Sunseeker 2.5m Awning

[TrDpRo_J]

Hey gang,

Back story: So I've been looking at an awning, I narrowed down to the popular ARB and 23 Zero - to match my tent (I mean who doesn't like a matching set)

But I gonna be honest and say that the ARB cover puts me off all together, random grey just doesn't do it for me so I went to purchase the 23 zero 8x8 today and this popped up > HERE

I've seen quite a few ARBs in person but just having a scroll though the pics this thing looks like it's built way better.. thoughts? Anyone seen one in real life?

Features that stand out:

- Double stitched corners
- The cover is black and has a plastic edge (I wish I had this on my RTT after it snagged on a trail branch)
- Single rail mount

 

[Jeffy]

Dang... I hate the grey cover of my ARB (and also the tan when it's deployed). Kinda wish I had gotten this instead, the quality looks just as good.

 

[codyHTX]

[MENTION=119582]Jeffy[/MENTION] you can order a replacement black CVT awning cover and swap. guy i know did it with his ARB2000 after he ripped it.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

That Sunseeker looks top notch

 

[Jetboy]

Hate to say it - but the $99 Chinese version is better engineered. Materials wise that one looks nice. But it's designed like the ARB standard one with only one slot in the aluminum extrusion for the legs. That means the legs have to be shortened to not interfere with each other when the occupy the same slot. The cheap chinese versions have TWO slots in each extrusion. So the legs don't have to be shortened. The result: one person setup vs two. It's a PITA to setup an ARB alone. It's easy to setup the chinese version alone. The ARB touring awning is designed like the chinese ones.

I have the Chinese version and an ARB delux awning tent. They play well together.

The fabric quality on the chinese version is not great. The cover is probably the same as all of them, but the primary awning fabric is light weight ripstop nylon. When/if it wears out I'll have to replace with sunbrella type fabric. And it'll end up costing more than the ARB - but it's also better IMO.

Just my $.02. Good luck.

 

[Runn4est]

Hate to say it - but the $99 Chinese version is better engineered. Materials wise that one looks nice. But it's designed like the ARB standard one with only one slot in the aluminum extrusion for the legs. That means the legs have to be shortened to not interfere with each other when the occupy the same slot. The cheap chinese versions have TWO slots in each extrusion. So the legs don't have to be shortened. The result: one person setup vs two. It's a PITA to setup an ARB alone. It's easy to setup the chinese version alone. The ARB touring awning is designed like the chinese ones.

I have the Chinese version and an ARB delux awning tent. They play well together.

The fabric quality on the chinese version is not great. The cover is probably the same as all of them, but the primary awning fabric is light weight ripstop nylon. When/if it wears out I'll have to replace with sunbrella type fabric. And it'll end up costing more than the ARB - but it's also better IMO.

Just my $.02. Good luck.

Do you have a link for the awning? I am in the market.

Thanks!

 

[Jetboy]

This is just an example. I think there's about 50 different "brands" of the same product. I think mine was called "outsunny" or something like that.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Portable-T...9e:m:mgWaEGnRTy5dwotO72tXWwg&var=413500744682

Looking at this ARB awning - it looks just like the chinese knock off now with the double slot extrusion. And the price is pretty close if you wait for one of the ebay sales. The big benefit you get with the ARB is nicer fabric quality. So it probably lasts longer. It just depends on how much you use it. https://www.ebay.com/itm/ARB-4x4-Ac...225580&hash=item2141f50e8f:g:KXAAAOSwwTlbK9FC

Like I said - I also have the ARB delux awning tent that cost more than my awning and it's a well made product. I generally like arb products.

 

[matoolie]

Thanks for info. I've been looking at awnings also. One potential advantage of the ARB is the add on mesh/screen walls or the complete deluxe room. I do not think similar add ons are available for the Sunseeker.

 

[Jeffy]

[MENTION=119582]Jeffy[/MENTION] you can order a replacement black CVT awning cover and swap. guy i know did it with his ARB2000 after he ripped it.

Great tip, thank you!

 

[Jetboy]

Thanks for info. I've been looking at awnings also. One potential advantage of the ARB is the add on mesh/screen walls or the complete deluxe room. I do not think similar add ons are available for the Sunseeker.

As long as the dimensions are reasonably similar, they all fit with eachother. The attachments use the same bolt rope system for all of them.

ARB tent with chinese awning:

 

[TrDpRo_J]

Hate to say it - but the $99 Chinese version is better engineered. Materials wise that one looks nice. But it's designed like the ARB standard one with only one slot in the aluminum extrusion for the legs. That means the legs have to be shortened to not interfere with each other when the occupy the same slot. The cheap chinese versions have TWO slots in each extrusion. So the legs don't have to be shortened. The result: one person setup vs two. It's a PITA to setup an ARB alone. It's easy to setup the chinese version alone. The ARB touring awning is designed like the chinese ones.

I have the Chinese version and an ARB delux awning tent. They play well together.

The fabric quality on the chinese version is not great. The cover is probably the same as all of them, but the primary awning fabric is light weight ripstop nylon. When/if it wears out I'll have to replace with sunbrella type fabric. And it'll end up costing more than the ARB - but it's also better IMO.

Just my $.02. Good luck.

A solid point there about the legs but outside of that the Sunseeker looks much better quality. I mean it looks nothing like the Chinese ones in finish, no plastic to go brittle etc.

Think I'm going to see if I can find one in local retailer or just be a guinea pig because there are literally no reviews for this version only the older version which looked like a cheap Chinese one.

 

[macscac]

watched a video of this awning on youtube. looks like a pretty solid choice to me!

 

["krax"]

I've had the Sunseeker for a little bit and I'm very happy with it.

Rhino Rack and OzTent are in cahoots with each other so the awning itself is consistent with Oztent quality and the guy lines are identical.

 

[AFishEye]

Hey gang,

Back story: So I've been looking at an awning, I narrowed down to the popular ARB and 23 Zero - to match my tent (I mean who doesn't like a matching set)

But I gonna be honest and say that the ARB cover puts me off all together, random grey just doesn't do it for me so I went to purchase the 23 zero 8x8 today and this popped up > HERE

I've seen quite a few ARBs in person but just having a scroll though the pics this thing looks like it's built way better.. thoughts? Anyone seen one in real life?

Features that stand out:

- Double stitched corners
- The cover is black and has a plastic edge (I wish I had this on my RTT after it snagged on a trail branch)
- Single rail mount

I have owned the Sunseeker 2.5 m for a few months now and, so far, I really like it.
A strong wind gust blew it over the roof towards the other side of the car (will happen to any awning). I thought it would be destroyed but it survived the almost 180 twist with no damage. Lesson learned: stake an awning down in strong winds.
The only minor gripe I have is that rolling the awning and fitting it in the cover is a tight fit. The more I use it, the easier it gets.
I purchased the Sunseeker since I have a Rhino Rack roof rack with some additional Rhino Rack mounting brackets and, overall, I have been very pleased with the quality of the products and customer service. The sunseeker comes with mounting brackets that are designed for a Rhino Rack roof rack (and, if I am not mistaken, with generic mounting brackets as well).
This awning has a multitude of add ons/accessories; once I will figure out what is most practical for my needs, I will probably purchase a side or front wall.

 

[TrDpRo_J]

I have owned the Sunseeker 2.5 m for a few months now and, so far, I really like it.
A strong wind gust blew it over the roof towards the other side of the car (will happen to any awning). I thought it would be destroyed but it survived the almost 180 twist with no damage. Lesson learned: stake an awning down in strong winds.
The only minor gripe I have is that rolling the awning and fitting it in the cover is a tight fit. The more I use it, the easier it gets.
I purchased the Sunseeker since I have a Rhino Rack roof rack with some additional Rhino Rack mounting brackets and, overall, I have been very pleased with the quality of the products and customer service. The sunseeker comes with mounting brackets that are designed for a Rhino Rack roof rack (and, if I am not mistaken, with generic mounting brackets as well).
This awning has a multitude of add ons/accessories; once I will figure out what is most practical for my needs, I will probably purchase a side or front wall.

Awesome, just the kind of info I was after thanks.. The cover isn't a major issue for me I like the plastic protection on the edges, after catching my RTT on the trails it's a small trade off.

:cheers:

 

[AFishEye]

Awesome, just the kind of info I was after thanks.. The cover isn't a major issue for me I like the plastic protection on the edges, after catching my RTT on the trails it's a small trade off.

:cheers:

Here is a big one that I have not mentioned:
There is a large removable zipper on the front part of the awning to attach a front wall or to connect to a tent. This is the biggest impediment to an easy folding of the awning and to placing it back in the cover.
It comes with the awning; remove it and keep it separately

 

[sn_85]

Hate to say it - but the $99 Chinese version is better engineered. Materials wise that one looks nice. But it's designed like the ARB standard one with only one slot in the aluminum extrusion for the legs. That means the legs have to be shortened to not interfere with each other when the occupy the same slot. The cheap chinese versions have TWO slots in each extrusion. So the legs don't have to be shortened. The result: one person setup vs two. It's a PITA to setup an ARB alone. It's easy to setup the chinese version alone. The ARB touring awning is designed like the chinese ones.

I have the Chinese version and an ARB delux awning tent. They play well together.

The fabric quality on the chinese version is not great. The cover is probably the same as all of them, but the primary awning fabric is light weight ripstop nylon. When/if it wears out I'll have to replace with sunbrella type fabric. And it'll end up costing more than the ARB - but it's also better IMO.

Just my $.02. Good luck.

I'm not sure which ARB awning version you have but mine definitely has two separate channels for the feet. Maybe there was a revision? Mine is the ARB 2000 awning btw.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

 

[Jetboy]

I'm not sure which ARB awning version you have but mine definitely has two separate channels for the feet. Maybe there was a revision? Mine is the ARB 2000 awning btw.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

I don't know the age of the awning that I was comparing to. I'm sure it was an ARB. And the hardware quality was pretty good. Just the design was lacking. It sounds like the new ARBs are all the double channel design. Probably where the chinese knock off copied it from.