need tips on buying a new EZ-Up canopy

Lynn · 06-26-04, 08:45

My old EZ-Up canopy died today.

(Two of the cross-braces broke, and none of my attempted repairs worked ... despite our best McGiver efforts.) So I must buy a new one VERY soon, since I lack a garage, and I'm soliciting your recommendations.

I plan to buy another EZ-Up. Tonight I've looked at the EZ-Up site, and am just gobsmacked with the alternatives. Eclipse II, Eclipse II Aluminum, Express II, Escort, Enterprise II, Dome & Dome II ... How the heck do you decide among them??? If anybody else has made a recent EZ-Up purchase, I would appreciate your recommendations about what you bought, why, how it works for you, and any buyer-remorse you may be suffering.

I use my canopy once or twice a week, on weekend detailing projects and at car shows. My old one was 10' x 10' and that size worked fairly well for me. I have to use it on my curbside detailing work, so it can't be over 10' wide. It doesn't really need to be very mobile, but would be nice if it were compact enough to carry to car shows. Good shade and ease of set-up are my priorities.

I look forward to other folks' feedback.

a.k.a. Patrick · 06-26-04, 10:32

Lynn, i scored a 12x12 EZ-up model from Kamrt about 3 weeks ago for $80.00. I didnt even think about curbside detailing ! Good point. But i was challenged today in the hot Ca sun, 90 deg's in Northridge, and i wasnt very comfortable. (You folks are probably saying 90? Thats nothing, true but im an old fart, ok im only 42 and in Olympic shape, uh huh) If I didnt have that EZ-up the job probably would have suffered. But being as I had it, i end up suffering, because its so nice to work under ! I tell my assistant (son) to take a nice pic of pops and look what he does !

Pats300zx · 06-27-04, 04:05

I thought of getting the 10 x 10 but thanks to recommendations from Autopia members I ended up getting the Speed Shelter. It is 10 x 12 and fits my car perfectly. It was a little more pricey but I wanted my car to be completely covered when working on it.

Hope it helps...

Steve A · 06-27-04, 05:57

I picked up an 10x10 Express II package at BJ's for $180. Includes 4 side walls, canopy and wheely bag. Sam's has the same package with the Eclipse, which has "aluminized steel" and should be a little lighter. Think it was $190 for the package.
If you are using it curbside, these models have straight (vertical) legs and actual canopy is 10x10.

SK2003TypeS · 06-27-04, 08:02

Just make sure you read the box. I bought my 10x10 last year, but when I opened it up, I found out the legs were 10x10 and the canopy was only 8'x8'.

Lynn, if you use a canopy that often, I'd spring for big one. It'll pay itself back in no time. I usually find myself moving my car around a lot during a session fighting the angles of the sun. I'm at the point where I'm thinking of buying another to butt up against my current one.
The speedshelter that Pats300zx got is too cool

tpgsr · 06-27-04, 08:16

rlspringer is selling a 10'x10' he made a post about it

Luster · 06-27-04, 09:18

Got mine from Dik's Sporting Goods (wouldn't let me right the word ****'s)...... for $79. Pops up in about 1 minute..... (they're listing it now for $99, but they put it on sale for 79 every 2 months or so)... Looks just like the one from K-Mart (a.k.a.Patrick)...

http://dsp.imageg.net/graphics/produ.../p945542dt.jpg