Helpful Positive Review

by Bradley K. , Verified Owner from CO, United States Updated on July 5, 2020

I narrowed my search down to This Copper Spur HV UL2, Nemo Hornet 2 and MSR Free lite 2. Ultimately the CSHVUL2 won out. I needed a tent to fit myself (5'7" 170 lbs., athletic build) and my 2- 45 to 50 lb. Australian mix dogs. For all practical purposes in comparing the 3 tents, they are all made with similar ultra light materials, have similar floor dimensions ( MSR a bit better with rectangle shape), Similar small pack size(I always separate tent parts when packing), and all top notch quality build. I really liked the 2lb. 5 oz. weight of the Hornet but found the single center pole just angled the walls in tooo steeply for enough comfortable/usable space for the 3 of us (dogs were pushed up to tightly to the sides). If it was only a tent for myself Full time I may have chosen the Hornet 2. The Hornet and Free lite have almost the same pole design accept with the addition of the Free lite's brow pole to spread the sides the useable interior space difference is a huge benefit. If Nemo added a brow pole I believe the weight add on would be minimal and the tent would be perfect in my opinion. The Free lite and Copper Spur came in at exactly the same weight on my scale 3 lb. 1 oz., Though the MSR has a seemingly more roomy rectangular shape the Copper spur is a few inches longer 85" vs 82" and has steeper , and actually slightly angled out walls giving the most comfortable and roomy interior , copper spur also has more head room (taller height and longer brow pole). I think the 11 oz. penalty over the Hornet is also justified for me. For being the exact same weight, Side by side the copper spur's vestibules seem larger. Copper spur has an added roof vent , copper spur is truly free standing with a much sturdier pole configuration ( it is actually quite an "amazing" frame design difference while maintaining the same weight). I like that The copper spur's vestibules can be rolled up and tied back on BOTH / EITHER side . For example: I like to tie back front half of vestibule on left side of tent and back/foot half of vestibule on the right side of tent. Makes for a airy and roomy feeling tent with out being a wind tunnel as most tent vestibules only have one side roll up and tie back option. And lastly I like the new and very stealthy Green color option of the Big Agnes tents. I also have the Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL3 in the Green for when We add my wife to a trip. At 3 lb. 5 oz it cannot be beat for weight and space. Big agnes for 2017 has also chosen to use more environmentally friendly materials by not using the California band cancer causing fire retardants. Another huge plus in my book. Though new chemicals could be just as bad I do not get the same strong chemical smells as I notice in other tent manufacturers .I just realized that It sounds Like I am a Big Agnes Guy and thats why I chose the C.S , but I can say that it is not the case , I simply have done a ton of practical research and comparisons for my needs and find the changes big agnes has made for 2017 tents ( mainly I guess the High Volume , dry entry , and safer materials) are all correct and positive decisions. I would not have chosen a fly creek ul3 or copper spur ul2 in their previous models. Which I have also checked out. Hope this helps . Peace!!