Ooooh, this is tough, very subjective and nothing is perfect!

With reservations, I like the r-dome but it polarizes people because of its great strengths and equally great weaknesses. 

The only practical solution is for you to get a less expensive stand-alone like the CLAM until you can see an r-dome for yourself 'in action' and then make up your own mind. The Pahaque side tent may also be a possibility for consideration.

Good luck!

I suppose that, had we paid extra for it, we might be more conscious about utilizing it. We've only been camping 5 times, so this comment isn't exactly coming from the most seasoned of R-Podders!

With the fall coming, I am curious as to whether or not anyone has success with using it as a mud-room. Weatherproofing the fabric and maintaining it seems like it could be a deal-breaker.

Absolutely get the dome. It is really the ONLY thing we miss from the Pod besides the small size. We have contemplated having one custom made for the Lance.. Really.

One of many videos on the web about erecting a R-dome.. this one happens to star... ME. LOL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l03M5OWxufE&feature=youtu.be - Dome Video

Vann

I will point out.. the whole.. "never used it but give it a down vote" bothers me.. but...

Yeah it works great as a mudroom, or a screened dining area or an enclosed space for changing clothes, as a spot of shade with sides rolled up, in cool weather, setting a small heater out there makes for a great sitting out area.. etc etc. Some domers have made clear vinyl "windows", to velcro over the screen windows, and I have played some great games of dominoes in those domes when it was freezing out.

As far as maintaining it.. we never sealed it, or waterproofed it. We did twice, set it up at home, in the yard and wash it. Because we were set up under trees that were leaking gallons of sticky sap. In fact, without the dome, the whole area in front of the Pod would have been a miserable place to be on one of those campouts.

I also have a Kelty Noah (16x16) tarp and a recent purchase of a Clam Escape. For ease of deployment, the Clam is, hands down, the most remarkably easiest shelter. Really, really does take less than a minute to deploy. Great for a quick stop when setup and breakdown of dome is inconvenient and we want the extra space.  With optional side panels it's quite a nice private and comfortable room. I'm still working on a way to snuggle it up to the dome for a theater or man-cave addition!

The Kelty tarp is fun to play with and a good picnic table cover when space and trees permit. I suggest you play with different configurations in your backyard before going camping - unless you are not easily embarrassed. I have tried using it as a pod awing with very limited success. I can setup the dome so fast, it really doesn't make sense but I always bring it along because it's just such a small package.

Just yesterday, I wrote to PahaQue after seeing this:

https://pahaquecustom.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=124&zenid=3cfcf8884506f7719e51ece51341f3c3 - https://pahaquecustom.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=124&zenid=3cfcf8884506f7719e51ece51341f3c3

It's really the best commercial awning design I have seen yet for a shape similar to the pod. I asked if they were working on a pod version. The answer I got:

Hi Fred, Yes, actually. It's already being tested and worked on. Right now we do not have an estimate on the release but it will be soon. Jason Rogers PahaQue Customer Service

I'm prolly going to get that too! Bottom line, all of these have their place and I can see using any one or two or three in different circumstances.

If I only had one choice. It would be the dome.

fred

However, we were very pleasantly surprised at how functional and easy the Thule awning is.  I honestly thought I would regret not getting the R-dome but for setting up and packing up quickly and still have a functional dry area during a rain storm, the awning does a great job.

I think it will be great when boondocking for extended periods.  At first, we set a threshold of more than 1 night.  But now I think it should be more than 3 nights, i.e. more than a weekend.  On short trips we're away from the pod so much that it doesn't seem worth it to set the dome up.  It's just my wife and I though.  I think with a bigger crew, the threshold would go down.

It doesn't seem useful to us in developed (dense) campgrounds - just too big.

For us, it's definitely worth the cost ($0).  If we had to buy it separately, not so sure.  The http://stores.clamoutdoors.com/quick-set-by-clam/screens.html - Clam is attractive at that price, or even a commercial EZ-up like we have, with walls and screens.

We went with the R-dome. To me it has much more going for it than an awning.

We have not had ours up yet, there just is not room in our driveway.

Awnings don't stop bugs.  Give you no privacy if/when you want it.

However, for one/two day stops one might not want to bother with the Dome.

So for that reason I bought slides from a sail shop that fit the keder rail, and a 18x10 heavy duty tarp from Harbor Freight. So we can go either way, quickly and easily.

But we expect and intend to use the Dome as well. Multiple tools in the box is my philosophy.

The more tools the more options you have.

In my defense, I did say it was a non-vote, and I don't think I tried to persuade anybody one way or the other.

I look forward to giving it a shot this fall. Thanks for the insight!

You are correct.. my bad.. But I think, (and hope) that when you get a chance to use it, you find how versatile it is.

.

We love our dome, but use a Clam also as additional space or substitute.  

Furpod, 

Nice to see Maggie in your video and a younger Micah.

More than doubles living space and we are outdoors all the time when camping and only sleep in fiberglass box. So versatile too. Can have sides up for clear view. Screens down if buggy, and completely zipped during unstable weather. Recently spent entire day under Dome while 7 inches of rain fell in Catskills. Entire outdoor living room stayed dry while the awning people were holed up in their box all day and spent next day drying their rug.

Several steps or mods we had to make. 1. Crimped keder rail slightly from one to other to make c channel tighter so Dome can't fall out. 2. Replaced cheap stakes with real camping stakes that stay secured in solid ground and make certain to stake down all the black loops. 3. Replace suction cups with heavy duty ones. 4. Put weights on black flaps on exterior bottom. We just use rocks from campsite, but other use gallon water jugs or other weights.

Dome becomes playpen for kids and pets and deters interest when away from Camp (zipped down). On year three and have never waterproofed or seam sealed. As long at tension tight on upper pools so no water pools, it never leaks. Stepladder crucial to feed Dome in track and to extend upper poles real tight. Have even cooled or heated Dome to take edge off, by leaving Pod door open.

It is wonderful.