Okay, so I know that there have been a few discussions on tents and the likes, but I can't remember which brands folks are using/what they find are the best ones. We're getting ready to look at budgeting for equipment next year and want to think about including a tent.
Buying a Tent
- Thread starter DJ J Mac
- Start date
Not sure if you mean tent or canopy ... I have an Easy-UP 10' pop-up canopy I use for outdoor events. I bought it at Sports Authority, though it's sold lots of places. I bought one of the better lines (forget which) that had poles that are heavier and come down vertical and not at a slant.
EZ-up is the best name-brand (IMHO). That said, I can't tell you the last time I even bothered with it. Since I've gone to passives and have some long speaker cables, it's stopped being a worry on outdoor events.
The canopy isn't so much for the equipment as it is for my balding head. Standing in the sun for a few hours will give me a crimson dome .. the equipment though seems to like it being cooler and dry as well.
Sounds like a new super-hero from Marvel comics...
I would reccomend the EZ up. Yes, you can find cheaper brands that LOOK just like an EZ up. Some are ok, and some are junk.
If you want to gamble and save $20-$50, then get a knock off. If you don't want to find out at the wrong time that you didn't save anything, get an EZ up.
If you want to gamble and save $20-$50, then get a knock off. If you don't want to find out at the wrong time that you didn't save anything, get an EZ up.
I won't have any of my equipment in direct sunlight either.
Before I owned a tent I told my client I need to be covered at the event so they purchased me a cheap 10 x 10 tent from Big Lots. They let me keep it after the event saying they didn't need it. The tent lasted 1 more event before the one of the plastic parts snapped. I couldn't find any replacement parts and couldn't fix it so off to the trash pile it went.
So the next time I needed cover I picked up a white EZ up that I've now used more times than I can count. I've had zero problems and its a breeze to put up. You may also consider getting the sides or have some tarps ready to attach so when the sun moves or it rains sideways.
So the next time I needed cover I picked up a white EZ up that I've now used more times than I can count. I've had zero problems and its a breeze to put up. You may also consider getting the sides or have some tarps ready to attach so when the sun moves or it rains sideways.
Costco (and I assume the other membership clubs) often have a package for sale in the springtime .. usually a good quality 10x10 with additional sidewalls and a rain fly front. Keep an eye out for those if you belong, as I would have loved to have side walls a few times (had to lower the canopy top to minimum height to prevent too much rain from coming in). That was an issue with some live sound gigs I did since they were normally set up many hours before bands went on.
Can't count the number of times I wish that I had a Canopy tent of my own. My wife and I spend several weekends at the Beach between gigs (North Myrtle Beach, S. Carolina). I've seen many from my balcony and had the pleasure of walking up and checking them out. If I were to get one, my choice would also be the E-Z up style. I would go for the 12-14' front because the way the sun changes direction and putting myself in the middle (equipment too) equipment is protected. Some of the better (more costly) do have sides you can purchase too. You want something that won't leak. White would be my color of choice, but I don't think the E-Z Up I like comes in that color...brown/beige I think. It has an air-vent cover at top center, too. I don't have a Roadie so practice setting up and taking down would be necessary. I may bite the bullet this year and get one!
I set my Quik Shade Canopy (I thought it was EZ-Up, but just checked) by myself usually ... just walk each leg out a foot or so .. switch to another and keep working till they're about 8-9' apart .. then lock each corner and extend the legs to the proper height. Easier with 2 or more people, but a simple job even for one .. including taking it down. I do not remove my covering .. just fold it in with the aluminum structure. As long as you leave enough slack in the velcro bands that hold it on, it works fine.
My tent has a medium green top with white rectangular poles. This is the current version: http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=19266456&view=grid
and this is the company website: http://www.quikshade.com/ .. They're sold also at Home Depot, Walmart, Lowes, Target, Sears, Dicks, and on Amazon.
I believe this was the brand Costco had as well, though I have seen more of the EZ-Up ones.
My tent has a medium green top with white rectangular poles. This is the current version: http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=19266456&view=grid
and this is the company website: http://www.quikshade.com/ .. They're sold also at Home Depot, Walmart, Lowes, Target, Sears, Dicks, and on Amazon.
I believe this was the brand Costco had as well, though I have seen more of the EZ-Up ones.
Thanks for the input guys. If we get one it would mainly be used to cover the gear. Our main outdoor venue is an orchard which will get quite hot and a ton of sun and in the spring and late fall a ton of wind. Over the past few years, our gear hasn't had any issues with the heat and sun, but I still want to get it covered and help keep it cooler.
Crimson Dome, err...Steve, for yourself and that matter for anyone doing outdoor events, I would highly recommend getting a Tilley hat (http://www.tilley.com). Yeah, they might be a bit pricey ($80 or so per hat), but I've had mine over 10 years and you can't destroy the hats, even if you try.
Crimson Dome, err...Steve, for yourself and that matter for anyone doing outdoor events, I would highly recommend getting a Tilley hat (http://www.tilley.com). Yeah, they might be a bit pricey ($80 or so per hat), but I've had mine over 10 years and you can't destroy the hats, even if you try.
