FordDiesel250
I.P. Texas
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We were thinking of getting grandkids a tent for Xmas and was torn between Eureka or Alps Moutain. Can I get some feedback from folks that have used or own either brand.
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tplife69
SoCal
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I have a Eureka! Tetragon 8 that I use as a "guest" tent. They are available inexpensively off Ebay new-in-the-box for around 1/2 retail. The Tetragon series is inexpensive, but has features like full-coverage rainfly and SwiftClip technology patented by Sierra Designs. The ALPS Mountaineering tents are about the same in design and quality. The features are dated, but that's no big issue. They are both good quality inexpensive tents. I would avoid anything larger than 3-man, as these 2-pole designs won't take strong wind without loud rustling or losing integrity, breaking poles, etc. I like the polyester fly material, its advantage is greater UV resistance than nylon. At a glance, I can see that Ebay offers about 25% off retail for The ALPS tents. If it were me, I'd be spending less instead buying Sierra Designs tents like the Electron or some such type that are made in larger numbers, thus greater discounts. I could for example beat the Ebay prices on ALPS tents and have a Sierra Design model that they are a copy of, except with dated features. As far as Eureka!, once you get outside of the Tetragon series into their other tents, you can get much higher quality tents from other brands off Ebay for the same price, so the price point stops for me there. I have no particular thing for Sierra Designs, it's just what the other companies copy, and due to production volume, the best for my money. Your mileage may vary! 
* This post was
edited 10/15/09 10:21am by tplife69 *
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Dick_B
Palos Heights, IL USA
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Kinda a tough place to get tent recommendations. I'd look at Cabelas or LLBean catalogs/websites, or call either one, and get a recommendation from them.
Dick_B
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Ace!
So Oregon
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I like Eureka. Are you looking at a two-man, three-man? The Eureka Timberlines are good tents for kids.
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huachuca
Tarboro, NC
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What type of camping will the kids be doing and how many are there?
We're a couple of old (60+) backpackers that have used Eureka's Pinnacle Pass 3XTA for the past few years. Great three season tent for our use.
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Vapor_Trails
Yucaipa, CA
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I have both an Alps and a Eureka tent. With the Scout discount I like Alps. By far. But, at retail it evens out a bit more. However, I do like Alps' fully taped seams. It might help if you tell us what size/models/features you're looking at.
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mtlogger
Montana/Guatemala
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I've had a number of brands, but Eureka stands high above them all.
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xesse
Helotes, Texas
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I agree, Eureka makes a great tent!
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jambo101
Montreal (Lasalle)
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I can give a big thumbs up for the Eureka Copper Canyon,Screening is so vast we sometimes use it just as a screen room,mesh is so fine its almost waterproof,solid construction and doesn't leak..
* This post was
edited 10/27/09 01:15pm by jambo101 *
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tplife69
SoCal
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jambo101 wrote:I can give a big thumbs up for the Eureka Copper Canyon(second from bottom on the right),Screening is so vast we sometimes use it just as a screen room,mesh is so fine its almost waterproof,solid construction and doesn't leak..
I agree. Were I staying semi-permanently and not having to move the tent often, had a huge tent pad available, and not subject to high winds, light snow loads or driving rain, it would be an ideal choice.
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