Eureka Equinox 6

Review Date
July 6, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Reviewed by: MAG ,  Car Camper

Price Paid:  $349.00 at Local camping store

Summary:
I just bought this for family o' four one-week camping trips in the Pacific NW. I set it up and trial used last night and I am really impressed with it.

Pros: Great heavy duty materials/build quality. Setup is easy, though it helps to be taller to get the higher clips on.

Hex design is built with oversized clips and cords for strength and weather, hex is very stable by design even without stakes in. Like others I'd say the tent is ideal for four persons - each side of the hex is 6 feet long so you can push a 74" mattress edge on any side. We covered much of the floor with 3 twin-sized inflatable mattresses (w/ one sideways) which makes reasonable room for 4 long sized sleeping bags and some gear in the remaining two corners.

Obviously this costs more than many family alternatives, but based on my brief experience with it I'd say this is a very good choice if you want a long term tent for up to four and will use it regularly in where you are likely to get wind and rain.

This tent would make also make a pretty luxurious tent for 2 persons - particularly if you were going to camp for a few weeks+ with rain/wind/light snow likely... I can recall a few rainy pre-kids trips where I would have loved to have had this tent.

Cons: Price paid, it'd be a value under 300. Can't seem to get a vestibule for anymore.

Similar Products Used:
I am a hiker and whitewater boater so I have a few tents - an effectively 1 person 3 lb Sierra Clip Flashlight, a Kelty Grand Mesa 2, a Eureka Crescent 4XT - also used lots of other tents

Review Date
November 27, 2007

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: zzyzzx ,  Car Camper

Price Paid:  $300.00 at Campmor.com

Summary:
Great tent! I've had it for nearly 10 years and have used it in all types of weather. I have always stayed completely dry inside. When staked down properly, will stand up to stiff winds. I have the vestibule which apparently is no longer available. When camping with 2 kids or just my girlfriend and I, there is tons of room to be comfortable for extended camping. Full stand up head room for 6'+ is a plus. I would buy another one.

Customer Service:
Not needed.

Review Date
August 31, 2007

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: davidhbrown ,  Car Camper

Price Paid:  $0.00 at wedding gift (1991)

Summary:
I was surprised to see few, minimal changes from the version we got back in 1991. We use it almost yearly, for less than a week, and it's holding up just fine. Be careful around the door that the fly rods don't poke you... the protective insert fell off one and I got a long scrape across my forehead; my daughter also was getting her hair caught in the zipper. But these are not a problem if you're paying attention. Stability is excellent as many have mentioned... we usually don't bother to stake it. The bags that were included are ample for storing the tent; folding and packing it up is not challenging.

Customer Service:
not needed

Similar Products Used:
none

Review Date
June 8, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
3.67 of 5, 3 votes

Reviewed by: Canadarago (Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Floral Park NY

Price Paid:  $289.00 at Gander Mountain

Summary:
Brought my Equinox almost 10 years ago. Have used it on scouting trips and family camping every year since then in temps down to 25 degrees and winds up to 30-40 MPH. As with all tents, the capacity rating is a misnomer. I've had 5 scouts in the Equinox, but think that 6 adults would be a tight squeeze. I and my wife make a mini hotel room in the Equinox: two Thermarests on cots, a small table with a lamp in the middle, and a lawn chair. The tent height and near vertical walls make this arrangement possible. Construction and design are impeccable - the seams have never leaked, ventilation is great when you want it and the tent closes up tight when you don't. The aluminum poles and steel "spider" connection maek setup very easy. One piece of advice - be careful opening and closing the front door and "grease it with bar soap every once in a while- you tem to use it a lot. Also, make sure you buy a ground cloth and an inside cloth - the tent will last you many years. As with all polyurethane coated tents, dry it as soon as possible if you have to pack it up wet.

Similar Products Used:
Kelty Canyon Ridge, Ridgeway

Review Date
May 16, 2002

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: amanamongmen(Unregistered User) ,  Car Camper , from Loogootee, IN

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I bought this tent last year for the purpose of setting up a deer hunting camp. The first time out was in mid-November and I lived my Eureka for 8 days. The weather ranged from warm to sub-freezing at night, and sunny to wicked thunderstorms. Despite heavy rains, the tent never leaked. I was delighted with its performance under the conditions.

The reason I selected this model is because I wanted a tent where I could stand straight up (I am 6'2"). No problems there.

The tent went up quite quickly on the second outing...probably because I knew what I was doing. I think the 6-person rating is optimistic at least. I have a queen size air mattress and might fit another but it will be squeezed.

Overall, the tent appears to be of excellent quality, and definitely inspires confidence during stormy weather.