Thanks for the break down of setting and packing up. Picked one up today. Got super lucky, didn't think I would find one this close to Christmas, apparently stock levels are at almost zero around the county with no stock arriving til late Jan 2021.
Wondering whether there is much of an advantage in terms of usable front space with the 6P EVO tent with separate heat shield? Can't find a good video on the EVO but looks like it doesn't have a rear entrance, does it have a window?
We'll get some videos done on the new versions of these tents soon, Scott. I can't speak confidently on their features until I've put one up and inspected for myself sorry, and supplier information isn't always that reliable. ~ Ben
G'day The Arizona Homestead Project, We've got another video showing the features of the tent, including the interior & what size airbeds can fit inside: ua-cam.com/video/c1ZOFbWtvzg/v-deo.html Cheers, Laine
Coleman often don't list products on their websites, I wouldn't use that to determine how good this tent is. The Northstar Darkroom series is a popular choice for general family type camping, I would certainly recommend it in terms of value if it ticks all the boxes for you. ~ Ben
@@SnowysOutdoors I like what I've seen about this tent on your channel, It looks like a great tent for car camping. I like the big windows, I like the big vestibules, I like that the fly can be set to completely cover the tent. It looks like it's weather tight, have you tested it in high wind and rain? I used a smaller self standing dome type tent recently in high wind and rain and it held up well so I'm confident self setup tents can be durable, but it would be helpful to know what kind of weather this thing can handle.
@@thermalreboot this style of tent is not ideal for high winds. The walls are flat and almost upright which maximises living space but the trade off here is that they are not aerodynamic. It's designed as a general camping tent and while it will still keep you protected in rain and wind there may be a point at which you need to use a wind break to ease the stress of the high winds on the large walls. Dome tents are generally very good in high wind as they are more aerodynamic and have flexible poles. ~ Ben
@@thermalreboot I owned this tent for years and it was great. Gave it to a mate and it's still going strong. So easy to put up. Half the time didn't even use the fly.
@@garyhost1830 Apparently this tent is only available in the Australian region which is why I can't find it in the States or on the Coleman site for the State.
I don't believe so - they're not sold as a spare part and are generally kept for warranty issues. You may be able to contact Coleman directly & see if there's anything they can do for you. ~ Lauren
Just got it delivered in 3 DAYS.. to Melbourne .. omg it's beautiful.. we put it up and I am 162cm tall .. and the tent is super big so much space .. and super easy to put up .. I have shoulder issues and I found this fairy pain free .. took only a short time .. THANKYOU guys .. 10 STARS FOR THIS BEAUTY !!!!!
We don't I'm sorry @Arman Yunus, but the set up and packaway is pretty much the same as with the Silver 8P ua-cam.com/video/ntxM0jAAGYM/v-deo.html ~ Lauren
Thanks for the informative video Snowys! I watched it multiple times to help understand the tent and its features, and to make an informed decision. Also it was a great help with setting and packing up!
Having just watched your videos of the 4P and 6P which seem to be just as easy as each other to put up and take down, I'm wondering if the 6P would be better for internal space for stretchers which rise up about 500mm. It seems the internal dimensions of the 4P at 2.3m allowing for a slight slope of the walls would make it a tight squeeze for a 2.2m long stretcher under a 100mm mattress to fit without touching the walls. Seems the 6P would be the go.
I think your rationale is spot on, Greg, you'd probably squeeze it in to the 4P, but the 6P would make for a more comfortable fit without much more effort setting it up. ~ Ben
There will be enough pegs to securely put it in firm ground, Ross, but they are not overly tough pegs and it wouldn't hurt to grab 8-10 heavier duty pegs to use on the main stress points such as guy ropes and the front of the vestibule.. ~ Ben
They do look similar @Yosefu93, but there are some big differences. The Oztrail has a different, smaller gauge frame system and lighter weight fabrics. ~ Lauren
Used this week, the darkroom lives up to it's name, 9am was my average get out of bed time no matter when I went to bed. Note maybe a newer model, the inner tent has two red tags to pin down which cannot be used with the vestibule end of the fly so consider that when orienting. Otherwise, once it's up it stays up (ref winds ~30km/ph) no problem with no extra guy ropes out. Best camping investment ever.
I'm glad you are happy with your Coleman Northstar tent, Nobody Close. I can't recall seeing the red tabs you are referring to, possibly a new feature as Coleman are continually updating their Instant Up range. ~ Ben
@@SnowysOutdoors Mine which I bought last year also has the red tabs on one corner, no doubt to orient the cover to the tent which is on the non vestibule left rear corner looking from the vestibule end.
Hi I've been reading these types of non canvas tents suffer from UV damage or more specifically I've heard the dark room coating starts to flake over time is this due to mistreatment or is this normal over a period of time. What can be done to preserve these tents to get full life out of them ?
UV light will damage just about everything over time, Patrick. Synthetic fabrics suffer from the effects of UV damage faster than canvas, and of the synthetics used in tent manufacturing polyester has a higher UV resistance. There are a whole lot of other considerations around which fabric is best, but it becomes a lengthy discussion without a definitive answer.. Long story short, if you plan on leaving your tent up for long periods i.e. weeks at a time, you'll get a longer life out of canvas but you'll also pay a higher price for it. Synthetic tents on the other hand, like the Coleman Instant Up range, are best for weekends away and are more affordable, so you are still getting your money's worth out of them. I have a synthetic tent that I've been using for weekends away for more than 10 years, but if I left his setup in my backyard for a month straight in full summer sun, it would deteriorate much quicker. Hope that makes sense. ~ Ben
@@SnowysOutdoors thankyou appreciate the information, for my needs the pop up tent seems like the best choice and I'll do my best to look after it to prolong its lifespan im sure I'll be happy with the length of use I'll get out of it . Thanks again
It would increase the protection, but I'd say it is unnecessary, Robert, this fabric has a 3000mmm waterhead rating which will keep you dry in very wet conditions. ~ Ben
Thanks for putting up those details. Very helpful indeed!
You're welcome, Surindera. ~ Ben
Thanks for the break down of setting and packing up. Picked one up today. Got super lucky, didn't think I would find one this close to Christmas, apparently stock levels are at almost zero around the county with no stock arriving til late Jan 2021.
I'm glad you secured the tent you wanted, Fuz1, supply of product is a big issue following all the hurdles everyone has had to jump in 2020. ~ Ben
Thanks mate. This tent is on my wishlist
Wondering whether there is much of an advantage in terms of usable front space with the 6P EVO tent with separate heat shield? Can't find a good video on the EVO but looks like it doesn't have a rear entrance, does it have a window?
We'll get some videos done on the new versions of these tents soon, Scott. I can't speak confidently on their features until I've put one up and inspected for myself sorry, and supplier information isn't always that reliable. ~ Ben
I love it, wish you showed what the inside was like
G'day The Arizona Homestead Project,
We've got another video showing the features of the tent, including the interior & what size airbeds can fit inside: ua-cam.com/video/c1ZOFbWtvzg/v-deo.html
Cheers, Laine
Coleman no longer lists this tent on their website, was it a poor seller or did it have problems campers found irritating?
Coleman often don't list products on their websites, I wouldn't use that to determine how good this tent is. The Northstar Darkroom series is a popular choice for general family type camping, I would certainly recommend it in terms of value if it ticks all the boxes for you. ~ Ben
@@SnowysOutdoors I like what I've seen about this tent on your channel, It looks like a great tent for car camping. I like the big windows, I like the big vestibules, I like that the fly can be set to completely cover the tent. It looks like it's weather tight, have you tested it in high wind and rain? I used a smaller self standing dome type tent recently in high wind and rain and it held up well so I'm confident self setup tents can be durable, but it would be helpful to know what kind of weather this thing can handle.
@@thermalreboot this style of tent is not ideal for high winds. The walls are flat and almost upright which maximises living space but the trade off here is that they are not aerodynamic.
It's designed as a general camping tent and while it will still keep you protected in rain and wind there may be a point at which you need to use a wind break to ease the stress of the high winds on the large walls.
Dome tents are generally very good in high wind as they are more aerodynamic and have flexible poles.
~ Ben
@@thermalreboot I owned this tent for years and it was great. Gave it to a mate and it's still going strong. So easy to put up. Half the time didn't even use the fly.
@@garyhost1830 Apparently this tent is only available in the Australian region which is why I can't find it in the States or on the Coleman site for the State.
Hello, I have the instant tent 6 cabin its posible to upgrade with only buy the exterior big rainfly like a gold style? ?
I don't believe so - they're not sold as a spare part and are generally kept for warranty issues.
You may be able to contact Coleman directly & see if there's anything they can do for you.
~ Lauren
Wish I could buy this in the USA!! Australians have way better camping gear.
Haha, we get a lot of enquiries from the US about these tents, not sure why Coleman don't distribute them over there. ~ Ben
Just got it delivered in 3 DAYS.. to Melbourne .. omg it's beautiful.. we put it up and I am 162cm tall .. and the tent is super big so much space .. and super easy to put up .. I have shoulder issues and I found this fairy pain free .. took only a short time .. THANKYOU guys .. 10 STARS FOR THIS BEAUTY !!!!!
Thanks for your comment, Nat, I hope you enjoy loads of camping trips with your new tent. ~ Ben
Hi, do youo have video Coleman Instant Up 8P Lighted Northstar Darkroom Tent - How to setup & pack away
We don't I'm sorry @Arman Yunus, but the set up and packaway is pretty much the same as with the Silver 8P
ua-cam.com/video/ntxM0jAAGYM/v-deo.html
~ Lauren
Thanks for the informative video Snowys! I watched it multiple times to help understand the tent and its features, and to make an informed decision. Also it was a great help with setting and packing up!
Happy to help!
~ Lauren
Having just watched your videos of the 4P and 6P which seem to be just as easy as each other to put up and take down, I'm wondering if the 6P would be better for internal space for stretchers which rise up about 500mm. It seems the internal dimensions of the 4P at 2.3m allowing for a slight slope of the walls would make it a tight squeeze for a 2.2m long stretcher under a 100mm mattress to fit without touching the walls. Seems the 6P would be the go.
I think your rationale is spot on, Greg, you'd probably squeeze it in to the 4P, but the 6P would make for a more comfortable fit without much more effort setting it up. ~ Ben
What a pity it s too big for motorcycle... It looks wonderful and it s a kind of tent I need.
Yeah, too big for motorcycle touring. ~ Ben
Is that can be attached with Gazebo like instant up evo series?
This tent has a velcro strip along the upper side of the edge of the awning to allow it to be attached tot he side of a gazebo, ORION. ~ Ben
Gday just brought one 👍 just wondering if there is enough pegs provided for all the extra points ? And great vid to thanks
There will be enough pegs to securely put it in firm ground, Ross, but they are not overly tough pegs and it wouldn't hurt to grab 8-10 heavier duty pegs to use on the main stress points such as guy ropes and the front of the vestibule.. ~ Ben
got mine a few weeks ago after stocks were out got u guys to post it I'm literally froathing and cant wait to set it up
Happy camping in your new Instant Up tent, Anzac. ~ Ben
oztrail fast frame is the same and cheaper.....
They do look similar @Yosefu93, but there are some big differences. The Oztrail has a different, smaller gauge frame system and lighter weight fabrics.
~ Lauren
Used this week, the darkroom lives up to it's name, 9am was my average get out of bed time no matter when I went to bed. Note maybe a newer model, the inner tent has two red tags to pin down which cannot be used with the vestibule end of the fly so consider that when orienting. Otherwise, once it's up it stays up (ref winds ~30km/ph) no problem with no extra guy ropes out. Best camping investment ever.
I'm glad you are happy with your Coleman Northstar tent, Nobody Close. I can't recall seeing the red tabs you are referring to, possibly a new feature as Coleman are continually updating their Instant Up range. ~ Ben
@@SnowysOutdoors Mine which I bought last year also has the red tabs on one corner, no doubt to orient the cover to the tent which is on the non vestibule left rear corner looking from the vestibule end.
Just ordered looks fab x
Enjoy using your new tent, Nat. ~ Ben
Sold ! Awesome video mate.
Thanks, phantomrose1999. ~ Ben
Hi I've been reading these types of non canvas tents suffer from UV damage or more specifically I've heard the dark room coating starts to flake over time is this due to mistreatment or is this normal over a period of time. What can be done to preserve these tents to get full life out of them ?
UV light will damage just about everything over time, Patrick.
Synthetic fabrics suffer from the effects of UV damage faster than canvas, and of the synthetics used in tent manufacturing polyester has a higher UV resistance. There are a whole lot of other considerations around which fabric is best, but it becomes a lengthy discussion without a definitive answer..
Long story short, if you plan on leaving your tent up for long periods i.e. weeks at a time, you'll get a longer life out of canvas but you'll also pay a higher price for it. Synthetic tents on the other hand, like the Coleman Instant Up range, are best for weekends away and are more affordable, so you are still getting your money's worth out of them.
I have a synthetic tent that I've been using for weekends away for more than 10 years, but if I left his setup in my backyard for a month straight in full summer sun, it would deteriorate much quicker.
Hope that makes sense.
~ Ben
@@SnowysOutdoors thankyou appreciate the information, for my needs the pop up tent seems like the best choice and I'll do my best to look after it to prolong its lifespan im sure I'll be happy with the length of use I'll get out of it . Thanks again
Hi, would two rain flies over each other, double the chances of NOT getting wet? r
It would increase the protection, but I'd say it is unnecessary, Robert, this fabric has a 3000mmm waterhead rating which will keep you dry in very wet conditions. ~ Ben