By: Simon_harvey Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2009 Rating: Date: 08/09/2009
I bought this tent for Glastonbury and for use as a pup tent alongside a Conway Corniche. While it manages the latter OK, it's disappointing in the festival environment!
It's main fault is it's size - I'm only 6ft and average build, yet I was hard-pressed to avoid touching the inner tent, not matter how I laid in the tent. There is no way more than one adult can sleep in this tent comfortably - two will only fit in if they have no bags or equipment! This brings me on the second problem - waterproofing. Glastonbury certainly threw some heavy rain at the tent, much of which found it's way into the porch area. The inner tent remained mostly dry, but the combination of high winds and a narrow gap between inner and outer tents meant that contact between the two was inevitable, resulting in leakage. In addition, the poor ventilation meant that condensation was a major problem - the inner surface on the tent outer was soaking wet each morning, which dripped onto the equipment in the porch.
In summary, this tent is not particularly competitive on price, performance or weight, so look elsewhere if you want good value for money!
By: Rob5ak Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2009 Rating: Date: 11/08/2009
Just received vango alpha 300 and I thought I would post some comments to help any novice camper like me who is wondering if they would be able to erect the tent alone. I have just done erected the 300 and it took me about 20 minutes. First mistake I made was to try and pull one of the long poles through the channels and it came out of the ferrule. Push through gently while freeing the fabric channel and you will be ok. Make sure the out door is lined up with the inner door. I paid £40 for it from Outdoor kit ordered it Sunday and it arrived today Tuesday morning 10 am, Outdoor kit send confirmation emails and notice of dispatch. Tent seems ok for the money finish is good with all parts secured that should be stitching seems fine. I will submit a further revue when I have used the tent a couple of times.
To conclude if you are afraid that you will not be able to pitch the tent by yourself don't be I have never put up a tent in my life and I found this tent no problem. Instructions are ok but I never even looked at them as when you unpack the tent knowing it is inner tent first you will see the attaching points and cloth channel and apex ties. Just put your poles together the long poles for the inner tent thread the poles through put the end of one pole onto the eye hook walk to the other end and gentle let the pole arch and insert other eye hook and the tent starts to arch, repeat with other pole and even the tent out along the poles use the ties to fix to apex. Place the fly sheet over even out and put the smaller pole through the fabric channel and attach to eye hooks the same as you did with the long poles.
Hope this comment is helpful, value for money ok
By: EstherP Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2007 Rating: Date: 14/07/2009
Great little tent - for two people. Stands up to truly horrendous weather. Used this tent for a week last year, rained every day and was very, very windy. One night the wind was so strong we were the only tent the next morning who had not had problems. Very quick and easy to pitch (great for beginners), and small pack size (challenge to get into bag though!). Awkward to get in and out of if you are trying to take off boots/waterproof etc, but this is only to be expected from a small tent. We bought a Vango Venture 500 as our big tent for this year, as this provides the space to endure a full week of wet camping (typically we had wonderful weather when we used the big tent!). For sturdiness, quick pitching and value I highly rate this tent. I recommend buying a beach windbreak to use with it to protect the entrance from wind for sitting outside when eating dinner etc, this makes a big difference if you are using it for more than a couple of days.
By: Buringot Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2008 Rating: Date: 25/06/2009
A great tent for the weekenders. I was able to pitch up in 12 minutes. Although advertised as a three berth tent, it is only comfortable enough for two. Windproof and waterproof. Stands out when you're surrounded by 5,6,8 man tents.
By: ChrisVirgo Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2008 Rating: Date: 05/01/2009
We purchased one of these tents for overnight/2 night stays and as a quick erect option to our Vango Aspen tent should we arrive late or in bad weather. Quick to erect (10 mins) and just about big enough for 2 (wouldn't like to try 3). Head height good for small tent and porch is essential for wet boots. Excellent for our purpose and well made.
By: Starfield Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2008 Rating: Date: 02/01/2009
I slept in it in this tent in the most awful weather: strong gale, snow, rain and hail. I can conclude that it is absolutely windproof. The sleeping compartment though is 95% waterproof. No water actually reaches you but you can see the droplets on the inner lining. The porch area is not that waterproof though. The inside of the fabric in this area was wet with water occasionally dripping down. May be it is water from condensation, I cannot really tell.
You can fit three persons in it but it will be very tight, absolutely no room to move. It is perfect for two persons, it should be a tent for two, not three.
Everything else is fine, easy set up, etc
By: Chris747 Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2008 Rating: Date: 25/09/2008
We use one of these for weekend or overnight trips. Easy to put up and pack away. Just the right size for two adults and the usual weekend gear. Porch area is very handy and build quality is very good for the price. Waterproof and windproof !
A great tent and great value for the price
By: Harrodjane Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2008 Rating: Date: 08/09/2008
A great little tent and would be roomy enough for two. I slept out in it through the most awful weather, torrential rain and extreme winds. It stayed where it should and felt very safe and warm inside. Quick and easy to put up and take down. Good head height inside. Nice sized 'porch' area at front, great for the muddy boots!
All in all a fab little tent that is not too little.
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A range of dome tents with large front porches, which are ideal for first-time campers, festival enthusiasts and cycle/motor cycle campers. Portable, packable and easy to use. Packed full of Vango features this is a great value tent.
> Protex® 2000 polyester waterproof, durable and reliable > Taped seams for waterproof protection > Inner first pitching simple pitching system. > Heavy duty pole sleeves ensures even distribution of tension
300 Capacity: 3 person Total weight: 3.65kg Pack size: 60 x 17 x 17cm Pitching area: 395 x 280cm Pitching time: 10 min
> Ring and pin system simple pole attachment > Pre-attached guy ropes ensures correct positioning and improves pitching speed > Guy tidy velcro holder allows guylines to be packed neatly, making re-pitching easier > Colour coded poles match the poles to the sleeve tab for easy pitching > Powerflex® fibreglass poles tough, sturdy and reliable > Front flysheet vents with covers allows continual airflow enhancing comfort > PE waterproof groundsheet 5000HH minimum ensures dry inner tents > Breathable fabric inner creates a comfortable sleeping area > Mesh vents on inner allows continual airflow enhancing comfort > Part mesh on inner door reduces build up of condensation and keeps bugs out > Storage solutions inner pockets - keeps those essentials close at hand > Crystal clear windows allow maximum light into living areas > Lantern point loop or hook conveniently placed to attach lighting > Carry bag oversized to ease the pack away. > Repair Kit included for that unforseen tent emergency
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