Mountain Hardwear Skyview 2

Review Date
October 2, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: johnkulcsar(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Barberton, Ohio USA

Price Paid:  $259.00 at Cleveland Sportsman

Summary:
This tent is an absolutly superb 2+ person tent. Bombproof, all top quality materials and construction. MH has always made top shelf quality gear and the Skyview 2 is a testamonial to them. Very large vestibule with a window, nice head & side room, great ventilation. Although heavy (8+ lbs), if split between 2 people, it's ok for backpacking.

Similar Products Used:
Eureka Apex 2XT
North Face Talon

Review Date
May 28, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: thebodhimind(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $245.00 at REI

Summary:
I just purchased this tent at a big sale at REI for $245 with foot print and I am very happy with it so far. In my opinion, to wake up warm and dry is worth putting up the extra bucks for this tent. Origionally I looked at the Northface mountain 25 and the Mountain hardware trango 2 for cold weather mountainering, but they were too heavy for solo use, and they limit the user from using them in warmer months. I liked the fact that this weighed less (not much less), and had a large zip-out section that can be taken out for added ventilation during warm season hikes. I dont like the way the vestibule shoots off to the side, or the little flat spot on the top that is looking to collect precipitation, but the vestibule is roomy, and the only real reason i dont like it is from prefrence. This tent has performed very well in down pours and winds 30-35 mph. It's ideal for a person who is looking to have one tent during summer backpacking with two people (with the vent zipped out), and is also going to go out in fair winter weather. A good all around tent, but it definetly falls short if your looking for a expedition tent (conditions which very few of us really experience anyway).

Similar Products Used:
mountain hardware trango 2, various eureka tents

Review Date
September 30, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Chris in VA(Unregistered User) ,  Paddler , from Manassas VA

Price Paid:  $455.00 at Hudson Trail Outfitt

Summary:
This is a follow-up to a previous post.

I've had the tent for the season, and have really enjoyed it. I have complete confidence in a hard rain, and am looking forward to camping in the winter. With a little practice, setting up is straight-forward and takes about 5 minutes for the tent body. I highly recommend getting the footprint, by the way (hence the 415+40).

I had 2 adults, 2 kids and a german shepherd in it one night, and no one really complained. It's fantastic with 2 adults, with plenty of spare room for whatever.

A couple of things I want to make mention about the design...first, once the body is staked down, the fly doesn't completely come down to the ground to meet the tiny included stakes, and a longer one is needed to pull it away from the tent body. Second, and this is very minor, the tie-backs for the doors are too small, especially if using gloves.

Overall however, the tent has been great with plenty of ventilation, and zipping the doors will keep you nice and warm during chilly nights.

Customer Service:
As before, Mountain Hardwear just told me to send in the fly for adjustments, for free. I''m just waiting until after fall to do that.

Similar Products Used:
Eureka, various cheap tents

Review Date
September 20, 2001

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: prinflex(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Fargo, ND

Price Paid:  $150.00 at From Friend

Summary:
I got married and suddenly my clip flashlight was too small. A friend offered me his Skyview 2 that he had used once for $100 and 8 hours of helping him move and I jumped at it. It turned out to be a good purchase, but not a great one. First the positives: 1. Sets up easy - 3 minutes and you are inside. 2. Lots of room - three can sleep in it it shoulder to shoulder. 3. Will protect you in any rainstorm - mine sometimes pools water where the three poles cross, but I think they fixed that about two years ago. 4. Nice sized vestibule. It's a good tent - Now the downsides that keep it from being great: 1. Poor Ventilation - while it has lots of no-see-um the lack of vents in the fly prevents the air from circulating unless there is a stiff breeze - To keep my wife happy in the North Dakota Summer nights (Which can't be the worst in the nation) I had to use a battery powered fan to move the air - If it's hot, humid and rains at night where you will be sleeping dont use this tent. 2. Strength - while is has not broken or collapsed on me this tent does shimmy and shake when it blows - also if used in a heavy snowfall the poles act like limp noodles and the fly will compress into the tent body. 3. Weight 10#'s is borderline accepible for a sturdy 3-4 season tent, but a tent this flimsey should weigh at least a pound less - I only hope this means it will last longer. 4: Boken Zipper - after less than 20 nights with no sand. Don't get me wrong this is not a bad tent - it just has some limitations that prevent it from being great. I purchases a Moss Superdome last year that while still not perfect, (It also weighs a hefty 10#'s) it does show the limitations of the Mountain Hardware. The Skywiew is now the tent I loan out to friends.

Customer Service:
Haven''t used it.....yet.

Similar Products Used:
Moss Superdome - SD clip flashlight - Bibler Big Wall Bivy

Review Date
July 17, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Manny E.(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Austin,Texas

Price Paid:  $420.00 at Whole Earth Provision Co.

Summary:
BEST tent I've used...and I've pitched many a tent!
SKYVIEW 2- 1997 model(No Archway pole;only one UVX window -at the vestibule).
This is an awesome tent! It is really versatile;extremely well built; user friendly; almost BOMBPROOF.
Multi-functional plan: With the optional Skyview 2 footprint,you can use the rainfly and the tent poles to make a 'summer hut'!The poles attach to the rainfly,and the poles go into the footprint holes. Voila!! It's perfect for hot summers,summer thunderstorms,and lighter carry weight.
Plus- Mountain Hardwear warranties their Easton Aluminum poles,for life!!! That's good,if one of your poles bends due to use -not abuse.
I like the vestibule space;Two entry doorways;Ventilation;and zip-out skyview panel. It's awesome!!

These tents are made to last. As
far as I'm concerned,I'll never buy another manufacturer's tent!!

Customer Service:
I was hesitant to go with Mountain Hardwear --especially after owning a great NorthFace tent. And Mountain Hardwear was a newer company. But after seeing "Everest" at the IMAX theater,I noticed that all of the other tents,after a severe blizzard,were all broken,and torn-up! ....EXCEPT the Mountain Hardwear tents. That made a difference when it came time to buy a reppacement for my beloved (stolen) North Face 'Cicada'.

It was the best choice.

Similar Products Used:
NorthFace Cicada. Too bad;it was one of the coolest designs!