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Coleman 5-person Instant Dome Tent

rated 4.0 of 5 stars
photo: Coleman 5-person Instant Dome Tent three-season tent

Price was just under $80, so it is not bad for the money. Barely large enough for our queen sized air mattress. Quick and easy to set up. We couldn’t get enough tension on the tent to open the zippered door with one hand. Two hands were needed each time. There are only the corners to stake down the tent, leaving the sides a little baggy and tension less because of this.

Pros

  • Large tent for price
  • Decent ventilation

Cons

  • Only corners could be staked out creating baggy/saggy sides
  • Two hands needed to unzip the door
  • Only one door
  • Cheap, small stakes for size of tent
  • Large storage/carry size

Recently, I bought a Coleman 5-person Instant Dome Tent at Costco. Price was just under $80 so it is not bad for the money. But, remember you get what you pay for.

At my age of 70 I discovered I need a taller tent. Being bent over is no longer any fun. I need a tent tall enough for me to stand upright. In trying to sleep comfortably my wife and I used a queen sized Lightspeed air mattress. There was no room for anyone else. Kudos to this mattress. Back to the tent.

We used it in nice weather, no wind to light wind. No problem. Quick and easy to set up. Our friends had the exact same tent, but did not set it up before leaving home and found that setup mechanism was completely upside down and it took us an hour to remove it and its legs and reassemble it. It finally worked, but how many other tents left the factory that way? 

We couldn’t get enough tension on the tent to open the zippered door with one hand. Two hands were needed each time. There are only the corners to stake down the tent, leaving the sides a little baggy and tension less because of this. 

I would give this tent 2.5 stars out of 5 because of its price for the size. A younger couple with a couple of kids could probably get some enjoyment out this for a season or two.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $79.99

Great tent for car camping—very easy to put up and take down. Big enough for two adults comfortably with room to spare.

Pros

  • Internal height is awesome for tall folks
  • Very easy to put up and take down

Cons

  • Wouldn't want to put five people in there at the same time with sleeping bags, "stuff" along with cots and/or mattresses.

I am 6 feet tall and found this tent to the best for being able to stand up straight while changing clothes. During rainy times I bring my beach chair into the tent and have ample room for a sitting area and my cot area. Love it in rain and wind. Stands up well in all sorts of weather.

I would buy it again. 

Background

Great experience with the poles being easy to put through the tent sleeves to assemble and put it up. Highly recommend this item.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: Can't remember but it was so affordable.

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Specs

Price Historic Range: $119.59
Reviewers Paid: $79.99
Product Details from Coleman »

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