Eureka Tetragon 1610 16- by 10-Foot Nine-Person Family Tent

A great choice for car camping with a large family or use as a base camp, the Eureka Tetragon 1610 rectangular dome tent comfortably sleeps up to nine people. It also includes two room dividers, enabling you to configure the tent to have two or three rooms for extra privacy. The tent has an overall 16 by 10-foot floor measurement. When divided into three rooms, the main room measures 7 by 10 feet while the side rooms measure 4.3 by 10 feet.

The double-coated StormShield polyester fly and the polyester bathtub floor combine to provide excellent weather protection. This free-standing, two-pole tent is quick and easy to set up with its durable shockcorded fiberglass frame, ring and pin attachments, combination sleeve and clip assembly, and color coded webbing.

An attached hinged gear loft and two detachable interior storage pockets offer extra places to stash your gear.

Twin track zippers offer separate operation of the window in the door.

It's well ventilated, thanks to large no-see-um mesh ceiling panels, four large windows, and three doors. The hooded fly provides enough coverage over the front and rear door windows to enable you to leave the window partially open for even more ventilation even in rain. Other features include:

• Twin track zippers for separate operation of the window in the door
• External guy points on the fly help secure your tent in high winds
• Natural green color scheme blends into any campground
• Attached hinged gear loft and two detachable interior storage pockets
• Clothes line loop, flashlight loop
• Mesh panels allow for clip-in accessories
• Tent, pole, and stake bags included

Specifications:

• Area: 139.8 square feet
• Floor size: 16 feet by 10 feet
• Center height: 6 feet, 4 inches
• Wall fabrics: 1.9-ounce 75D polyester taffeta with 800mm coating
• Floor fabrics: 1.9-ounce 75D polyester taffeta with 800mm coating
• Fly fabrics: 1.9-ounce 75D StormShield polyester
• Pack size: 9 by 32 inches
• Weight: 18 pounds, 7 ounces

About Eureka
Though the exact year is unknown, Eureka's long history begins prior to 1895 in Binghamton, New York, where the company still resides today. Then known as the Eureka Tent & Awning Company, its first wares were canvas products--most notably, Conestoga wagon covers and horse blankets for nineteenth century American frontiersmen--as well as American flags, store awnings, and camping tents.

The company increased production of its custom canvas products locally throughout the 1930s and during the 1940 and even fabricated and erected the IBM "tent cities" just outside Binghamton. The seven acres of tents housed thousands of IBM salesmen during the company's annual stockholders meeting, which had since outgrown its previous locale. In the 1940s, with the advent of World War II and the increased demand for hospital ward tents, Eureka expanded operations and began shipping tents worldwide. Ultimately, upon the post-war return of the GIs and the resultant housing shortage, Eureka turned its attention to the home front during the 1950s by supplying awnings for the multitude of mobile homes that were purchased.

In 1960, Eureka's new and innovative Draw-Tite tent, with its practical, free standing external frame, was used in a Himalayan Expedition to Nepal by world renowned Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person documented to summit Mt. Everest only six years earlier. In 1963, Eureka made history during its own Mt. Everest ascent, with more than 60 of its tents sheltering participants from fierce 60+ mph winds and temperatures reaching below -20°F during the first all American Mt. Everest Expedition.

For backpackers and families, Eureka introduced its legendary Timberline tent in the 1970s. Truly the first StormShield design, this completely self-supporting and lightweight backpacking tent became one of the most popular tents the entire industry with sales reaching over 1 million by its ten year anniversary.

Eureka tents have also traveled as part of several historic expeditions, including the American Women's Himalayan Expedition to Annapurna I in 1978 and the first Mt. Everest ascents by a Canadian and American woman in 1986 and 1988. In recent history, tents specially designed and donated by Eureka sheltered Eric Simonson and his team on two historic research expeditions to Mount Everest, this time in a quest for truth regarding the 1924 attempted summit of early English explorers George Mallory and Andrew Irvine. During the 1999 expedition, the team made history finding the remains of George Mallory, but the complete mystery remained unsolved. Returning in 2001 to search for more clues, the team found amazing historical artifacts which are now on display at the Smithsonian.

Amazon.com Tent Guide
Selecting a Tent
Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Expect the Worst
In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in! If you're a backpacker, alpine climber or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to take something designed to handle more adversity.

Three- and Four-Season Tents
For summer, early fall and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain-fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are more specifically designed for summer backpacking and other activities. Many premium tents will feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain-fly for enhanced waterproofness.

For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.

Domes and Tunnels
Tents are broadly categorized into two types, freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and those that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floor-plan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being more lightweight. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.

Size Matters
Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.

Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is also available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.

Customer Review: et1610
This is a really great tent; however I was a little disappointed in the size. I did not look very closely at the layout of the floor plan. It is 16 x 10, but it is not a square and is somewhat octagonal, which makes it feel smaller then it actually is. It is very easy to put together, and I recommend seam sealer for any tent. I really like how open the top of the tent is, and the way the fly wraps around in front. I am not sure about the two extra doors, but I think they will be useful for clean-up after camping. Overall this is a great tent and I can't wait to use it! But if you're looking for a roomy 16x10, this isn't the one.
Customer Review: solid family tent
This is a great light-weight tent -- have always been happy with my Eureka purchases. Fits 6 plus their "stuff" comfortably (more will fit, but we like to have duffle bags and room to stretch). Performed very well in wind and rain (I always seal all the seams on my tents -- no need to risk trusting that manufacturer did an adequate job sealing; so this was no "bathtub" as another reviewer had suggested). Only thing I could possibly complain about (and this isn't much of a complaint), is that it does take a while to get all the stakes/guy wires in place for this tent. I think I used 18 stakes altogether (which added stability, but also setup time).

Have you ever thought you might like to try a totally different vacation? Is the cost of your vacation this year a problem? Did you know that a week long Camping Vacation for a family of four can work out to under a $1000.

That sounds pretty good eh! Can you smell that fresh air go on fill your lungs with it and oh! what's that lovely smell, somebody's cooking up a treat... it always smells better outdoors don't you think?

Then you have the glorious sunset and after that why not get together with your neighboring campers for a story telling session and singsong round the campfire. If you thought a Camping Vacation would be 'roughing it' and 'hard work' then think again, yes it will take some planning but that's half the fun and it won't be that much work.

First things first though - location. There are excellent locations in the State Parks for camping e.g. Ocean View Resort Ocean View NJ and many more, check them out on the Internet. Most of the parks have lakes for fishing boating and swimming and also hiking trails. If the kids are really lucky they might come across a deer or a raccoon.

Some have playgrounds and basketball courts so tell the kids to bring their toys etc. Also to be found in these parks are bathrooms and showers, drinking water, ice, trash containers and somewhere to do the dishes. The kids without realizing it can learn a bit of history as there are annual celebrations, events and festivals covering our outdoor heritage. Park Rangers provide security and some parks have outside movies at weekends.

So now you have found your destination the next step is your Camping Gear.

Now don't worry this does not have to be a daunting task, it can be made easy using the Internet. Obviously you will need a tent. You are probably best to pick a tent a bit larger than you need then you will have some available space. Make sure your tent is appropriate for the terrain and weather and use tent stakes that will secure your tent from blowing away in the wind. A Rain Fly is recommended, not only for rain protection, but also as a sun shield.

A tarp is a further means of protecting your gear, by using it under, in, or over your tent.

You probably won't be camping in cold weather, so consider a 3-season sleeping bag. These are ideal should the weather be colder at night and if they get too warm just unzip the zipper. Mom and Dad might like the sleeping bags that zip together, also consider a Sleeping Pad - as insulation from the cold ground. Pillows - the inflatable pillows are convenient, or your own from home but a rolled up towel or shirt will work too, a cot in case somebody needs to sleep off the ground. On mild summer nights you may prefer to sleep on top of your sleeping bag with a cozy comforter.

Now back to those lovely cooking smells. What to cook? Basically anything you eat at home. You can get 100's of Camping recipes off the Internet or why not make up your own. The kids will need proper sticks for hot dogs and marshmallows. A Dutch Oven is useful for baking anything that you would bake at home in a conventional oven. Bottled water is probably best for cooking and drinking, and don't forget the Cooler.

You will also need your basic pots and pans, and also include for each camper a plate, bowl, cup, knife, fork, and spoon and don't forget the can opener. A lot of these items you will already have at home.

It is always best to be prepared so include a first aid kit with the following items - personal medication, bandages, aspirin, Tylenol, medical tape, sterile gauze, elastic wrap, antibiotic wipes, antiseptic cream, burn ointment, sunburn lotion, hydrogen peroxide, scissors, tweezers, eye wash and snake bite kit.

Don't forget your toothbrush, toilet paper etc., but avoid using hair sprays, perfumes etc., as the odor will attract bugs.

So tuck yourself into that sleeping bag, pleasant dreams under the stars and Happy Camping!

Guy Dacceo is the owner of camping camping which is the premier resource for camping information.

For more information go to: http://www.fjcamping.com