How many people is the tent for and is the tent to be carried
or transported? 13lbs is a killer load for one, though it depends
how it can be broken down and shared about.
I bought a Wild Country Quasar back in the early 90's and
despite have a rest for the last 2-3 years (due to having kids),
it is still going strong. I think they are made by Terra Nova
now and are no doubt much better than my old one. Mine
weighs 8lbs and sleeps two with loads of head room. It's a
four pole geodesic design and is totally bomb-proof in the
wind and heavy snow. There are two decent bell-ends and
two entries; mozzie doors and internal hanging loops. I've
re-proofed the flysheet a couple of times, repaired a couple
of holes in the ground sheet and actually bought two new
poles after one was bent in an accident (though it still works
and I've yet to actually replace it).
If Terra Nova's modern versions last any where like my old
Quasar, they will literally last a life-time. My only criticism was
the old style nylon flysheet which tended to sag a little with
condensation/heavy rain. Just after I bought mine, they came
out with a new fabric which didn't do that. (If the flysheet isn't taut,
it effects the stability of the tent.) Fortunately, the design of the
Quasar is such that it would still take an awful lot to shift it, no
matter how much the fly sheet sagged!
I wouldn't want to put up a tall teepee in a stiff wind - maybe
there's a knack to it. I think my record for the Quasar was about 90
seconds on a calm day!
