CORE 6 Person Tent with Block Out Technology is a very affordable freestanding dome tent suitable for 3 season use, designed to block 90% of sunlight.
Key features & benefits
- Dark-rest tent.
- Dome shape.
- Freestanding.
- E-cable port.
- Great price.
What is in the name
I have a feeling that the manufacturer wanted to play a bit with the words, and by this I refer to the phrase ‘block out’. A tent can block out various things, but here, this means that the tent is built of a dark material and it blocks out sunlight. Some brands use the phrase ‘blackout’, ‘dark room, or ‘dark rest’. This is the first time that I see the expression ‘block out’ used for a tent that reduces sunlight.
In any case, according to their statements, the tent blocks 90% of sunlight. This is why I have included it in my list of dark rest tents. The picture below shows how it looks inside:
This is a simple one-room dome-shaped tent supported by three crossed poles, see the picture below that shows it without the fly. So there are 3 intersections of the poles and this makes the structure relatively stable and more or less self-supporting and freestanding.
Note that the fly attaches to the base with straps, so you can move and rotate the tent even when the fly is on. But you have 11 simple J-stakes to fix the tent to the ground, so never miss doing this.
The tent has one door shown in the top picture above. It is moderately tall with its 66 inches (168 cm) peak height, see the picture, so this is not a stand-up height. There are no windows here.
Ventilation
The canopy is mostly taffeta but there are two triangular mesh sections on the top. But they have added a huge floor vent on the back side, see the picture below. There is also a fly vent with a stiffener shown in the picture, so this should be good enough when you have to keep the door closed in the case of rain.
Materials
The poles are fiberglass, and you have them 3. Two are identical and the third is a different color and length. They attach to the tent’s base through the usual pin-and-ring system. Higher you have clips, and on the roof you have sleeves.
The mentioned mesh sections on the ceiling are with panels equipped with Velcro, so you can close them to make the tent completely dark.
The fabric appears to be polyester, they do not provide lots of information, and I would say as usual. But this is their standard H20 Block Technology, so the waterproof rating is formally low yet the seams are taped, and their tents are normally reliable. The floor is a thick polyethylene.
The carry bag is included, and you have detailed instructions for the tent sewn-in inside of the bag. It is large enough to easily store the tent inside, and equipped with two carry straps.
Other features include a couple of small wall pockets, and an e-cable port shown below.
In the video below you can see how to set this tent up:
Who is this tent for
Regarding the size, the official capacity is 6 people. For this you have 99 ft² (9.2 m²) of the floor area, and in the case of 6 users this would mean 16.5 ft² (1.5 m²) per person.
The dimensions are such that you can indeed put 6 pads on the floor. The tent is large enough for 2 queen size beds but you would not have much space left. I see it perfect for a couple, or for parents with one kid.
Regarding the climate & seasons, I would point out the fact that all the openings can be closed. So this tent can work well in a cool environment. It is ventilated, but I think it is still less suitable for a very warm climate, in such an environment you would rather have a mesh canopy.
Its dark rest fabric is useful if you use it in the north areas with few dark hours during the night, so you can sleep longer. It is also good for parents with a kid that needs a nap during the day.
The tent is aerodynamic and low profile, though the fly is not full-coverage type so I would not use it in extremely windy places. All in all, this is a true 3 season tent and perhaps even a bit more that that.
Regarding the weight, I would describe it as a lightweight tent with its 16.25 lb (7.37 kg). The packed size is not bad, it measures around 26.61 x 8.35 x 8.35 inches (68 x 21 x 21 cm). Such a package you can transport even on a bicycle.
Regarding the price, this is an incredibly affordable tent for its overall quality and features.
Specifications
- Official capacity: 6 people.
- Weight: 16.25 lb (7.37 kg).
- Dimensions: 11 x 9 ft (335 x 274 cm).
- Area: 99 ft² (9.2 m²).
- Area per person: 16.5 ft² (1.5 m²).
- Peak height: 66 in (168 cm).
- Packed size: 26.61 x 8.35 x 8.35 in (68 x 21 x 21 cm).
- Poles: fiberglass.
- Warranty: 1-year limited warranty.
Final thoughts, rating, pros & cons
So you have seen it, this CORE 6 Person Tent with Block Out Technology is a simple and reliable dome structure that comes with a dark-rest design and this is its best feature. If you are in search of a tent with this design, this is the one to consider.
Below you can see how this tent stands against my usual rating criteria, so you can easily compare with the other tents here in the site:
CORE 6 Person Tent with Block Out Technology
Pros
- Dark rest design.
- Lightweight.
- Easy to use.
- Great price.
Cons
- Small for 6 people.
- One door.
Note that they have yet another 6-person tent built in a similar style, though without dark rest features. You might want to check also this affordable Sierra Designs Fern Canyon 6 Person Tent.
Let me know if you have a questions, there is a comment box below. Subscribe to my weekly newsletter and stay informed. Thank you for reading and have a nice day.
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