Eureka Solitaire Tent (Picture Intensive)

[Hachiman]

Looks like that would slip nicely into the long pouch on my CFP90 and the price isn't too bad

[rsnurkle]

I was reading Chase The hero's post about poles snapping on the Eureka Solitaire and since I bought a factory second earlier this year after seeing another thread on the Solitaire, I thought I'd go back to my interwebs research on replacement poles for the Solitaire.

Brief aside on my purchase: Bought a factory second Solitaire back in the spring sometime--couldn't spot any visible defects (which unnerved me at bit at first, given I'm not terribly experienced with tents) but so far the set up and take-down has worked fine, with the exception of a struggle to get the metal pin into the metal-covered end of the larger pole every other time I set up the tent. (It sometimes seems like I need just another centimeter of working room to get the pin, and other times the whole thing slips smoothly together like a foot and warm, fuzzy sock.)

I'm 5'4" and fit in the tent lengthwise with room enough to get my medium-sized dog to lie in the front part and stare mournfully out of the entrance, though I haven't tried to see how much else I could cram into the space without accidentally touching the rainfly. I still haven't figured out how the strings for the extra loops on the outside of the rainfly help, since they didn't seem to change the tautness of the tent, but I've also been using some of my stakes and the shock cord loops at the ends of the rainfly to stretch it out and pull it away from the inner screen.

Ok, back to the pole hunt...

The poles used for the Solitaire--assuming Eureka hasn't recently and quietly updated their Solitaire model--are composed of five 6.3mm fiberglass sections (13 3/8" per section, totaling roughly 67" for the smaller pole, and 16 1/8" sections totaling 90 5/8" for the larger pole) with just the protective ferrule on one end and a vinyl end cap on the other. Eureka tents sells replacement kits with fiberglass poles down to 7.9mm, so I assume you have to e-mail/call and ask politely for Solitaire-compatible replacements.

The weird thing was when I looked for replacement poles and Google results about how others have dealt with this problem, I came across the Canadian Eureka tent website and it's listing for the Solitaire. The Canadian version of the Solitaire tent apparently uses 8.5mm 7000 aluminum alloy poles. So, unfortunately my pleasure at my Solitaire's $40 shipped price tag is diminished by my suspicion that, somewhere in the Canadian wilderness, the owner of a sturdy aluminum-frame Solitaire is laughing at my slowly, but inexorably bending fiberglass poles. =[

So:
* Has anyone already replaced their split/otherwise-compromised fiberglass poles?
* Any owners of the Canadian Solitaire? (or the old Gossamer for that matter?) Any problems with the aluminum frame?
* Does anyone have any intuitions/experience about whether Eureka will let us buy/have replacement aluminum poles instead of fiberglass?

[Woods Walker]

The best way to use smaller bivy tents like this is to work a tarp or poncho into the system. Setup the tarp in the front to cook and hang out under. Works great for getting into the tent during very bad weather. Nice to change your clothing under the tarp and just slide into the bivy. I have used the bivy tarp combo for years. I guess the weight would be near a UL larger backpacker tent but I can fit a smaller bivy tent/tarp or poncho combo into a smaller area due to the reduced foot print. Important for me as there is a surplus of hills and rocks in my neck of the woods.

[Chase The hero]

I will probably try calling the Eureka! people again tomorrow, just to see if they do have/can get the aluminum poles for the solitaire.

Oh, and i also had a problem with the front pole being seemingly too big for the pin. it took 2 people and a lot more effort than it really should have. i ended up trimming off about 3 cm on the pole (when they broke) and that really helped, but not sure if that would be a good idea if your poles are not broken.

actually I think that may be one of the reasons that the poles break so bad/much , is that there is too much strain on them and they just pop like that. when/if i get replacements and the poles still dont fit, i will try cutting off about a cm or so from each pole segment glue the tips (so it wont frey/split) and see if that helps at all.

edited for ideas though after the original post

[jimmysjogren]

Hope my post isn't too much necro.

To those who has this tent, how big is it hole tent packed? Does anyone have or can provide me with a picture of this, also maybe on any backpack to see how big it is so it's easier to compare?

Cheers.

Edit: I saw the post when you put it next to the keyboard. Thank you.

[Murph]

Necro? Are you kidding? We love dead/undead things around here!

Anyways I guess I could post a follow up. I've used the tent a few times this season, and it's holding up just fine. I even went out and bought a Eureka ground tarp. I haven't cut it to size yet, but it seems like it is more durable then your average big blue tarp.

Getting in and out of the tent is the only issue I have with it so far. Certainly one I can live with for the time being.

[jimmysjogren]

Necro-loving forum?! Not everday you see that

Anyhow, the tent looks very intesting both in size packed, weight etc but the colour, yellowish, is the negativ part tho.

The tarp you were talking about, where, what, when? Because I'm gonna use this tent on greenside, woods, and want to try to be a little bit more invisible than what I'll be with that yellow tent

Edit: Maybe you mean for floor? Thought you mean something over to get rid of the yellow part or something. But I think I would need to get a piece for green tarp outside to cover the yellow part then since Eureka doesn't seem to hold these accessories in stock for this tent

[Murph]

Yes, I guess I wasn't clear. For the ground mat, I was using one of those standard-ish blue tarps before I got the Eureka ground mat, which is gray.

I have a brown tarp that I used to create and extra rainfly over it one time. I ran a line between two trees, tossed the brown tarp over it, and then staked down the corners. It made the little guy disappear compared to the yellow.

[northernxposure]

Murph -

I don't know what the dimensions are on the base of your Solitare, but you may want to check out MSR's Hubba ground cloth as an option. I mention this because I picked one up cheap the other day from a Cabela's Bargin Cave (around 7.00) to use as a nice, light ground cloth for kicking around under the tarp, and it ends up fitting me perfectly as a sleeping mat

I've been entertaining the thought of picking up a Solitare for use as a bug tent with bathtub floor for summer work under a big tarp... Murph, do you know the weight of your Solitare minus the rainfly and poles? (I'll just use the ridge line of the tarp setup to hold the Solitare up...)


NXP

[Murph]

The rain fly is permanantly affixed, so you'd only be saving yourself the weight of the poles. I'm not even sure that'd be worth it. Maybe if I get some time this weekend I'll try to set it up without the poles. Between the extra rope, string and carbineers, it might weigh more.

Know what sucks about VA, though? We don't have any Cabela stores.

[Baba Brad]

I tried setting mine up with the poles. Be better of using a tarp if that's your plan. The poles give it dimension besides the support.

But, I like the idea of setting a tarp over the entrance for cooking and rain cover for boots and gear.

The tent is actually quite roomy. I'm 5'9", about 240 and I can fit myself, my boots and my Mountainsmith Crux backpack in the tent That's with pad and bag spread out. I use my pack for a pillow.

[Murph]

I'm 6'1" so I fit, but there isn't room for much else, and it's a little hard to sit up in. Sometimes being tall sucks.

[Murph]

That's odd... I just got a topic reply email for this thread, but there is no reply. Oh well!

[Baba Brad]

That's odd... I just got a topic reply email for this thread, but there is no reply. Oh well!

There was, but it was a first post that had a link to a commercial site.

So I reported it.

I guess someone agreed with my assessment.

[Dragk913]

That's odd... I just got a topic reply email for this thread, but there is no reply. Oh well!

There was, but it was a first post that had a link to a commercial site.

So I reported it.

I guess someone agreed with my assessment.

Good police work BB!

I really need to take my Solitaire out camping.. I've had it for 4 or so months and never used it..

Edit: Murph, have you used your Solitaire much? How's it holding up?

[Murph]

I've had it out about 3 times or so. I got it late in the season unfortunately. There's a good chance it will be coming to the VA Winter Campout, so I'll have a cold weather report for it.

If I didn't think it was solid enough I wouldn't take it out in the snow around here though.

[congochris]

I only wish they still had the green version out. My old man picked one up from Sportsman's warehouse and his fly is green instead of "Holy crap I'm lost!" yellow.

[Dragk913]

I only wish they still had the green version out. My old man picked one up from Sportsman's warehouse and his fly is green instead of "Holy crap I'm lost!" yellow.

Haha. I was just going to string a USGI poncho over mine and leave the rain fly open for some ventilation.

Thanks for the info Murph; and I'll be looking forward to your cold weather camping AAR

[wyominglostandfound]

does it double as a body bag?

[Murph]

does it double as a body bag?

The conclusion is "Yes" it does. That's not the first time I've heard that either.

Anyhow... here's my test run of setting it up in the snow.


Somewhere in the neighborhood of 28" of snow.


Flattened and smoothed out the area.


Put down my ground tarp and tent.


Staked it all out and rolled the ground tarp under.


Put the poles in, which popped out the stakes, so I re-staked it again. And yes, this would have been much easier with snow stakes.


Pushed my sleeping bag and the rest of it in. Pretty cozy.

[D-Train]

I've got the Apex and I really like it. It's heavier than the Solitaire, but you can fit three guys in there if you don't mind getting cozy. It's also Bright As The Face Of The Sun Yellow.

[MyDogMike]

More room inside than I expected to see. Do you think 2 people would fit if necessary?

I'm talking myself and my wife cuddling...

[Murph]

More room inside than I expected to see. Do you think 2 people would fit if necessary?

I'm talking myself and my wife cuddling...

Not a chance. I'm 6' 175# and it I feel claustrophobic in it sometimes.

[MyDogMike]

More room inside than I expected to see. Do you think 2 people would fit if necessary?

I'm talking myself and my wife cuddling...

Not a chance. I'm 6' 175# and it I feel claustrophobic in it sometimes.

Gotcha, I know I know...it's a ONE PERSON tent but she's thin and only 5'2", so I figured I might be able to cram her in there.

lol...thanks