Bibler Tents Piñon

Review Date
October 24, 2002

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Reviewed by: KEVIN JONES(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from INDIANAPOLIS, IN

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
As previously stated in other reviews, the tent set-up is not fun but you get used to it. I had a major problem with condensation leaking from the inner walls of the vestibule onto the mesh doors. The two doors and two vestibules are a great plus. The floor is not bathtub design so water can easily come in if you are not careful. Fortunately, it was a freebie from Black Diamond so I can't really complain but I doubt I will use it ever again.

Customer Service:
Black Diamond were excellent and very friendly when I sent my other Bibler tent for repair and they gave me a new tent instead.

Similar Products Used:
Bibler Ahwahnee

Review Date
June 30, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Michael(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Monrovia, California USA

Price Paid:  $530.00 at Some Outlet Store

Summary:
This is a great tent. It’s roomy; it’s either warm or cool depending on what you want it to be; it’s a great tent!

Ok, now for the nay saying…

Yes, practice setting up the tent over and over. Once you get it down, turn off the lights. I’ve tried setting this guy up in the dark with a green LED light in my mouth. It was tough getting the first pole in, I just couldn’t find the little holes to slide the pole though. But, of course once that was accomplished it was a breeze getting the rest of the tent up. The next thing was my fault for not paying close attention. Once again I was in the dark, but this time pushing the second pole through. The pole was secured in its corners (so I thought) and the tent went limp. To my horror I had pushed the far corner through the mesh sidewall. It was right where the mesh met the rest of the tent. After slapping myself around for a few minutes I realized that it took a lot of pressure to get that pole through the mesh. A little sewing and again I was happy with the tent.

Now, for high winds. I was in the local mountains on a very windy night. The wind was gusting hard and it felt like I was in the tent with those kids from The Blair Witch Project. Upon waking I found myself covered in a fine powder of dust. On the bright side the mesh kept out all the little rocks, dead ants and insect wings. Now I wasn’t using the custom tarp and I’m hoping that the tarp might help this situation. As of now I would worry about my down sleeping bag in rain and high winds.

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
April 24, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: peter(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from north carolina

Summary:
This is about the perfect heavy-duty bp-ing tent. All other tents in it's weight range are either flimsy, cramped or both. And conversely, all tents this bombproof and spacious are 2 to 4 lbs heavier. I can't convey how great the two doors/ vestibules are. As the other reviewers have said, set up can be tricky, but it's a minor, minor drawback! Compared to other Bibler tents, it's a steal. Still though, I know of tents much, much cheaper that will work fine in less extreme conditions and/or over less time. I think though, that this is the very last 2 man tent I'll ever buy. Therefore, it's a bargain.

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
May 11, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: sauron(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Sonora, CA USA

Summary:
This is a great tent. Make sure you practice setting it up a couple times at home as the first time takes a while. after you figure it out its simple. The seam sealing takes longer than the hour they claim and i had to reseal a couple of seams after the first use as i had two very small leaks (little 1" puddle in 16 hours of rain) you have to make sure the skylight isnt pointed into the rain but you can prop a stick in there and leave it wide open for ventilation. Decent room for two people and the vestibules r big enough to fit all your gear (unless you carry a really big/frame pack). ingeniuos roll out vestibule "floor" helps keep gear clean and dry.

Similar Products Used:
north face nebulus

Review Date
June 29, 1999

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: hugh(Unregistered User) ,  Climber , from albuquerque

Summary:
awesome three (NM 4) season tent, lightweight desert to mtn snowstorm tent do agree that there is a learning curve to quick tent setup, but now time is down to @4-5 minutes for tent setup from removal from pack to crawlling inside. sturdy singlewall construction, leave your fly open, if it rains don't worry about crawling outside to screw with the rainfly, just reach out and zip er up.

Customer Service:
excellent, reliable help, good advice, prompt service

Similar Products Used:
walrus, north face, misc cheap charlies