Many of these have already been covered but here is my two cents. We own four canopies, 8x8, two 10x10's and a 10x20, and one of the 10x10's is a recent purchase after doing some research on the subject.
- Straight leg is the way to go. The new 10x10 we just purchased is a straight leg and comparing it to our old slant leg 10x10 there is significant difference in both the additional actual under roof sq ft and the 'feel'. In practical use there is less bumping into the upper part of the leg when entering/exiting around items under the canopy such as tables and the like.
- If you have any inkling that you will want the ability to install either screen or solid sides in the future, get a canopy that has the velcro built into the perimeter of the top fabric. Using the type of generic add-on sides can be a pain with looping velcro tabs over the frame and all kinds of sagging and ill fit.
- Having a quality bag can be as important as having a quality canopy and I've been through two bags on our slant-leg model 'quik-shade' 10x10 at $30+ a pop for replacement bags. I will not buy another, I'll try and sew the thing myself this time.
- If you have an inkling of using the canopy for fairs, or farmers markets and such, check with the sanctioning body of the events first as they may well have rules and regulations that will drive your purchase.
- Similarly, if you are going to use the canopy at fairs/farmers markets get one that has 4 sides with vertical zipper opening. This way you can secure your products inside the tent at night, at least to the degree possible with a tent.
- One of the best things we have done is invest in weight bags for the legs. These bags are much more convenient than pounding stakes in the ground and less obtrusive than some of the home-made weight systems.
We currently use these
http://www.amazon.com/King-Canopy-INAWB400-17-Inch-Instant/dp/B000LE8KZW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370...
But have seen many people use this more expensive but better made style. The thing I like about this style is it uses a velcro closure for the top vs a zipper closure of the less expensive type. The velcro closure seems more robust and less prone to failure.
http://www.amazon.com/E-Z-Instant-Shelters-Deluxe-Weight/dp/B000G0192W/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1370808334&sr=8-2&keywords=canopy+weight+bags
- Most common damage I've seen on these canopies are failure to secure (stakes or bags) the canopy down during high winds. Depending on the severity of the wind we will a)lower the legs to the lowest setting, b) lower the legs and remove the top. Typically it is the vertical scissor linkage that goes across from corner to corner that fails. It simply bows out (or in) and once that linkage is bent, it can be difficult or impossible to get working correctly again. Another common cause of damage is trying to set the canopy up with one person who is not well versed in the mechanics of the frame opening system. While I do set up ours by myself at times, it is easier with two people.
- Be very wary of wind if you set up the canopy over the bed of your pickup or the rear of your SUV because if a good wind comes up the canopy frame can end up banging against the side of the truck before you can get to it to take it down. Don't ask me how I know this.
- In looking at various canopies recently I found that the heavy duty version of the Ez-up brand seemed to be the most robust. A relative had one of these at a recent event and I don't remember the exact model number but he said he paid about $240 for it.
- We recently purchased the canopy in the picture below from Costco in store for $200. Ignore the tablecloth banner and emt conduit banner frame, I was just testing some things out before placing an order for a banner to be displayed at an up coming event. Pvc will be used in place of the emt on the final product for the banner frame.
In my admittedly limited use of this canopy:
What I like about it.
- The fabric is quite thick and feels much more heavy duty than or other canopies. It's 600 denier thickness.
- The bag seems really top notch and the opening method seems like it will be less prone to failure than our other bags designs.
- There are two screws on each side of the canopy frame where a thumb screw is used to fasten the fabric to the frame in that area. You can see them in the picture just below the bottom of the banner. This seems to keep the fabric well centered and attached to the frame through repeated closing/openings. It also helps to keep the vertical trim part of the fabric from blowing up so easily. None of our other canopies have this feature.
- The 'truss' design of the roof makes for a more open and airy feel under the canopy as there is less frame-work and more headroom. Also the truss system is supposed to aid in water run-off instead of pooling at the edges like it sometimes does on the old frame style.
- The canopy comes with four sides that are designed to attach to the top and this system is much nicer than the add-on systems.
- The bag actually has big enough pockets to hold all of the sides and accessories without a problem.
- At each corner the top has grommet holes at the top of the legs through the fabric. This is for anchoring the canopy using guy ropes at an angle from these grommets/frame out to the anchor if more stability is needed due to wind. I really dislike the guy rope concept because of the trip hazard and such, but there have been a couple of times over the years that I wished I could use them until a wind event had passed.
- The color white is both a blessing and a curse as it seems cooler temperature wise under this canopy than under our blue or red canopies, but the white color will stain easily I suspect. Especially given we live in the forest and camp in the forest quite often. On the other hand some of the markets require the canopy to be 10x10 straight leg and white in color, so there's that.
- The frame and leg releases have easy to use levers. These are much nicer than having to push in the little ball-detente ball with the end of your finger or other tool.
- This canopy also comes with a banner system on one side of the top but I'm skeptical about how well it will work. There is basically a separate 8" tall X 7' long or so clear plastic sleeve that fastens to the top with plastic buckles. You have a banner printed and slide the banner into said plastic sleeve.
Some things I'm concerned about:
- The legs have plastic feet where as all my other canopies have steel feet. The feet on these canopies can take quite a beating and I'm a bit concerned how well these plastic pieces will hold up over time.
- I've not been able to open this canopy by myself yet, even when one corner is firmly anchored. With this truss-system style frame the truss arm is unfolding-opening as you move the main corner latch up the leg to it's locked in position. If that truss-arm doesn't open you will never get the corner latch locked in and said truss arm is impeded in it's opening motion to a degree by the fabric laying on top of it as it tries to open.
This is not problem when using two people as one person can get under the canopy and push up on the truss-arm while the other person is sliding the corner latch into place. Several reviews have mentioned that the frame is stiff when new and opens easier after it goes through several open/close cycles so hopefully this will be a temporary problem.
Finally, the $200 canopy in the Costco store is not the same one that is pictured on their website despite being almost identical in description. (Different part numbers) The canopy in the store has the truss-arm frame design while the picture on the website shows the old style frame. The canopy in the store has a slightly different latch system than the picture shows on the website.
http://www.costco.com/Undercover%C2%AE-10%27-x-10%27-Instant-Canopy-R-3-Commercial-Instant-Canopy-wi...
- Straight leg is the way to go. The new 10x10 we just purchased is a straight leg and comparing it to our old slant leg 10x10 there is significant difference in both the additional actual under roof sq ft and the 'feel'. In practical use there is less bumping into the upper part of the leg when entering/exiting around items under the canopy such as tables and the like.
- If you have any inkling that you will want the ability to install either screen or solid sides in the future, get a canopy that has the velcro built into the perimeter of the top fabric. Using the type of generic add-on sides can be a pain with looping velcro tabs over the frame and all kinds of sagging and ill fit.
- Having a quality bag can be as important as having a quality canopy and I've been through two bags on our slant-leg model 'quik-shade' 10x10 at $30+ a pop for replacement bags. I will not buy another, I'll try and sew the thing myself this time.
- If you have an inkling of using the canopy for fairs, or farmers markets and such, check with the sanctioning body of the events first as they may well have rules and regulations that will drive your purchase.
- Similarly, if you are going to use the canopy at fairs/farmers markets get one that has 4 sides with vertical zipper opening. This way you can secure your products inside the tent at night, at least to the degree possible with a tent.
- One of the best things we have done is invest in weight bags for the legs. These bags are much more convenient than pounding stakes in the ground and less obtrusive than some of the home-made weight systems.
We currently use these
http://www.amazon.com/King-Canopy-INAWB400-17-Inch-Instant/dp/B000LE8KZW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370...
But have seen many people use this more expensive but better made style. The thing I like about this style is it uses a velcro closure for the top vs a zipper closure of the less expensive type. The velcro closure seems more robust and less prone to failure.
http://www.amazon.com/E-Z-Instant-Shelters-Deluxe-Weight/dp/B000G0192W/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1370808334&sr=8-2&keywords=canopy+weight+bags
- Most common damage I've seen on these canopies are failure to secure (stakes or bags) the canopy down during high winds. Depending on the severity of the wind we will a)lower the legs to the lowest setting, b) lower the legs and remove the top. Typically it is the vertical scissor linkage that goes across from corner to corner that fails. It simply bows out (or in) and once that linkage is bent, it can be difficult or impossible to get working correctly again. Another common cause of damage is trying to set the canopy up with one person who is not well versed in the mechanics of the frame opening system. While I do set up ours by myself at times, it is easier with two people.
- Be very wary of wind if you set up the canopy over the bed of your pickup or the rear of your SUV because if a good wind comes up the canopy frame can end up banging against the side of the truck before you can get to it to take it down. Don't ask me how I know this.
- In looking at various canopies recently I found that the heavy duty version of the Ez-up brand seemed to be the most robust. A relative had one of these at a recent event and I don't remember the exact model number but he said he paid about $240 for it.
- We recently purchased the canopy in the picture below from Costco in store for $200. Ignore the tablecloth banner and emt conduit banner frame, I was just testing some things out before placing an order for a banner to be displayed at an up coming event. Pvc will be used in place of the emt on the final product for the banner frame.
In my admittedly limited use of this canopy:
What I like about it.
- The fabric is quite thick and feels much more heavy duty than or other canopies. It's 600 denier thickness.
- The bag seems really top notch and the opening method seems like it will be less prone to failure than our other bags designs.
- There are two screws on each side of the canopy frame where a thumb screw is used to fasten the fabric to the frame in that area. You can see them in the picture just below the bottom of the banner. This seems to keep the fabric well centered and attached to the frame through repeated closing/openings. It also helps to keep the vertical trim part of the fabric from blowing up so easily. None of our other canopies have this feature.
- The 'truss' design of the roof makes for a more open and airy feel under the canopy as there is less frame-work and more headroom. Also the truss system is supposed to aid in water run-off instead of pooling at the edges like it sometimes does on the old frame style.
- The canopy comes with four sides that are designed to attach to the top and this system is much nicer than the add-on systems.
- The bag actually has big enough pockets to hold all of the sides and accessories without a problem.
- At each corner the top has grommet holes at the top of the legs through the fabric. This is for anchoring the canopy using guy ropes at an angle from these grommets/frame out to the anchor if more stability is needed due to wind. I really dislike the guy rope concept because of the trip hazard and such, but there have been a couple of times over the years that I wished I could use them until a wind event had passed.
- The color white is both a blessing and a curse as it seems cooler temperature wise under this canopy than under our blue or red canopies, but the white color will stain easily I suspect. Especially given we live in the forest and camp in the forest quite often. On the other hand some of the markets require the canopy to be 10x10 straight leg and white in color, so there's that.
- The frame and leg releases have easy to use levers. These are much nicer than having to push in the little ball-detente ball with the end of your finger or other tool.
- This canopy also comes with a banner system on one side of the top but I'm skeptical about how well it will work. There is basically a separate 8" tall X 7' long or so clear plastic sleeve that fastens to the top with plastic buckles. You have a banner printed and slide the banner into said plastic sleeve.
Some things I'm concerned about:
- The legs have plastic feet where as all my other canopies have steel feet. The feet on these canopies can take quite a beating and I'm a bit concerned how well these plastic pieces will hold up over time.
- I've not been able to open this canopy by myself yet, even when one corner is firmly anchored. With this truss-system style frame the truss arm is unfolding-opening as you move the main corner latch up the leg to it's locked in position. If that truss-arm doesn't open you will never get the corner latch locked in and said truss arm is impeded in it's opening motion to a degree by the fabric laying on top of it as it tries to open.
This is not problem when using two people as one person can get under the canopy and push up on the truss-arm while the other person is sliding the corner latch into place. Several reviews have mentioned that the frame is stiff when new and opens easier after it goes through several open/close cycles so hopefully this will be a temporary problem.
Finally, the $200 canopy in the Costco store is not the same one that is pictured on their website despite being almost identical in description. (Different part numbers) The canopy in the store has the truss-arm frame design while the picture on the website shows the old style frame. The canopy in the store has a slightly different latch system than the picture shows on the website.
http://www.costco.com/Undercover%C2%AE-10%27-x-10%27-Instant-Canopy-R-3-Commercial-Instant-Canopy-wi...
I like First Up.. It's not as sturdy as EZ-up, but I can get one to last 4 years.. Not too bad for $80-$90. Can find them at Wal Mart
Make sure you get ones with straight legs.. The angled ones have a 10x10 footprint, but the canopy is 8x8.
I use them when racing at the kart track, and my wife uses them for her business' display at fairs.
Make sure you get ones with straight legs.. The angled ones have a 10x10 footprint, but the canopy is 8x8.
I use them when racing at the kart track, and my wife uses them for her business' display at fairs.
