Vango Diablo 600 / Skandika / Others??

[Mandy21]

We want to buy a tent but are confused about which one to buy. We are a family of 5 (3 children of 6 and under) and would ideally like to have one sleeping compartment for us and one for the children.

We obviously need some living space so that we have somewhere to go in the rain. We're not serious campers, would be using it for 3 or 4 nights maximum at the moment, long weekends really.

From the reviews on Mumsnet, we're thinking of the Vango Diablo 600 but would be looking to buy one 2nd hand (probably from Ebay) but when I looked on there earlier, I also noticed a Skandika tent (a Saturn or a Kairo) which looked very reasonable and quite big.

I have no idea what I'm looking for really - we've had a couple of weekends in a small 4 man tent which haven't been great - hence trying to find something bigger. I'm guessing something with a porch or canopied porch would be good, something with an in-built ground sheet so there are no insects - can anyone suggest anything else I should look out for?

Any comments on the Vango (and any particular edition I should be looking for) or on the Skandika (or any other similar tents) would be more than welcome!

Thanks

I always recommend the Hi-gear Voyager 6 tent as my DB has got it. It's got a lovely big lounge in the front with a few windows. It's got two doors, one at the front and one at the side, and it's got two bedrooms. There is also a porch coming out sometime soon which will add loads of space. It takes my DB about 20 mins to get up on his own and it's very easy, he said.

It does have a built-in groundsheet which means that you have to walk over the step into the tent. It's also got loads of hooks for lights, etc.

We went away for a weekend with them and there were 8 of us in there around two of those blue plastic tables with stools attached and in the living area there was one quite big table, a cooking stand, a kitchen cupboard and a low table. There was also enough room to walk around the tables.

We've had a Vango Diablo 400 for 6-7 years, for our family of 5. we find the 400 one huge, but we are by nature minimalist backpackers so any family tent seems enormous to us. I never quite understand what other people need quite so much space for.

the vango diablo has been fine. We like it. It's still going strong. Easy to put up. Copes with wind. etc.