23Zero Armadillo Horizon 2 vs Darche Solar
The 23Zero Armadillo Horizon 2 and the Darche Solar are both hardshell tents in the same part of the market, which makes them a genuine head-to-head rather than a comparison across categories. 23Zero and Darche take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the 23Zero Armadillo Horizon 2 brings 93 kg, 2.57 m² of floor, 109 cm of headroom and sleeps 2. The Darche Solar counters with 88 kg, 2.4 m² of floor and sleeps 2.
The Solar is 5 kg lighter at 88 kg against 93 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 2.57 m² and 2.4 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. Their list prices are within a few percent of each other, so price is unlikely to decide this one.
The Armadillo Horizon 2 uses 14-gauge fully welded aluminium hard shell; the Solar uses 2mm 6-Series Aluminium Alloy; Heavy-Duty 15mm Aluminium Honeycomb Insulation base. Canvas differs too: ECO13B fabric with Light Suppression Technology (LST) against 380gsm polycotton canvas with Darche Darkness (3000mm); 420D Polyester Oxford Ripstop fly (2000mm).
23Zero
Armadillo Horizon 2
The 23Zero Armadillo Horizon 2 is 23Zero's current two-person aluminium hardshell, replacing the older AX2. A 14-gauge fully welded aluminium shell with rounded corners opens to one side on a gas-strut hinge, over a 2-inch self-inflating mattress and ECO13B fabric with Light Suppression Technology. It adds a rear heater/cooler duct port, a roof skylight, a USB LED light bar and dual T-slot roof rails.
- Rugged 14-gauge fully welded aluminium hardshell with fast gas-strut setup
- 2-inch self-inflating mattress and ECO13B fabric with Light Suppression Technology
- Heater/cooler duct port, stargazer skylight and roof rails that carry 22 lb of gear
- Heavy at 205 lb (93 kg)
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
Which one to pick
Take the Solar 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 | 4-season | — |
| List price | $3,995— worst of the tents compared | $3,960— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 205 lb— worst of the tents compared | 194 lb est.— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 5 ft 2 in— best of the tents compared | 7 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 4 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 8 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 13.4 in— worst of the tents compared | 11.8 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 6 ft 6 in— worst of the tents compared | 6 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared | 3 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 27.7 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 25.8 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 3 ft 7 in | — |
| Mattress thickness | 2 in— worst of the tents compared | 2.8 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 | 14-gauge fully welded aluminium hard shell | 2mm 6-Series Aluminium Alloy; Heavy-Duty 15mm Aluminium Honeycomb Insulation base |
| Fabric | ECO13B fabric with Light Suppression Technology (LST) | 380gsm polycotton canvas with Darche Darkness (3000mm); 420D Polyester Oxford Ripstop fly (2000mm) |
| Warranty | — | 3years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | Yes | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | Yes |
| Annex available | Yes | — |
| Solar ready | — | Yes |
| Carries cargo on top | Yes | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | 23Zero product page | Darche product page |
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Or read the full spec sheets for the 23Zero Armadillo Horizon 2 and the Darche Solar.