ARB Altitude Electric vs ARB Esperance V2
Both of these are ARB tents, so the question is not which brand to trust but which size and configuration suits your vehicle and how you camp. The Altitude Electric and the Esperance V2 share ARB's construction and warranty; where they part company is in the numbers below.
The Esperance V2 is 48 kg lighter at 58 kg against 106 kg, which on a factory roof rated for 68 to 75 kg is often the difference between a legal fit and a rack upgrade. Inside, the Altitude Electric gives 3.63 m² of sleeping floor against 2.85 m², about 27 percent more, though both are rated for 2. The Esperance V2 lists $3,109.95 lower, at $2,890 against $5,999.95.
The Altitude Electric uses fiberglass; the Esperance V2 uses heat-treated ABS. Canvas differs too: 380GSM poly-cotton canvas against 200GSM poly-cotton canvas (fire retardant); 210D silver-coated oxford rainfly.
ARB
Altitude Electric
The Altitude is ARB's flagship electric hardshell, opening and closing automatically at the push of a button. It has a fiberglass shell, a 70mm dual-density mattress and an internal 12V system with dimmable lighting, a fan and USB charging. It is the most expensive and heaviest of ARB's current rooftop tents.
- Automated push-button setup and pack-down
- Integrated 12V electrics with lighting, fan and USB
- Solar-ready with a 20kg dynamic roof-load capacity on top
- Heaviest tent in ARB's range at 106 kg
ARB
Esperance V2
The Esperance V2 is ARB's compact, lightweight slimline hardshell with a heat-treated ABS shell and integrated 12V electrics. It packs to about 330mm high and includes a telescopic aluminium ladder, a stargazing moonroof and a removable rainfly. It is the lightest of ARB's two rigid-shell wedge tents.
- Low pack-down height and light 58 kg weight
- Integrated 12V system with USB-C and LED lighting
- Compatible with the Esperance V2 annex
- 50mm mattress is thinner than the Altitude's
Which one to pick
Take the Esperance V2 if the budget is fixed. Take the Esperance V2 if your roof load limit is the binding constraint. Beyond that the feature rows below — heater port, skylight, annex, cargo rails — are where the remaining difference lies.
Every specification, side by side
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Type | Hardshell | Hardshell |
| Opening style | Clamshell | Clamshell |
| Sleeps | 2 | 2 |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $6,000— worst of the tents compared | $2,890— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 234 lb— worst of the tents compared | 128 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 7 ft 5 in— worst of the tents compared | 5 ft— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 5 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 14.6 in— worst of the tents compared | 13 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 7 ft 5 in— best of the tents compared | 6 ft 6 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 5 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 8 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 39.1 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 30.7 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 3 ft 10 in— best of the tents compared | 3 ft 8 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | 2.8 in— best of the tents compared | 2 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | ~60 secest. | ~60 secest. |
| Shell material | Fiberglass | Heat-treated ABS |
| Fabric | 380GSM poly-cotton canvas | 200GSM poly-cotton canvas (fire retardant); 210D silver-coated oxford rainfly |
| Warranty | 3years | 3years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | — | Yes |
| Annex available | — | Yes |
| Solar ready | Yes | — |
| Carries cargo on top | Yes | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | ARB product page | ARB product page |
Related comparisons
- Altitude ElectricvsDiscovery
- Altitude ElectricvsGen 3-R Expedition
- Altitude ElectricvsSkyera
- Altitude ElectricvsMaggiolina Airlander Plus
Or read the full spec sheets for the ARB Altitude Electric and the ARB Esperance V2.