The Mystique 2 is a Clip Flashlight look-a-like for half the price. http://www.alpsmountaineering.com/ALPSMountaineeringMystique.htm I have seen the Mystique 2 for $100 on Amazon, and $100 at the REI outlet (they call it the Comet). Scout Direct price is a buck or two less.
My Mystique 2 with rain fly, 1 tie out line, 6 aluminum stakes, Ziploc for stakes, thin plastic drop cloth, and poles (no stuff sacks) is 1970 g.
Mystique Pros:
– Great weight for $100 double walled tent
– 8' long
– enough inside room with 2 people to sit-up, lay down w/o touching sides, bring in some gear
– heavy condensation on the inside of the rain fly (South/Central TX camping), but inside room stays bone dry
– 2 doors
– easy to set up
– 985 g / person (2 people) is a great (but not superior) rain/bug shelter weight
– 1970 g for 1 person is a mediocre but acceptable rain/bug shelter weight (I solo a lot when out with the boys – YPT, ya know?)
– 2 x vestibules big enough for small packs, gear, boots (a full size frame pack might not fit)
– great ventilation if the rain fly doors are tied up
– 12 nights in it now and no visible wear
Mystique Cons:
– not free standing; requires stakes to put up (tough to drive stakes at Enchanted Rock)
– rain pooled on the rain fly above feet requiring one tie out line and stake to remedy (little extra weight)
– opening the rain fly with heavy condensation on it from the inside results in a couple drips of water on the arm opening it
– top venting rain fly doesn't seem to do much for air flow when doors are zipped closed (but I've never seen a top venting rain fly actually improve air flow much anyway).
– not good for star gazing even w/o the rain fly
Overall, I think the Mystique 2 is a great 2 man double walled budget light weight tent. I agree that a tarp tent, double rainbow, or clip flashlight would be a weight improvement but at significant cost.
acronym 6/7/2009 3:51 PM
