Black Diamond HighLight / Lighthouse Tents?????

I am looking to get a reasonably light freestanding tent that is windworthy. I am considering these two but have seen mixed reviews at REI. Also remember seeing mixed reviews here in the past about the Epic material and its breathability and weatherproofness.

I would not be using them for days on end of rain and bad weather so I think that these would probably suffice for me.

Can anyone comment?


thanks
Matt

I have the Hilight. Not very lightweight, after hours of seam sealing, it weighs 3.5 lbs. still. Attracts dirt. I have only used it a couple times, so I can't comment much more yet.

These tents are really well suited to Alpine evironments when you may encounter snow and wind. But Epic is not waterproof and can completely wet out in extended period of rain. I had a long discussion with Black Diamond last year and they indicated that the fabric could wet out in high water pressure scenarios but could not give me a time frame - so it could happen in 5 hours, 9 hours, 15 hours, etc. Nevertheless, I would like a little more insurance with my gear.

Although this has never bugged me, the shelters do not come standard with a vestibule.

My Lighthouse tent is the tent of choice for most conditions I camp in (which is good weather). I live in the Pacific NW so I can usually count on a little bit of rain everyday. I've found that my tent will withstand heavy rain all night now that I've run some seam sealer along the outside of the tent where the poles push out on the fabric. That is where it will wet out first but now that I've put a 1/2 inch runner of sealant along the poles, it will usually only wet out in a few places. Once the fabric wets out in a spot, it drips a little but it's not like water is pouring into your tent. It is still good shelter and none of my gear is really affected by being dripped on. Even my sleeping bag has a pertex shell. Heavy rain is better because it tends to bounce off the fabric easily. I would be nervous about extended trips in the rain where I didn't have a chance to dry it out. This tent has been great for desert (closed up completely so no sand blowing in), mountaineering (great for snow), and summer camping. No vestibule as noted. Since I live in WA I also purchased an REI QuarterDome UL for rain camping when I just know it's going to be wet and miserable. But if it's going to be wet and miserable out, why plan a trip that week? I guess I'm more of a fair-weather camper so the LightHouse is currently my go-to tent.

I have had a Lighthouse since 2004 and have used it in the northern Rockies, Canadian Rockies and North Cascades areas. It has done well in the wind that I have encountered. That does not appear to be an issue.

I have not had problems with rain penetrating the fabric, but have had condensation issues on two occasions. However, both of those have been near water and the base of cliffs with near freezing temps. and rain. I have been with others that have had condensation in their tents when I have not in mine.

Mine weighs 53.4 oz with a total of 63.1 oz. including stakes, stuff sacks, guylines and groundsheet. I like the design with the big opening and also how small the tent body packs.

Having said that, I am considering using a tarp and eVent overbag for the Northern Rockies this year to save some weight.

"off topic post" I have an eVent Overbag (Integral Designs) and it absolutely rocks!

I like the eVent overbag, except for the weight. It seems great at protecting the sleeping bag, but the 19 oz. is more than I would like (although I realize that eVent fabric is just plain heavier than Epic for example but does protect better).

If I was buying a VERY windproof solo tent I'd get a North Face Solo12 at 2 lbs. 8 oz. It's design has proven in wind tunnel tests to withstand over 70 mph winds (from the front).

It's a single layer tent W/ aluminum exoskeleton and well vented. Very clever design. Also made in the Dyad model for 2 or 3 people.

Eric