User Review: Bibler Eldorado

Bibler Eldorado
Above: The current Eldorado, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed May 20, 1999 by Jim

Rating:
Design: Single wall
Sleeps: 1-2
Ease of Setup: Easy
Weight: 5 pounds
Price Paid: $450 (six years ago)

Have used this tent extensively in Alaska, and agree with most of the comments on the other review here. Advantages are light weight and ease of set up (if you don't bother with Velcro tabs on poles, which aren't needed if no wind).

Disadvanges: lack of strength in high wind. Wind demolished this tent on a '94 trip in the Chugach Mts. -- one pole broke and numerous tears in the fabric -- even though the tent was fully guyed. (Incident occurred while I was off hunting sheep.) Bibler fixed the tent, but charged me steeply for the favor, so I'm not all that impressed with their service.

Other flaws include poor ventilation, which means lots of condensation running down the interior poles in cool, humid weather. And you can't enter the tent in the rain without getting everything wet inside, even with the rather sad vestibule.

Still, it has been absolutely waterproof in the worst rainstorms, and I generally like it. It's probably best used in winter, below treeline. Wouldn't buy another one, though, especially at current price.