Review Date
January 12, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: mkmhusr ,  Mountaineer

Price Paid:  $370.00 at Northern Lights Trad

Summary:
I bought this tent in 1997 when just starting to explore the mountains and lakes of Montana. I was looking for a tent that would stand up to high winds and adverse weather, but with good ventilation and room to move. It has met my every expectation for 10 years. I have camped in incredible winds and have had no problems as long as I take the time to properly guy it out. On one trip in the Mission Mountains of Montana, I had a few drips inside the tent during an overnight storm. However, it was to be expected since I had not seamsealed the fly. After seamsealing, I have had no problems in rain storms. I have not camped in storms that drop 2 feet of snow, but I think that this tent would stand up to the weight. I own 7 different tents (MH Alcove 3, SD Alpha, SD Orion AST, BD Firstlight, BD Skylight, Kelty Ridgeway 4-person, MH Nightview), and when it comes to the potential for high winds or winter conditions, this one is my go-to guy. Even still, I am debating on purchasing the MH Trango 2 or the MH Annapurna (if I can find one), just for the cream of the crop. But the Nightview seems to hold its own in terms of all-season and mountaineering use. I continually question whether or not I would be gaining anything from those true, less versatile 4-season mountaineering tents. Yes, compared to the BD tents that I own, it is heavy. I don't take it on ultralight trips. But the weight is to be expected considering its features and its durability. I have taken excellent care of this tent and I'm pretty sure that it will last me another 10 years.

Customer Service:
I had to send a pole back due to the crimped intersection piece sliding up into one of the sleeves and getting stuck. We made due on the trip that it occured since we camped well below tree-line. I sent the pole back and MH repaired it at no cost to me. Turn-around time was probably 2 1/2 to 3 weeks. I was appreciative and content with their service. Hopefully I will not have to send anything for repairs again. But with normal wear-and-tear, it may happen again.

Similar Products Used:
mentioned in review above

Review Date
September 25, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: So curious(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $240.00 at eBay

Summary:
The tent performed flawlessly in pouring rain. I cannot attest to its snowload or condensation fighting abilities as Colorado hasn't gotten any snow since I purchased it. I bought it new on eBay for $240.00.
I can however attest to the overall craftsmanship, roominess, weight, ease of setup, and utility of the tent: Craftsmanship is nearly perfect. My tent has a three inch portion along one fly seem that was not double stitched, but rather the second line of stitches missed by a millimeter or so (has not been a problem in pouring rain even without having sealed the tent with seem sealer).
Roominess is great for two. If you needed to fit three in it you would feel very cramped but you could probably get to sleep just fine. The vestibule is small for two large packs, but they will fit easily if you let them overlap slightly. Head room is very sufficient and comfortable.
The weight is a bit much for one. There are lighter tents out there. But a sacrifice in weight makes you give up a few things: price usually goes up, strength usually diminishes, and level of comfort decreases. This tent is geared more towards a serious backpacker that wants the ultimate in comfort as opposed to light weight. Because seriously, who really needs a vestibule window and a skylight?
Setting up the tent is not at all difficult if you either use the directions or are capable of doing it from memory. There are simply no complicated aspects to it. I takes me roughly twelve minutes to go from having the tent in the bag to having the fly on and ventilating well.
As far as utility goes, the number of pockets, the included tension shelf, and the windows all make for a wonderful experience. I would give you props if you and a friend could fill all of the pockets in the tent. A large UVX skylight can be darkened with the zip of a flap (done from inside the tent), or you can completely remove the flap and leave it at home. The double door is great for increasing ventilation without letting the bugs in.
I got the dark green colored fly which also looks great.
But who wants to know about the good aspects of a tent? You want to know whether or not the Nightview will disappoint you when you first set it up right? I can only tell you that I was amazed when I set up mine. I have continued to be amazed as I have taken it on one-nighters to 10,000 ft in the summer. I can't promise anything beyond those less than challenging conditions as I haven't yet taken it to any.
I spent at least fifty hours on the net comparing tents from every manufacturer I could find and that translated to a great purchase. There is only one drawback to this tent and that is its weight--fine for two people but not great for one.
Feel free to email me with questions that I did not address in my review.
-Tom Binet

Customer Service:
I haven't had any problems with my tent that would warrant using customer service.

Similar Products Used:
The entire Peak 1 line of tents (they don't compare to this tent), and an REI tent (don't know name but is around 4 years old) that had a puddle of condensation in the morning. The Nightview is wonder

Review Date
March 29, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: payed4bychrist(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer

Price Paid:  $270.00 at www.mgear.com

Summary:
This tent is amazing!! I am 6'2" and i have plenty of room in this tent. Even room for my bro or someone else who is along with me. The zip out pannel is nice for those nights when you can't sleep or checking the weather when you wake up. The HUGE window in the fly door is awesome too. I can watch the weather from here also or keep an eye on things from the comfort of my tent. And last but not least the BEAUTIFUL Apricot/gray color is awesome. I have never seen a better looking tent! (The HUGE MH logo on the side of the tent is awesome!). Props to Mountain Hardware for an AWESOME tent!

Customer Service:
who needs customer service when you have quality and good craftsmanship????

Similar Products Used:
Walrus 2 person backpacking tent(forgot the name)
North Face Nimbus (2 person backpacking also)

Review Date
June 15, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Michael(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from Sacramento, California

Price Paid:  $349.00 at REI

Summary:
I have used this tent at 11,000 ft on Mt. Shasta, throughout the Desolation Wilderness, and along the John Muir trail in the Mt. Whitney region.
Up and down the trail you will definitely know you are packing a tent.
If it rains, hails, or snows you can be certain the tent is bombproof.
This tent has decent ventilation for a 3/4 season tent.

This tent is SUPER!
Only drawback. . .weight

Customer Service:
I own many Mountain Hardwear products but have as yet to damage or wear out my equipment. Not needing customer service is wonderful.

Similar Products Used:
The North Face Lenticular (sold)
Sierra Designs Alpha CD (still own)

Review Date
March 1, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Chris Parton(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Fayetteville, AR

Price Paid:  $330.00 at Pack Rat Outdoor Center

Summary:
Great tent. Little heavy for solo backpacking use, but fine if you have someone else along to carry the food. Bombproof shelter. Doesn't leak a drop in the rain, and I've had it out in a couple of pretty heavy downpours. Resistant to wind. Plenty of room for me, my wife, our gear and our 90# labrador retriever.

Can't say a bad thing about this tent except the weight, but that's what you get with a 3+ season tent.

Customer Service:
Customer service is great. The tip came off of one of the poles. I got their number off of the website, called 'em up, told them I needed it fixed by a particular date for my next trip, they said fine, fixed it for me, and got it here a day early. Flawless.

Similar Products Used:
Eureka
Sierra Designs