SO 2/3 man shelter write up.

by **sreekers** » 04 05, 2013 • [Post 1]

I am in the process of writing up a comparison review of the LBO/BCS/4 man. I want some feedback ahead of time to answer as many questions as possible.

So, what do you want answered in thus review?

by **RockChucker30** » 04 05, 2013 • [Post 2]

Weights, best uses, and cost for sure.

by **ElkNut1** » 04 05, 2013 • [Post 3]

Yes, what Nathan said & which ones have a floor? I'm a floor guy!

ElkNut1

by **cnelk** » 04 05, 2013 • [Post 4]

What is it?

Image?

by **sreekers** » 04 05, 2013 • [Post 5]

cnelk wrote:What is it?

Image?

I may have to answer those in a couple of phases. First I will go with the LBO which is short for Lil Bug Out. This is the modular shelter I have ever used and will be a staple for years to come in my gear room. This will see the most use on my solo trips and currently I own 2 bases and vestibule.

Link to the LBO Page

http://seekoutside.com/products/ultrali ... t-shelter/

Previous Review:

http://sreekers81.blogspot.com/2012/11/ ... g-out.html

by **RockChucker30** » 04 05, 2013 • [Post 6]

The Backcountry Shelter, or BCS.

: ImageUploadedByTapatalk1365217296.173021.jpg (138.7 KiB) Viewed 111675 times

With expander panel.

: ImageUploadedByTapatalk1365217324.885055.jpg (164.58 KiB) Viewed 111675 times

by **sreekers** » 04 05, 2013 • [Post 7]

BCS stands for Backcountry Shelter. This is a modular 2 person, possibly 3 if you wanted to be really close. This next write up will be my first time having it in my hands and getting some time using it. This is a very modular shelter with several pitches, and options for expansion.

Nathan can answer questions better on this one because he has owned it for quite a while.

Link:
http://seekoutside.com/products/ultrali ... y-shelter/

by **sreekers** » 04 05, 2013 • [Post 8]

The 4 Man Tipi is pretty straight forward. I have owned a 6 for nearly a year, and this is it's little brother. A standard rule for any tipi/conical shelter is that the number is actually double the number of people that can comfortably call it home. I have done 3 inside of my 6, and could do 4 if I had to but gear would have to be outside.

With the 4, 2 people and stove would be comfortable.

Link:
http://seekoutside.com/products/ultrali ... ipittents/

I will post pictures as I pitch the shelters, and use them before the review. Let me know of any questions you may have.

Elknut, the nesting option with any of these shelters gives you the best of both worlds in regards to floored and floorless. I will post pics with and without the nest in the shelters.

by **aron** » 04 06, 2013 • [Post 9]

I think it would be great to compare all the different options for the LBO beings you can use it as a tarp, 2 LBO's, LBO + vestibule, LBO + base +LBO, etc. Including weights for each, number of stakes required, advantages to each combination.

It seems the BCS and tipi are quite a bit more straight forward.

by **RockChucker30** » 04 06, 2013 • [Post 10]

I played around with a LBO this morning. I've got it on loan since I loaned my BCS to Scott for his review.

That thing is pretty cool! It's bigger than I thought it would be. I'm 6'3" and had plenty of room.

I'll be buying one soon if I can get some other gear sold.

by **sreekers** » 04 06, 2013 • [Post 11]

aron wrote:I think it would be great to compare all the different options for the LBO beings you can use it as a tarp, 2 LBO's, LBO + vestibule, LBO + base +LBO, etc. Including weights for each, number of stakes required, advantages to each combination.

It seems the BCS and tipi are quite a bit more straight forward.

Go check out the review i linked, on the lbo post. Has a lot of what you are looking for. I may condense it and post it here.

by **sreekers** » 04 07, 2013 • [Post 12]

In order from left to right: LBO, BCS, 4 man.

by **RockChucker30** » 04 07, 2013 • [Post 13]

Posted for Scott.

: ImageUploadedByTapatalk1365373037.599975.jpg (46.97 KiB) Viewed 111624 times

by **sreekers** » 04 07, 2013 • [Post 14]

RockChucker30 wrote:Posted for Scott.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1365373037.599975.jpg

Just a few things of note on the size of these shelters, when packed down:

-Both LBO sacks have a vestibule and base. That is a tight fit, plan for a little extra space in a stuff sack if you want to take the tarp along.
-The BCS is a bit bigger than I expected in the stuff sack. It's still very light.
-The 4 man is about what I expected, just a little bit smaller than my 6.
-All three are very light, and will work for 2 people. If one guy takes the pole and stakes, and the other takes the tent the load is even lighter.
-The 4th item is the SO medium stove, for size reference purposes.

Whats to Come:

-Weights of all three shelters
-Several pictures showing them side by side
-Pictures of the inside of each shelter with mats laid down for visuals.
-Written explanation for what each shelter will do best, and what it won't be ideal for.

Let me know of any more topics you want discussed. Feel free to contact me here via pm or @ scott.reekers81@gmail.com

by **RockChucker30** » 04 07, 2013 • [Post 15]

Scott, take the spectra tieouts off my BCS before you weigh it. I forgot to do that. Also, it has a LOT of seam sealant on it so it may scale a little heavy.

by **sreekers** » 04 07, 2013 • [Post 16]

Apparently you seam seal like i do. I got dirt stuck on my six when the wind picked up....

by **RockChucker30** » 04 09, 2013 • [Post 17]

Silicone is cheap and I don't like leaks. (Grin)

by **kevin_t** » 04 09, 2013 • [Post 18]

Sorry for a little vendor oversight, but we rarely seam seal anything since last spring when we changed how we were doing seams. You might want to get a spot here and there, but it's a rarity. I recently did a water hose test on a new 6, and could not get anything through. Days of rain, perhaps, but it is a rarity IMO.

Kevin

by **sreekers** » 04 09, 2013 • [Post 19]

Sorry for the delay on more info and pictures but this brutal storm has kind of put a damper on my plans to get the shelters pitched and some comparisons made.

by **sreekers** » 04 12, 2013 • [Post 20]

I set up the BCS last night for the first time. I have to say that I am impressed, cool shelter.

-Stand up height is big for me, the BCS gives me that. I got tired of trying to put my pants on laying down, doing the caterpillar wiggle. BCS has plenty of space to dress.

-Anything more than 2 and gear would be tight. If you hunt with 3 or more go bigger, especially if a stove is necessary.

I will have more pictures later, and will roll out some mats to show sleeping options.

by **sreekers** » 04 14, 2013 • [Post 21]

I got to spend some time with the 4 man this weekend. Here are my thoughts:

-The versa pitch option is VERY cool. My 6man doesn't have this, but as soon as i can upgrade to one with the option I will. Essentially, this allows the user to pitch the tipi smaller for situations where there is less than the needed amount of ground for the larger pitch.

-The tipi is a little easier to pitch than the BCS and LBO. The learning curve for the tipi is smaller and easier to get down.

- Any tipi style shelter has what I refer to as "dead space." This is the floor space between the wall and where the bed goes without bumping into the wall. Because of the straighter walls of the BCS, the dead space is minimal, with the tipi there is a solid foot. Personally I like the dead space for gear storage.

by **sreekers** » 04 14, 2013 • [Post 22]

As soon as i get some pictures from the Camera to the computer I will post a few of floor space, etc. Also have to get the picture posting down on this forum, haven't had much luck.

by **sreekers** » 04 15, 2013 • [Post 23]

Here is a picture of the BCS from the first set up:

: IMG_0483.jpg (82.39 KiB) Viewed 111521 times

by **sreekers** » 04 15, 2013 • [Post 24]

Here is a photo of the inside of the floor, nothing for size reference, but that will come this weekend.

: IMG_0488.JPG (156.72 KiB) Viewed 111521 times

by **sreekers** » 04 20, 2013 • [Post 25]

Just got back from an overnighter with the BCS. Have to say that I am impressed with the shelter. We had three grown men plus stove, firewoood and some gear. It was tight but we made it work. More pictures to come tomorrow.

by **sreekers** » 04 22, 2013 • [Post 26]

A few pictures to keep this interesting:

: Floor space.jpg (110.62 KiB) Viewed 111441 times

by **sreekers** » 04 22, 2013 • [Post 27]

This is a picture that will hopefully show just how tight it was with 3, but that it can be done. To my buddies left and right are beds, and the stove is in front of the entrance, offset to the right. The firewood was in that area as well.

: 3 In the BCS.jpg (115.29 KiB) Viewed 111438 times

by **sreekers** » 04 22, 2013 • [Post 28]

Here is a picture to show the space taken by the stove, wood and some of the water. This was a car camping/fishing trip so the case of water was welcome for cooking.

by **sreekers** » 04 22, 2013 • [Post 29]

Here is a picture of how I guyed out the sides with the trekking poles. I'm not normally a trekking pole guy, however they are functional for this purpose, and probably stronger than a stick.

by **sreekers** » 04 22, 2013 • [Post 30]

So for a rear guy out we found an appropriate stick,worked well for creating more space.

by **RockChucker30** » 04 23, 2013 • [Post 31]

Looks like you got a good pitch there Scott. I normally pitch it a bit taller but with three in there it's nice to have the flexibility of lowering it a bit for more floor space.

by **sreekers** » 04 23, 2013 • [Post 32]

I was really happy with that pitch, wish I would have had a little more time to get a few more of them in. Have a pretty good idea of the best uses for the BCS, just need to get some some weights done and I the BCS portion will be done.

On to the LBO!

by **sreekers** » 04 26, 2013 • [Post 33]

: LBO Close.jpg (103.22 KiB) Viewed 111393 times

This evening and tomorrow morning is all about the LBO! Let me know if there are any pictures or pitches you want to see used.

by **sreekers** » 04 29, 2013 • [Post 34]

Here are some pictures from the LBO set up in the Base/Tarp/Base.

: LBO.jpg (221.16 KiB) Viewed 111371 times

Guyed out with trekking poles for sleeping quarters.

: LBO.jpg (221.16 KiB) Viewed 111371 times

Non guyed out side.

by **sreekers** » 04 29, 2013 • [Post 35]

Some thoughts on the LBO:

-Sleeping 5 with gear is possible, maybe even 6 if no stove were used in the Base/Tarp/Base option.
-The Base/Tarp/Base option is big, plenty of space for gear and spawling out. It however is not a stand up shelter, which for me a tall guy is a con during the hunting seasons with a lot of snow and a day or two waiting out weather is likely. I like stand up room, but for others this isn't as big of a deal.
-The LBO has a long wall that has to be pitched will in several ways when in the Base/Tarp/Base mode. Number one, make sure you have some level ground, and if you don't pitch it a little shorter to cover some of the gaps. This produces drafts if you pitch it tall. Number two is that it's important to make sure you won't get slab sided by the wind on the long wall. Pitch it with the short wall into the prevailing winds.

: LBO3.jpg (255.3 KiB) Viewed 111368 times

by **huntabsarokee** » 04 30, 2013 • [Post 36]

Have you put 2 bases together no tarp? Would you still have enough for room for 2 and a stove in the 2 base configuration?

by **sreekers** » 04 30, 2013 • [Post 37]

I have done double bases and there is a lot of space. I wouldn't have any issue running a stove and two people in it either. I don't have a jack in either of my bases, or vestibule as I figured that the LBO will be my summer tent. I will likely sew one in myself, or send it in for one though.

Some gear might have to be outside in the double base set up, just depends on how much you pack in with you. Hope this answers the question, let me know if there are any others.

by **sreekers** » 04 30, 2013 • [Post 38]

Here a few more pics of the LBO. Only have time to post some pictures, will post more about them later.

by **huntabsarokee** » 05 01, 2013 • [Post 39]

My buddy and I were leaning to the SO 4 man tipi but may go LBO. This way we each can buy a few peices to share the cost. Just not sure if we need the tarp but 2 bases look plenty with the tarp and stove jack a later option. I did see 1 picture of just a base and tarp and that looked interesting. The tarp was in the air and not sure if it can be enclosed.

by **sreekers** » 05 01, 2013 • [Post 40]

I will get some double bases pics up soon. I would guy out the sides if sleeping double with a stove though. It really helps with space.

by **sreekers** » 05 04, 2013 • [Post 41]

Got a couple nights in the 4 man. More on that soon, another very good option for double use.

by **sreekers** » 05 07, 2013 • [Post 42]

: 4-1.jpg (104.95 KiB) Viewed 111256 times

Sorry this has taken so long, been trying to get a lot of projects around the house done, and work related things to take care of. Here are the pictures as promised, with a full write up coming soon.

: 4-2.jpg (112.69 KiB) Viewed 111256 times

: 4-3.jpg (92.57 KiB) Viewed 111256 times

by **sreekers** » 05 07, 2013 • [Post 43]

Quick note on the floor set up in the 4, if I go out in it again I will set up opposite, with the door next my side rather than at my head. Floor space would be better used that way, but when setting up in the dark it's easy not to think through those things.