Rondy Shelter

I am thinking of getting a Diamond Shelter from Panther Prim. 16x16. How are they in storms etc.? I have seen a few photos up in the mountains with snow, etc. For those of you that have used this style shelter, do you still use them, or would you recommend something else? Main use for traditional style hunts, and rondys.

Thanks

 

[12foxtrot]

I prefer a diamond, easy to set up. I have used mine at least once a month for the last year and a half. Camped in 90-95 degree heat to snow on the ground. If you are going to do a lot of winter camping take extra blankets. Got mine from Panther, well made.

 

[jethro224]

grzrob let me borrow his 12x12 to camp at Friendship a few weeks ago. It was my first time sleeping in a diamond shelter and it was a good test. It stormed every night! Tent flys were blowing down every night!
The diamond shelter held up remarkably well. I stayed dry and it stayed up. When the tornado came thru Grizz and I were a few miles away at a restaurant. The wind switched back so another camper lowered the front pole and kept my stuff from getting wet. (Thanks again Butch. :hatsoff: )
I was very impressed with the 12x12. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: In fact I plan to order an oilskin 9'6" from Panther real soon. The 12 was just more than I felt like I needed.

 

ank you for your input, I am going to try one

 

Jethro, thank you for your input also. Do think the 12x12 will be big enough? Camping, hunting, supplies, for hunt trips?? Where abouts are you in IL.? I am up in Lake Co. 12-15 miles S. of Wisconsin.

 

[jethro224]

If you're camping/hunting by yourself I think it would be plenty big. There was room for me and my stuff on just one side of grzrob's 12x12. I was almost lonesome in there all by myself.

I'm in Pekin right on the Illinois river. Just down the river from Peoria.

Get a cheap blue plastic tarp and set it up as a diamond to test the size(s) you're thinking about getting before you order.

 

Thats an idea. Are you going to the fall shoot at Friendship??

 

[jethro224]

I used a cheapo blue tarp to decide if the 9'6" was going to be big enough for me. :thumbsup:

I'm not sure if I'll be able to get to the Fall Shoot or not. Maybe try a Saturday/Sunday trip...

 

Maybe I will get there myself, would like to met ya, put a face with a name, if that would be ok with you.
Thanks again

 

[jethro224]

If it looks like I will make it to the fall shoot I will get in touch with you before. Otherwise I will be there next June. :thumbsup:

I'm gonna hafta try and set up a Forum Members Meeting Place at Friendship. There are several members I have met there, several more that I have not been able to catch up to, and a whole bunch that go and I never even knew it.

 

sounds like a plan. Keep in touch.

Aim small, miss small....

 

[Emet Huntsman]

16 x 16 seems a bit large -- and even rolled tight may be too cumbersome. I have a 10 x 10 in Spanish Red that provides plenty of shelter from sun, rain (no snow down here since ought-5 :grin and covers my bedding, gear, etc.
I love the ease of setup. Just remember to keep the back side pointed into the wind. I prefer using an overhead branch to lift the center when available.

 

Parson, are you running a pole (branch) from the back corner all the way up to some type of split branch? Panther shows this stlye I believe. I have seen them with support inside in the middle also, what has woeked best in your opinion. What about rain following the branch towards the inside? I have seen many, but never stopped to ask, just was not thinking of going that way, but now I see it is the best choice, at least for me. Maybe 16x16 is to big, maybe the next size down.
Thanks for your input.

 

[Emet Huntsman]

I have a 5' tall walking stick with a fork that also serves as a shooting stick if needed. When I set up camp that becomes the pole for the open end of the shelter. fork is also large enough to hang my shooting bag from. other three corners are staked down. If I have a handy overhead branch a rope around a smooth rock lifts the center, giving me a bit more headroom.
Purpose is not to provide living quarters, but to give me and my equipment a shelter from the sun/rain/whatever and a dry night's sleep.

 

Thanks, but when I do buy this shelter, it will be as you mentioned plus living when done hunting for the day. I use to guide Caribou hunts up in canada, and a guy brought one with him, he wanted to do it the way it was back when, or at least it made him happy. So it will be a little of everything for me as well. Trying to be like any of those whom may of done it this way in the fur trade era, etc.
Thanks again.

 

[Poor Private]

I have a 7x7 diamond that the wife and I made. I can comfortably sleep in it and store my junk, stuff in it. Any furniture like a chair and a table can sit outside. A weekend use is just fine and easy to pack up, I place it and the few stakes I use and the hachet in a canvas water bucket, and use the 5 1/2' front pole as a wlaking stick. I use a rope for the center. I walk mine in a nd out with a backpack and my musket over my shoulder on a sling, no need to drive in.. Can someone please tell me why a 12x12 is needed? Not being crass just want to know how come so huge for just a single person?

 

The 12x12 was just an idea. Have you ever stayed in one for a week or maybe longer hunting trip? Gear, food, sleeping, hunting stuff, and maybe a hunting partner, or even my son, when he is ready. I just wanted to make sure ther was enough room, especially staying dry, either from rain or snow. It might not have to be 12x12, just a thought.
Thanks.

 

[jethro224]

12x12 would still be roomy with 2 people and their gear. I bet 4 or 5, maybe 6, could sleep dry an comfortable under there if you left the gear outside. Especially if you used the tree limb rope instead of a center pole. 'Course they'd hafta be good friends... :hmm: or at least good lookin'... :haha:

 

I know what you mean Jethro. I think the 10x10 or 12x12 would work great. You never know who might stop by camp or need a place to rest their head.

 

[jethro224]

Smokepole,

I gotta say Panther's service is top-notch! I ordered my new diamond shelter from them on July 8th. They said 4 to 6 weeks. I received it today, July 15th. One week! :grin: :thumbsup: :bow: