I purchased an ARB awning last spring from Cruiser Outfitters. My first experience with it was during Pastafari 2011 in The Maze District and it was very handy since there's not much shade out there. The first day I deployed it, I did not stake it down because it was a calm day. During the night, a freak windstorm blew up and I was awakened by the top of my tent smacking me in the face from the 50mph wind gusts. Unfortunately, I didn't have my tent staked down either so the only thing keeping my tent and my gear from blowing off the cliff was me being in it.
So I laid there knowing that the awning I purchased only the week before was being bent and shredded to pieces; it was a mellow-harshing experience. Light of day brought an end to the wind and I went to collect the remains of my awning. To my amazement, the awning was still standing and in one piece. Lines in the sand made it obvious that the awning was moving a whole lot during the night but not one tear or bent pole.
After some practice, you really can deploy the awing in 30 secs. It's great to have along when it's time to take lunch breaks on the trail as well.
