Landrover Discovery 1 Roof rack Awnings???

[dragongoose]

On a Matter of Interest.
I have a discovery 1 and want to get a side awning. Now there are many options but really. Here are the options, non retractable, retractable, boom swing outs (needs very strong rack) or poles (light rack). Must I keep it light and simple. Should I go heavy duty and robust. I am going to research a click on click off system while I am at it.

[BMKal]

Mostly depends on what type of roof rack you have fitted.

I'm not a fan of any of the "swing out" style of awning. Had a "Black Widow" retractable on the D2 but had a few issues fitting it - ended up putting on two Rhino rack legs and making up adaptors to allow them to fit in with the Rola racks that were already on the vehicle - mounted the awning to the Rhino legs.

The Black Widow retractable is a very good quality awning - one of the best I've seen in a retractable. We still have it (my son has the D2 now) and it still looks like new - has had a lot of use. One of the more expensive retractable awnings that you can buy though.

I've got a cheaper (Chinese) version of the same on the D4 - does the same job but time will tell how long it lasts. Doesn't look or feel anywhere near the same quality as the Black Widow, but was around half the price.

If I was ever to consider a "swing out" style of awning, the only one that I would look at is the genuine Foxwing, made by the makers of Oztent. I've read too many bad reports about the cheap copies.

[FenianEel]

What sort of roof racks do you have?