Project Appleseed

I have the opportunity to purchase a 10' x 20' carport style canopy and was wondering if we would have any use for one at any of the upcoming shoots. Any advise would be much appreciated.  BTW the canopy is clearanced at $149.

thanks 

No, I'm not in Michigan, but I'll jump in and offer my advice anyway.    

We use the 10'x20' canopies as cover behind the equipment line.  It's a great way for shooters to stay out of the sun when prepping mags, hydrating, listening to instruction (when not in SPQR's Hokey Pokey Circle of Instruction, anyway), etc.  However, $149 sounds pricey.  You can check out some of the Indiana AARs for pics, but I know we've been able to pick ours up for $80-$90 each when Menards has them on sale, which seems to be fairly regularly.  Then again, maybe yours is more of a pop-up type canopy, in which case you'll save time setting it up which is nice.  This is what we've been using:
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&xhr=t&q=shelterlogic+10x20&cp=15&um=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1257&bih=589&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=14576810968989429659&sa=X&ei=m70VTt-ADMj30gHV_cVI&ved=0CGwQ8wIwAg

Hint: LABEL the pieces.  Seriously.  I thought I'd remember.  And then I thought I'd never lose the directions.  Well...now the pieces are all labeled.   

I've used both the carport style and the pop-up. 

Used the carport type when I was doing the photography at the Go-Kart races when we lived in Texas.  It has lots of room . .  isn't tooo hard to set up, but it takes a good 15-20 minutes even after you know how it goes.  However they are bulky to store and transport.  The plus side is that it was very well constructed and lasted a long time -- some 60MPH straight line winds finally wadded it up when we used it for a carport here in OK.  When we used it in the field we usually tied to to my F-150.  Never blew away after that.

The pop-up type are smaller - easier to transport and store, and about 100 pounds lighter.  They are also much less robust.  Here in the windy central plains I've seen about 1 pop-up sacrificed per 2 Appleseeds . .  meaning someone loses a popup at about every other event.

I currently have a pop-up type.  And when the wind gods come to take it, I will replace it with another pop-up.  If you need more shade buy 2 and lash them together.  Still about the price of the big carport type.

Also get a few hundred feet of rope (I like brightly colored paracord) and some tent stakes to lash it down.  Even with the big one.  It's amazing how little wind it takes to get a 150 pound tent airborne!


--dale

Quote from: dalesp on July 07, 2011, 11:38:16 AM
Also get a few hundred feet of rope (I like brightly colored paracord) and some tent stakes to lash it down.  Even with the big one.  It's amazing how little wind it takes to get a 150 pound tent airborne!

I can vouch for this.  Whatever type of canopy you bring, or whatever type of canopies are brought to an event by shooters, they MUST be secured to the ground.  Depending on the average/expected winds, tent stakes may not be sufficient.  Loss of a canopy is no big deal; having a shooter or an instructor get injured because of a fly-away canopy *is* a big deal. 

The main difference among canopies is the quality of the tarp;  the 'cheap' carport-style canopies come with a white tarp that is rather thin.  These do an 'okay' job of providing shade, but are not very durable.  The 'expensive' carport canopies come with a heavy canvas tarp, block the sun extremely well, and feature UV-blocking dyes. 

You'll have to be the judge as to what type of canopy you buy, but as for me, in the "Sunshine" state, I purchased the best car-port canopies I could find, knowing that the shooters and instructors alike would benefit from being sheltered from the effects of the sun.  With the heavy-duty canvas cover, I am certain that they will survive more than a few years of prolonged duty.

Also, +1 to what Antiebellum said; if you get a car-port style canopy, mark the pieces so that it is easy to reassemble, even if the directions get lost.  Use a sharpie marker, then wrap your marks with clear tape.

For reference, here is the canopies that we are using here in FL:
ShelterLogic #25759 (about $250 ea, though deals can be found online)

Just for reference for those using canopies on the line:

If the wind starts to "walk" one downrange, and the shooters are standing or sitting, you must be very alert and act quickly.  In the moment when the wind picks up the canopy and starts to move it, they (inexperienced shooters) will have a strong urge to let their muzzle go where it will and move forward of the line to stop the canopy (a recipe for disaster). 

Moral:  Canopies must be tied down so they can not move.  If and when they do move, those with safety in mind must act quickly to either stop the canopies and/or stop shooters from violating the safety priorities, i.e., if hot brass lands on your back or a bee stings you (or the canopy starts walking down range) what do you do?  Answer:  Keep your muzzle in a safe direction (and stay behind the firing line).

I have used the ones from Menard's for 2 summers now and they are currently on sale for $80. Yep, it's a good idea to stake them down.  I label the poles with colored electrical tape so as to keep all of the appropriate parts in each box (we put up 2-4 at a time).  Also, a photocopied set of instructions are in a clear vinyl pouch taped into the lid of every canopy.

HH

Thanks for all the helpful comments and suggestions everyone.   
I decided to go and purchase it today while I was there picking up my check.  I also work at this store (the one with the big orange sign) so I've been checking it out for over a week. Menards sounds like a good deal but unfortunately the closest one is an hour drive.  As far as securing it to the ground I definitely would bring something to keep it grounded.  I've seen too many canopies at the big orange store get destroyed from wind and rain and poor securing after setup.  Now I just need to know from my fellow Michiganiacs  if there are any ranges where we are having shoots that require such a device.  And again thank you to everyone for your comments and helpful hints 

Fenton always has crappy weather and can use another big canopy. 
Bellevue will need a second one when we start selling out.  I believe we will be needing it more and more in the future.  Thanks for stepping up and making the investment. 

The line at the WA DAR can almost be completly covered with pop ups  (donated by Shooters and Instructors alike (Thank You Again) ) and even tho the Range is in a valley inside a valley the wind can still blow them around allways tie them to the ground some how .


Wade

FWIW, you can buy some pretty hefty stakes for tying down the canopies at Home Depot. They are orange plastic and come in two lengths. Usually the shorter ones are enough but for extra security or when the ground is loose soil or soft, the big ones driven in at an angle work extremely well. The bright orange color makes them harder to trip over too. I use 8 on a 10x20' canopy.