Eureka! Zeus 2 Classic - Tent (sleeps 2)

by Eureka

Product Features

• innovative, ultra-light two-person backcountry tent for 3-season camping
• Super-tough gated carabiner clips attach tent body to frame
• Patented high/low venting door vents enhance air circulation for maximum comfort
• 12.25 square foot vestibule for gear storage; rain fly
• Weighs 3 pounds, 14 ounces; 6.5 by 15-inch pack size

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The innovative, ultra-light two-person Eureka Zeus 2 Classic tent offers extra strong exoskeleton frame that's easy to set up and a roomy interior for one. The freestanding design gives maximum headroom and is very stable. It features large mesh side panels, multiple vents, a high/low venting door, and a bottom venting fly to provide ventilation and minimize the opportunity for condensation. All vents are protected from rain and splash. Set up is easy with Eureka's Gated Carabiner System, which positively locks the clip to the tent quickly and easily.

Features:

• 2-pole rectangular dome tent
• Durable and lightweight, the freestanding 7000 series aluminum frame (8.5mm) is shockcorded for fast and easy set up.
• Post and grommet corner attachments feature locking end tips for added stability.
• Patented High/Low venting door vents from top and/or bottom to enhance air circulation for maximum comfort.
• Zipper cover keeps water out of vestibule for dry storage inside its 5.5 square foot interior.
• Two mesh storage pockets keep essentials handy, yet out of the way.
• Flashlight loop
• Tent, pole and stake bags included

Specifications:

• Sleeps: 2
• Seasons: 3
• Floor size: 4 feet, 10 inches by 7 feet, 5 inches
• Interior height: 3 feet, 6 inches
• Pack size: 6.5 inches by 15 inches
• Weight: 3 pounds, 14 ounces
• Frame: 8.5 mm 7000 series aluminum
• Hooded fly: Yes
• Gear loft: Optional
• Vents: 5
• Doors: 1
• Windows: 1
• Vestibules: 1 (12.25 square foot area)
• Wall: 40D nylon ripstop, 1200mm
• Floor: 70D nylon ripstop, 1200mm
• Mesh: 40D No-see-um
• Area: 32.7 square feet (plus 12.25 square foot vestibule)

About Eureka
Though the exact year is unknown, Eureka’s long history begins prior to 1895 in Binghamton, New York, where the company still resides today. Then known as the Eureka Tent & Awning Company, its first wares were canvas products--most notably, Conestoga wagon covers and horse blankets for nineteenth century American frontiersmen--as well as American flags, store awnings, and camping tents.

The company increased production of its custom canvas products locally throughout the 1930s and during the 1940 and even fabricated and erected the IBM "tent cities" just outside Binghamton. The seven acres of tents housed thousands of IBM salesmen during the company’s annual stockholders meeting, which had since outgrown its previous locale. In the 1940s, with the advent of World War II and the increased demand for hospital ward tents, Eureka expanded operations and began shipping tents worldwide. Ultimately, upon the post-war return of the GIs and the resultant housing shortage, Eureka turned its attention to the home front during the 1950s by supplying awnings for the multitude of mobile homes that were purchased.

In 1960, Eureka’s new and innovative Draw-Tite tent, with its practical, free standing external frame, was used in a Himalayan Expedition to Nepal by world renowned Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person documented to summit Mt. Everest only six years earlier. In 1963, Eureka made history during its own Mt. Everest ascent, with more than 60 of its tents sheltering participants from fierce 60+ mph winds and temperatures reaching below -20°F during the first all American Mt. Everest Expedition.

For backpackers and families, Eureka introduced its legendary Timberline tent in the 1970s. Truly the first StormShield design, this completely self-supporting and lightweight backpacking tent became one of the most popular tents the entire industry with sales reaching over 1 million by its ten year anniversary.

Eureka tents have also traveled as part of several historic expeditions, including the American Women’s Himalayan Expedition to Annapurna I in 1978 and the first Mt. Everest ascents by a Canadian and American woman in 1986 and 1988. In recent history, tents specially designed and donated by Eureka sheltered Eric Simonson and his team on two historic research expeditions to Mount Everest, this time in a quest for truth regarding the 1924 attempted summit of early English explorers George Mallory and Andrew Irvine. During the 1999 expedition, the team made history finding the remains of George Mallory, but the complete mystery remained unsolved. Returning in 2001 to search for more clues, the team found amazing historical artifacts which are now on display at the Smithsonian.

Amazon.com Tent Guide
Selecting a Tent
Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Expect the Worst
In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in! If you're a backpacker, alpine climber or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to take something designed to handle more adversity.

Three- and Four-Season Tents
For summer, early fall and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain-fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are more specifically designed for summer backpacking and other activities. Many premium tents will feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain-fly for enhanced waterproofness.

For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.

Domes and Tunnels
Tents are broadly categorized into two types, freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and those that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floor-plan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being more lightweight. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.

Size Matters
Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.

Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is also available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.

Product Description

Unique design innovations, like our exo-skeleton frame and gated carabiners make this ultra-light tent extra strong and easy to set up. Awesome weight to space ratio provides comfortable interior for 2 people without sacrificing carry weight Airflow is maximized through multiple vents - one in the roof, vestibule end, and along each side - and the high/low venting door to minimize condensation which is interent in single wall tents. Strategic placement of vents, both high and low, draw cool dry air in at the bottom and push warm moist air out at the peak for maximum comfort Gated carabiners and locking end tips on the poles, work like shock absorbers in wind - allowing room for the tent body and frame to flex independently, while preventing the tips from popping out. Tent body is lightweight 40D ripstop nylon with a more durable 70D nylon floor and no-see-um mesh to keep out tiny insects Optional accessories include a Floor Saver - Rectangular Small, and Gear Loft - Universal Family Style

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 16.9 x 6 x 6 inches ; 4.9 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000RLPI8G
• Item model number: 2628348
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good upgrade tent, January 9, 2009

By 

L. A. Martinez "lastbeast" (swamp and jungle) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Eureka! Zeus 2 Classic - Tent (sleeps 2) (Sports)

I had an apex2 tent. great, sturdy, but i needed something smaller

the zeus is a way more light and compact tent
pros-
-compact
-light
-easy and fast set up ( i can do it in 1 minute more or less)
-freestanding
-good space
-has the bathtub design so water wont creep easily

cons-
- floor doesnt look very strong ( it hasnt failed, so maybe just
needs extra precaution)
- packing bag its not so good ( had to cut it smaller and added
straps )

overall it is a great tent. if u want an upgrade from a heavy and big package, the Zeus its a very good option. just buy it!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Money well spent, December 28, 2008

By 

K. Anderson "This message has been ROT-13 enc... (Orlando) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Eureka! Zeus 2 Classic - Tent (sleeps 2) (Sports)

I purchased this to lighten my pack on a backcountry trip and it has become my primary tent. Couldn't be easier to set up, doesn't even need a separate rain fly (like I am used to). I can attest to its stability in high winds. The front alcove is infinitely usefully and opens wide enough to get it out of the way. When I set it up it looked small from the outside but inside, easily fit two people with gear. Even played cards comfortably. The jury is still out on the floor which feels extremely thin and fragile, I am taking extreme measures to clean sticks and rocks from under it so we will see (that is why I am holding back one star)...

Hope this helps, best regards and happy camping!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars light, quick, easy, June 20, 2008

By 

T Dabney (Tampa FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eureka! Zeus 2 Classic - Tent (sleeps 2) (Sports)

a breeze to setup, the zues 2 (aka apollo 2 depending on where you buy it) is super light, great color and easy to set up. nice amount of room for 2 people and one dog.