Mine is called the "vista" but it is the same tent. The only difference is there is no window, which I don't mind (hey, I got it for 100 bucks off, ill live). I love this tent. I spent a little time sealing it when I got it, and it has never leaked. I've spent nights with this set up in puddles and never a drop. This tent is very light, so calling the space too small is nit-picking. At this weight, the space is great. Plenty of room to change sitting upright and I even store my clothes at my feet with no problem. There are lots of points to attach guy-lines to and when they are this tent wont move! In fact, the fly is one of my favorite aspects of the tent with its many stake-out/guy points and it fits just right. Ventilation is great (I always stake out the fly) with lots of room between the fly and tent. But the thing I like most is the weight. Split between two people the weight is barely noticable. I love this tent, and doubt I will need another one for a long time.

Customer Service

Havent needed it!

Similar Products Used:

REI trail dome, half dome, Kelty vortex. None match up to the SD.

I bought this tent before a Boy Scout campout and my son and I thought it was the greatest--until it started raining. After 1-1/2 days of heavy rain on Angel Island, we were wet! The fly leaks at every velcro tab and reinforcement-point (wherever multiple seams come together). The ones over the tent windows were really bad--the drops splatter when they hit the mesh, and of course that's close to where your head goes. The floor seam also leaked in two places near our feet.

Sierra Designs said it's not supposed to do that, but I see from other comments that their quality is pretty variable. We're a little disappointed.

Customer Service

SD didn't offer to pay postage, so I took it back to REI and they gave me a new one with no hassle. I'm going to set it up in the yard (once the snow melts next spring) and hose it down before trusting this one.

Similar Products Used:

None

I bought this tent about three years ago as light two person backpacking tent and, with a few modifications, it has served me well.

First off, I had to add a guy line tab at the back of the rain fly. If you don't guy out the fly, rain water runs down on to tent body and, unless the floor seam is absolutely water tight, you're going to get wet. Also, the tabs that attach the rain fly to the tent poles love to wick water through to the inside of the rain fly. I've soaked mine in seam sealer and I've never had a problem again.

One problem that I've had with the tent, that I've never been able to fix is condensation. On more than a few warm, humid nights a drop of condensation has hit me in the face to wake me up. Weather permitting, I ditch the rainfly for a night.

Not to sell this tent short, it is very lightweight and, for a hiker who doesn't need to carry tons of gear, there is more than enough room in the vestible for equipment. With the proper modifications, this tent has kept me and various companions dry through some terrific storms out in Olympic NP and the western side of Glacier NP.

This is a great backpacking tent.

Similar Products Used:

None

I purchased this tent as a lightweight backpacking tent. I got it home assembled it and got in. With my 6'3" frame my head hits on the inside of the front flap. When my girlfriend and I both got in we were pretty cramped. The vestibule is pretty small too and does not make up for the small size of the tent. It did assemble easily but so do most other tents nowadays. I realize my complaint is common for lightweight tents. I just want to make people aware that most lightweight tents are to small to be practicle, in my opion. I returned it and found a lightweight 3-person tent with plenty of room - The SD Northstar 3 at REI Outlet. Unfortunately SD no longer makes this wonderful tent.

Similar Products Used:

SD Clip 3, SD Northstar 3

I have owned the Orion for 2 years now. It has held up great during rainstorms. The space is a little cramped for 2 big guys. I love the vestibule, it is big enough for two packs. Unfourtently the condensation does tend to build up on the inside during hot, muggy nights.

Similar Products Used:

REI Half Dome
Sierra Designs Jupiter - larger version of Orion, but also weighs more

The Sierra Designs Orion Tent is a great 3 season tent. I've used it in a non stop downpore and, unlike my partners, didn't wake in a puddle. It's light weight is great for Backpacking and the price is great for its quality. The tent ventilates great through large mesh panels, but it can't hold heat well the cold.

Similar Products Used:

None

I've owned this tent for 1 year now, and have used it in several locales, including southern PA and the Rocky Mountains. The fly leaked at first, but after a thorough seam-sealing, this stopped. Condensation will build up and drip through the mesh panel over the door, though. The floor also leaked a bit at the corners, but again, an aggressive seam-sealing treatment stopped this. I do wish I'd gotten the Meteor, as this is a tight 2-person tent, esp. since the vestibule is sloped so heavily. Headroom is good, though, and three-season use is excellent, with plenty of ventilation through the mesh panels. It's light and packs well, and will probably join my partner and I when we hike the Appalachian trail.

Similar Products Used:

Kelty 3-person dome tent Coleman dome tent

I actually have the Summer Moon, but it's almost exactly the same as the Orion. Cost was about $170. Mine is slightly smaller and lighter. I like how lightweight it is, but it is tight for two. I've never been in much weather in it or had to cook in it, but the brow pole makes for plenty of headroom. It's not that different from a small Bibler, altho not as strong. Either way you are dependent on guy lines. Breathability is great. I have been wanting to add a Clip-Loc that is used to wrap the 2 poles together to keep them from sliding. The Orion might have this.

Similar Products Used:

None

I purchased the Orion to upgrade in size (as well as price) from my Eureka Rising Sun. The comfort is great if it is just you. 2 people makes it a little crowded. Ventilation can be a problem on a muggy night, although I do believe SD added some mesh to the design since I bought mine (doesn't it figure). My Rising Sun outperforms the Orion in wet and windy weather. The Orion you must guy out with EXTRA stakes or it will sag big time. Also, toss the toxic goop that SD provides to seal the seams. Not only will the smell kill you but I had leaks develop each of the first 2 years I had it. To seal any tent I strongly recommend the aqueous sealers, they penetrate the stitching and I haven't had a problem with them yet. All in all the Orion isn't a bad tent if you take a little time to guy it out and use aqueous sealers to seal the seams and keep it to just you for long hauls.

Similar Products Used:

Eureka Rising Sun REI Camp Hut