Description Unique pole sleeve and clip combo for:
Optimal headroom, 2 pole self-supporting structure with
poled vestibule, Large D door for easy access, 2 Windows
in fly, Large netting ceiling panels for vent...
Summary: I bought this tent for 2 sleepers and for the large amount of screens. Nice tent fairly light weight, somewhat large on the pack size.
Customer Service: Horrible. I broke a pole segment. Figured I could just pick up another segment at REI, they said I need to call the manufacture. So I called Marmot. They said I could mail the segment back to them and they would repair it (1 month)...or I could by a complete new set for $60....I was like its a $3 part can't you send me a new one? No you have to buy the whole set or wait like a month for us to fix yours...I needed a new segment quick...fortunately I found poles4you.com who made me a whole new complete pole ( 8 segments) for $25 delivered out of Easton aluminum not the cheap korean stuff used by Marmot...I may just order the other two poles from them. Next tent I buy I will make sure the manufacture will provide basic support.
Similar Products Used: Eureka
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Summary: This is a very well built tent. Ive used it in many storms with high winds and torrential rains and have always stayed completely dry. With the rain fly off you can see almost a completly unobstructed view of the sky throug the mostly mesh ceiling. I have also used this tent in COLD weather. I mean snowing. Obviously it is not intended for cold weather and even with the rain fly on there always seems to be a breeze in the tent.
The tent is listed as a two person but like most 2 person tents its better suited for one person and their gear.
The only complaints I have is the vestibule is much too small and the doors are a little hard to get out of. The third "doggy door" would be helpful if the vestibule were bigger. I have also had a small ammount of water pool on top of the vestibule but it has never leaked.
Over all a great tent but I too would prefer a Marmot Swallow 3p.
Customer Service: Have had no need for them yet.
Similar Products Used: Eureka 3xt, Kelty Dart2, Rei half dome plus, Eureka timberline, Sierra designs clip cd,
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Summary: excellent tent (2003 model). it rained very hard for at least 8 hours and did not leak. i forgot to seal it myself, but the factory seal was good enough. everybody else's tents got soaked completely through, except mine. inside stayed completely dry and wind did not come through. held up to winds nicely(although it was nothing extreme). i probably wouldn't recommend taking it to extremely sandy/dusty areas. the dust would probably get through. fits 2 short (5'4") people nicely with 2 bags and plenty of room left. the 2 doors on opposite sides helped from disturbing the other person.
i really wanted the marmot swallow because it's such a great tent, but overall, the equinox is just as good for half the price.
Customer Service: rei customer service is usually very good.
Similar Products Used: marmot swallow (weighs too much and costs a lot of money. but if you can afford it, this is an even better tent)
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Summary: After researching tents specifically for ventalation qualities, I settled on this one. I use this primarily for summer camping when canoeing. The fact that there is more screen than wall material makes sleeping in this tent ALMOST like sleeping outdoors without a shelter. Since I camp primarily out in the middle of nowhere, I have no issues with privacy, though if camping in state parks or the like you will not like all of the windows. Only been in one rain shower with this tent. Had no ponding or leaks in fly. JUST enough room for two people - and they better like each other!! Did find that one peg loop added to the front of the rainfly in the center would improve performance in a heavy downpour, but I can add this myself. Also wish it came with more pegs - seems like they include only half the amount needed. Otherwise, I would definately recommend this to anyone looking for a great summer tent. Have yet to camp in the winter with it - I have other tents that will serve better in that situation.
Customer Service: Emailed Marmot on the quantity of pegs asking if that was the amount that was supposed to be included with the tent. Emailed twice actually. NEVER got a response. Campmor, however, sent me more pegs at no charge after I called them. LOVE Campmor.....
Similar Products Used: Winter tent is a Eureka K2-XT. Also have a Texsport hiker bivy tent....
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Reviewed by: wwwparker(Unregistered User)
,
Backpacker
, from Charlotte, NC
Price Paid:
$259.00
at Campmor.com
Summary: I am primarily a solo backpacker who can occasionally convince my girlfriend to leave her creature comforts behind and hit the trails. I purchased the Marmot Equinox knowing that it would sometimes hold 2 people but would usually just hold myself.
It is a bit heavy for a solo hiker to carry but IMHO worth the extra 12-16oz. With the features that the EQUINOX offers it is worth it for me to have a slightly heavier tent as I can just shave off a few ounces in other, less important areas.
It is well-covered in no-see-um mesh for great stargazing, with a quality fly that is easy to apply and very waterproof. I have not experienced the water-pooling that others have described. As someone else has mentioned there is so much no-see-um mesh in this tent that without the fly installed it can translate into a potential loss of privacy in a crowded camp. But the increased ventilation and terriffic stargazing ability is very much worth it. Besides, how often are you in a camp that is THAT crowded, anyway?
When solo camping I have plenty of room inside the EQUINOX for me and my gear and therefore have no need to store anything but wet boots in the vestibule. With two campers (which it sleeps quite comfortably; plenty of elbow room, no bumping into each other) the small size and capacity of the vestibule becomes apparent. It is not a fatal flaw by any means, as it can still fit 2 full packs (albeit snugly) but it does require a bit of stacking and can be a hassle if you and your partner are the type who constantly access their packs after settling in for the night.
There are two main doors of decent size (constructed of no-see-um mesh), a godsend when you are trying to sleep and don't want someone stepping over your head, with a third smaller door that allows access to the vestibule. Yes this third door is rather small and it is difficult, but not impossible, to fit a full pack through it. Pragmatically you can just use it to access your packs while they are stored in the vestibule.
The colors (gold and purple) are quite cheery during an early morning sunrise, not dark and drab like other tents. The MARMOT construction quality is superior. I constantly hang lanterns, gear, etc... from the internal ceiling loops (or whatever you call them) with no negative effect and have yet to see anything that would make me question the EQUINOX'S overall durability or workmanship (such as a loose seam, long-hanging thread, rip in mesh, or stretching and weakness in the tent wall).
I can sit upright in this tent! Although at 6'1" I am no giant, some smaller tents can make me feel like one. If you get caught in a torrential downpour and this tent becomes your sanctuary during an aqueous onslaught rest assured you will remain dry while being able to sit upright and play cards, games, etc.. without needing a chiropracter in the morning. When shopping for a tent don't make a mistake and ignore this ability, THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT FEATURE!!
The tent poles are strong and have easily withstood all wind blown their way (however I have only experienced fair to moderate wind conditions in this tent). Although the poles are not color-coded the tent is still quite easy for one person to assemble quickly (and even faster with the combined effort of two people). Unless you are camping in near-freezing temperatures or on solid rock or ice the included tent pegs should suffice (although the tent should have come with about 7 more pegs).
The MARMOT EQUINOX is a solid choice for a two-person, three season tent and I am pleased to recommend it. I did quite a bit of comparison shopping before making my selection and this tent had everything that I was looking for. It is especially good for camping couples - it makes an already roomy tent much more roomy when you actually WANT to rub elbows a little. >grin< It is also a good choice for a solo camper that places a high priority on a dependable, waterproof shelter with plenty of interior space and who also realizes that these features make the EQUINOX around 12-16oz heavier than other tents in this class. These features are important to me, a typical camper, so this extra weight can easily be compensated for elsewhere. The EQUINOX is also a dream for those backpackers with a canine buddies - plenty of room for everybody!
The only modifications I made were:
1) purchase additional tent pegs (dirt cheap)
2) shelving the bag the tent is shipped with and using two smaller compression bags - one for the tent and one for the fly.
It isn't difficult to fit both the tent and the fly in the original MARMOT-supplied tent bag but I have found that when balancing my pack (Arc'Teryx Bora 80) for a long trip I prefer the option of storing two bags of moderate weight rather than one cumbersome, heavy sack....
You will not be sorry you invested in a MARMOT EQUINOX as it will last you for many years.
Customer Service: Haven't needed them yet and I hope it stays that way!
Similar Products Used: Meteor Light CD
Asteroid CD
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