Anyone one tried this cheap lightweight setup?

If you're looking for lightest, with good or at least decent protection, then i would suggest to substitute a Gatewood Poncho Tarp in for the Golite, or keep the GoLite and ditch the S2S bug net and get a mostly mesh bivy, but with WR or WPB fabric at the feet to knee area and WP or highly WR fabric for the bottom.

Because if you do get caught in a good storm (and these can't always be predicted well), you're most likely going to get pretty soaked with your above 3 choices in combo.

Yah…big storm would probably kit this set up. Probably would only be smart to take this out in the summer when rain isn't expected.

Anyone used the golite poncho in the rain? I've carried one but never had to use it…

I'll second the bug net not being real ideal with the golite poncho tarp. For one it doesn't pitch very well in a-frame configuration since the hood falls right inline with the ridge, so attaching the net would be a little funky. Secondly there's just not much space under the tarp. I've had the tarp in some light drizzle a couple times, and some unpredicted good ol' fashion pacnw downpour another night. Surprisingly I stayed pretty dry, thanks to pitching the back of the tarp tight to the ground and facing the angle of the rain coming down, and the use of a tigoat bivy (which I always use with the tarp). I'm also ~6'4" and this setup works for me so, if you're any shorter your success should go up. But yeah s2s net would be a bit wonky.

The pitch I use majority of the time, including expected rain:

Kid approved.

Matt, I like that pitch. Do you have a system for keeping the guy lines straight in your pack? Or do you keep them attached and somehow get them out of the way in poncho mode?

Matt, I vote the photo of your child under the poncho: "Cutest Photo on BPL in 2014."

I think of a poncho as rain gear that has some emergency shelter options, making it a good day hiking CYA backup. I would include a bivy with any plans to use a poncho as a primary shelter. I carry an AMK Heatsheet bivy sack for that purpose.

The Gatewood Cape is the way to go, but you will want bug protection. I add the Ti Goat Ptarmigan bivy for that.

Mitchell: I forget how many of each length of cords I bring, but they're all 3 and 6 foot lengths with the mini lineloks on the ends, and mini wire gate carabiners on the other end attaching to the tarp. Adds maybe an ounce to the setup using the carabiners but makes taking the lines off when I need to use the tarp as a poncho fast. I use zpacks zline and keep them always attached to the tarp, and haven't had any real issues with line tangling when unpacking.

Delmar: Thanks, she loves playing with Daddy's "tents" almost as much as I do. She's gonna make for a great hiking buddy.