Vango Airbeams - anyone got one?

[Piffpaffpoff]

I have been coveting a Vango Airbeam since they came out and I finally saw one erected in Go Outdoors today - I was really impressed by how sturdy it was. I am, however, less impressed by how much they cost!

I am trying to weigh up the cost vs how much easier I think it would be to put up by myself than my current Vango Icarus. I take the DCs camping by myself and I find the poles a right faff to do while trying to keep an eye on them - they are too wee to be of any real help yet. I can manage it by myself but have a notion that an Airbeam would be less stressful for everyone!

So, does anyone on here have an Airbeam and if you do, what do you think of it? Is it worth the money.

Thanks!

I am bumping and watching with interest Piff as I feel the same about cost v benefit, and love the innovation of the product.

If we could get out more for swift camping weekends together, and just as me and DS without hassle, then I'd get value for money. However I did read some negative information on the air bladders exploding or deflating on the net and on Youtube which put me off (it would need to work perfectly with no hassle to be worth the price).

There is another thread about the pop up Quechua tents which look good and are great value. I have a Vango Colorado so I know they are good quality even though they are expensive.

Hopefully someone will come along and help us out!

I looked at the airbeam tents for a while and seen a few on sites I thought they looked really sturdy and also considered buying one however after being told about the exploding bladders as well I decided not to bother.

I've actually ended up with a soulpad www.soulpad.co.uk because of the ease of pitching and high quality oh yeh and the much better price.

I know it doesn't answer your question but I hope you find the right tent it's never an easy decision.

I saw one today and DH is sold :)

We were considering a bell tent but the ease of putting up/down has convinced DH that camping wont be torture so as soon as his bonus arrives we will be buying the 800. Very happy indeed.

The Airbeams look fab! Is there a alot of pumping involved?

I have a Decathlon pop-up for easy lone-parent camping - the 2 seconds llll XL that was selling for £89 last year. V good. But more cheap and cheerful than the similiar sized airbeam, and doesn't have the niceties like screen doors everywhere, and the porch doesn't have a SIG.

Hardly any pumping really, we did the 600 from flat, 4 airbeams, 14 pumps each. Less than 4 minutes :)

I have been begging DH to try camping for years, I know it's a LOT of money for a tent but compared to shelling out for mobile homes etc

posted too soon!

it's still a heck of a lot cheaper. We estimated £1500 equipment spend. When we looked at where we stayed in a lodge earlier this year and got prices for camping v lodges for 2 weeks in the summer holidays we saved that initial spend in one holiday