Darche Solar vs Darche Streamliner 1250
Both of these are Darche tents, so the question is not which brand to trust but which size and configuration suits your vehicle and how you camp. The Solar and the Streamliner 1250 share Darche's construction and warranty; where they part company is in the numbers below.
The Streamliner 1250 is 19 kg lighter at 69 kg against 88 kg, which on a factory roof rated for 68 to 75 kg is often the difference between a legal fit and a rack upgrade. Floor area is close to identical at 2.4 m² and 2.4 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. The Streamliner 1250 lists $924 lower, at $3,035 against $3,959.
The Solar uses 2mm 6-Series Aluminium Alloy; Heavy-Duty 15mm Aluminium Honeycomb Insulation base; the Streamliner 1250 uses 6-Series Aluminium / EPE composite. Canvas differs too: 380gsm polycotton canvas with Darche Darkness (3000mm); 420D Polyester Oxford Ripstop fly (2000mm) against 280gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas body (3000mm); 420D Polyester Oxford Ripstop fly (1500mm). Closed, the Streamliner 1250 sits 15 cm lower on the roof — 15 cm against 30 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.
Darche
Solar
The Solar is an aluminium hardshell rooftop tent with an integrated 148W monocrystalline solar panel (22% efficiency) built into the shell. It has a 70mm memory-foam mattress, three full-width doors, a zippered sky window and bi-colour LED lighting. The battery and solar regulator are sold separately.
- Integrated 148W monocrystalline solar panel
- Thickest published mattress in Darche's hardshell line (70mm)
- 380gsm blackout canvas with 3000mm waterhead
- Battery and solar regulator not included
Darche
Streamliner 1250
The Streamliner 1250 is a low-profile aluminium composite clamshell hardshell that packs down to 150mm and publishes a 69kg weight. It has three full-width access doors with a removable fly, dimmable bi-colour USB LED lighting, self-repairing coil zips and a 50mm memory-foam mattress. Darche lists a 3-year warranty on it.
- Very low 150mm packed height
- Published weight (69kg) and 3-year warranty
- Self-repairing coil zips and removable fly
- Open/external dimensions not published
Which one to pick
Take the Streamliner 1250 if the budget is fixed. Take the Streamliner 1250 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 | $3,960— worst of the tents compared | $3,040— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 194 lb— worst of the tents compared | 152 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 7 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared | 6 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 8 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 1 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 11.8 in— worst of the tents compared | 5.9 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 6 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared | 6 ft 9 in— best of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 3 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared | 3 ft 10 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 25.8 sq ft | 25.8 sq ft |
| Interior height | — | 4 ft 9 in |
| 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 | 2mm 6-Series Aluminium Alloy; Heavy-Duty 15mm Aluminium Honeycomb Insulation base | 6-Series Aluminium / EPE composite |
| Fabric | 380gsm polycotton canvas with Darche Darkness (3000mm); 420D Polyester Oxford Ripstop fly (2000mm) | 280gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas body (3000mm); 420D Polyester Oxford Ripstop fly (1500mm) |
| Warranty | 3years | 3years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | — |
| Annex available | — | — |
| Solar ready | Yes | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Darche product page | Darche product page |
Related comparisons
Or read the full spec sheets for the Darche Solar and the Darche Streamliner 1250.