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Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

Original poster

OK, camping peeps - help me make the right choice

55 replies

marthamoo · 23/05/2006 13:18

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.

OP posts:
Orlando · 23/05/2006 16:04

Grin Lucy. Check out our desperate lobbying.

What is it about tents that turns the converted into obsessive geeks? It's all in the detail, I find... a little storage pocket here, a funky zippy-uppy window thing there. How long the bloody thing takes to put up is an irrelevance Grin

Am liking the colour of the Montana. Green much more my decor-shade of choice than petrol blue.

Blandmum · 23/05/2006 16:07

If you get the Monty I will be so Envy I will probably never talk to you again! So think what an advantage that would be Grin

Monty. Get the Monty!

Out Colorado (similar) takes us a max of 30 minutes and that is all done, beds up and all!

LucyCampCat · 23/05/2006 16:08

I know.....geek city here I come! Blush

The new Outwell tents come with a genuine Outwell doormat, with the logo on and everything - I sooooo want one but you can't buy them separately, I know, I've emailed Outwell direct Grin

LucyCampCat · 23/05/2006 16:09

mb, check out the weather forecast for next tues onwards - I think I've put it on the weather thread!

LucyCampCat · 23/05/2006 16:11

got to go and get dd1 from gymnastics, I'll be back to lobby the Monty cause........Wink

Orlando · 23/05/2006 16:16

Tiny, but practical issue...

In the VANGO I can look at the dds in their sleeping bit (don't zip the littler ones in) without wriggling out of my own sleeping bag. So if one cries or is snuffling around in the night I can see if I need to get up or not.

In the Monty that is, I think (distinct note of smug triumph creeping into tone) not an option. Smile

Blandmum · 23/05/2006 16:27

But the Monty is just wonderful and you will have an Outwell doormat! What more could you ask for!

And it is a piece of old wee wee to put up! @As one rules'

peachyClair · 23/05/2006 16:43

We bought our tent a few weeks ago and the chap at the tent sales place said his tent was the Diablo 600 and he was refusing to part with it. Now, given that they didn't stock that mdel I think that's a pretty good recommendation!

I have neither BTW so am not part of the fan club brigade Grin I am a Gelert girl.

peachyClair · 23/05/2006 16:43

We bought our tent a few weeks ago and the chap at the tent sales place said his tent was the Diablo 600 and he was refusing to part with it. Now, given that they didn't stock that mdel I think that's a pretty good recommendation!

I have neither BTW so am not part of the fan club brigade Grin I am a Gelert girl.

Original poster
marthamoo · 23/05/2006 16:46

Oh well, an Outwell doormat - that could swing it Grin

And an independent opinion from a Gelert girl...it's hotting up. I'll make discussions of the day yet.

OP posts:
Blandmum · 23/05/2006 16:48

And it had a very smart tent tidy. What more do you want in life??? And the reasurance that if you get it I will sulk and never talk to you again! Grin

Seriously they are fab and I will get one when we need to replace the Colorado (not for years , curses!)

Original poster
marthamoo · 23/05/2006 16:50

Yes, I'm liking the wall of tent tidiness.

mb, at the risk of sounding like an internet stalker (and general @rse licker) you not talking to me ever again would be a good reason not to get the Monty.

(Hark at that - I'm calling it a Monty, all familiar-like)

OP posts:
nannyme · 23/05/2006 22:55

Wahhhh!

This convo is sooo us every night.

Sat on ebay, deliberating over whether the outwell doormat swings it for us.

And the debates over the hideousness (or not) of the colour 'petrol plue'!

I know I want the outwell but my budget is telling me otherwise.

I am off to have another look at the Vango 900...

and to tick off another night that culminates in tentlessness, sigh.........

peachyClair · 24/05/2006 08:34

nannyme, look at the Gelert Tahoma if money is an issue- its gorgeous! AND it has ...... tent tidies. Grin

nannyme · 24/05/2006 11:03

Thanks for that tip peachyClair!

KVG · 25/05/2006 15:01

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KVG · 25/05/2006 15:07

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FillyjonktheSnibbet · 25/05/2006 15:43

nannyme, you are planning on HEing, yes? Then you have many many festivals to get through, plus camping is very educational (you're sure to see birds or something). learning is better done when in a good mood, and excessive muddiness does not put people in good moods.

Therefore it is essential that you have an outwell doormat, making the indiana the only logical choice.

oh, are you co-sleeping also? If so, be aware that the outwell has the biggest sleeping compartment, big enough to get in 2 airbeds side by side.

nannyme · 25/05/2006 19:23

Shut up FJ! I so badly want the outwell but we are heavily restricted by lack of funds.

Maybe some mumsnetters with horiffic children that need taming or sleep training will give me a work frenzy between now and HESFES so that we have some extra cash to spend on the Outwell?? Grin

Now I have decided on this tent no others will do so I am getting further and further away from actually owning a tent come 24th June.

Btw. we are already HE although in our de-schooling honeymoon type period. If the weather stays fab like today it will be a long honeymoon

FillyjonktheSnibbet · 25/05/2006 19:34

oooh, I have some children who need taming!

...but no money though Sad. Sorry.

I desperately want the Outwell...desperately... it looks so...tidy...

Didn't realise you had older kids, thought yours were all under 5?

nannyme · 25/05/2006 19:45

Well, my daughter is 6 but my middle boy is 4 and had started school because he was a July baby.

Do you have a tent at the mo or are you upgrading?

Sorry if you said already!

Should have put a smile after my 'shut up!' comment but think you got it!

FillyjonktheSnibbet · 25/05/2006 19:52
Grin

I have the most vile tent ever. it looks like puked up nylon stockings. you will spot me a mile away at hesfes, i promise.

\link{http://www.cave-crag.co.uk/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/2442\doesn't even look this good}

sadly, if i am completely honest, it does the job and there's no need to upgrade.

I want a nice outwell sooooo much. I thought i'd convinced myself last week on the cosleeping grounds, but then looked at my bank balance Sad

nannyme · 25/05/2006 19:53

I rather have my eye on a Hartford XL! Only in the sagey colour though. There is one going for £120 but think it is an older version and my brain is too sore to research the minute differences between 05/06 versions. Probably.

nannyme · 25/05/2006 19:59

That tent looks nice. So is that NOT what your tent looks like but an optimistic approximation, then?!

Puked up stockings. Nice.

I wish the part of my brain that thinks about things like colour and doormats would consult with the part that deals with finances sometimes...

Only this very day were we discussing the need to keep our food and essentials shopping bill down to £100 a week and to NOT treat ourselves to an Indian Takeout more than once a month.

I want to live in a barter economy.

FillyjonktheSnibbet · 25/05/2006 20:05

hmmm...well me too, but i don't have anything to barter.

i suppose i could try to harness the kids energy and sell it back to the national grid.

i tried to put happy cloth bunting on my tent and a gebera in a pot outside but somehow it just make it look even more depressing. Like flowers in a quiet nursing home.

what tent have you decided on.