HQ/Gear Guide camo tarps

[CamoDeafie82]

have anyone on here used one of these?
http://www.amazon.com/HQ-ISSUE-foot-...=HQ+issue+tarp

seems to be a very affordable option to making my own.....though the fact reviews says it needs seam sealing...kinda makes me think it's not quite waterproof as is?

says comes with a sack, guy lines, stakes.... and that it doesn't use grommets is another win for what it is....
it's PU coated but I am thinking it is much lighter than a Poly plastic tarp?

doing some math, I figure the ridgeline is going to be just around 12 feet, which is what I need, and if I add doors from my camo ripstop, it would give me triangles of just over 6 feet sides with the 8.5 ft hypotenuses......which would make it a 12x12 square-ish tarp (depending on the triangle door cuts and sewing...).... I did note they used to offer 11x11 tarps but that is sold out?

[Catavarie]

These come around in March. The past couple of years have been less than stellar. So if you can hold out a few more months I would suggest it, however if you need a tarp now, then they do certainly work.

[geneaut]

I have one. I've only used it once in a light overnight drizzle and it did fine.

[HomeMadeHiker]

I had a green one and had some pretty significant leakage issues. Seem sealed 3 times with no luck. Wouldn't trust it in a down pour but for light rain ot did just fine.

[CamoDeafie82]

OK thank you; so I suppose between these, and the 6 yards of camo ripstop I have, the camo ripstop will do me better after I put in the time sewing it together and doing my own Silicon impregnating? And that for now, a cheap Poly plastic tarp will do me good until i get the ripstop material made into a silnylon tarp?

[SilvrSurfr]

There have been a lot of posts on these emergency shelters and Guide Gear tarps. From all I've read, the quality is abysmal. I bought two Guide Gear tarps in 2012 that leaked like a sieve. I tend to think those who say the tarps are acceptable don't do much camping in bad weather.

I'd avoid these, and give a try at making your own tarp.

[CamoDeafie82]

yeah..... these are the cheapest PU coated nylon tarps I've been able to find, BUT it seems apparent from several reviews outside of Amazon and SG that they aren't fully coated or sealed in all spots.... the next up in terms of price, is the Equinox Egret PU coated ones, and I'm not sure I like them..... then there's the SilNylon tarps at way more than I can currently afford....

I tend to think those who say the tarps are acceptable don't do much camping in bad weather.

I live in the Pacific NW.... we get a lot of bad weather lol; so I'm definitely keeping an eye out for good waterproof tarps. the Poly camo ones I have, all have burn spots from when I used them as ground sheets next to campfires several years ago, so they're going to be relegated to groundsheets or sun shades or lean-tos when I get my own made up, or when I find something I can use....

EDIT:

I'm intrigued by the green vinyl tarps offered by Stansports, but their size is way too small (5x7)...is there a reason no one makes larger vinyl sheets into tarps, other than the weight and the fact they can melt?

[Cali]

Have you looked at the Kelty Noah 12? It is reasonably priced and a good tarp. A bit heavy, but a good sturdy tarp and it keeps the rain off.

[CamoDeafie82]

hmm I didn't see a 12 ft on Amazon........at least not for one that was under $200.... they offer a $100 16ft tarp.... I see on Google that the 12 ft should be around $70.....and then there's the ENO Fly tarp that only have 6 guy line tie out points, which isn't enough for me... the Kelty Noah's Tarp is starting to look attractive...as does the Equinox Egret ones..... though the camo ripstop I have, is also starting to look more and more affordable even with me spending the time to sew it up and then pitching it and then applying the silicon..hmm...

[HomeMadeHiker]

Try looking up chinook 9 x 12 PU coated Poly. Nice tarp was my go to until this year. Nice thick PU coating but the seams have to be sealed. Can't go wrong with the Noah either.