After many years of camping on my own, often in large dome tents, both as part of a group and on my own back I have just convinced my Girlfriend to come camping with me after much twisting of her arm. Having had a bad year with my tent last year following a weekend of awful weather I decided to buy a new tent.So in a rush I decided to go with what seems like a good offer at Argos which is the Regatta 6 Person Frame Tent. I only realised after committing to buy it that I was actually purchasing a FRAME tent not a DOME tent as I am so used to. Will it be vastly different to put up? Any tips?
The reviews on argos say that it is a bit of an odd design and takes 2 people to put up, so I think it prob will be quite different. Can't ypu call customer services and cancel it if you are worried? Hope it all works out for you!
I saw a couple pitching one of these at the weekend. 2 adults and 2 small kids.
It was a strange design , one I hadn't seen before.
they put the leg poles in first and then the roof poles in once the tent was standing .
It didn't take them long to pitch it, but it had a rather large gap at the bottom , so would be rather draughty I imagine.
Didn't have a chance to ask them about it, they were gone very early the following morning. Which made me think perhaps it was a bit cold for them in the night ?
Their regatta 4 person (there I go with the politically correct "person" again) dome tent is (or was, not sure now) on special offer. You basically end up with a £70 tent for around £35, which is pretty good in my book, & it gets a pretty good write up on this very site here it is! & would be ample for a couple I would think.
I haven't had a chance to set mine up yet, I'm going to have a go this weekend. Then it's going to France with me, & I plan to be out there in it for at least 4 weeks!
They've also got the double "ReadyBed" air bed + sleeping bag in one, on offer. It's a very good size, the mattress is very comfortable, but I don't think it would be much good in the cold, the sleeping bag part is a bit thin, but with 2 of you it may well be enough, & an extra blanket would give you more choice anyway, especially if one of you prefers it hotter/cooler than the other.
Good luck anyway, I always think a camping trip is a good test of a relationship, & if it all goes well can be a very enjoyable & intimate time together.
I wouldn't rate the Argos tent, hopefully you cancel it or take it back if it's not fit for purpose. Go online and order something like the Vango Icarus 500 which is really easy to put up, only three poles.
If you like a dome, how about an Easycamp Eclipse 500, a dome with a porch out front.
For something really easy, there's the Khyam igloo, no porch but dead easy to put up. I think it's a bit of a heavy pack size though.
If you're prepared to invest a few extra bucks have a look at the Outwell Carolina S. It'll last you for summer after summer, and it's easy to put up.
Well I hope those regatta tents aren't too bad, mine's got a porch out front, & TBH it looks exactly the same as several other (more expensive) makes I've seen, admittedly some of these call it a 3 person, which is probably more accurate. It's flame retardant with a 2m hydrostatic head (???) & taped seams etc. It's certainly better quality than the argos own brand stuff. I'm not personally much of a vango fan, their stuff is good quality, I just feel you pay a premium for the name. (really don't wanna upset anyone here, it's only an opinion). Usually if you look after something & treat it with respect it will reward you with long service. Mind you, this could all change when I have my test run
Well, after much deliberation and confusion I decided to cance my order at Argos. Having seen the tent in all its gory, I wasn't over impressed with it's sturdiness. I took my firts trip to 'Go Outdoors' in Cardiff after being at 'ABC Camping' in Swansea...what a day and what an experience! I was in paradise. In the end I plumped for a very spacious Hi Gear 5 Mojave. I was very impressed with the tent as soon as i saw it and I'm looking forward to my first trip in it this week. The only thing I will say is that it is an extremely heavy package, but as I am not, and never will be a backpacker, it doesn't bother me. The best news yet is that it was down to £99 for a week! BARGAIN! I have seen it being sold elsewhere at up to £280! Thanks to you all for your help. I hope you all have a pleasant summer under canvas!
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Topic: HELP!!!
