I've been looking at pop up canopies, specifically the Vitabri V3.
Does anyone have any experience using one. I did find an old thread on AFI about it. If I'm not mistaken, it looks to be extremely sturdy, probably as sturdy as a Trimline. Sets up in 30 seconds (probably closer to a minute or two) and is completely waterproof.
Here's a link to see what I'm taking about:
http://www.ecanopy.com/vit-v41010vt.html
Cost is probably in the $1500 range with four side walls.
Specifically I'm curious about how much light the completely waterproof top lets in, along with other impressions about it.
Thanks
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
Replies
Larry, I just checked out their website and these tents look amazing for a popup. I also noticed the V2 and liked the features it had even more. I haven't seen a price for it but have you checked the V2 out?
I think the V2 is a lot more expensive. It's hard to find information about them.
My only concern is whether the top let's light through or is it opaque.
Larry Berman
Larry, I have seen a few of these at shows (music festivals, as I recall), and though they were printed with corporate graphics on the tops, they were still letting some light through. Not as much as a low end tent with "water resistant" top, but not bad either. Without the colorful graphics, I suspect they would let more light in.
The price is high end, but the tents look well-made to me. I suspect the heavy top material would be waterproof, but I wonder if the design would still tend to "pool" in heavy showers (a problem endemic to EZup design tents). I would be annoyed to pay that price and still have to use pool noodles or hula hoops to keep the pooling problem at bay.
I notice that they do NOT include carry bags for the tent or sidewalls (available for about $100 extra) so I guess that would have to be added to the $1500 cost.
I saw an older couple put one of these up just as quickly as others using traditional EZups, and it looked subtly more ritzy than the neighbors.
I have no experience with their polypropylene joints, but I do know the nylon items from Light Dome are strong and long-wearing. If there is a problem with this tent, it might be with the poly pieces, added fiberglass supports or not. I certainly don't like the plastic bits that Caravan and EZup use on their tents.
I hope someone who owns one speaks up. I will keep an eye out for them in the future and report back if I get some info. Best of luck with the project.
This looks like an interesting tent Larry. I would really like to see one in use at a show and also talk to someone that has been using one. They don't seem to offer sta-bars or awnings for them as an option. I would also like it more if the sides would fasten with zippers instead of Velcro. Maybe Trimline has sta-bars has some that would fit...or better yet if Trimline would make a pop up tent.
Actually they do have sta-bars. On another web site I found cross bars to help stabilize the canopy.
Here's a link to the main distributor:
http://www.vitabri.co.uk/english/contact/
Larry Berman
I’ve been thinking of a new canopy as well – I’m not familiar with this brand but after you mentioned it I did a search. I didn’t find a whole lot on it but did find this YouTube video of setup, etc (complete with funky music). Not sure if any use to you or not but here you go…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBICZPLePJQ&list=PLhbuKjCBF-6nY...
I just ordered the Goliath from King canopy. I should get it next week and I'll let you know. It has the big hexagon legs. I'm not sure how heavy the top and sidewall are but we will see.
I'm curious to see the answers here. I have to admit looking at the EZ-Up folks with some amount of envy, when they're done with set-up or take-down in well under an hour, and I'm slogging through it for at least twice as long... I've heard of, but never seen, an EZ-Up type of tent with aircraft-grade aluminum supports - have seen something called a Caravan, I think, which is an older, very sturdy, EZ-Up type tent. According to the website, this one looks pretty cool.
Caravan is similar to EZ-Up. Costco's carries the Caravan and Sam's Club the EZ-Up. Each is $200.
Larry Berman