Why doesn't anyone make a tent similar to the Big Sky Evolution (specifically the big 4 person job)? It seems like such a simple idea - a large freestading mesh dome with a silnylon rainfly.

I know Big Sky has had all kinds of supply and delivery problems (thanks to all of you - I was not among those who ordered!).

So why hasn't any other tent maker picked up that slack?

Frustrating - I would like a lightweight well ventilated family tent, but everything I look at is essentially a poor comprimise.

Sorry - I'm sure I'm just opening a can of worms.

Rionada

Big Sky has certainly shot themselves in the foot as far as their delivery/production. I wouldn't order from them, no matter how good their product rated. The one alternative I'd suggest, would be to push Henry Shires to produce a light, large, 4 person shelter. He always seems to be open to suggestions, and his service is always top-notch, product first rate. Ed

I believe the Shires 4 person is on the way. Stay tuned.

Henry is working on a non-freestanding, 4 stake, four person Tarptent as well as a taking a different approach with his first four season Tarptent (see "unknown North Face tent--help me identify it" thread).I have seen his early designs and they ROCK! Hopefully all the stops will get pulled out for the latter! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I would not hold my breath for another Shires designed shelter.
I read somewhere that he has sold his business to The North Face and has retired. Apparently he spends his time in Costa Rica playing golf.
Note that his Web site has not been updated since 2006.
Franco

Franco:

G' "Day" to you. Of course, the time hack on my posting is a few hours behind yours, so it took me a minute.

It's all very sad, I think. Following the many suggestions and even demands from customers, Henry started to design a 3-4 person shelter. Many requested "standing room" and of course to accommodate this demand as well, compromises had to be made. He never finished the project before departing to Costa Rica. However from the preliminary sketches it would have looked something like this.

As I said, it's just too bad.

Franco

Franco,
You do not even realize how close you are............. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

You had me fooled there for a minute, Franco; I even went to the Tarptent website before realizing what day it is in Australia!

Very funny, Franco. The only thing missing from that picture is the kangaroo hide hanging on the shed. (And God bless Rolf Harris-hehehe.)

Tough crowd. It's hard to be taken seriously here. I did say that it "looked something like this" , so not exactly like that, but you get the idea. Of course that is an Australian Beach Box, we paint all of them with our flag. (helps the locals to remember where they are, particularly since there are so many Kiwis over here)
Franco

Your picture looked more like a Six Moon Designs than a Tarptent!

Don't you mean a "Fore" person tent? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

no, Fore is a jolly good fellow...

Man, and I thought the aussies were just very proud of their outhouses.. And I figured all that commotion after I left was just because the locals figured their fecal materiel didn't smell <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />