I have yet to use this item while out camping so this initial review is strictly based on first impressions of quality, size, ease of use and so forth from putting it up the first time to check the product out. As it gets used I will update if anything major comes up good or bad. Right off the bat when opening the packaging and getting all of the different pieces out and ready to use, I get the impression that it is a quality product. The poles seem thick and sturdy with good shock cord and easy to put together and take apart. The fabric seems strong with good stitching and definitely gives the impression that it would do well in the rain. It comes with the basic cheap tent stakes which while not great, do an adequate job. The size is quite large compared to what we've used in the past. I camp with my wife and teenage daughter and we previously used a 6 person Coleman tent. This is much roomier in every aspect. It's billed as an 8 or 9 person tent and if you are all using sleeping bags and no air mattresses, that may actually be possible. Putting this tent up was a breeze. I did it with the help of my wife and we took our time and were still able to get it completely done in less than half an hour. Trying to go faster that time could easily come down to 20 minutes if not less. Very straight forward process and can easily be done by someone with little to no experience. All in all a very good, easy to use tent that seems like it will withstand some weather as well as years of use and provide shelter for a good amount of people in that time. Some things I didn't like about the tent were the breathability for one; it's locked up tight like Fort Knox when the rain fly is on which makes it great for rain but also doesn't allow for great air circulation. Speaking of the rain fly, as best I can tell, it must be used at all times for the tent to have any structural rigidity. The rain fly ties to the tent poles and when staked, that's what holds the tent solidly in place. Until that's done the sides of the tent are not structurally sound. This covers the entire mesh top portion of the ceiling which would allow airflow and also any night time view of the stars. I mentioned the cheap stakes which are ubiquitous but do the job. Easily replaceable if you so choose but not necessary. It has pockets in the walls and a hook at the top middle for a lantern, nice features. Even with the small issues it seems to be a great tent. Barring any real world issues when we put it to use, I can definitely recommend this tent for anyone with a small family looking to get a nice sized rain proof tent for car camping.
Edit: After having used the tent on a 2 day trip with my wife and daughter I can say it did great. Besides the fact that it was super spacious for the 3 of us it was rock solid and held up to 2 nights of pouring rain superbly. There was a small amount of moisture inside the tent but no puddles or accumulations and this was during repeated heavy rains with no added weatherproofing to the tent. So far I am very impressed with the quality and functionality of the tent.
| Special Feature | Waterproof, UVProtection, Rainfly |
|---|---|
| Brand | NTK |
| Occupant Capacity | 9 |
| Design | Camping Tent |
| Material | Polyester, Polyethylene, Fiberglass, Aluminum, fabric, Polyurethane |
| Recommended Uses For Product | Portable, Recreational, Camping, Outdoor, Travel |
| Seasons | two season |
| Color | Dark Teal |
| Sport | Camping & Hiking |
| Item Weight | 10.7 Kilograms |
| Age Range (Description) | Adult |
| Installation Type | Instant |
| Product Care Instructions | Hand Wash |
| Included Components | Rainfly |
| Assembly Time | 5 minutes |
| Pole Material Type | Fiberglass |
| Closure Type | Zipper |
| Number of Doors | 1 |
| Floor Length | 180 Inches |
| Water Resistance Technology | 2500 Mm |
| Maximum Height | 6.2 Feet |
| Floor Area | 4.6 |
| Base Material | Polyester |
| Water Resistance Level | Waterproof |
| Assembly Required | Yes |
| Number of Windows | 3 |
| Number of Stakes | 5 |
| Is Waterproof | True |
| Form Factor | Dome |
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 25.8 x 9.8 x 9.4 inches |
| Package Weight | 11.66 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 181.1 x 118.11 x 74.8 inches |
| Brand Name | NTK |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Warranty Description | Backed by full 6 Months manufacturer's warranty. |
| Model Name | FBA_Laredo GT8/9 |
| Manufacturer | NTK |
| Part Number | FBA_Laredo GT8/9 |
| Skill Level | Beginner |
