User Review: Black Diamond Firstlight
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Rating: 
Design: three-season freestanding dome
Sleeps: 2
Ease of Setup: Very EASY and FAST to setup
Weight: 1.2 kg
Price Paid: AUS $520
I took it to Tasmania on a five-day walking trail. The tent performed beautifully on first two nights under perfect conditions. When the temperature drops below 3 deg Cel (with no rain), the entire inner EPIC layer of the tent somehow got damp, and water seems to permeate through. It's only when I start shaking the tent during packing, water starts driping inside. I am not entirely sure whether it was condensation as I 3/4 zipped up the front door at night and left the other small window opened. In the morning when packing, I could see ice forming on other tents, not BD FL, which was strange for onlooker and myself. I conjured, maybe my body heat has kept the single-wall tent warm enough to prevent freezing condition, and somehow, the water seeped through the fabric after a long time.
The last two days, FL was really tested as it was pouring and howling. The tent was able to hold up the freaky Tasmania weather -- sunshine, rain, snow, you name it. EPIC fabric is not 100% waterproof and would be damp when exposed to extended downpour, I estimate it around 40mins of exposure. I rate EPIC to be 90% waterproof -- subjective opinion, with wear and tear. With occassional shudder of wind, drips of water would "rain" inside the tent and I used a towel to dry the tent internally. I was prepared after researching on other's review before buying. I am prepared for a little risk, as long as it doesn't pour cats and dogs on me, occassional "mini-showers" is still acceptable, given other plus point for the tent.
The tent SiLKNON ground sheet is very smooth and slippery, even with Therm-A-Rest Prolite 3, you can slip around on a gentle slope, especially when you are turning at night. But not a big problem for me. Also, try to get a water resitant, if not waterproof, sleeping bag, in case it does get wet. (I use a Western Mountaineering Highlite and am happy with it.)
Good thing is EPIC seems to dry up within 10 min under good sunshine. My friends had problem drying their 2-layer tents under similar conditions. MIne is simple, just pitch it up in 2~3 minutes -- REALLY EASY PITCHING AND FAST! After pitching tents for 20 years, this one is really idiot-proof!
Another thing I discovered after reading the instructions sewn within the tent, the EPIC material under strong UV rays would be deteriorated. Disadvantage if you are constantly under the sun.
I love the internal frame where I could hang my torch, some clothing at night. I am a bloke around 1.69metre, 65kg and nearly fill half of the tent widthwise, and 90% lengthwise. With sleeping bag, I almost touch the end lengthwise with 5 cm to spare. If you are taller than 1.8m, in my opinion, you should buy other tents unless you want to sleep diagionally or stick out your foot outside. It can fill two people of my size cosily, there wouldn't be no place for the gear. The vestibule is a little small for two very large 70l packs and you may need to stack them up if you want to leave an opening in case you want go out for a pee at night. You need to crawl out of the vestibule carefully, as the D-door opening is not too big. I think BD should just put a straight vertical zip, rather than the small D-door opening, as my pal tripped over the 4cm bottom clearance at night when he's still half awake.
You need to do a little homework in form of seam-sealing the tent before using it and in my opinion, this tent is for people who take care of their equipment for prolong usage and know the limits of it to apply them. I think BD designed it for rock climbers, who in my opinion are careful with the equipment above the average joe.
Overall, I am still happy because it handled the tough weather well and the dimension is just right for my size with my pack. My advice is if you want a fully waterproof, bombproof, then go look another tent. After using this tent, I can't see myself going back to a 2-layer tent as FL is really easy to pitch, light and doesn't take up much space in my pack. (Sorry, but I died laughing when I see the packsize of other tent.) I rate this tent 3.5 stars considering the value and price that can buy me two one-man conventional tents that could last two lifetimes of this tent. Then again, FL's weight is still lighter than any one of those.
Where to Buy
Buy Online We found the Firstlight at 1 online store:
| Store | Product Description | Price |
 CampSaver.com | Black Diamond Firstlight Tent - 2 Person, 3 Season | $246.46 | Buy Now |
You may also want to check availablity with these other Black Diamond retailers:
- Campmor
- Moosejaw
- Backcountry.com
- Altrec Outdoors
- RockCreek
- REI
- Ramsey Outdoor
- Oregon Mountain Community
- Teton Village Sports
- Massey's
- Gear for Adventure
- EMS
- Sierra Trading Post
- US Outdoor Store
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