Hello,
I got a shiftpod mini not long ago from the local warehouse sale the company was having. I plan on taking mine to Burning Man this year and the mini will only house me. Some general feedback:
- it is 72 in x 72 in x 56 in (if you are under 6 feet this will do you good if you are taller sorry bud)
-trying to find any sleeping pad or cot was not so easy you definitely need something that is 72 in or smaller but it is possible
-I still plan to use a canopy for extra shade
-easy setup and take down
-I hear the full size ones get hot I am expecting this one to get hot as well in the desert
-overall I am happy to own one and looking forward to testing it out in the desert this year
I got a Mini just in time for 2019 Burn, first one I’ve been to. A few issues with the Mini I’ve not seen written anywhere else:
ⓐ No opening to exhaust an AC.This is major. While they state this, it’s not obvious how important an omission this is. Alone it would cause me to reconsider buying the Mini. I tried reducing the portable AC exhaust from 6” dia. to 3.5” (approx dia. of port for wires) but it was unstable and probable that the resistance would overheat the AC compressor.
ⓑ There’s discussion somewhere about filters for the 4 screened ports, very necessary when it starts blowing on the Playa, but I found nothing on the website and there are no Velcro strips or other means to fasten them. The ports close with zippers, but then it’s an airtight pod which you will suffocate in.
ⓒ The four zipper pulls on the front door ALL say “EXIT” on them! 2 are for the screen, 2 for the outer cover. This is just plain short-sighted (euphemism for “stupid”). Since they are indistinguishable, it’s too easy to pull the wrong one, either closing when u want to open, or closing/opening the wrong one. Each should be labeled or colored differently.
ⓓ The shape of the door is inexplicably inhuman. That is, it narrows to a point at the bottom, making it nearly impossible to step in or out without catching a foot on the door frame. It’s easier to duck your head to miss hitting on the upper frame; should be wider at the bottom.
ⓔ I used a 72” long Thermarest as a mattress on the floor. Going between opposite corners, it touched the tent walls at both ends but fit OK. I’m 6’0” and didn’t hit feet or head on tent walls. Initially I placed the Thermarest from near the door opening across to the far “corner.” I soon realized it works/fits better to go perpendicular to the door; this gives you room to step in (inevitably getting the floor dirty, but not your bed); and there was enough room on two sides for a portable AC, a small shelf and your handheld junk where you can find it.
ⓕ Next version should be just a few inches taller. Average American men are taller than 5’6” and being unable to stand up straight, or nearly so, is cramping and uncomfortable. You can’t do much from your knees, and your back will soon protest.
ⓖ There is only one place (top center) to put a hook to hang a light or a hangar. Numerous loops sewn in would greatly improve the customizing options. Further, there is NO place to hang anything on the outside. A few loops sewn in would help a great deal.
ⓗ The “Blast Shield” is basically a shiny reflective rainfly intended to provide shade. Forget it. You need more space between it and the tent roof for air circulation. In other words, this tent will not let you sleep past 9am at Burning Man unless you have an independent shade structure overhead.
