Darche Hi-View 1400 vs Eezi-Awn Galaxy
The Darche Hi-View 1400 and the Eezi-Awn Galaxy are both softshell tents in the same part of the market, which makes them a genuine head-to-head rather than a comparison across categories. Darche and Eezi-Awn take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the Darche Hi-View 1400 brings 56.5 kg, 3.36 m² of floor and sleeps 2. The Eezi-Awn Galaxy counters with 45 kg and sleeps 2.
The Galaxy is 11.5 kg lighter at 45 kg against 56.5 kg, which on a factory roof rated for 68 to 75 kg is often the difference between a legal fit and a rack upgrade. Their list prices are within a few percent of each other, so price is unlikely to decide this one.
Canvas differs too: 260gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas body (1500mm); 210D Ripstop Polyester Oxford fly (2000mm) against 260GSM ripstop canvas. Closed, the Galaxy sits 17 cm lower on the roof — 16 cm against 33 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.
Darche
Hi-View 1400
The Hi-View 1400 is a fold-out softshell rooftop tent with a built-in adjustable trigger-lock canopy and a 65mm high-density foam mattress. It has a zippered sky window, a removable 600gsm PVC transit cover and internal storage pockets, and Darche states it is wind-tested to a constant 80km/h. An annex is available separately.
- Wind-tested to a constant 80km/h per Darche
- Zippered sky window and adjustable trigger-lock canopy
- Shares the entry price point in Darche's range
- No published open dimensions
Eezi-Awn
Galaxy
The Galaxy is a soft-shell fold-out rooftop tent supplied on Eezi-Awn's own aluminium rack system, using 260GSM ripstop canvas with a clear PVC roof panel for stargazing. Eezi-Awn states it opens and closes in under 40 seconds using gas struts and includes a 70mm high-density mattress. The headline 45kg weight covers the tent and mattress.
- Manufacturer claims gas-strut opening and closing in under 40 seconds
- Clear PVC roof panel for overhead views
- Published 45kg weight includes both tent and mattress
- Manufacturer does not publish erected/open dimensions or a person capacity
Which one to pick
Take the Galaxy 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 | Softshell | Softshell |
| Opening style | Fold-out | Fold-out |
| Sleeps | 2 | 2 |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $1,320— worst of the tents compared | $1,290— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 125 lb est.— worst of the tents compared | 99 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 4 ft— best of the tents compared | 6 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 8 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 13 in— worst of the tents compared | 6.3 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 7 ft 10 in | — |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 7 in | — |
| Floor area | 36.2 sq ft | — |
| Interior height | — | — |
| Mattress thickness | 2.6 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. | ~5 minest. | 40 sec |
| Shell material | Coated Heavy-Duty Compressed Alloy base | — |
| Fabric | 260gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas body (1500mm); 210D Ripstop Polyester Oxford fly (2000mm) | 260GSM ripstop canvas |
| Warranty | 3years | — |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | — | — |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | Yes |
| Annex available | Yes | — |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Darche product page | Eezi-Awn product page |
Related comparisons
- Hi-View 1400vsIntrepidor 2
- Hi-View 1400vsLite Cruiser 120 XL
- Hi-View 1400vsLITTLE BAMBOO 125 GEN. 2
- GalaxyvsUber Lite
Or read the full spec sheets for the Darche Hi-View 1400 and the Eezi-Awn Galaxy.