By: SIMONS44 Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2010 Rating: Date: 24/05/2010
I bought this tent in April 2010 and used it for the first time in May 2010.
This tent is great, it is a good size and quite easy to put up, we bought the porch and the carpet and footprint all at once as most people recommended this and now I am glad I did as it all works together really well.
The main bedroom in the tent was big enough for myself my wife and two young children to sleep in, using the two other single rooms for kitchen and clothing items, we then had the porch for cooking, washing and water and the carpet made the tent feel homely.
Even though there is a SIG there is still a draft through the end that opens up and the side windows, I would recommend putting double sided velcro to prevent this.
The only downside is we didn't find it that easy to get the tent back in its bag and had to pack up as tight as possible take it home and then do it again.
Overall a really good tent that is very big and easy to put up and great value for the money. Spent £410 (carpet, footprint, tent and porch)
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By: Campvirgin40 Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2009 Rating: Date: 10/05/2010
My family and I own a Gelert Horizon 8, I decided to buy it last spring due to our folding camper getting ruined with mould (and to be honest,our older kids were never that interested in going in it, as it was 'old fashioned') I took ages looking on the internet for a tent that was big enough for our family of 5, looked smart and wasn't too expensive, and after coming on here and reading the reviews, I decided this was the one. I didn't expect it to be so big, when we put it up in our garden it looked huge! But brilliant. I invested in the porch whilst I was at it too, which also is very big (like a 2 man tent!)
We didn't manage to go anywhere in it last summer due to moving house, but we are all chomping at the bit to get out for a weekend next month and try it out, just need to buy a camping stove.
My husband and daughter put the tent up and found it easy enough with the colour coded poles, lets hope it goes as well when we are actually out on the campsite, lol!
I'll report back when we've been and hopefully put a few more pics up.
Ps, I've scored this tent 9/10 for now on looks and space, since I can't say about performance yet.
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By: JK_PK Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2009 Rating: Date: 29/04/2010
As a first time camper who did not want to feel cramped in, this tent was fab. We had 6 people sleeping with the 4th bedroom used as a clothes/toiletries/changing room. We got the carpet free with the tent and this makes it really cosy although we will be using double sided velcro to keep it in place this year. Neon guy ropes make it really stand out and it is just a great looking tent.
Clever storage pockets, great for kids toys/games etc and withstood heavy items in them with no pulling or tears. Just got to watch your step getting in the tent (especially if you've had a drink or two) We have since bought a utility tent for cooking to keep this just for living in as not really ideal for cooking indoors when weather is bad.
Bags are roomy and you're not struggling to get everything back in. Electric holes at both ends of the tent and doors can be pinned up for a wee porch. We have been looking round at other tents whilst looking for the utility tent and can say that no other tent has grabbed out attention like this one, however not too keen on the new green colour, 2009 blue/grey looks great. 7 going this year and confident we won't be cramped in. Would definitely recommend this tent.
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By: BigToasty Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2008 Rating: Date: 21/04/2010
Don't think that I can add too much or disagree with any of the previous reviews. Would just like to throw my tuppence worth into the review.
Bought the 08 model of the tent, which doesn't look quite as cool as the new model and doesn't have the bug screen on the doors but it is 5000HH (whatever that means)! Got it from Amazon for a great price and have never looked back.
It is real easy to put up, around an hour from opening the boot to sitting down with a nice lukewarm beer. This usually takes about 15 mins for 2 of us to do the poles and get the tent into it's rough shape and then another 30-40 mins for me pegging out, tweaking and the OH setting up beds etc. You could probably do this quicker but my OCD really kicks in at this point.
One of the best things believe it or not is the illuminous guy ropes (day or night) - apart from helping you find your tent it tends to stop a lot of mishaps especially if the lukewarm beer has went down a little to well.
Even in the torrential rain, this tent is great, guess it has something to do with the 5000HH. Sure there is a drip or too as you go in and out the door but we don't find it too much of an inconvenience. Thought about getting the porch/canopy but decided against it for a couple of reasons - not a whole lot of room left in the car and I feel that it would increase the footprint just a little too much and might even make findng XL pitches in Scotland that little bit more difficult.
This tent is huge and is the ideal layout for us (me, the wife and two teenagers). The kids have single pods, with single airbeds and plenty of room for their stuff. We make one full end into one double pod (by removing the hanging partition) and we stick a double airbed in it, again with plenty of room for all our stuff.
We only really use the main living area if it is too cold or is raining but it is really big and spacious.
SIG is a must for us, my OH didn't do camping 2yrs ago but once I explained the SIG and she agreed to our first trial run - the job was done, she is now fully converted.
The tent feels strong and stable in the wind (I did buy some decent tent pegs tho as I felt the gelert ones were a bit flimsy).
In the warm weather (sometimes even in Scotland) we open the doors and the vents to let the air circulate and cool the tent.
Packing is really easy (unless windy) and it is a lot easier with two of us.
I was gobsmacked when a tin-tenter ask to see around the tent as he was considering getting rid of the mobile roadblock for one.
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By: Dawnandsi Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2009 Rating: Date: 05/10/2009
We researched a lot of tents before settling on the Horizon 8. In the end it came down to the most we could get for our money and the other contender, the Beyond Meridian 8, was that little bit smaller in the size department, hence taking the plunge and going for the Horizon.
First and foremost this is a big tent! 7.5m x 3.5m is big whichever way you look at it and once set up you may find yourself sat inside wondering why you went for something so big (well, I did anyway!). Gelert have a good reputation for both quality tents and customer service, both a factor for us when choosing what to buy, and on both aspects so far they have been justified. We took just over an hour on the first pitch to get it set up but have since got it down to about 40 minutes. After the first pitch we left the inner bedroom pods inside and although they mean we have to fold/compress the tent a bit more carefully to get it back in the bag, it does save time setting up and also means we can get the porch and footprint (additional purchases) in the second bag along with all the poles.
The two main side doors have a six inch step at the bottom of them which you'll only trip over once! They also have the option of setting the outer skin up as a canopy (1 set of poles/guys included) but leaving the inner fly-screen door zipped up, meaning you can have the ventilation but not the bugs in the summer! There is also the option to open one end of the tent up completely, although as mentioned in previous reviews this isn't a stepped zip but just a straight-forward, two sides that zip down to the floor version. Consequently it's not completely draught-free and you may notice this at cooler times of the year. The simple addition of some velcro strips may solve this issue though.
Inside the tent is reasonably light and airy. There are no roof-windows but just two large ones either side of the tent next to the doors. These have a clear plastic window in the bottom half and a mesh part in the top half. You can roll the outer cover either half way or all the way up depending on the weather. There are two hanging storage pockets which can be clipped in if wanted on either side of the tent. Two cable entry points (both zipped) plus cable tidy clips over the centre ridge of the tent keep the EHU users happy. There's also a hanging point for a lantern in the middle. Height is extremely good in this tent for the taller amongst you (2.25m) and even the pods are only a tiny bit lower.
There are two main vents, one at either end of the tent, which can be pegged out to create a decent airflow inside if required. There's also a rain-skirt all the way round the perimeter which for the most part is reasonably straight-forward to peg out. We still haven't figured out the neatest way around the poles with this though!
Overall a decent tent and purchased at the end of the season it was good value for money. We've since bought the footprint, porch, and carpet which I've reviewed separately but they've all enhanced the comfort of the tent in their own ways.
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By: Sirmarky Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2009 Rating: Date: 05/09/2009
We have used our horizon 8 on 3 trips now , I'm really happy with this tent.
There is lots of space inside it , headroom is great even in the bedrooms.
I find it best to pitch the tend head on into any wind to prevent damage or stress to the tent.
We recently got the porch add on , although this can be tricky to put up it makes for an excellent addition & is ideal for cooking in.
Our last trip was near Buxton in Derbyshire & we had quite a lot of wind & rain.
The tent held up well to all this with no damage.
My only gripe is the large end door that leaves a small gap at the bottom , why have mesh windows & doors to stop creepy crawlys getting in when they can get in here ?
The side door zips can be awkward to open/close as they often snag the outer weather flaps , and if these flaps are not folded down when the door is zipped closed rain will get it.
My retailer told me this to ensure the flaps are down , very hard to do from inside the tent !
The tent comes in 2 bags , which is great as when your putting the tent away it will fit back into the bags easily , even when wet.
But be careful if your tent is wet , this can double the weight of the outer tent bag easily.
Also you must dry it out shortly after returning home otherwise it will go mouldy.
Lots of nice features with this tent like extra hang on side pockets & cable tidy loops for lighting.
My only advice is to get yourself a large wind break with this tent too , it helps protect the tent when the weather gets rough.
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By: Badgerscroft Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2009 Rating: Date: 30/08/2009
We are Virgin campers and were looking for a tent that didn't feel like a tent. My wife had a bad camping experience when she was younger and vowed never to go camping again. The fact that I managed to persuade her is a testament to the Gelert. I looked at the tent in person before ordering one off the internet. I ordered the eight person tent because as a family of four we wanted plenty of room and that we got.
The tent is relatively easy to put up but a word of caution! This tent does not like winds broadside and whilst it is common sense to pitch it into the prevailing winds this isn't always possible due to pitch sizes and shape. Our first trip was to Saint Ives in Cornwall and getting the coastal winds it managed to pull out the tent pegs holding the guy ropes on one side. Two things here. Unless your pitched in a sheltered location or the weather is set fine the tent pegs supplied are simply not adequate.
This is not a criticism as I suspect all tent manufacturers supply their tents with similar pegs. To the tents credit though, once untethered, although the poles flexed, beyond what I thought was there operating limit and believe me it was heart stopping watching one half of the tent collapse and then spring back, they did not snap. The very next day I bought some very sturdy tent pegs and the problem did not present itself again.
The morning after saw several broken tents around the camp site, yet the Gelert whilst severely tested did not succumb to the bad weather which at times saw the wind gust to 50 + mph. Due to the tents design I would say a porch or canopy is essential and something I will be purchasing at a later date. In summary a fantastic tent, loads of room, just spend the time and a few extra pennies to buy some sturdy tent pegs.
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By: Mric Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2009 Rating: Date: 25/08/2009
We are a family of five, and we fitted comfortably in the Horizon 8 for five days in rainy Cornwall.
The space and the options with the sleeping compartments work well, and we folded one away during the day once to make a big central play space for our three children plus two of their cousins on a particularly wet afternoon.
Putting it up is pretty easy for two people (40 mins), and importantly it fits back comfortably into the two bags without any bother.
I agree with the other comments about the doors letting in the odd drip when opening/closing in heavy rain, but nothing too bad. In light rain we put up the door on the supplied poles to make a little porch.
Overall we are happy with the tent - well made, spacious and easy to manage.
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By: Mikeymustard Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2009 Rating: Date: 24/08/2009
Ok, there we were in rainy old West Wales with a tent that, 3 days into our holiday, decided to do an impression of a colander, with water pouring in. The really helpful site owners allowed us internet access; we found something we might like, and had the new tent couriered from a dealer in Raglan. Normally, I wouldn't recommend this as a way of buying a tent, preferring to do some research and preferably see it in the flesh, however, needs must and all that!
Luckily for us we chose the Gelert Horizon 8: it's good-looking, simplicity itself to erect (we were fully installed in less than an hour), and is absolutely enormous. It has some really nice touches, like three doors, very flexible sleeping space, zippable electric hook-up flap, storage pockets, and a hook in the ceiling (with velcro cable tidies all the way up the 'wall') for a light. As for head-room, you'd have to be a giant to touch the ceiling!
Fitting two quite large adults and three nearly fully grown teenagers was a doddle. Two of the teens went home early so we took down one of the bedrooms and used the extra space for storage with access to the back door.
It would be no exaggeration to say we love our new tent, and I would have no hesitation in recommending the Horizon to others; we're also buying the additional porch for next year to extend our living space even further.
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By: Stevesage Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2009 Rating: Date: 18/08/2009
I have been camping for many years & can honestly say that this is the best tent I have owned.
Gelert are a great quality brand & the tent is well made with loads of room.
I'm 6'4' & could actually jump up & down in it, there's that much headroom.
The tent is easy to put up & you have options with the bedroom pods which also offer good headroom & space.
Overall I am very happy with this tent, only very minor bad points are that the door was a little fiddly to zip & unzip, condensation can be an issue if the bedroom doors are left sealed during the night.But don't let this put you off because this is an excellent product.
There are also some great accessories as an optional purchase such as a porch & carpet, which I may invest in next season.
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61 User Reviews of the Horizon 8 - Showing 31 to 40 Page:
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The Gelert Horizon 8 is a large family tent with space for up to 8 people having 2 large sleeping compartments and 2 access doors - back and front and a further door at the side which can be used if only one inner is attached. The Horizon 8 family tent has 3 inners - 2 x 2 man and a further 4 man inner which is divided into 2 by a detachable curtain. The front door can be turned into a porch by using the 2 steel extension poles included in with the family tent. There is also an optional canopy which can be added to give a large porch area.
FEATURES
* Reinforced welded groundsheet for maximum floor protection. * Fully sewn in groundsheet prevents unwanted drafts or bugs * Water repellent zips * Electric cable zip access point * Excellent living area space and head height * Hanging storage pockets * 2 side and 1 end door entrance options * 2 living area windows * Bright guylines for extra visibility * Pre-attached guylines aid pitching * Packed in a 3 in 1 suitcase style carry bag * Fire Retardant
SPECIFICATION
* WEIGHT - 29.05kg * PACK SIZE - 72 x 53 x 32 cm * DIMENSIONS - Outer 740L x 350W x 225H cm; Inners 2 x 220L x 160W x 210H cm and 1 x 220L x 320W x 210H cm * HYDROSTATIC HEAD - 5000mm * PACKED SIZE - 72 x 53 x 32 cm * FABRIC - Outer 190T polyester with waterproof PU coating. Inner 190T breathable polyester. Groundsheet Polyethylene * POLES - 5 x 12.7mm fiberglass, extension poles 2 x 16mm steel porch poles * PITCH - Outer first * TAPED SEAMS - Yes * COLOUR - Green or Blue
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