Yup - without the netting ....of course it has an 8 oz pole and is 1.5 the size of the WO bringing the weight to within 4oz....but lets ignore that ; )

>>Somebody needs to make a one man sildiamond using A-framed trekking poles to replace the sildome pole. Thinking I've recently seen something similar already out.

Now, that's something I would be interested in, John. If you can remember where you saw that, please post a link.

Maybe the tent John was thinking of is the Pacer 1 by Aarn design
http://aarnpacks.com/products/pacer_tent_1.html
I find it interesting that no one has commented on the floor shape of the Sil Dome, nothing like what is described above...
Franco

What I saw was probably one of Henry's tents with two poles on the front, not the same as a diamond shape.

http://tarptent.com/rainshadow2.html

Did Montbell stop making the monoframe diamond? It's no longer on their website.

MB Monoframe Diamond: (fast pack mode): 9' 10" length by 4' 11" width by 42" height

ID SilDome: 8' 0" length by 5' 0" width by ? height (higher for sure with longer pole than MB.

With those stats, how can it be said the MB is shorter?

Hi John,

Your earlier comment about using A-framed trekking poles
got me thinking that I already had something similar to a sildiamond, a silshelter. My main gripe with the silshelter was the fact that the pole got in the way, even when placed out front. Since my trekking poles are adjustable and can open up pretty long, I'm now using them as an A-framed exoskeleton for my silshelter, giving me a lot more usable room inside, even when the shelter is pitched low in storm mode.







I think the monoframe diamond is being replaced this year by the Crescent 1, a somewhat lighter single/double wall hybrid. Unfortunately, I don't think you can pitch it fly only.

Very cool looking Dondo!!

The two trek pole idea has a lot of potential for various shelter designs. I made some Spirit Shelters that worked that way a few years back.

From my scout youth I remember various pup style tents using poles on the outside of this sort...

(As yet of an unreleased type, We'll have a new Spirit Shelter/Tent later this year. Naming notice...ha)

As a gear designer, I always find it interesting in how similar almost all new shelters are to past ones. Go back far enough and Boom, there it is. Some are truely new, but not many. I certainly can't claim any.

Now there is nothing wrong with building a better mousetrap. Especially if it is better and lighter! (Assuming no patent infringement.)

Here's a fun game challenge for the erudite gear types:

Gear: Six (or 4) Degrees of Separation
Name an old design and then follow the family tree to a current one. Chances are you will pass through a Hilleberg tent-they cover many classic designs ( Old A Frame Pup Tent + Mudddus+ Rjad = ?)

Could be fun!

Trace the SilDome back and you might end up with the early 1980's Chouinard Comet...anyone remember that tent? A 2.5-3lb two person mono pole single wall floored (w/a bit of bug netting too) tent! Maybe I'll have to remake it in Spinnaker or Cuben!

Man, this is starting to sound like a blog. Time to sign off.

Edited by mountainlaureldesigns on 03/04/2008 19:14:39 MST.

Some sort of auction site I have not heard of before.

Chouinard Comet

Hi Dondo,

One thing I always disliked about the SilShelter was the way the back part of the shelter always sagged, especially in the rain. Three years ago I made a modification that did a great job with solving the problem. You can still set up the shelter without the pole, too.









I originally set up the SilShelter with two trekking poles linked by a short section of hosing, inside the shelter. I'd like to try the outside set up some time.

Edited by butuki on 03/05/2008 21:05:18 MST.

Nicely done, Miguel! I normally use a guy line propped over a stick to raise the middle of the back end a foot or so. But in heavy winds, I stake the loops as close to the ground as possible and scoot to the front of the shelter to sleep. Your modification makes it possible to keep the wind protection as well as the foot space for just a small increase in weight. Is that a standard Easton pole or is it pre-bent?

Incidentally, when using the A-frame set up, an easy way to make the front end taut from the comfort of your sleeping bag is to reach out under the edges of the tarp and pull the bottom of the poles toward you.

This is what I had in mind for the SilDome :
http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=5SRGUf-KwIc
Franco

Dondo, I'm so sorry that I never replied to your post! Didn't even know it was there until Franco added his post earlier today.

The pole is direct from Henry Shire's Tarptent Squall. If you angle it right it fits perfectly. I could just have stuck the pole inside and let the tension of the fabric hold the pole in place, but I also sewed a silnylon sleeve inside to hold the pole in place. A heavy duty nylon strapping end-patch catches end of the pole and protects from abrasion. A buckled nylon strap at the other end lets you adjust the tension of the pole in the sleeve.

Franco, I love that Luxe Outdoor design! Really versatile! I just so wish it was at least made of silnylon.

Edited by butuki on 05/02/2008 04:39:52 MDT.

No need for apology, Miguel. I know that I sometimes loose track of threads. Clever idea using the Tarptent pole. I think I'll try my Virga pole and see what I can do with it.

Miguel
"Franco, I love that Luxe Outdoor design! Really versatile!"
Me too.....

" I just so wish it was at least made of silnylon."
Same here but too expensive for the Chinese market

Franco