Howling Moon Stargazer vs TentBox Lite
The Howling Moon Stargazer and the TentBox Lite 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. Howling Moon and TentBox take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the Howling Moon Stargazer brings 55 kg, 3.36 m² of floor, 120 cm of headroom and sleeps 2. The TentBox Lite counters with 50 kg, 2.93 m² of floor, 105 cm of headroom and sleeps 2.
The Lite is 5 kg lighter at 50 kg against 55 kg, which on a factory roof rated for 68 to 75 kg is often the difference between a legal fit and a rack upgrade. Inside, the Stargazer gives 3.36 m² of sleeping floor against 2.93 m², about 15 percent more, though both are rated for 2. Headroom separates them further: 120 cm in the Stargazer against 105 cm, which is the difference between sitting up to dress and doing it lying down. The Stargazer lists about 11% lower than the Lite.
Canvas differs too: 380gsm military-spec poly-cotton canvas, fluorocarbon impregnated against stormproof breathable UV-resistant fabric, 3000 mm hydrostatic head. Closed, the Lite sits 11 cm lower on the roof — 25 cm against 36 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.
Howling Moon
Stargazer
The Stargazer is the top softshell fold-out tent in Howling Moon's softshell line, adding two openable roof windows to the Tourer layout so occupants can sleep looking at the sky while screened in. It shares the 380gsm poly-cotton canvas and 75 mm high-density foam mattress with the other softshells and comes with a removable flysheet and PVC cover. It is offered in widths from 1.4 m to 2.4 m.
- Two openable roof windows for stargazing
- Compatible with the brand's extension/annex
- Multiple widths from 1.4 m to 2.4 m
- Manufacturer does not publish packed dimensions here
TentBox
Lite
TentBox's fold-out two-person tent, and one of the slimmest soft-shells here at 25 cm closed. The rainfly comes off entirely for what TentBox calls summer mode, leaving mesh panels and double skylights.
- 25 cm closed, slim for a soft-shell
- Removable rainfly for open-sky nights
- 5-year warranty
- Five minutes to pitch
Which one to pick
Take the Stargazer if you need the sleeping room more than you need the lighter tent. Take the Lite 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 | — | 4-season |
| List price | $1,840— best of the tents compared | $2,070— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 121 lb— worst of the tents compared | 110 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 4 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared | 3 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 4 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 14.2 in— worst of the tents compared | 9.8 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 7 ft 10 in— best of the tents compared | 7 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 4 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 36.2 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 31.5 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 3 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared | 3 ft 5 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | 3 in— best of the tents compared | 2.4 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | ~5 minest. | 5 min |
| Shell material | — | Aluminium frame with heavy-duty hinge |
| Fabric | 380gsm military-spec poly-cotton canvas, fluorocarbon impregnated | Stormproof breathable UV-resistant fabric, 3000 mm hydrostatic head |
| Warranty | — | 5years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | — | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | No |
| Roof skylight | Yes | Yes |
| Annex available | Yes | — |
| Solar ready | — | No |
| Carries cargo on top | — | No |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Howling Moon product page | TentBox product page |
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Or read the full spec sheets for the Howling Moon Stargazer and the TentBox Lite.