Guide Gear vs. Chinook

**awestm11** · 04-02-2012, 20:16

So here's the thing, I need a tarp and I'm on a wicked tight budget. The guide gear 12x12 looked perfect until the whole deal with them not actually being 12x12(actually 8.5x8.5). The Chinook also looked great being that it was larger(12x9.5) and a bit tougher, but it's twice the price and I've heard that the grommets for the guy line tear out if you don't sew webbing loops on. So do I go with the cheaper, smaller option and hope it provides the cover I need in case of rain? Or go outside my budget for the bigger one and hope the grommet problem is an easy fix? Or is there an alternative to both that I don't know about?

Here are links for the two tarps. guide gear is about $20, Chinook is about $40.

http://www.bargainoutfitters.com/net....aspx?a=498642

http://www.grabcart.com/product/Spor...-5andapos-Sand

**SilvrSurfr** · 04-02-2012, 20:32

Originally Posted by awestm11

So here's the thing, I need a tarp and I'm on a wicked tight budget. The guide gear 12x12 looked perfect until the whole deal with them not actually being 12x12(actually 8.5x8.5). The Chinook also looked great being that it was larger(12x9.5) and a bit tougher, but it's twice the price and I've heard that the grommets for the guy line tear out if you don't sew webbing loops on. So do I go with the cheaper, smaller option and hope it provides the cover I need in case of rain? Or go outside my budget for the bigger one and hope the grommet problem is an easy fix? Or is there an alternative to both that I don't know about?

Here are links for the two tarps. guide gear is about $20, Chinook is about $40.

http://www.bargainoutfitters.com/net....aspx?a=498642

http://www.grabcart.com/product/Spor...-5andapos-Sand

I bought two of the Guide Gear 12 x 12 tarps, but exchanged them for 16 x 16 tarps. Those will run you $29.97, so the difference is only about $10 from the Chinook.

I haven't field-tested the Guide Gear 16 x 16, but my immediate impressions are that it needs seam sealing and tie-out reinforcement, as many have concluded here:

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ght=guide+gear

And you'll need to add ridgeline tie-outs and reinforcement to use it in winter mode. So which is better for you? Depends.

**thekalimist** · 04-02-2012, 21:09

i have the chinook in that size. its super burly. I sewed the webbing loops in in lieu of using the grommets. The grommets are showing no sign of rusting.

**Bubba** · 04-03-2012, 01:24

Saw in anbother thread that the Kelty Noah's are on sale here

The 9x9 can be used in a diamoond configuration of get the 12x12 for a lot of coverage.

**mtndragon** · 04-03-2012, 13:10

I tried to go the Guide Gear route, and ended up with a couple of the 12x12 (9x9) tarps from the recent purchase wave. After receiving them I realized the new G.G tarps are probably not going to be the cheap, abuse-able motorcycle tarp I was looking for. Ordered a Chinook (9x12) instead, and there really is no comparison in terms of quality. I believe the Chinook was $48 shipped, and it is a burly, high quality tarp that needs just a wee bit of sewing to make it really durable. I am going to try and make the G.G. tarp servicable with a cat cut, seam sealing, and new tie-outs. The GG. tarps need way more work to make them durable. Good luck with your decision.