User Review: Kelty Quartz 2

Kelty Quartz 2
Above: The current Quartz 2, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed March 28, 2005 by PAT FUNK

Rating:
Design: 4 season freestanding dome.
Sleeps: 2
Ease of Setup: very easy
Weight: 6.4 pounds
Price Paid: 178 DOLLARS

OK, I'm not a "Backpacker", but I've wanted a quick escape tent for several seasons and finally bought the Quartz 2 because it was affordable and seemed like a clever design. I was not disappointed, as the setup was almost glitch free, and the "flyboy" slide-grip fasteners held the fly firmly to the poles with a minimum of fuss. Once the roomy vestibules were staked out and corners all adjusted, the appearance was that of a minimalist structure, very futuristic, and much stronger than the sum of its parts. For those who might look at Biblers with repressed envy, this is the reasonable solution, and it's a neat little gem for the price.