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Original poster

Buying a tent unseen. Is this an enormously foolish thing to do?

72 replies

Slubberdegullion · 17/08/2007 13:59

Ok, I will try very hard to make this my last hopelessly indecive thread in camping.

I am going out of my mind, I am so utterly unable to make a choice on this tent buying that I even clicked on the Eurocamp Ad in my inbox today.

So, after what seems like hours of going through the archived threads here, and on UK Campsite I have whittled my choice down to 2 (or maybe 3...gawd Spanish Inquisition sketch).

The choice is between
a) Coleman Galileo XL Weathermaster

b)Vermont L but can't choose between the L or XL

and maybe c) Vango Breckenridge 600.

My choice on paper in the Colorado....but I haven't seen it up. I have been googling away forever and can't seem to find a camping store near me that has it.

I have seen the Outwell and the Vango, they both seem like great tents (and tbh I'm sure would do us fine), but I do have concerns about the size and leakyness of the outwell, and colour and porch size/lay out of the Vango.

Ghaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelllllllllllllllllllp

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WendyWeber · 17/08/2007 14:08

Um - which is the Colorado?

WendyWeber · 17/08/2007 14:10

Oh, the Coleman - sorry!

Yes, I liked the look (and colour!) of that one too - head height and dimensions are similar to the Vango too. And it's cheaper?

WendyWeber · 17/08/2007 14:11

And the wind shield and wheeled carry bag sound like excellent extras

Original poster
Slubberdegullion · 17/08/2007 14:12

Yes, cheaper, a bit smaller (the Outwell XL is hauuuuuge). LOTS of good reviews on the Coleman. LOTS and LOTS of very mixed reviews on the outwell.

Next door bought the Outwell a few weeks ago. Put it up in their garden (ooooh it was beautiful), it rained ++, it leaked ++. Did put me off big time tbh.

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WendyWeber · 17/08/2007 14:14

However - if the layout as illustrated is accurate, the sleeping spaces in the Coleman will be very cramped. How many of you are there?

Original poster
Slubberdegullion · 17/08/2007 14:14

Yes!!I like the extras , and I think that site is lobbing the universal inner in aswell.

Oh I am tempted. What if it's horrid. DH will not be happy.

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Original poster
Slubberdegullion · 17/08/2007 14:16

4 of us, DC are small (2 & 3). Initially we would all sleep together and then maybe next year stick them in the outer seperate bedrooms and DH and I would be "cosy" in the middle one. Is 140cm for the 2 of us (we have narrow therm a rests to sleep on) too small?

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WendyWeber · 17/08/2007 14:20

140 is pretty narrow, and usually they taper at the top so it would feel fairly claustrophobic. And it has 3 separate bedrooms, not any big ones with a central divider, so 4 of you in one of those would be hideous!

The Vango's bedrooms are also separate but appear to be 200 wide. It's a big difference.

Original poster
Slubberdegullion · 17/08/2007 14:22

Sorry, with the universal inner (that replaces the 3 seperated bedrooms), we would all be in together (not 4 of us in one of the smaller 140cm ones...yes that would be deeply unpleasant).

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WendyWeber · 17/08/2007 14:24

Ohhh, I see - that would be OK then - but 2 adults in a 140 bedroom would be very cosy! (That's the width of a standard double bed)

Original poster
Slubberdegullion · 17/08/2007 14:28

OK, so we would have to put pyjamas on in the main section and then leap lithely into sleeping bags. Hmmmmmmmm, can't decide if this is important. We have a v small 4 man weekend tent atm so sleeping compartments are iddy indeed.

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Original poster
Slubberdegullion · 17/08/2007 14:31

Outwell Vermont XL here.

Even more space in the bedrooms. The size of the thing does intimidate me somewhat.

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WendyWeber · 17/08/2007 14:45

It is longer, but only one more section than the Vango...the Coleman appears to have only 2 sections which is odd (and it isn't symmetrical either - that could be tricky)(not that I'd know, I usually watch )

WendyWeber · 17/08/2007 14:46

Just noticed the sealed groundsheet in the Outwell - that would swing it for me, we always have gaps under ours and insects creeping about

WendyWeber · 17/08/2007 14:47

Oh, ignore that, they all have a sewn-in groundsheet!

Original poster
Slubberdegullion · 17/08/2007 14:48

Coleman has had excellent reports about being good in shocking weather....and we are camping in Anglesey in september so this is certainly a big point in its favour.

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Original poster
Slubberdegullion · 17/08/2007 14:49

Oh yes, all the non sig's got put in the 'I don't think so' pile straight away.

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WendyWeber · 17/08/2007 16:15

I'm not helping at all, am I, Sdg? Have you reached a decision yet?

Original poster
Slubberdegullion · 17/08/2007 19:10

lol Wendy, well not really but it's nice to have a chat about such things.

Went back again to our local camping store (I'm sure the guys there think I'm stalking them or something). Had a lovely long chat with a very wise old time camping man (or so he seemed). He warned me off the Breckenridge, thinks there is a design fault on the roof or something and I hate the porch), so that one's out.

Saw the Vermont L, v lovely but only 2 beds, asked about the XL, apparently they have sold out nationwide .....however he has just had one returned due a small area of the mudflap coming away from the main tent in the porch (he showed me a photo), looks small and easy to repair. He's going to have a look and phone me with a "good deal". and double

Wish I could see the Coleman............

brain is hurting now, apologies for long waffly post.

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busy2busy · 18/08/2007 10:23

Hi Slubber

I too am thinking of the Coleman Galileo XL (the deal on Outdoor Megastore seems excellent).

I remember seeing one a few months ago at Hayes outdoor shop in Ambleside in the Lakes (don't know if that is nr you).

I really like the way all the doors open - I like the inside / outside concept. Also the way you could swap the big 'spare' inner with the individual bedrooms.

My only concern is with all the doors down do you think there would be enough air? the windows are sealed and there doesn't seem to be much mesh. Is it all or nothing?

I'm also looking at the Royals, which I've seen in the flesh (or canvas) they seem to have lots of nice finishes.

That coleman is very very tempting - am worried it will sell out before I get to see one (or should I just buy it sight unseen).

I feel your dilemma...

busy2busy · 18/08/2007 10:28

I also really like the storage section on the coleman behind the bedrooms. There are zips both sides of the bedrooms to reach it. clutter stored out of the way - good.

Lucycat · 18/08/2007 10:34

Oh just go for it! We bought our new tent unseen and it's gorgeous!

Just amke sure you have chance to practise pitching it before you go away.

busy2busy · 18/08/2007 10:47

I am soo tempted it is £285 - elsewhere I have seen it for £370 - 40 plus another £50 for the inner. So it is quite a bargain!

busy2busy · 18/08/2007 10:58

Actuall just had another look £245 - very cheap for all the extras...or I am just tempted by the bargain.....

Original poster
Slubberdegullion · 18/08/2007 11:22

Well, will have to put my decision on hold until next year , had long chat with DH this am, showed him all the pics....was v v v excited and then he says....

'The weather is shit, I don't want to camp in anglesey with a 2 & 3 year old even in the most beautiful tent in the world. We are going to hire a holiday cottage'

Oh well, we still have our little w/e tent so may get a few more mini camping trips this year.

If you go for the Coleman busy, do report back...I will be most , but would love to hear how it is in the flesh

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