So, just to add a random data point...
This past weekend, I got halfway to where I was going and realized I had spaced out the tent poles for my Springbar. Was going to be a frosty and windy couple of nights, didn't relish sleeping out under the stars and wasn't up for going home to get the forgotten poles as it was already late. Hit a Walmart in the next town and bought a 6 man Coleman Insta-tent. $150 for it. This one:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-6-Person-Instant-Tent-Double-Hub/34761201
Setup is STUPID EASY! Like, way, way, WAY easy. Takedown is easy too. It beats the Springbar hands down for setup, and even on take down and packing I have to give the edge to the Coleman Insta over the Springbar.
Nice and roomy! For two guys on two cots, it was a palace. Plenty of headroom to stand up for two used to be 6' tall guys now more like 5' 11'' with our bad backs.
It packs up much smaller and lighter than a Springbar of similar floor space too.
Those are the three areas it compares well to the Springbar.
On a couple of cold, windy nights, the thin nylon of the Insta doesn't hold heat nearly as well as the canvas of a Springbar. And I've never seen such condensation either. Absolute worst I have ever experienced and this was on very windy nights. I'd hate to see how much condensation the Coleman has on a calm, cold night.
Wind noise was also the worst I've ever personally experienced. It just doesn't pitch very taut and the nylon is a noisy material and the damn thing was just plain noisy as hell in the wind.
Zippers are cheap ass and made to fail. Brand new, first time being used, had fussy, sticky, getting caught in loose material front door zipper. Don't see that zipper holding up very long at all to real world use in my real world...
Just generally cheap and flimsy feeling everywhere. The way I (don't) take care of a tent floor, I bet this one will have holes in it after ten nights. Can't imagine this thing - any part of it - lasting two or three years of my ownership and constant use. It will have holes in it everywhere, won't be a functioning zipper anywhere on it, probably be mildewed to hell from the condensation and me not taking the time to air it out at home afterward. All of which, is in comparison to a Springbar that has now lasted almost 18 years of my ownership and constant use. This is all speculation though, obviously, as I've only used this Coleman for 2 nights.
But for $150, I have no complaints. It exceeded my expectations and I can see how it would serve the occasional user, very, very well, especially in fair weather and in mild conditions. The setup and takedown is just so fast and easy and for the money spent it's a very roomy tent too.
Anyhow... That's my take on the Colman Insta-tent after two nights.
I have a trip in about ten days where I'm going to need two tents. I might take this again as the second tent, depending on the weather forecast. It packs up a lot smaller and lighter than my big Springbar, but if the forecast has much wind or precipitation, I'll have to take the big Springbar.
But, either way - in about two weeks, my new Coleman will be up for sale at $75. It will have either two nights on it, or six nights if I use it on the upcoming trip. Same price either way though - $75, if anyone wants to speak up for it
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- DAA
