Quote: Originally posted by SlightlyMad on 27/5/2009
Thanks for the idea's Angie. There are a couple of possibles in there. How important are SIG and HH? The coule of Angies that I like the shape of are either 2000HH and/or no SIG.
No worries Bickers. Out of interest I googled it anyway just in case. It is just that the ones we saw on display weren't to our liking - at least the 6 birth ones weren't.
How do the ones I have selected stand up? These (with exception of the Coleman which I really, really, really like on paper) are all ones which I have been able to look at in the flesh - so would be more confident chosing these IYSWIM, or would chose something with similar dimensions of another brand as I know what the space feels like.
Went to see some Coleman's today - they didn't have the Matrix though. But the Evolva and Modulus were both beautiful. Having seen them I think the Matrix will be the tent for us it is a cross between the 2. How does the Evolva stand up to the wind? It looked a bit tall and square to me.
I think it is a toss up between the Orchy and the Matrix X6. Just need to decide which is the RIGHT size for us.
------------- I know not where to start!
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Jr Leisure in Leicester. Don't know if they have national showrooms?
Still undecided. I think I am throwing the Horizon 8 back in the mix as the other half has now decided he wants an extra bedroom for storage. I am not over keen on it though - but think it is the only 3000HH+ with SIG for less than £200 (I think). I do like the idea of storage though.
Decision will have to be made tomorrow - before the £175 Coleman ends on ebay (I think this will be the winner). Still a little worried about choice of campsite was it is over 7m long. Watch this space.
How did you decide ? We've just got an Orchy 600 after a few years away from camping, and so far, love it. But it's mainly just the two of us, so it suits us fine, with plenty of room for 2.
Given that, it does for w/e's, and will do for a "main" holiday too.
Like you, we'd camped before, so knew the pro's and con's, so going for reasonable kit right off wasn't really a gamble. We'd been looking at one of the smaller Hi Gears (Gelert branded for Go Outdoors) , but the Orchy gave far more living space, and when the GO manager called it up on his screen, it showed a 2008 listing at £162. We were looking at the 2009 but he said he'd match it. Result !
GO get a fair bit of stick on here but we like 'em !
I've not seen any Colemans "in the flesh", but I do get the feeling they are a quality manufacturer, and the eBay listing looks a good price. I'm personally not over keen on the grey'ish colour, but that's one man's meat etc. It would suit the usual sky colour we get anyway
Couple of weeks to our next trip so we're garden camping this w/e and having a play ! Forecast looks great, for once.
Hope you get fixed up.
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I think we have ruled out the Orchy though. When we look carefully at teh bedroom dimensions we can't see how we would fit the 3 kids in 1 room (with the airbeds we have) as each room seems to be 150cm by 270cm.
Our airbeds are 140cm by 190cm, and 180cm by 70cm. I just can't see how they fit (unless I am missing something).
Glad you got yours at £162. I think that might be because of their price promise (available elsewhere at £180 less 10% = £162). That is what we were expecting to pay despite what they are advertising.
Horizon 8 is winning at the moment - as long as I was correct when I saw it at £170-180+VAT. I think if I was mistaken it may be the Tigris800 which is essentially identical (£240). Bit over buget though. But having reviewed our choices it seems like an 8 berth tunnel with a 2+2+4 inner pods is what we need to give us the best floorspace for the pitch space.
You're not alone ! There's soooo much choice out there. As I said, we were going with every intention of a 4 man Hi Gear then at the last min opted for the Orchy. The extra £12 or so got us way more bang for the bucks.
You're right about the Orchy bedroom. Vango describe it as 6 man but as many folks here have said, that'd be a squeeze. Yes, the overall room is 3m x 2.7 m, so with the hanging divider up it'd be 2 of 1.5 x 2.7. Even with the divider unhooked you'd still be 0.5m short in width.
For us it's great as we leave the divider unhooked then we can walk around the double airbed. Horses for courses.
Yeomans hold exhibitions which are good for seeing various models "up". I don't know if any of these are near by:
BTW. Watch out for Yeomans prices. We spent £60 odd on the carpet etc at our local exhibition, then after we'd used them, the same gear in another nearby store for £13 less. I've complained via their web site and in writing to Y, but they haven't troubled to even reply. So we'll never trouble them again
Vango Orchy 600 Bedrooms seem spacious so a bit of room for storage. Skylights make it feel more spacious. I wasn't as keen on the fact that it is an all in one tent with the bedrooms sewn to the main groundsheet. I think I can get this for about £170-£180. Felt sturdy in teh wind when I viewed it today!
...have just ordered the above tent. The fact that the bedrooms were sewn to the main groundsheet also put me off, but I overcame this by buying a footprint ground sheet to give that extra layer between the tent and the ground (will also help keep the tent clean and prevent rips). You could also throw in a couple of cheap picnic rugs to make it extra snug. As for it being sturdy, it stood its' ground v well when we viewed tents outside at Go Outdoors, Bristol recently. Others we consider, including the Hi-gear and Outwell Nevada tents swayed a lot in comparison, which also made them noisier inside. Have spent a lot of time reading reviews and for our small family, 2 adults and 1 small child, the Orchy 600 seems idea, esp as it's light (15kg) and will fit into our Ford Fiesta, allowing for all our other gear to get in. There is also easily room in the bedroom for our daughter to bring a friend. So I'd say go for this one as a safe bet. For info, site I've just purchased it from is: http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-1428744-10475506?url=http://www.outdoormegastore.co.uk/acatalog/Vango_Orchy_600_Family_Tunnel-Dome_Tent_.html ...good prices and good reviews of service - though I have to receive the tent first before being able to say that they are def ok!
I also have 3 kids under 10 and realistically you'll need no less than a 6/7 man to sleep them in nicely, although the Vango Aspen?Zambezi 500 may be okay if there bedrooms were as generous as the 700!! They are a heavy to put up though but very good for space and probably get one at a good price.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: First tent. Where to start?
