can you tell me what you think of this tent, for a wimpy, camping novice family?

[oranges]

this one

for myself, dh and a toddler? We've never camped before and to be honest are likely to bolt home or to a b&b if things get really rough, but wanted something quick to put up. No point having a seperate room for ds as I'm sure he won't sleep unless he's in with us.

Gelert make good tents. Certainly worth a try. More important than being quick to put up, is that a tent is well fixed to the ground.

Someone has given it a good write up on UKcampsite.co.uk.

Have you seen it in the flesh? It's so hard to judge space in a tent from the internet. I was amazed how the kind of little tents DH and I used to camp in, become utterly claustrophobic with children inside.

I nearly bought it - but read some reviews (mainly festivals forums and in the camping mags) where it isn't rated that well. Gelert haven't got a good record in making tents that stay standing...especially the quick-pitch variety are gaining notoriety in this respect (sorry!) but anyway, opinions will vary. I went to look at it in RL - head for the nearest place you can find that has them on display if you can - I was not impressed and got the Vango instead. [can do you some links if you want - prices are similar]
Your idea of a 4 man is a good one, also make sure you get something with a porch because you need somewhere to keep the extra stuff. A separate inner is advisable, particularly with toddler person

the Vango sigma - we have this one and it is fantastic. very stable, easy to put up (try it in your garden or somewhere a couple of times anyway)

when you say simple, how simple? Don't underestimate just how bad dh and I are at these things, and if it takes ages to put up. I get the feeling we'll never camp again! Not seen it in the flesh yet.

I second that, gigglewitch - vango tents are good and were recommended to us for our first foray into the world of camping!

right, m'dear Oranges, by easy I mean suitably colour coded poles, so you always get them in the right place, just remember that with the elastic jointed ones (which they all are, btw, no matter what the make) always push them gently, and never pull or they'll separate/disjoint. When you have pushed them through the pole sleeves you put a pin type thing into the end of the pole, which is attached to elastic on the tent (one at each end), and voilá, your tent stays up. The inner tent stays attached, so no probs there.

Look, it's four poles, four channels to put them through, pin thing on each end and a bag of pegs for the edge of the tent and the guyropes. I promise you it's easy.

I can do it in 10 mins.
Put the tent up i mean

There's a French-designed tent which you apparently throw and hey presto! Instant tent! Not sure what it's called, though. And I don't know if it's a bugger to disassemble.

frisbee tent! like the sound of that!

okay gigglewitch, i'll take your ten mins, and add another ten for my incompetence, that sounds okay. i was freaked at ones that "only" took 45 mins to go up.

lol MMH - I've seen the youtube vids of people trying to put that frisbee thing away

demo of pitching the Vango - a similar model to ours. Was hunting for the lmao frisbee film, haven't found it yet ... will be back with a link when I find it

gigglewitch - seriously? I didn't know, just guessed, but thought there had to be a catch. Just sounds too good to be true.

well the ones of the 'simple' pop up's are funny - I haven't found the one yet, but i will

look

What about aninflatable tent

Frisbees, inflatable castle tents? I had no idea camping was so like a funfair.

lol at the YouTube clip -thats me trying to put away the DCs tiny pop-up play tent and tunnel!

Ooh can i just say i went camping at easter with both my inflatable AND my frisbee pop up tent HONEST! some piccies here if ya want proof
www.unfitbikerchick.wordpress.com