Sleep through the dazzling sunlight and get some serious shut-eye at the campsite with the genius Instant Up 4P Lighted Northstar Dark Room tent from Coleman.
Not everyone is an early morning riser, which is why this tent has a special coating on the fly which blocks out 95% of light while reducing the heat in your tent by up to 5°. Set up is easy just lay the tent down, spread the fabric out, extend the poles until they lock, then throw the fly over, peg it out - and you’re ready to roll! For illumination at the flick of a switch, the interior has silicone flexible strip LED lighting which is super convenient. The front features a vestibule which helps add to your living space, and you can also pitch out the two-pole awning at the front for extra shade. You won’t lose your essentials amongst the mess as the Instant Up Dark Room Tent features interior organisers and a hammock for storage.
There’s a durable polyoxford floor PVC floor for toughness, and a 3000mm Waterhead rated fly for protection. This tent also has ventilation covered thanks to the ultrafine mesh and the Coleman Circle Ventilation system. Lucky last, you can also get the kids to bed nice and early as the dark interior of the tent will give the illusion of bedtime. For more restful sleep-ins and quieter evenings on your camping trips, the Instant Up 4P Lighted Northstar Dark Room tent is ideal.
The Evo Gold 4P says 240Lx240W but this one says 380Lx240W. Does the extra bit mean the front awning?
G'day Damian,
Yep - it accounts for the extra length of the vestibules.
If you are wanting to compare the internal sizing of tents, check out the 'sleeping area' specification.
Hope that helps!
Another person asked how many pegs would need to be purchased (to use instead of the included pegs). Can you advise the number of pegs included with the tent?
G'day John,
I’ve measured the pegs that come with the tent and they're 18mm long, and there are 20 included with this tent. You also get 2 extra guy ropes (as there are 4 guy ropes attached to the tent).
How do these instant/quick up tents cope in strong winds compared to more traditional style tents?
G'day Andrew,
They dont cope as well as say a heavy-duty canvas cabin tent, or something a bit more geodesic like a dome tent.
Having said that though, if you are aware of the limitations of your tent, and can provide adequate support for it you shouldn't have too much trouble.
Making sure you add Trace Springs onto your guy ropes, and set up with as much shelter from the wind with vehicle positioning, etc as possible is really important.
Mostly, getting through wind and adverse weather when camping is a bit of common sense. So dropping the awning down, and adding extra guy ropes, etc can all make a huge difference.
Pls provide details about the floor material and water resistant rating
G'day Frank,
The floor material of this tent is 420D Polyoxford PVC, Coleman has not tested for a Waterhead rating on the floor but this is a water-resistant material and has no issues keeping water out of the bottom of the tent.
is the tent suitable for winter camping conditions?
G'day Bryan,
Yes this is suitable for winter conditions. It has a waterhead rating of 3000mm to keep the rain out of your tent, although this isn't suited and hasn't been tested in the snow.
What type of mesh are the doors and windows made from?
G'day Claire,
The mesh material of the door/windows is Poly Mesh 50 x 50 and non-fire retardant.
Hi guys, Hooked up two different Powerbanks to the lighting system. Worked well but on each occasion, the lights would turn off automatically. I then had to turn the Powerbank on again for them to work. Is that normal?
G'day Tim,
I have just called and checked with Coleman and they have advised the powerbanks need an output of at least 5V and 5000mAh to supply enough energy for the lights, this should power them for about 4 hours.
If they are under these specs the power banks may not be providing enough power, I could suggest trying the battery pack or hooking up to another power source to test this.
If they are still having an issue please get in contact with us to assess further.
When you mention in the video you can use a power pack for the lighting instead of the battery pack. Do you mean a powerbank? What size mAh would you recommend for 2 nights without recharging?
G'day Katie,
Generally, a USB powerpack will have a 5V, 2.1A output, we'd probably suggest at least a 10000mAh capacity. The LED light has three brightness settings, plus a "nightlight" setting where only the switch glows. Setting 1: 50 mA (would last for about 130 hrs with a typical 10,000 mAh power bank, or the supplied 4 x D cell power pack). Setting 2: 200 mA (32 hrs). Setting 3: 400 mA (16 hrs). Setting 4 (switch glows only) <5 mA (1300 hrs).
How does this Coleman compare to the zempire pronto in terms of stability and durability, please?
G'day Yonni,
In my personal opinion air pole tents have a massive advantage over instant up-framed tents in terms of stability/durability in a range of weather conditions.
Air poles, whilst incredibly strong and rigid, can flex without damage which makes them the superior option in any coastal camping situation or winter storms where you can expect decent wind.
The 'poles' are 10cm diameter columns that are manufactured to the same standards as inflatable boats used by lifesavers/water police, etc so they're incredibly robust.
Instant Up tent frames tend to be on the thinner side. Its a balance between having a frame engineered for the 'instant up' function, but also needing it to be light enough to be portable. Whilst the Instant Up tents are an awesome option for many campers, they do have limitations in certain weather conditions. You can better support these style tents with trace springs and heavy duty pegs, which increases their versatility.
In terms of set up time, its much of a muchness once you've pegged out all the guy ropes, etc, and they both have similar waterhead ratings.
The primary difference in materials is that the Coleman Northstar is a darkroom tent, meaning the fly block out light and creates a very dark space.
The Zempire Pronto is darker in colour, so does have some light limiting, but not to the same extent.
For the most part, people have been camping for generations without light blocking tents - its primarily a factor for campers with younger children to assist with sleep.
Hope that helps.
Hi. What comfy stretcher would you recommend for this tent? I have the Oztrail padded jumbo but unfortunately it seems to be too long & rubs up against the tent. Thanks
G'day Dave,
Overall the 4P is on the smaller end of tents that can be used with a stretcher.
Your best options for success are:
Oztrail Low Rise Single stretcher
Oztent Gecko Stretcher series II
Oztent Goanna Stretcher series II
Which Gear Aid Sealant should be used to repair small holes/ pinch holes in this fly - Grip WP or Grip SIL? The Fly is polyester, do you know what material is the Dark Room Coating.
G'day Jan,
Either will work, but the Seam Grip SIL Silicone Tent Sealant would be the better choice of the two, as it will give a slighty thinner and more flexible finish.
Hi there, I was just wondering what the dimensions (length, width and height) of the vestibule were. Thanks
Heya Ryan, this is probably best described by pointing you to the video we made for this tent, check it out at 3:50 (click here to go straight to that timestamp - https://youtu.be/dsLWec7vr8c?t=230) where I describe the dimensions and stand in the vestibule. It comes out about 1.3 metres and tapers from the 240cm width of the tent to the width of the door which is about 150cm, and I'm 185cm tall. ~ Ben.
Do I need to purchase the mesh footprint along with this tent or is it fine to use without?
G'day Kasey,
Its definitely fine to use your tent without one, but they can be a great addition down the track. Especially if you're camping places with rough ground, or very dusty/muddy spaces.
Check out our blog The Benefits of a tent Groundsheet for more info.
Just wondering since the the dark room technology makes it cooler in summer is that the case in winter also? Does it make the tent cooler or does it help retain heat?
G'day Chris,
It doesn't, no. The tent is not insulated at all, so it won't make it warmer, and doesn't technically make the tent cooler in summer. The darkroom technology can reflect sunlight & therefore potentially some heat, but there's no insulative properties. It's worth mentioning that without some natural shade and effective ventilation, a darkroom tent will likely perform similarly to a standard tent on a hot summer's day.
Would the steel poles rust? How do these tents compare to similar Blackwolf tents? Thanks
Any steel will rust in the right conditions, John, and while you may still get a bit of surface rust here and there as long as you store your tent dry then it really isn't a concern.
As for comparison to Turbo Tents, theColeman Instant Up Tents are arguably more livablen as they have more features, but the Turbo Tents are superior when it comes to stability.
If you need something that will withstand bad weather all the time then the Turbo is a better choice. For mild weather family camping with the occasional bout of bad weather, then the Coleman Instant Up tents will be more manageable and livable.
Hello~If Without fly, water head rating 1500mm? Only inner tent also waterproof? So raining day only using inner tent can?(without fly) Tq
G'day Choo,
The tent inner on the Northstar 4P does not have a waterproof rating.
If you are camping in the rain you must use the fly.
Hi, could you compare this one with the oztrail fast frame blockout 4p please? Which one do you recommend and with the material which one is more durable? Thank you
G'day Ines,
They're both great options, with similar build quality and materials. I find the Coleman frame seems to be slightly heavier duty and have a better overall support structure, but having said that alot of people love their Lumos tents. It might be a good option to have a read of some reviews on either, and get some real-life feedback from Campers to help with your decision.
What size sand peg do you recommend for this tent?
G'day Gavin,
We'd recommend the 300mm Supa Peg Polyproylene or Polycarbonate Sand Pegs, as they're a good option for a tent of this size.
You may need to grab a few extras for your awning guy ropes, etc aswell.
Will this tent fit the Oztrail easy fold jumbo single stretcher which I bought from you guys yesterday.
G'day Chris,
You can just fit the Easy Fold Single Jumbo Stretcher in the 4P Lighted Tent, however, it will press up against the end walls, so it's not an ideal fit. We'd recommend a slightly shorter stretcher, or going up to the 6P Lighted Tent.
I have bought this tent and love it but need more uncover space. Is there a gazebo that attaches to this tent for extra undercover space? Or could you recommend another?
G'day Janelle,
The 4P Lighted Darkroom Tents have a velcro strip on the front awning wall/door that can be attached to the Coleman Deluxe Gazebo 3x3 if you're looking to increase your undercover area. Aside from this there aren't any other gazebos that will directly attach, but you could set other shelters up adjacent to the tent and use the corner eyelets on the tent awning to tie the awning wall/door to other models.
Is it suitable for a stove inside the tent with a stove jack
G'day Emma,
We wouldn't recommend using a wood-burning stove with stove jack inside this tent. Generally the stove jack should only be used with canvas tents.
Looking for a 4P tent standing height that has good reviews for adverse weather, especially wind and doesn't' use known toxic chemical treatments.
G'day Lisa,
Yes, Coleman does use flame retardants in their tents. Unfortunately, as this is fairly standard practice in the industry, you might find it difficult to get a tent not treated with a flame retardant.
Hi, can you tell me the difference between the Northstar and this one from Anaconda. https://www.anacondastores.com/camping-hiking/tents/camping-tents/coleman-instant-up-darkroom-4p-tent/BP90112211?fbclid=IwAR0UX855mlGjkDPm-yHcOPiEU8l1f_1wK82q2_2bP16jL0oa-LiRhlZvjSE
G'day Damian,
The model we're selling is from the Coleman "Gold" range. It has a 3000mm waterhead rating on the fly fabric, and a heavy-duty poly oxford floor. It also has an extra front vestibule area for gear storage and ground-based side vents. The model Anaconda are selling is from the Coleman "Silver" range, it has a 1500mm waterhead rating, a lighter weight polyester floor, and no extra front vestibule area or ground vents.
Can the Instant up hub frame poles be replaced if they break? Do Snowys carry spares for sale?
G'day Peter,
Yes, the poles of the Instant Up tents can be replaced if they break. We generally carry replacement pole stock, so if you're needing to get your hands on a pole please send an email (service@snowys.com.au) to us and attention it "Special Order".
I know 2 single bed can fit with some extra space in between but can a double bed and a single bed combo fit inside?
G'day Eugenio,
You should just be able to fit a double and a single bed into the 4P Lighted Tent, however, it will largely depend on the mattresses you chose. Most double mattresses are around 135-140cm wide, which will leave you with about 80cm of useable width for a single mattress.
So is the window mesh proved to be midge proof?
G'day Euan,
The mesh Coleman uses is fairly fine, however, it isn't "No-See-Um" mesh which is the only approved midge proof mesh.
awning poles, gazebo, or other accessory options?
G'day Victor,
At this point in time there are no accessories specifically made for these tents other than the Mesh Footprint.
Hi, how can I add side wall/s etc for added protection from the sun when enjoying sitting under the awning which doesn’t appear to be very long. Can you confirm the dimension of the awning please. Thankyou
G'day Shiree,
Unfortunately, there are no sidewall accessories designed to attach the 4P Lighted Darkroom Tent. You could possible retrofit some extra shade to the awning, but there isn't anything designed to attach to it sorry. We've done the best job we can to try and represent the size of the awning in the floor plan image on the product page. Internally the vestibule area is about 80cm deep when closed, opening up the front and using it as an awning will add about 70cm to that, so the total awning length from the tent attachment to the edge is about 150cm.
Hi, Are the Darche Safari 260 & 350 Awning Walls compatible with his tent to expand the front area? If not, do you have any advice?
G'day James,
You might be able to try and retro-fit these walls to the front of the tent, but there isn't any way to attach them without alterations. We tend to find that people looking for some extra shade/weather protection will go for a separate gazebo or shelter to attach or abutt with the front of the tent.
Hi, is there much difference between this tent and the Coleman instant up 4pv dark room tent $399?
G'day Jason,
The Coleman Instant Up 4PV is the old darkroom version. The 4P Northstar is the new version with built-in lights. Other than the lights they are the same.
Hey Snowys - What is the height of the vestibule section of this ten? Could I stand up in there and get changed?
G'day Arthur,
There is a fairly generous amount of headspace in the front vestibule area, Ben who stars in our videos can stand up in there and he's 185cm, so I think you should be fine to use it as a changing area if needed.
You stated elsewhere that the Coleman sundome tents are not great in heavy rain. How about this one?
G'day Amme,
The Coleman Instant Up 4P Lighted Northstar Darkroom Tents have a 3000mm waterhead rating on the fly, so they'll keep you nice and dry in almost all weather. You can read more about waterhead ratings here on our handy blog.
How well does this keep the warmth in at night? Most tents I've used have such good ventilation that there is too much air coming in at night.
This doesn't specifically insulate, Kelly, but it maintains the heat as well as any dual skin tent. If you close all the vents it keeps more warmth in.
There is a downside to not ventilating the tent though, and that is condensation. If you stop airflow, there is nowhere for moisture to escape, and each person can exhale a fair bit of moisture overnight. This moisture ends up on the inside of your fly and can make for a soggy morning inside your tent if not ventilated.
You can read more on this here - https://www.snowys.com.au/blog/how-to-manage-condensation-in-your-tent/.
We're a bit short of space in the cargo area so have been planning on securing the tent up on the roof rack while travelling. If it rains, will the carry bag repel water or is the tent likely to get wet if the bag is exposed to rains on the rack for any prolonged period? Thanks
I'd say the bag is water-resistant, Chris. The fabric itself is waterproof, but you may find some limitations to just how waterproof it is when travelling at 100kph in heavy rain. You'll also find that the seams and zipper let water inside.
I'd suggest wrapping it in a lightweight tarp before tying it to the roof if you're expecting wet weather, this should keep it pretty dry.
How many tent pegs will I need to buy? ( wanting time buy stronger ones? Also I read in one of the reviews that the black paint that makes it dark, scratches off? Is that true
G'day Sandra,
Coleman include all the pegs you'll need for a standard pitch but we always recommend keeping a few extra on hand in case the wind picks up and you need to add extra guy ropes. It's always worthwhile upgrading some of your pegs to heavy duty - especially for securing your guys ropes. Cheers
Apologies Sandra, just realised I only answered your first question! Re the darkroom coating: this feature is extremely popular and under normal circumstances, no it doesn't scratch off but certainly if anything like that happened, we hope you'd get in touch with us so our warranty team could take a look.
Can't decide between the two, which would you recommend?
The Oxley is a sturdier tent, Robert, but the Instant Up has more features, so it depends on what you are using it for.
For heavier duty use such as 4WD touring or for use in windier conditions such as coastal areas, I'd suggest the Oxley. If it is just for general camping in a caravan park or sheltered campground then the Instant Up is very liveable.
I hope that helps.
I have a 5000 btu haier window ac it is 16.47 in L and 12.63 in H I want to make a hole Next to the door side at a fabric store is my ac to big to fit next to the right or left side of the door
G'day Kyden,
It's not something we'd really recommend trying, but if you've got your heart set on it you could try it. I've measured the distance from the corner to the door and there is just under 40cm, so unfortunately I think your AC unit will be a little too large.
Where is the USB rechargeable Powerpack that isn't included? Need to know lighting power requirements to spec for one if you don't sell the power packs.
G'day Nathan,
We don't sell specific USB powerpacks for these tents, but any USB powerpack will work with the system, the larger the capacity the longer the lights will work. Generally, a USB powerpack will have a 5V, 2.1A output, we'd probably suggest at least a 10000mAh capacity.
I used a 5000mah power bank with my tent. It was more than sufficient for a weekend of camping. The lights don't draw a lot of power, but that depends on how much you use them. I prefer a power bank over the D cell power pack as it's better in terms of long term cost and better for the environment. My only gripe was the power bank was a bit small for the power pack pocket and kept unplugging, but this is no reflection on the tent itself. I'd recommend propping up the power bank if you find the same, or use a female to male USB extension cable.
The LED light has three brightness settings, plus a "nightlight" setting where only the switch glows. I used my USB power bank and a USB power meter to measure the current used. Setting 1: 50 mA (would last for about 130 hrs with a typical 10,000 mAh power bank, or the supplied 4 x D cell power pack). Setting 2: 200 mA (32 hrs). Setting 3: 400 mA (16 hrs). Setting 4 (switch glows only) <5 mA (1300 hrs).
What size tarp and brand do you recommend for this tent?
G'day Adil,
We tend to recommend the Oztrail Ultramesh Tarps for use as a groundsheet under the Instant Up tents. The 2.4m x 2.4m or 2.4m x 3.65m tend to be the most popular options for the 4P Lighted Northstar Darkroom Model, depending on whether you want the groundsheet to extend under the front awning or not.
Why is the Powerpack not included? You’re charging quite a lot extra for integrated lights, but not including any way to power them? Seems a bit like a cash grab, which is a shame.
G'day Hannah,
The power pack is included with the tent and takes 4 - D Cell batteries. Or alternatively, you can provide your own powerpack which will also power the lighting system. In the Snowys video, Bens makes reference to the powerpack at the 6 minute, 20 second mark.
What are the main differences / improvements on this tent compared with the Coleman Instant Up Gold 4PV Dark Room Tent which is right now $100 cheaper?
G'day Tony,
The clearance model Gold 4PV Dark Room and the new model 4P Lighted Northstar are the same apart from the integrated lighting system. If you're not fazed by the lighting then we'd say jump on the clearance model before we sell out!
Is This a Gold or Silver series Tent
G'day Tony,
This is the Lighted Northstar Darkroom, it was previously known as the Gold Darkroom.