Swiss Gear Smart Shade 10- by 10-Foot Screenhouse Review

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(More customer reviews)I had wanted a pop-up canopy for some time, primarily to use at the outdoor shooting range, and after the last range trip where we had no shade whatsoever, I finally bought the Swiss Gear screen house. Although EZ-UP has more name recognition, I was looking at the Quik Shade 10x10 Recreational model because I'd used them at work and really liked the vented canopy. However, the legs were flimsy.
This screen house had good reviews and although the price was higher than comparable products from competitors, I decided on the Swiss Gear. (Their reputation was an additional selling point.) It's taken me a long time to learn the "pay once for quality" lesson, but I've finally learned it (and this purchase reaffirmed it). I was initially disappointed to learn that the canopy is designed to be removed from the frame every time you take it down, but I got over it.
We have no cover over our patio at home, so I decided to set this canopy up as a temporary summer solution. I put it up by myself in about 10 minutes. I would have preferred to have help, as I had to lean the canopy on two legs and I was afraid of bending them as I did the Quik Shade, but the legs are sturdy steel (vs. aluminum) and held up nicely. I have yet to attach the screen panels but I expect them to perform as well as the canopy itself.
Overall, it's fantastic and worth every penny. It looks great and works as advertised. Bonus: This past Friday we had our first family backyard barbecue in 14 years!
Update 11/16/08: Each time I use it, it makes me happier. This past weekend I took the canopy to an outdoor car show. My uncle commented on how easy it was to set up, and said, "Boy, you got the deluxe model." I attached one of the screen panels (it comes with two; they attach to each other with zippers and attach to the canopy with Velcro and metal hooks) and was again pleased with the ease of setup and the quality of the product. This time when I folded the canopy, I left the top cover on the frame and it required very little extra effort to put the whole thing into the storage bag.
One suggestion: I'd like to see a rubber or plastic bumper around the bottom of the storage bag. I dragged the bag about a foot before I realized I didn't have it on its wheels, and the asphalt wore through a couple of layers of nylon. My fault entirely, but a skid plate would be a nice touch.
Update 12/31/10: I had some high-wind experience with this canopy recently. The wind was blowing directly perpendicular to one side of the canopy, and as we were trying to secure it with sandbags and guywires, I noticed that two of the bars on the "accordion" part of the metal frame had actually bent in the middle. We took it down immediately, and I was able to bend the piece back into reasonable shape later. It didn't affect the canopy's performance at all. I'm not sure that any canopy is really going to stand up to high winds (by design or otherwise), but maybe Quik Shade's vented design has an advantage over a non-vented design that seems to act like a kite by catching as much wind as possible.
Update 6/6/11: I contacted Wenger NA about acquiring replacement parts and received a prompt reply: "I apologize but wind damage isn't covered under warranty, and the poles / frame are not available for purchase separately." So when the wind picks up, take it down.

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