Six Moons Skyscape X Sleeve

Hey Ross, The sleeve is only on the top. No vertical sleeve where your poles are at going up. On a new SMDSX the sleeve at the apex can be somewhat stuck to the top when you first set it up. Just jump inside of it with the spreader bar in-hand and you should be able to see the sleeve up at the apex. You could also turn the shelter inside out in a quest to look for it ;)

"But I can't find it there (or anywhere for that matter). Am I missing something?"

It's there, Ross, but a little hard to see. You'll find it if you look carefully at the flat part of the top where the width is just about equal to the spreader bar. It can take a bit of fiddling to get the bar in; at least I found it so. Once you get the spreader bar inserted, the easiest thing is to just leave it in place. The tent rolls up quite nicely around it and fits perfectly into the stuff sack.

Yeah, that's what I thought. Maybe I've found it, but just can't open it. This is what I see: A strip made out of Cuben, right next to the seam, on the rear side of the tent (the other side of the seam is mesh). It is on the other side of the piece of webbing that hangs down (I'm not sure what that thing is for, except for hanging stuff?) It looks to be about the right size, and starts about an inch from the side of the tent (on either side). But I pushed and pried, but that isn't going anywhere. It appears to be sealed up. Does that sound right like the right location? Maybe the opening is outside of this?

"Does that sound right like the right location?"

You're in the right area, and that strip should be the sleeve. Where it appears to be sealed, you might try probing with gently with something like a toothpick to see if you can prise it open. It would be even easier if you have a magnifying glass, but that probably isn't necessary. I had trouble getting the entrance to separate, too, but got it to open by using the end of a titanium stake like the above mentioned toothpick. I found myself wishing the tent had come with the spreader pre inserted.

OK, I'll pry some more. I've already used my fingernails and a titanium stake, but a toothpick sounds like a better idea.

Just to confirm, I took a few pictures:

Looking up, with the bar laid over where I think the sleeve is: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rossbl/7586559330

Same thing, a little closer, turned 90 degrees: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rossbl/7586560418

This time I moved the spreader bar forward, to expose what I think is the sleeve. I am pointing at what I think is one of the entrances to the sleeve: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rossbl/7586561764

Sounds good?

Thanks.

OK, I pried and I pried, but I can't seem to open the thing. I'm going to go to Pro Mountain Sports sometime this week (if I can find the time) to see their version of the Skyscape. They don't have an "X", but I assume the sleeve is in the same place as the rest of them. Based on that, I'll go back one more time and see if I can pry it open. Otherwise, I'm going to have to send it back. I'm not giving up yet. But even the best manufacturer sometimes has a manufacturing defect. I'm not convinced yet, but maybe after my visit to Pro Mountain Sports (and one more attempt) I will be.

Just call Ron or Brandon at SMD and get the answer directly.

503-430-2303

Yes, I already sent them an email, asking the same question I originally asked.

"Sounds good?"

Yeah, it does. I'm puzzled. I'm starting to wonder if it isn't a manufacturing error.

"Yeah, it does. I'm puzzled. I'm starting to wonder if it isn't a manufacturing error."

If you're going over to Pro Mountain Sports, you should take your "X" along. Maybe Jim or Adam wll see something you've missed.

"If you're going over to Pro Mountain Sports, you should take your "X" along. Maybe Jim or Adam wll see something you've missed."

Great idea. Thanks.