The Coleman Elite WeatherMaster Screened 6-Person Tent With Built-In LED Light is a summer camping tent with a screened room, hinged door, LED light, and other features.
Key features and advantages
- Tent in the style of a cabin tunnel.
- There is a large screen room.
- A hinged door that swings open.
- Light is built-in.
- There are two rooms in addition to the screen room.
- 2 doors.
- 4 windows, one on the door and one in the screen room.
- Port for an ethernet cable.
Where to Purchase
- See Amazon; they provide a global service.
- Shop at Walmart.
What’s in a name?
You’ve already seen a lot in the name of this tent. The word “Elite” is most likely due to the built-in LED, which is the primary distinction (aside from colour and weight) between this tent and the other Coleman WeatherMaster 6-Person Screened Tent.
Because the tent is attached to the screen room, this is a pleasant floorless area with insect mesh. You can use it for sitting and preparing food while remaining mosquito-free. This section isn’t entirely shielded from the rain, but there is a fly above, so it is not a room in the strictest sense, but beneficial. The inner area has a divider, described as a 2+1 room tent.
The structure has a shape that includes elements of both cabin and tunnel tents, as shown in the image below. So, the walls are straightened and very tall, but four arches form the tunnel shape.
Please remember that this is a rather heavy and non-freestanding framework that must be staked down (the stakes are included). The package has metal and plastic stakes; you will most likely receive 8 plus 8 of each.
LED built-in
As previously stated, the built-in LED lighting provides bright overhead illumination. You have a wall switch that allows you to select between high, low, and nightlight styles. They have 100 lumens (high), 42 lumens (low), and 5 lumens (nightlight). The runtimes are as follows: 26 hours (high), 65 hours (low), and 81 hours (nightlight).
This is CPX 6 suitable, powered by the included battery cartridge, which runs on 4 D batteries (not included) or a rechargeable cartridge (not included). The same reward light system can be found in their Prairie Breeze 9 tent. It’s on my list of the Best Lighted Tents.
The hinged door
Coleman is well-known for its hinged (swinging) door tents. You can see my list of hinged-door tents, most of which are Coleman tents. This is a nice system that consists of two fibreglass poles that are threaded through the zippered sleeves around the perimeter of the door. One remains straight, while the other is looped, resulting in a rigid D-shaped structure.
The same building can be found in their other tent, the Tenaya Lake 6 and the Montana 8 tent. The door has a storm flap, a zipper, and Velcro tabs to keep it shut. You even have a webbing handle, as shown in the image below.
Who is it intended for?
Space-wise, the tent has an overall floor area of 153 ft2 (14.2 m2). This equates to 25.5 ft2 (2.36 m2) per person. However, keep in mind that the projection room is not completely enclosed; there are no side panels, but there is a rooftop. Some items, such as footwear and tools for cooking, chairs, and so on, can certainly be stored there.
If 6 people use it, as its declared capacity indicates, the inner area provides 16.5 ft2 (1.53 m2) per person. This is enough to cover the surface of the earth with sleeping pads. It would be possible, but not cozy, given the extra space in the screen room.
People have asked if two queen-size beds can be used inside. So, yes, they could, yet you wouldn’t have much room. This is a tent for one or two small children and their parents.
Such a cabin-style tent is ideal for bunk cots; remember that they are also available for children. In this instance, you could conserve a significant amount of floor space.
Season-wise, this tent is for summer camping and places where it does not rain. There have been a lot of users complaining about leaking, and this cannot be ignored.
Regarding climate, I’ve seen people ask if the tent can withstand snow on the roof and other comparable inquiries. Do not even consider this kind of use. This tent is for warm weather; there is a lot of mesh on the ceiling (see picture), and you will not be comfortable in such a tent in cold weather.
Weight-wise, the tent is heavy, weighing 41 lb (18.6 kg) and measuring 48 x 11 x 10 inches (122 x 28 x 25 cm) when packed. So you realize you’ll need a car to transport such a tent.
Materials and design
The sleeping area has a detachable divider, giving you two private rooms. However, the second room has no separate entrance because the entry doors are both in the front sleeping zone.
The poles
The poles are made of steel and fiberglass. So, this is a solid and durable combination for this tent. Remember that this is not an instant tent; the poles must be assembled.
The fabric
They use the WeatherTec system, which includes multiple components such as patented welded floors and inverted seams.
They don’t say anything about the waterproof rating. The floor is made of thick material, most likely polyethene, bathtub-shaped, and completely waterproof, so you should have no problems with that aspect.
The fly is designed to be minimal and only protects the roof in the sleeping zone and screen room. The walls, window, and door panels are made of the same material as the fly. This is a strong polyester 75D.
At this point, I’ve noticed that most people were complaining about leaking seams. Do not subject this tent to harsh tests, no matter what they claim about their patented system.
The windows and doors
There are two entrances. The first is the previously identified hinged door, and the second is a mesh door on the screen room with an inverted T-shaped zipper. There’s also an inner door between the screen room and the inner tent, so this is a mesh with the same zippered structure as the outer tent, plus a panel with only a central vertical zipper. So you have complete protection from insects and rain from this side in the inner tent.
However, you will always have a draught because this inner panel door lacks a bottom zipper. In fact, because the tent lacks floor vents, this may be a good thing.
The windows are all double-layered structures with mesh and zippered panels for protection and privacy. There is nothing to object to here. The windows are large and well-designed on all sides.
Ventilation
The tent lacks floor vents, but this is not a major issue. Because of the stated inner door design, you can always have airflow from the screen room area. On the other hand, the massive ceiling area is entirely mesh, ensuring excellent vertical circulation.
Setup
This tent takes about 20 to 25 minutes to set up. One person can do it alone, but two make it far easier. Because it is similar to a tunnel tent, you may want to stake the back side first, then add all the poles, drag the tent forward, and expand it before staking the rest to the ground.
Other characteristics
- There is an electric cable port available.
- There are two tiny storage pockets. It’s a shame they didn’t add more; the walls are massive, and plenty of room exists.
- The carry bag expands for easy packing.
Specifications
- Type: cabin-style tent.
- Capacity: 6 people.
- Weight: 41 lb (18.6 kg).
- Dimensions: 17 x 9 ft (518 x 274 cm).
- Inner tent dimensions: 11 x 9 ft (335 x 274 cm).
- Screen room: 6 x 9 ft (183 x 274 cm).
- Screen room area: 54 ft² (5 m²).
- Total area: 153 ft² (14.2 m²).
- Total area per person: 25.5 ft² (2.37 m²).
- Sleeping area: 99 ft² (9.2 m²).
- Sleeping area per person: 16.5 ft² (1.53 m²).
- Peak height: 80 in (203 cm).
- Packed size: 48 x 11 x 10 in (122 x 28 x 25 cm).
- 1-year limited warranty.
Final thoughts, rating, pros and cons
Please use the comment box below if you have any questions or comments. I wish you a pleasant day.
