First of all, don't confuse this with the new Orion AST (a good tent). This model (the CD) was discontinued. If you read the reviews you will see the reason why. Sierra Designs uses only best materials, but this model had a design flaw. If you use this tent in the rain YOU WILL GET WET. I was backpaced in 14 miles on a offtrail 8 day pack trip, and almost had it spoiled due to rain. Sealing the seams will help but will not eliminate the water leakage. In dry weather the tent was quite satisfactory, but if you like to go to remote lonely spots far away from your car or other people you might get in trouble. You have been warned. Read my comments on customer service.

Customer Service

The best. After I got back from my packtrip (still wet) I called SD and they sent out the new redesigned Orion AST along with some free seam sealer. Great tent, Great people. They use nothing by the best materials.

This is a great tent. It can be set up in the dark in 2-3 minutes. It has a higher ceiling than other tents in the same price/weight range. The only down side is a lack of ventilation that is common in this class of tents.

Similar Products Used:

Kelty Zen is smaller and has a lower ceiling making it harder to change clothes. Have also slept in a Kelty w/ side door. I don't like side doors.

Have had this tent since taking it cross country 3 years ago. It has held up quite well. My only complaint is the rainfly does not quite fit. I can never seem to get the fly to adequately cover the tent's foot print without straping it down so close to the tent that it cuts out any sort of circulation. Maybe I simply got a fly that is too small, but check it out before buying. Otherwise a sound investment.

Similar Products Used:

None

This is a really good tent. It is has every thing that you want in a 2 person tent. It is really light weight. It has good venting too. The clear uvx window is a neat feature also. The only thing that I have found that I don't like in this tent is that the rain fly doesn't cover the back of the tent completely. It isn't that bad but it could be a little problem in heavy rain. This is a great tent for any backpacker, or camper.

Customer Service

It was all fine and dandy.

Similar Products Used:

None other products.

For it's weight, the Orion is decent-sized. It's a little cramped with two, especially if you have gear that won't fit in the vestibule (which is sloped greatly and doesn't provide too much storage space). I use gear lofts for smaller stuff, flashlights, etc. I've had problems with leakage only in heavy or long-lasting rain, but the compression above the door, caused by the third pole, does collect water. I haven't sealed the seams in my Orion yet, though; I'll do so before this season to find out whether it makes a difference. I suspect it will.

One complaint about this tent is the design of the door- it zips across the arch, not on the floor at all, so the door (when unzipped) falls on the ground. It gets very dirty and wet because of this, unless you're very graceful when entering. And I'm not. And probably, neither are you.

Overall, a good tent for the price, but seal those seams and guy it up VERY tightly in rain... the fly sags a little.

Customer Service

None yet.

Similar Products Used:

EMS (not sure of style)... good tent, cheaper, I'd look into them next time.

I have had this tent for 1 1/2 years and have been extremely pleased with it. Setup is a breeze, and there is plenty of room for two average sized people.

I have, however, had to figure out a couple of tricks to getting the most out of this tent, mainly due to the rain fly, which needs to be 6 inches to a foot longer on all four sides. First, while the removable pole section idea is really cool, it only saves 6oz or so, and causes the pooling of water on top of the tent. Using the full third pole and attaching it to the velcro tab above the door ensures against this. Using the full pole also keeps the fly off of the sides of the tent which obviously keeps the tent dryer.

Second, if it is going to be over about 40 degrees at night, open the windows to prevent condensation.

Third, they need to put a tab on the back of the fly to stake it out and keep it from sagging.

This is a perfect midwestern four season tent, although I wouldn't recommend it for winter camping in the mountains.

Similar Products Used:

SD Jupiter
SD Meteor Light
Euerka Glacier Bay
TNF Cumulus
Quest Praying Mantis

My wife and I have used this tent many times with no problems. Set-up is easier than any tent I've ever owned. Very light weight for the size and the vestibule is quite roomy. Perfect for average size couple, could see where two tall people would want a larger tent. On a clear night store the fly and enjoy the view.

Similar Products Used:

also own a NF expedition-25 for winter backpacking and a Eureka Windriver-2.

I bought the Orion CD because it is light and free standing. It has great headroom and the star-gazing screen is great. The only problem I've had is in a rain storm-I had some leaks in the fly at the straps that attached to the poles. It is warm and can be guyed out pretty tight. Good tent for 1 or 2 person.

Customer Service

When I called SD about my fly leak they sent me a tube of Seamgrip right away and explained to me that I just needed to seal those problem areas...very helpful customer service.

Similar Products Used:

None

What influenced me to purchase the Orion CD was the light weight, head room, factory taped seams, and free standing design. I find it is a little tight for a two person design, but I don't think this is unusual in the industry(most say that a three person tent is good for two people and so on...) it does have adequate headroom, and I like the mesh tent body.
I purchased a "fast-pack" groundcloth from SD that was designed to be used with this particular tent. I utilized this setup, not using the tent body, on a hike through the "100 Mile Wilderness" on the AT last summer. While it was light - about 3lbs., and easy to set up, I have never been so disappointed with a piece of gear in my 30 years of backpacking.
Midway through my hike I was caught in a rainstorm that lasted all night. The fly leaked like a sieve. Because of a depression over the door, it collected water and dripped in through the window area. Also, the designers obviously hadn't figured out that if you sew a nylon tab(the tie outs) on the outside of the tent directly opposite the nylon tabs(used to secure the fly to the poles) on the inside of the tent, the tabs will wick water like a faucet. My solution was to tie baggies around the inside tabs with dental floss - by morning they were full.
Needless to say, I didn't get any sleep that night.
Also, the tent design seems to encourage condensation on the inside of the fly.

I will not buy another Sierra Designs Tent, and would not recommend this tent to anyone.

Customer Service

Customer Service????
All they did was send me a tube of seam grip to seal their "factory taped seams".
They did indicate they were aware of a design flaw in the "fast pack" setup as it does not allow use of the third short pole over the door, therefore the depression over the door and subsequent leaking. But, they sold it anyway, and wouldn't offer a refund even after admitting it was faulty.
If this is customer service, they might as well unplug the phone.

Similar Products Used:

The North Face Windy Pass
The North Face Canyonlands

I have the '97 version and since then they have added more mesh, but mine has has problems with condensation during the summer. Also, it is a bit cramped with two big guys inside. I have had no problems with leakage; I sealed the seams with "seam-grip" the first day I got it. But the condensation on warm rainy nights got my bag wet as much as minor leakage would have. I love the design though- getting in and out is easy.