I've wondered about tent vs. tarp, too. I've used tents in car camping scenarios but recently got a used tarp. I'm interested in bicycle camping in warm to cool temps, in occasionally "buggy" landscapes. I'd like a tarp to work because it "seems" lighter, but being eaten alive by no-see-ums, mosquitoes and flies seems worth carrying a tent. I have a short two-nighter coming up and will see how the tarp works.

The Tarptent looks very promising. Have to save up a long time for one of the two-man ones.