I loved it overall. As lurcher mentioned the front door flap in the wind is a pain but a little bit of duct tape sorted that. Loads of pockets and adjuster straps and other bits to play with. The fly screen on the side door was fab, being able to see out properly without a draft. I didn't find it that easy to pitch on my own in the wind but I think it should be easier next time as I discovered you can peg out all four corners and then put the poles in.
I didn't manage to get it back into the bag but it was a bit damp so I'll spread it out in the garden and try again. Failing that I find Ikea bags very handy!!
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I loved it overall. As lurcher mentioned the front door flap in the wind is a pain but a little bit of duct tape sorted that. Loads of pockets and adjuster straps and other bits to play with. The fly screen on the side door was fab, being able to see out properly without a draft. I didn't find it that easy to pitch on my own in the wind but I think it should be easier next time as I discovered you can peg out all four corners and then put the poles in.
I didn't manage to get it back into the bag but it was a bit damp so I'll spread it out in the garden and try again. Failing that I find Ikea bags very handy!!
does the tension banding system make a difference? I'm trying to decide between the sungari 400 and outwell nevada and the TBS appeals to me if it makes a difference in windy weather.
------------- never argue with an idiot........ they will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience
Quote: Originally posted by stormchaser2005 on 15/4/2009 does the tension banding system make a difference? I'm trying to decide between the sungari 400 and outwell nevada and the TBS appeals to me if it makes a difference in windy weather.
I have a Vango Vista 800 with the tbs . Used them when we had gale force winds once and it was brilliant . It does make a difference .
Quote: Originally posted by Lurcher Pie on 15/4/2009
Quote: Originally posted by stormchaser2005 on 15/4/2009
does the tension banding system make a difference? I'm trying to decide between the sungari 400 and outwell nevada and the TBS appeals to me if it makes a difference in windy weather.
I have a Vango Vista 800 with the tbs . Used them when we had gale force winds once and it was brilliant . It does make a difference .
Thankyou, that was the only thing stopping me from just going for the outwell so vango it is!
------------- never argue with an idiot........ they will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
I think it made a difference but I'm not sure. I was wary of tightening them too much so probably should have been a bit less cautious. I did find the tent moved alot in the wind
When I saw the icarus at winfields it was flapping about in the wind but it wasn't really pitched properly to be fair, it was also right next to the tigris and the orchy both of which seemed sturdier and better quality particularly the tigris. The tigris was too big for me and I didn't like the way it tapers at each end. the tigris 400 is a more manageable size but again it tapers on the end so although it is slightly longer than the sungari you lose some space, having had that experience with the evo 400 I didn't want to repeat it and they didn't have the 400 on display to look at. I wasn't keen on the design of the orchy, I like having space to stand up in the bedroom. I am hoping the sungari will be of the same quality as the tigris but it seems that I am the only one on here to want one so far. Ordered it yesterday from allweathers so will know when it arrives, supposed to be away again next weekend so fingers crossed it gets here in time and I can at least test pitch it once.
------------- never argue with an idiot........ they will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
Bought an Icarus 500 last saturday for a weekend tent & went away for 3 nights, tent is great, easy to put up, light and airy inside & room to stand in living & bedroom areas (6' tall), once erected the tent stood up very well to what felt like gale force gusts on Wednesday night .......... BUT .......
As I was taking down the tent I loosened the guys at the front of the tent & the wind almost flattened it to the ground, breaking one of the poles, with hindsight I should really have opened the front & side doors to let the wind through rather than keeping it out, just thought I should warn others before they make the same mistake.
Also, unhook the bedrooms before erecting, this causes a great deal of stress on the poles when trying to insert ring & pin, I heard mine straining when I put it up & I'm thinking maybe this weakened the pole, contributing to the break.
And yes, I too used duck tape on the front door to stop it flapping in the wind
Hope this helps someone.
Cheers,
Spiny.
------------- Never argue with an idiot ........
They will drag you down to their level, and then beat you with experience!
Thanks to everone whi has posted here. I have the Idaho 400 which has been a great little tent but would like a little bit more room that a tunnel would give us. Also I have seen you can get an extension for the Icarus which I think would make it a good size overall as there is only two of us.
To anyone that may be interested i've just bought a limited edition Vango Icarus 500 "weekender" apparantley exclusive to Great Outdoors in Chester with footprint, carpet and large canopy for £199 on special offer at the moment!!
Quote: Originally posted by gillycarp on 22/4/2009
To anyone that may be interested i've just bought a limited edition Vango Icarus 500 "weekender" apparantley exclusive to Great Outdoors in Chester with footprint, carpet and large canopy for £199 on special offer at the moment!!
and it's also on their website so you can order online:
I've just ordered the icarus 500 the second tent bought this year! wish i'd been told about it before i bought the other so much more room! cant wait for it to come off camping again in two weeks!
Just bought the Icarus 500 for our weekend breaks this season, looking forward to the 10-15 minute erection time as opposed to that of our Vango Diablo 600 (still a great tent tho', especially for the 4 day plus stays).
Our first outing will be in 4 weeks, now it's been some time since you guys last posted on here, I would very much appreciate your findings and tips from continued use last season re: putting up and taking down. I like the tip about pegging out corners first and the one about detaching bedroom pods before erecting tent. Will take some duct tape and velcro tape, thanks.
Anything else to get that time under 10 mins!! just kiddin', 10-15 mins will be bliss compared to the Diablo.
Just bought the Icarus 500 for our weekend breaks this season, looking forward to the 10-15 minute erection time as opposed to that of our Vango Diablo 600 (still a great tent tho', especially for the 4 day plus stays).
Our first outing will be in 4 weeks, now it's been some time since you guys last posted on here, I would very much appreciate your findings and tips from continued use last season re: putting up and taking down. I like the tip about pegging out corners first and the one about detaching bedroom pods before erecting tent. Will take some duct tape and velcro tape, thanks.
Anything else to get that time under 10 mins!! just kiddin', 10-15 mins will be bliss compared to the Diablo.
We bought the 600 to replace our Diablo 600 as it was too much trouble for us to put up for a weekend. I've as yet to pitch my 600 though, although today is looking possible so longs hubby gets an early finish! I don't fancy attempting it myself the first time, although I'm pretty certain I could manage.
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Topic: vango icarus yes or no?
