Ironman 4x4 Orion 1200 Lightweight vs Ironman 4x4 Orion 1400
Both of these are Ironman 4x4 tents, so the question is not which brand to trust but which size and configuration suits your vehicle and how you camp. The Orion 1200 Lightweight and the Orion 1400 share Ironman 4x4's construction and warranty; where they part company is in the numbers below.
The Orion 1200 Lightweight is 23.5 kg lighter at 71.5 kg against 95 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 Orion 1400 gives 3.22 m² of sleeping floor against 2.75 m², about 17 percent more, though both are rated for 2. The Orion 1200 Lightweight lists $500 lower, at $2,499 against $2,999.
The Orion 1200 Lightweight uses pressed-aluminium hardshell with aluminium honeycomb base; the Orion 1400 uses aluminium hardshell roof with aluminium honeycomb base. Canvas differs too: 280gsm ripstop polycotton fly with blackout coating; 120gsm super-fine insect mesh against 320gsm ripstop nylon with blackout coating (fly); 120gsm super-fine insect mesh. Closed, the Orion 1200 Lightweight sits 5.309999999999999 cm lower on the roof — 14.5 cm against 19.81 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.
Ironman 4x4
Orion 1200 Lightweight
The Orion 1200 Lightweight is a two-person gas-strut hardshell tent with a pressed-aluminium shell over an aluminium honeycomb base, catalogued by Ironman 4x4 USA at $2,499 (sold out at time of check). It keeps the same 2200 x 1250 mm footprint open as packed and stands 1560 mm high inside, on a 40 mm high-density foam mattress with a separate 10 mm anti-condensation mat. The maker publishes a 71.5 kg tent weight and rates the roof plates to 40 kg closed / 15 kg open for accessories.
- Lower published weight (71.5 kg) than the brand's Orion 1400 and Ursa hardshells
- Gas-strut clamshell opening the maker rates at under 3 minutes
- Blackout-coated 280gsm ripstop polycotton with a heater/cooler hose inlet
- Sold out on Ironman 4x4's US site at time of check
Ironman 4x4
Orion 1400
The Orion 1400 is a two-person hardshell clamshell tent that pops straight up on gas struts, keeping the same 90.5 x 55.1 inch footprint open as packed. It uses blackout-coated 320gsm ripstop nylon and includes a built-in dual-USB and 12V outlet fed by a 50A Anderson plug. Roof plates and side tracks carry up to 110 lbs of gear (dynamic) in transit, dropping to 66 lbs when the tent is open.
- Blackout-coated fabric plus built-in 12V/USB power via a 50A Anderson plug
- Roof plates rated to carry solar panels and gear (110 lb closed, 66 lb open)
- Fast clamshell setup the maker rates at under 3 minutes
- Heavier than Ironman 4x4's softshell Cross 1200 (202 lb vs 125 lb published)
Which one to pick
Take the Orion 1200 Lightweight if your roof load limit is the binding constraint. Take the Orion 1200 Lightweight if the budget is fixed. 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 | 3-season— worst of the tents compared | 4-season— best of the tents compared |
| List price | $2,499— best of the tents compared | $2,999— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 158 lb— best of the tents compared | 202 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 7 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared | 7 ft 6 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 1 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 5.7 in— best of the tents compared | 7.8 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 7 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared | 7 ft 6 in— best of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 1 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 29.6 sq ft— worst of the tents compared | 34.7 sq ft— best of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 5 ft 1 in— worst of the tents compared | 5 ft 4 in— best of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | 1.6 in— worst of the tents compared | 2 in— best 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 | Pressed-aluminium hardshell with aluminium honeycomb base | Aluminium hardshell roof with aluminium honeycomb base |
| Fabric | 280gsm ripstop polycotton fly with blackout coating; 120gsm super-fine insect mesh | 320gsm ripstop nylon with blackout coating (fly); 120gsm super-fine insect mesh |
| Warranty | 3years | 3years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | Yes | Yes |
| Roof skylight | — | — |
| Annex available | — | — |
| Solar ready | — | Yes |
| Carries cargo on top | Yes | Yes |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Ironman 4x4 product page | Ironman 4x4 product page |
Related comparisons
- Orion 1200 LightweightvsAluminum Pop-up
- Orion 1200 LightweightvsGen 3-R Expedition
- Orion 1200 LightweightvsBush Cruiser V2 Pro 120
- Orion 1200 LightweightvsDiscovery
Or read the full spec sheets for the Ironman 4x4 Orion 1200 Lightweight and the Ironman 4x4 Orion 1400.