rgmaher2259401

I bought this stove in order to cook for a small group, but I'm finding it to be a solid choice for my solo outings as well. It is bulky when stored in its cozy (which is amazing unto itself), although you can easily nest, not only the components of the stove, but a set of MSR folding utensils, your spork,a couple pack towells, and, best of all, an 8oz MSR isofuel canister. When fully loaded, the total weight I'm getting is 3lbs 8oz. Easily a push when you consider the combined weights of all the food prep items you need, but with better consolidation in one neat package. I'm a huge fan of Primus products, but was a bit skeptical at first, as this struck me a sort of a gimmicky product made primarily for novices that did most of their cooking on a picnic table. I couldn't have been more wrong. The built-in windscreen is actually lighter than a separate setup,and works really well. The flame is highly adjustable from high-to simmer. The boil time for 2 liters using isofuel is ajust under 4 minutes at 9000ft. It uses next to no fuel and it really does work equally well with a wide range of sources with no clogging or sooting to speak of. Another neat thing about it is that the size of the unit when packed is the same diameter as a bear canister, which makes it a great prop for keeping the canister at the top of your pack and easily accessable. I would recommend this stove to anyone, regardless of whether they're looking for a proper cooking system, or think they could do better with individual components. It just plain works!

The weight is a dream (3lb 13oz w/footprint). Setup is fast and easy, even for one person. A bit tight for two people, but doable if love or neccesity is involved, although, if you touch the side and make contact with the fly, you will end up damp, if not wet. For one person, the inside is more than ample and the ridge beats the snot out of a bivy. Using the rainfly definitely requires staking, so if granite is your thing, you need more tension lengthwise than the poles allow. If you want to stay dry, it has to stay taught, and if anything more than a light rain is expected, you better plan on setting all the guy lines to keep the separation between shell and fly. The x-peg stakes are both sturdy and light. My only complaint there is that the tops are devastatingly sharp and will shred your feet if you go barefoot or wear flip-flops around camp. Easily taken care of by heading to the hardware store and picking up some 1/2" rubber door stop caps (The R&D guys at Big Agnes are really appreciative and receptive to feedback). I do wish the gear pockets were a bit more ample, but they do hold the basics. Also, get the footprint, as the floor taped, but really thin. Just make sure you make note that you get the wider end toward the door, or it'll mess with the setup. Put an "F" in the front corners with a Sharpie so you can find it in the dark or so your dumber tentmate can get it right. All in all, a great tent that I would recommend to anyone looking for something well designed, light, and user friendly, assuming you take the time to become well versed in the idiosyncracies of adjustment before you head out.

This may well be the one to own. I'm not surprised to see such a high rating for this tent. I've owned mine for about 4 years or so now. Never a problem with leaking or condensation, and we've spent quite a bit of time hunkered down for many rainy days(waaay too much). It withstands some serious gusts and even stayed up with a 6" snow load, while all the other 3-season tents around us just caved. The two doors and twin vestibules are a great feature. Each holds a ton of gear. The headroom is incomparable, and while 3 people is a bit tight,you won't loose any sleep to being elbowed. It is a bit too heavy for backpacking, but since it's not advertised as such, in all fairness, the load can be easily divided, if you chose to go that way. All in all, a great tent for almost all applications.