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Old 07-11-2019, 10:06 AM   #1
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Easy up?

Here I'm asking for a product review. Tomorrow morning my camera club is meeting at Pensacola Beach for the Blue Angels airshow. It was suggested by the organizer that we bring one of those "easy up" tents. I know nothing about them-- is any particular brand/type better than others, or are they a generic thing? Thanks.
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Old 07-11-2019, 10:19 AM   #2
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I don’t know All that much about the brands on the market these days.i have a 10X10 that I’ve had for some time. Here’s what I looked for
1. Flat support on each pole corner that could be staked down.
2. Ability to attach either 4 or 8 guy ropes with sand stakes in the ground.
3. Packs in a gear bag with a handle and wheels on one end.
4. Would accommodate at least one closed in side panel for protection from the wind or low sun angle.
I’ve only used mine to tailgate at Big Ten football games in the late summer and fall.
They’re nice if it’s sprinkling and not breezy.
The wind is your enemy, especially if you have a tough stakeout location. 5 gallon water jugs or sandbags will work. Take empty bags, a shovel and some cord to tie off the bag top and dump the sand back on the beach when you leave. If it’s legal to borrow it.
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Old 07-11-2019, 10:33 AM   #3
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I believe the term "Easy Up" is trademarked, but has become generic. I have two - a Caddis ARC 10'X10' that has an aluminum frame, is well made & light, but stores as a 5' 1" X 12" X12" bag, so it didn't fit in my 5' bet Tacoma. I also have an inexpensive steel framed one that is smaller folded, but the same size when set up. The ARC has velcro panels that can be added to cut down wind.

I prefer the ARC, but to be honest, I've carried one or the other on my cross country trips & only set them up once on each trip. I'll probably leave it home next time (and probably wish I had it!)
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Old 07-11-2019, 10:34 AM   #4
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I dislike those dang things. Nothing 'easy up' about them if trying to get it up by yourself, especially when brand new. I have two (different brands), I'd loan both to you and hope you didn't bring them back. Good luck, seriously.
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Old 07-11-2019, 10:56 AM   #5
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Thanks for the response, all. I have a big beach umbrella that I can stake into the ground. If I go to this event I'll just take it. But the beach will be a madhouse this weekend so I'm inclined not to go at all. Thanks anyway.
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Old 07-11-2019, 10:59 AM   #6
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Before I retired I worked for a public health agency. For 20 years every time we had an "event/incident" the Easy Ups went up. It helped to have five people raising them. One person on each corner and one person in the center giving orders. And, as mentioned, the wind is not your friend.
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Old 07-11-2019, 12:14 PM   #7
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Yes. "Easy Up" is like the the IRS telling you they are there to help you, NOT!!
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Old 07-11-2019, 03:23 PM   #8
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I bought the 13x13 thinking the more shade the better. Takes 4 people to pen the legs on the beast. I rarely use it due to the size.
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Old 07-11-2019, 03:58 PM   #9
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i use the clam much more easy!
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Old 07-11-2019, 04:41 PM   #10
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I've had several. my original one was a commercial grade one, it lasted 20 years, and innumerable music festivals and star parties, its still workable but the steel crossbars are bending in places and showing signs of imminent failure, so I've retired it. it was a heavy steel frame mofo to load/unload, but very stable once adequately staked down. I never used side panels on it, although I'd hang tapestries from it, and I generally tried to bungi-cord at least two of the legs to something immobile.

#2 was stupidly cheap aluminum frame thing on deep discount at a local Ace Hardware, very light, easy to setup and flimsy. most often, it was setup downwind of #1, and strapped to it. its last trip out, it broke. I think I got 5 years out of it.

#3 was just bought, heavy duty commercial grade one from Costco, and just set up for the first time last week. I nailed down the 4 pole feet, very windy site, I park my trailer with the street side facing the west which is where the strong winds come from each afternoon at this site. I bungi-lashed the upwind corner of the popup to the fully extended awning on my E21, and I used those Camco awning 'clamps' midway on the awning, we had 30+ MPH winds each fo 5 afternoons, I had no problems. popup #3 is also quite heavy, but comes in a sturdy rollerbag.
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Old 07-11-2019, 04:46 PM   #11
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15 years ago we bought a Caravan commercial 10' x 10' pop up canopy for BMX racing. $$$ Once my son was done racing, it just became a part of our camping gear. It's heavy (Steel frame) it really takes 2 people minimum to put it up and down. It has only be damaged once in windy conditions (it has been blown over at least 6 times) but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I will replace it in the next couple of years with something similar. A couple of things from my experience with them: Buy a colour other than white. Every time we have been under a white canopy in the sun, you feel the heat. Our blue one is always cooler under it. Get one with a minimum of 300D polyester fabric. Our is 500D and after 15 years of a rough life it's showing it's age but still does not have huge holes or rips/tears. The commercial units can come with an aluminum frame which saves about 15 pounds vs the same size in steel of pop up canopy.
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Old 07-11-2019, 09:42 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fox hunt View Post
i use the clam much more easy!
Yes, talking about easy up the Clam or Gazelle screen tents are real easy to set up, takes about a minute for an experienced user.
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Old 07-11-2019, 10:03 PM   #13
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the sorts of winds we have at GSSP would shred a screen room in no time. we have to use 9-12" spikes hammered into the hard clay pasture to secure any sort of tenting, and cheap tall tents get flattened, with broken poles. cheap flimsy easy-ups get ripped off the ground and thrown into $$$$$ telescopes.
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Old 07-11-2019, 10:27 PM   #14
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I made my own stakes, using spikes and poly rope. Just don't have anything to pin down.
Knot is more or less a hangman's noose.
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