Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- When does Big Sky charge my credit card for my order?
- Does the tent/shelter need to be seam sealed?
- Which is better - pole sleeves or pole clips?
- Which is better - aluminum poles or carbon fiber poles
- The internal area is not listed, please explain.
- The internal length seems short, please explain.
- Which is better - Evolution or Revolution/Chinook series?
- What is the difference between breathable fabric and mesh netting Interiors?
- Why is fabric denier size, such as 30D, not listed?
- Can you tell me more about the fabrics Big Sky uses?
- Is silnylon fabric waterproof?
- How should I clean my tent?
- How should I store my tent?
- Where are Big Sky's products made?
When does Big Sky charge my credit card for my order?
> Big Sky will charge the credit card just before shipping.
Does the tent/shelter need to be seam sealed?
> It is ready to go out of the box... it was seam sealed where necessary at the factory before being shipped.
Which is better - pole sleeves or pole clips?
> It is mostly personal preference... pole clips are lighter and less expensive, while pole sleeves add some structural strength... but if a pole breaks, e.g. carbon fiber pole, it will probably tear a hole in the pole sleeve... we have not noticed that one will last longer or wear out sooner than the other one... also there is not much difference in setup time between sleeves or clips, both are quick.
Which is better - aluminum poles or carbon fiber poles?
> Aluminum poles are less expensive and will take more abuse, while carbon fiber poles are lighter... aluminum poles usually bend before breaking, while carbon fiber will give no warning before failure (breakage)... it recommended that those using carbon fiber poles carry duct tape and a pole splice for field repair (The pole splice is an aluminum tube slipped over the pole break and held in place with duct tape.)... the first sign of failure in carbon fiber poles will be a hairline crack, usually where the pole join, once this happens it just be a matter of time before the pole fails (breaks)… so we recommend inspecting carbon fiber poles occasionally to try to prevent failure at an inopportune time.
The internal area is not listed, please explain.
> Big Sky uses advanced design techniques others do not use. Big Sky creates very roomy ergonomic interiors by designing around the geometries of a human body and its motion. Most other company's "numbers", such as "internal area", make them sound larger, but they are usually not as comfortable or as roomy as Big Sky's designs due to inefficient design practices that were used. The best way to see this is actually experience it by getting in, laying down, sitting up, and getting out of Big Sky's products... we also create better designs by doing such things as making sure a person can open/close vents from the inside without having to go outside in the rain... Big Sky puts an extreme amount of work and effort to make our designs very comfortable, roomy, and user friendly.
The internal length seems short, please explain.
> Big Sky's products are designed differently and are measured differently that most other products. Big Sky cuts off the unusable corners so the inside ends have straight walls. The distance measured is the internal length from the foot end wall to head end straight wall, rather than pole tip to pole tip. This length is entirely usable and does not include the unusable corners some others include in their measurement. Click here to see drawing for clarification.
Which is better - Evolution, Revolution, Chinook, or Mirage series?
> It is mostly personal preference... the same size has the same floor dimensions, e.g. Evolution 2P tent has same floor size as Revolution 2P tent or Mirage 2P tent.
- pick the Evolution or Soul tent series if you want to remove the outer fly and only use the inner and poles; the poles attach to the inner and the outer fly covers the inner and poles...
- pick the Revolution, Chinook, or Mirage if you want to be leave the inner attached so it can quickly and easily be set up or taken down as a one piece tent, which is especially nice when it is windy or raining since rain will not get into the inner. The inner hangs from the outer and the poles attach to the outer.
- pick the Revolution or Chinook if you want to change/remove the inner from Breathable Fabric inner to Mesh Netting inner or vice versa. The Mirage inner is permanently attached and can not be removed.
- pick Chinook, Mirage or Revolution if you want a side entry tent. Note: both sides of the tent have a door and vestibule, i.e. two doors and two vestibules The Soul tent series has single end door and vestibule.
- Chinooks and Revolution have Breathable Fabric or Mesh Netting inners.
- Since the poles attach to the outer on the Revolution/Chinook/Mirage tent series the structure is stronger and more storm worthy than the Evolution or Soul tent series.
- Chinook models have an optional 3rd pole to create a stronger structure for even more storm worthiness....
- Revolution/Chinook interiors can be removed to create a very storm worthy single wall shelter since the poles attach to the outer.
What is the difference between breathable fabric and mesh netting Interiors?
> The dimensions are the same, they both have waterproof tubs
- breathable fabric interior has breathable fabric above the tub
- mesh netting interior has mesh netting fabric above the tub
Why is fabric denier size not listed?
> Denier size is only part of a fabric's specification. Other information, such as what fabric coating is used may be just as important or maybe more important. For example: a fabric coated both sides with silicone is twice a strong as the same fabric with one side silicone and one side PU coating that most big brands use. Also, silicone coating is lighter weight than PU coating. For example: a 20D fabric coated both sides with silicone is probably as strong as a 30D fabric with one side silicone and one side PU coating, but about the same weight as 15D fabric with one side silicone and one side PU coating.
Can you tell me more about the fabrics Big Sky uses?
> Here is link to a table comparing different fabrics.
Is silnylon fabric waterproof?
> The silnylon fabric (silicone coated nylon fabric) we use is waterproof under "normal" conditions. Extreme weather, such as wind driven rain or an extreme downpour may cause light "misting" inside
How should I clean my tent?
> We suggest cleaning with non-abrasive sponge or rag and cold water, and maybe some non-detergent soap, if needed.
Rinse thoroughly.
Be sure to dry completely before storing to prevent mold.
How should I store my shelter?
> We recommend that it be stored clean (wet sponge/rag), dry (to prevent mold/rot), and un-compressed (prevent “hard” folds/creases)
Where are Big Sky's products made?
> Most of our tents are made with fabrics, poles, etc. from South Korea and sewn in Vietnam… tents made with DCF fabric is a product of the USA.
As a side note, our tents used to be made of fabrics and poles from the USA, but the quality of materials continued to decline so we were forced to find a higher quality supplier so our sourcing decision was made to improve our product’s quality… our costs increased 10-20% by using South Korea, but we feel quality is more important than country of origin.
