Putting together a modular tent system

Why not just get a Golite Shangri-La 1? They are going for $137.49 at the moment and the kit includes the tarp and bug net with bathtub floor. They can be used together or separately. They are in stock and you can probably have it by the end of the week. http://www.golite.com/Shangri-La-1-Tent-P46825.aspx

http://www.yamamountaingear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=51

http://www.bearpawwd.com/tents_tarps/tarps.html

http://www.bearpawwd.com/shelters_floors/minimalist1_bivy.html

http://www.bearpawwd.com/shelters_floors/net.html

All kinds of variations from these 2 companies and different prices,Yama Mountain gear is leaving on a 3,000 mile unicycle trip soon so it is only what he has in stock now and he is out of some stuff,but good to keep in mind.All kinds of companies make silnylon tarps not just the ones I linked and you can match it up with all kinds of nets.Here is an example of what someone else did recently

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=63439

the more features you want the more expensive it will be unless you make it yourself

Very good suggestion Marc,and if you sign in and do a review they will immediately send a 20% off coupon to your email account that will bring the total to about $110,it is not as light as the others(2lb 3oz) but a good cheap start.

http://www.golite.com/Shangri-La-1-Tent-P46825.aspx

Just pick out the solo Tarptent or SMD, etc. design you like and be done with it.

The integrated screen, canopy and floors of a single wall tent design weigh less than a modular tarp, floor and netting setup and are far faster to pitch. When the weather is bad a fast pitch (and take-down) is really worth it.

I have a TT Moment and really like it. Plenty of space for one, great ventilation and protected vestibule space for both your pack and cooking in bad weather with an alky or canister stove.

The whole system for $200 or less? Good luck. You might find the pieces on the Gear Swap forum here. I do know of one system that meets your price point:

Six Moon Designs Skyscape Scout
$125 and 34 ounces without pegs
The fly is ripstop polyester, not silnylon, so it's heavier.
http://www.sixmoondesigns.com

For $225, the same tent (the Skyscape Trekker) is available in silnylon: 24 ounces without pegs.

For true modularity, look at the Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape (11 oz $135). This gets you rain gear and a floorless shaped tarp shelter. Stick a cheap painter's tarp or polycryo sheet under it and you've got a waterproof floor for less than an ounce. I've used the GC for years on the CT and PCT. It's my 3 season go-to tent.

For a little more protection, add the SMD Serentity Net Tent. It can be pitched by itself or it attaches inside the GC (8 oz and $120), making the total system 19 ounces without pegs for a total of $255.

Alternatively, get the SMD Wild Oasis – same size and shape as the GC but with perimeter bug netting (13 ounces without pegs for $175). Again, add the painter's tarp or polycryo floor.

If you can go as high as $260, look at these highly rated models from Tarptent:
1) Rainbow…..$245

2) Notch…….$259

http://www.tarptent.com

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Looking at all the suggestions: I think I like the tarptent designs a bit more, coming with a pole is kind of a plus for me. I don't typically carry trekking poles and I never liked the feeling of using two, so that rules out the Scout. I suppose I could get used to using one, like using a stick I'd find on the trail, also the emergency benefits of having one around in regards to the Lunar.

However I think it'd be between the TT Moment and Rainbow. A quick search turned but a bunch of peoples opinions on both. The Rainbow being difficult to seam seal (I have no experience doing this) being on of them. Any opinons on both?

One thing I'm wondering about is how much of an issue is condensation? Is it as easy as bring a small towel and wipe down before you disassemble? Or can it cause bigger problems?

After thought: I camp mostly in the New England area (Upstate NY, Vermont, NH mostly) so that's the terrain I'm in. FWIW

I own the Moment and love it. Protected vestibule for your pack AND cooking in bad weather, lots of ventilation, optional crosing pole (for a "freestanding" tent) and optional liner for high condensation areas like seashores.

This tent is VERY wind-worthy and sets up in – well, a moment.

Another option that might be worth a look is one of the Outdoor Equipment Supplier tarps plus a Bear Paw inner net. If you stay below the treelike when you camp, you don't need poles for an A-frame. Bear Paw's inner nets are nicely designed and reasonably priced. OES and Bear Paw are among the least expensive manufacturers I know of who do custom work, but without skimping on quality or service.

As for condensation, if you don't take care of it, it can cause some major problems. There are a lot of resources out there now that you can use to learn how to manage condensation. You can't prevent it entirely, but you can mitigate and deal with it.

"The Rainbow being difficult to seam seal "

Yes that was true for some and I annoyed a few (years ago before becoming part of the brand…) for commenting otherwise forgetting that I had seam sealed trickier tents before…
The Rainbow has had several mods done to it , one of them was to separate the apex strut from the tent body making the seam sealing job a lot easier.
About the only think you need to remember is , apart from the seams, to do the base of all those ribbons sticking out of the fly.
Franco

If you want cheap, reliable and light forget the tent. Go for a flat tarp with a bug net inner. You have more pitching options for the weather and the views. If you have a sewing machine or a friend with one, then it is even cheaper.

Here is a bug net without a floor. For that price you could add a floor and still be in the cheap.

http://www.amazon.com/StanSport-51306-Stansport-Single-Mosquito/dp/B001E1JKFU

They also make a double for about $25.

I have come full circle for many $$$ – bomber tent-1 man tent – pyramid – tarp.

Good luck in your search,

Dave