I was reading PK trip report (nicely done) and was drawn to the mesh bug room he had. I have always kicked around something like that in the past. One thing led to another and I found these interesting. I would lean to the smaller version but they make a larger version as well. What I like about it is that it doubles as a tarp but with mesh sides. The backpackers version would do well for soloists or perhaps up to 3 people. At 3lbs it's not that bad especially if portages were short. The larger version looks to be 5lbs.

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Atwater carey also makes a screen tent, the Tropic Screen II. I think it is about 3# weight.  I have used it as a tent with a tarp pitched over it.  It works well but if it is windy and raining it can be hard to keep the rain from blowing in under the tarp; and I would think the VCS set-up might have the same problem.

I picked up a Eureka VCS tarp many years ago for $25 in a clearance sale. It really has two/three issues, IMO:

1. The rain can blow in under the tarp,
2. You have to set the height just right for the screen to reach the ground, and
3. The ceiling height is fairly low.

Two years ago I bought a CCS Lean 3+, and there is no comparison. Way more roomy and comfortable, plus far easier to set up. Only issue with the CCS is the cost!

Ranger

Do you sleep in and cook/eat in the CCS Lean?  I don't think I would hesitate in Q myself but it seems in some areas even slight food odors might aggravate a bear problem.

BillConner wrote on Aug 29^th, 2011 at 5:43pm:

Do you sleep in and cook/eat in the CCS Lean?

Bill, I have only used it as an area to cook/eat/lounge out of the weather and bugs. I wouldn't hesitate to bring it instead of a tent for sleeping, but in that case I would try to cook & eat elsewhere when possible.

Ranger

Ranger
The pics/description on their website are a little vague. Is it my understanding that there is a full frontal screen? The awning looks to me like it would readily catch water.......I suppose it can be slanted. Are there tie off loops on the awning? I also didn't see a weight.....

MT - click on "more information" for weights and a photo that shows grommets along edge.  I believe they are primarily making only the "plus" version with the sod cloths and screen door.

I see a lot of people who have these rave.  They are light - the 3 being 59 ounces, and 2 is plenty large - like 8 X 10.  I sure would like to try one for a night or two before investing.

And CCS will customize these. 

MT, I assume that you are referring to the CCS tarp... yes, the PLUS models include a full frontal screen, which zips up on the side. The numbers refer to size, ie Lean 1, 2, 3. The plus adds the screen, ie Lean 1+, 2+, 3+.

When the weather is nice, I typically just throw the awning over the back. There are tie-off loops everywhere on it. Once set up, I do tend to adjust the awning as conditions require. I might slant the awning down in one corner to keep rain away, but leave the other corner up, etc.

Not sure on weight, but I'd say comparable to a 3-man tent, less the tent's poles.

Ranger