UPDATE 11/17
Our Limelights are still going strong after six years of continuous use on Scout camping trips. We’ve had one or two tears, but everything else is holding up admirably. No problems with poles and zippers, waterproofing still strong.
The Limelight model was updated since we bought ours, they now have straighter walls and are more box-like, I’d imagine this makes the interior larger. I have had positive reports from those who own the new model.
It seems that Marmot is no longer making the 3 person size, so you’ll have to choose between 2 or 4 person models.
Our old Eureka Timberline tents were starting to show their age. Many of them have been in use for 15 years, some more, some less. I told our committee it was time to order some new tents. I hadn’t really looked at alternative tents in a good many years. My research led me to the Marmot Limelight.
Our Timberline 4 tents served us well. They were inexpensive, durable, and easy to set up. They backpack well with the parts of the tent divided between 3 or 4 Scouts.
The Timberlines big footprint make finding level space a challenge. They also collapse inward in winds or snow. There’s limited space for gear storage. Although the Timberline claims room for four in practice it fits three Scouts and their gear.
While the Marmot Limelight 3 is two square feet smaller than the Timberline the use of space is superior . There’s 41 square feet of interior space and two 5 square foot vestibules for gear in on each side for . The limelight is also two pounds lighter. The Limelight costs more than a standard Timberline 4 but it is more comparable with the much more expensive outfitter model. The Limelight has two doors where the standard Timberline has one. The limelight is made of tougher fabric than the standard Timberline 4. The dome shape performs better in wind and snow and sports special tie outs for those conditions.
We ordered a Limelight and I set it up at home. My two immediate concerns were the length of the poles and the complexity of setting up the tent.
We know, no matter how much we tell the not to, Scouts twirl shock-corded tent poles like nunchakus and use poles for impromptu sword fights. The two eight foot long main Limelight poles looked like they’d last about as long as a paper shirt in a bear fight.
I asked my Scouts to try setting the Limelight up at our next meeting. I walked away and let them try this on their own with no instructions and no advice.
They set the tent up with minimum of confusion. We took it camping and it got very good reviews from the Scouts who used it. Based on their reaction we ordered three more to take with us on our annual week-long canoe trip. By the time they had used the tent for the week (we had some high winds and rain) the Scouts were sold on them, they told me it was easier to set up than the old Timberlines.
I’ve spent many nights in the Limelight and I’ve really come to like it. The Scouts are very happy with their new tents too. The only possible downside I have seen thus far is that the small plastic clip that holds the two main poles together has broken on a couple of the tents. I hasten to add that you don’t need the plastic clip – I am not sure why it was there in the first place.
Here’s a comparison of weight, cost (manufacturers retail, there are better deals out there), and floor space based on 3 Scouts per tent.
| Marmot Limelight 3 | Eureka Timberline 4 | ||
| Total | Per Scout | Total | Per Scout |
| 6 lbs 11 oz | 2 lbs 4 oz | 11 lbs 3 oz | 3 lbs 6 oz |
| $279.00 | $93.00 | $229.00 | $76.30 |
| 61 Sq Ft | 20.33 Sq Ft | 63 Sq Feet | 21 Sq Ft |