OK, camping peeps - help me make the right choice

[marthamoo]

Those of you who are paying attention know I bought a Vango Colorado 800 last year and hated it - I'm definitely a SIG kinda gal. So - after much talking dh round - I persuaded him that we should sell it on ebay (we did, and lost a bit - not too much - on it).

So..I have to get it right this time.

Have it narrowed down to 2:

Vango Diablo 600. SIG, hugely spacious living and porch area (maybe too big), bedrooms a bit pokey, seems a little dark inside. Lucycat says her friends have one and it takes an hour to pitch. I think it's inner tent first pitching - not so good if it's raining. Very sprawly shape - geodesic - so I guess some campsites might be sniffy about pitch size.

Outwell Montana 6 - big, but shape is more compact, bedrooms you can stand up in, no porch to speak of (but you can buy canopies etc.), SIG, seems much lighter inside that the Diablo, supposed to be fast to pitch (25 minutes is one estimate) and can be pitched inner and outer together.

I'm think I prefer the Outwell (I would, it's £70/80 more expensive).

Please help me - I can't get it wrong again. This tent has to last us 'til it wears out.

[Kathy1972]

Sounds like you prefer the Outwell!

[Rowlers]

Well, we have spent weeks looking at tents and have narrowed it down to a few - Outwell Montana 6 among the few.
We disregarded the Vango for all the reasons you mention (isn't it called the diabolical by some?) although we have friends who like it.
I thought it was dark inside and can't see the point of the porch thing.
I like the Montana because it is strong, got 5000HH, roomy and light. The only thing I don't like is the height of the fly sheet at the bottom of the doors. I see it as a potential tripper-upper! Would prefer a SIG which unzips at doors but havne't found anything suitable yet.
We saw both tents recently at tent show and preferred the Montana.
Have you seen them up?

[Orlando]

We have the Vango 900 and love it. It looks like teletubby hill, but apart from that is great. Haven't had any campsites being sniffy about the size-- and we always camp with friends who have an identical tent (utterly twee, I know. Maybe everyone is just sniggering behind our backs) The bedrooms are low, but you can easily fit two children in each. Dh and I sleep sideways on, but the girls sleep with their heads by the zip.

Inner space is big enough to seat 10 for breakfast on a rainy morining while the bacon and eggs are cooked in the porch.

I'm trying to think of a downside....

[LucyCampCat]

The Monty definately!

I like the fact that tunnel tents tend to have windows cos I feel claustrophobic in dome tents, the Monty that you saw at Go Outdoors is this year's model too so any quibbles that people may have had with it last year have been ironed out!

yes there are potential trip issues but that's the fun on having a sig - I'm too clumsy so we are sigless!

I'm just in that someone actually paid attention to one of my posts!

[otto]

Orlando - we have Vango Diablo 900 too and I think it's fab. I love the porch which is big enough to store food, cook and keep wet clothes and shoes. And as you say the sitting room bit is huge - big enough for children to run around plus table and chairs.

[LucyCampCat]

We aren't helping marthmoo much here are we

[Orlando]

Yesss...! Excellent otto, the battle lines are drawn!

VANGO! VANGO! VANGO!

(this is a mumsnet spat, camping style. It'll be very stoic and carried out in hushed stage-whispers )

[marthamoo]

You are not helping !

[LucyCampCat]

Which did you prefer martha?
Which can you imagine waking up in the morning?
Who will be putting the tent up? will you be able to occupy the little ones for 30 mins or 60 mins while the basic tent goes up?

If you camp in exposed coastal sites then the domes may be more suitable, but if you are more fair weather campers (Like us!) then perhaps the tunnel is better - oh I dunno, I just know I'd prefer the Monty.

Did you look at the Indiana 8?

[Orlando]

Think about it-- where would you put wet wellies if not in your spacious porch?

By the end of a few days the porch is always like a swamp. But the rest of the lovely VangoDiablo900 is clean and dry.

[Orlando]

(Haven't actually seen the montana, to be strictly honest... Feel compelled to admit shameless bias at this point)

[marthamoo]

I don't think the Indiana has a SIG. I don't know... this time last year I thought tunnel tents looked a bit old-fashioned - but I quite like the Wendy house-ness of them now and the airiness. I do think the porch on the Vango would be useful for wet wellies though. What I want is an Outwell Indiana with the Diablo's porch...

Orlando, I don't cook breakfast for 10 in my kitchen at home - let alone on a CampingChef!

[marthamoo]

Orlando - \link{http://www.completeoutdoors.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=2305\you can look inside the Montana on the video clip}

I've seen both up at GoOutdoors Megastore... and liked both.

[Rowlers]

The Montana 6 does have a small porch.
The Indiana doesn't have a SIG.
Do you want children sleeping next to you? Or apart? This may decide it for you?

[Kathy1972]

What is a SIG?

[Orlando]

god, I don't do it alone

My top tip for camping is always go with friends. 4 adults with thumping hangovers can usually manage bacon sandwiches for 6 children, but only because the children are amusing each other in a way they never would if it was just siblings!

am I right in thinking you live in cheshire marthamoo?

[marthamoo]

Sewn-in groundsheet, Kathy.

Well..with the Vango Colorado, the bedrooms were at opposite ends of the living area - and I ended up in with the kids because I felt too far away at the other end. Though that might change as they get older (they're 4 and 9). They'd be able to hear Daddy's snoring in the Indiana

[marthamoo]

Yes, Cheshire.

[Orlando]

Ooh! Video clip!

It does look nice, I have to admit...

[Kathy1972]

Ah.

[Orlando]

We're cheshire too. Was thinking you could always borrow the Vango for a night somewhere local, for a trial run.

[marthamoo]

Dh and I watched that clip over and over last night. There was a time when we would have LOAO at the thought that we would spend a pleasant evening together perusing camping websites.

[marthamoo]

That's very kind of you though I wouldn't want to deprive you of your tent if we ever get a decent weekend this year! We're off to Cornwall on Friday (please let it stop raining, please let it stop raining, please let it stop raining) - not camping though (obviously, as we are tentless). Dh suggested we go back to the GoOutdoor Megastore and have another look at both - without our annoying children in tow this time - when we get back. That might clarify it for us, I guess.

You do know what your dh will say if you mention you've offered a total stranger on the internet loan of your tent for a weekend don't you ?

[Orlando]

We've lent it out before, and prior to buying ours we did borrow one from friends too (but didn't end up buying the same one!)

It's a bit like buying a house-- it's got to feel right!

[LucyCampCat]

There was a Monty up at the back of the shop, behind the Indiana! I think it may have been a 4 but it gives you the general idea. You can get the porch cover thing there too, they had loads, don't forget to get your discount card...alternately I could meet you there after half term and we could discuss the merits of each!

The Indiana has a separate groundsheet but it sort of fold up and fastens around the edge so making a bathtub groundsheet that you can pull out and give a good wipe down if need be.


Oh it's sooooo confoosing.