with room enough for the rest of my stuff. Finally, the quality of the stitching looks really good. At Lost Coast I guyed out the sides of the tent against the wind and got the thing taught enough to almost detect a musical resonance-- and it held great. Also important, there is really enough room for two plus considerable amounts of gear. Finally, I got this tent for under $300, making it a steal compared to cost of a Bibler.

Customer Service:
none to report

Similar Products Used:
Kamet, Jana, Arja, Mountain Hardware Solitude, Eureka (one-person & two-person). The Kamet is good if you know your tent-mate and/or are looking for a really techie two person tent that gives you a) situp room b) light-weight; and c) great ventilation. The Jana & Arja are roomier but heavier and slightly more difficult to pack.