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Black Diamond Mega Light & Mega Bug Tents

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Black Diamond Mega Light & Mega Bug Tents

SawatchFactory

300

Sep 22, 2015

Have one and love it. It has become my go-to shelter for every trip. The MLD Duomid is nice, but doesn't offer the cover it all space that the Mega Light does. MLD's comparable Super Mid is a smidge lighter, but $65 more MSRP.

almog

Sep 22, 2015

SawatchFactoryThe MLD Duomid can take 2 people: it has 40+ square fit of usable space, that's only 10 sq. feet less than the Black Diamond for half the weight (or almost 1/4 the weight for the cuben fiber version).
How many people do you usually share the Black Diamond with?

SawatchFactory

300

Nov 11, 2015

almogUsually solo or +1.
The Duomid's square footage is sort of deceptive. Yes, it's only 10 sq ft less than the Mega Light, but the Mega Light is an extra 26" wide and still plenty long. You can sleep three in a BD. It would be very cozy in a Duomid with three.
Also, BD's weight includes the pole - 14 oz. MLD's does not, because it doesn't come with a pole. (Insert debate about carrying a separate tent pole here.) The canopy is only 30 oz or less (I haven't weighed mine).
Not saying one is better than the other. I just really dig the Mega Light. Doesn't hurt that I got it for $60.

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almog

Nov 11, 2015

SawatchFactory$60?!😮 How?
You're right about the pole not being counted, but still, I'd pick the Duomid for solo hiking, not just for being lighter, but because:
1. It's been battle tested over and over.
2. High wind tie-outs.
3. Stealthy colors.

jordo

Nov 16, 2015

SawatchFactoryJust wanted to pitch in on the sqft conversation
The measurements are going to be exaggerated for this type of shelter because the floor-space is calculated right up to the walls. This means the floor area that runs 1" around the perimeter accounts for 2.36sqft but there's no way this is remotely usable.
While the MegaMid claims 51sqft of total floor space if we're talking usable (12" height or more) then it quickly drops to 32sqft (measuring 9" in from each edge = 68"x68")
The Duo mid comes in around 25sqft with the same estimation.
Now, 7sqft doesn't seem like much but consider that a person requires roughly 13sqft (2' by 6'6") to have plenty of room for sleeping and we're looking at a difference of being able to sleep two people and their gear vs two people and very little gear.
For the record, I love the MLD DuoMid and the company is fantastic...I just consider this comparison somewhat silly since its' a 1.5p and 2p size comparison.
The MLD DuoMid XL is a much better comparison, IMO. Looking at that, this really seems like a solid deal.

Benjinot

Nov 16, 2015

jordoBPL states that the megalight has a "Total covered area 72.3 ft2 (6.7 m2)" meaning that the stated calculated "usable area" of 50.7 sqft (4.1m2) seems relatively sincere. It also states "Measured outside width 104 inches (264 cm) square, 66 inches (168 cm) high at apex" which I take to mean that the measurements provided on MD are purely the usable space. I haven't used this mid so I don't speak from experience, just saying the figures seem to match up. This does mean however that it has a behemoth footprint!

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DannyMilks

4557

Nov 18, 2015

Benjinot @jordo and @Benjinot - I wanted to chime in on this discussion. I find that the Mega Light really excels in winter use, where you can dig DOWN into the snow, to make the tent effectively taller, and fully utilize the protected area. I essentially build a 8-16" wall around the base of the tent, plus leaving a pile in the center to hold up the pole that high. We have no trouble fitting four people plus ski boots and some gear. It makes for a wonderful snow camping shelter in most conditions, and I've had it high altitude with snow and wind and it's done well, as long as I took the time to properly set it up and guy it out. This isn't a comparison to DuoMid, but rather a comment on one way to get the most out of this shelter.

jordo

Nov 19, 2015

BenjinotWhen I used the 86" by 86" measurements, I pulled that from at least 3 different sites...particularly the manufacturers.
http://blackdiamondequipment.com/en/tents-and-bivys/mega-light-tent-BD8005070000ALL1.html
I apologize if that wasn't accurate...just working with what they give me. For the record, my "9in from all sides" method would be where you get 86x86 from 104x104 so it's very possible that the 86x86 is supposed to be a usable measure and not the fly/tarp measurement.

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