Eezi-Awn Galaxy vs Ironman 4x4 Cross 1200 MK2
The Eezi-Awn Galaxy and the Ironman 4x4 Cross 1200 MK2 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. Eezi-Awn and Ironman 4x4 take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
The Galaxy is 11 kg lighter at 45 kg against 56 kg, which on a factory roof rated for 68 to 75 kg is often the difference between a legal fit and a rack upgrade. List prices are within $14 of each other, so price is unlikely to decide this one.
Canvas differs too: 260GSM ripstop canvas against 420D polyester Oxford fly; 120gsm super-fine insect mesh. Closed, the Galaxy sits 26.93 cm lower on the roof — 16 cm against 42.93 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.
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
Ironman 4x4
Cross 1200 MK2
The Cross 1200 MK2 is Ironman 4x4's softshell fold-out tent, whose fold-out design roughly doubles its footprint to a 120.5 x 56.3 inch open floor sleeping two adults and a child. At a published 125 lbs it is lighter than the brand's hardshell tents and uses 420D polyester Oxford fabric with a 2.8-inch high-density foam mattress. Ironman 4x4 sells a matching Cross 1200 annex room, and the tent is rated for 3-season use.
- Lighter than Ironman 4x4's hardshell models (125 lb published)
- Optional matching Cross 1200 annex room available from the brand
- Integrated star-gazing sky windows and a heater/AC hose inlet
- Rated 3-season, versus the 4-season rating on the brand's hardshells
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— worst of the tents compared | 3— best of the tents compared |
| Season rating | — | 3-season |
| List price | $1,290— best of the tents compared | $1,299— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 99 lb— best of the tents compared | 125 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 6 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 9 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 6.3 in— best of the tents compared | 16.9 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | — | 10 ft |
| Sleeping width | — | 4 ft 8 in |
| Floor area | — | 47.1 sq ft |
| Interior height | — | 4 ft 2 in |
| Mattress thickness | 2.8 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. | 40 sec | ~5 minest. |
| Shell material | — | Soft shell |
| Fabric | 260GSM ripstop canvas | 420D polyester Oxford fly; 120gsm super-fine insect mesh |
| Warranty | — | 3years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | — | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | Yes |
| Roof skylight | Yes | Yes |
| Annex available | — | Yes |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Eezi-Awn product page | Ironman 4x4 product page |
Related comparisons
Or read the full spec sheets for the Eezi-Awn Galaxy and the Ironman 4x4 Cross 1200 MK2.