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In view of the critical comments on the Orchy design causing collapsing, should I be worried, or just be reassured we've had ours out in all weathers and never had a problem ?

Anyone had a problem with a 600 ? 

In 5 pitches since May, ours hasn't done that once Andy

Clearly, if yours does, there's something wrong. If the effect results in something closer to two parallel poles, rather than the true dome X shape, it's bound to be less stable, but as I say, ours doesn't do that.

If it had I'd have taken it straight back.

I wonder if the 600 poles are thicker/stronger, or there's more sleeving, keeping them better in line ?

All a bit of a puzzle really.

Hi,

Does anyone know where to get the Vango extension (the same as the canopy but with the door) for the Orchy in Sage?   They seem to be sold out everywhere.

Thought I had on Amazon but they rang me to say they'd sold out :(

Thanks.

we are the proud owners of an orchy 600 with a large canopy, cant wait to try it, does the large canopy fit over the side door or is it only for the front?

Ste n suzanne

xAndyCx - We've camped in some pretty strong winds. Our favourite site is right on the edge of the Llyn Peninsula in North Wales where it's pretty much on the edge of nowhere and can be really windy. It's over a year from when we first got the tent and it's still standing, all poles are in tact. The only damage is from the fraying because of the canopy which I've mentioned in an earlier post, which really was our own fault. I think as long as it's pitched correctly and the guys are nice and tight, it should hold up.

Whoever mentioned tenacious tape - we got our from Go Outdoors. I've decided I'm going to use that to repair the tent.

The canopy is for the front door Sharkie. It's specifically made for that so I don't think it will fit the side door.

Overide - Getting a canopy to match your tent is a really difficult task... that's why neither of our Vango canopies actually match our tents! I'd say don't bother about the colour and just get the cheapest you can find. You'll find that the colour mis-match doesn't matter when you consider the practical positives of having a canopy. It's better to have a canopy that doesn't match than have no canopy at all is what I'm trying to say.

I've overcome my post-camping blues coz we're planning a couple of August weekends... so I'm back in camping mood!!!! HURRAH!!!

Cheers Chelz.   Went for one in smoke in the end.  As you say, whatever the colour it will be better having one than not.   Was getting a bit fed up with water coming in when you open the door and muddy wellies taken off inside.

Mike I'm pretty sure the 600 poles are quite a bit thicker if that's any comfort.

I took my 500 back at the weekend for a refund and had another look at the one they had onsite and also the 600 they had. The 600 poles in the display model were monsters compared to the ones I had in my 500. I kind of thought the display model 500 poles were thicker too but to be honest - without getting the broken ones out the bag to check - I couldn't be sure.

So the two important points coming out of the various threads seem to be;

1. The 600 appears to be solid - or at least no-one has reported problems yet.

2. There are enough people posting that they are camping in windy conditions perfectly happily in the smaller Orchy to suggest there must be two batches out there and those that have a good 'un that stands firm have an excellent tent.

I still think the angled top corners on the poles allow the poles to swivel out of shape and that doesn't help the basic structural integrity so I'll be avoiding that in my next tent.

Of course the bad news now is that my Orchy was such a nice tent that I can't find a good replacement. The Outwell Carolina 3 is high on my list as it's nice and roomy/light in front and looks very stable (metal poles) but has quite a small bedroom. All good reviews - except the small bedroom gets mentioned a lot.

My parents (camping septagenarians!) use a Vango Tigris 400 and are well pleased with that so that might be a runner too as it has the nice sized bedroom that we liked in the Orchy. I don't like the diagional strengthening straps running across the living room area though. As soon as I walked into a display model the first thing I did was walk into it. Maybe I just need new glasses.

The good news it's not like spending my weekend visiting camping exhibitions is too much of a chore and I get to buy two new tents this year! ;-) Wahoo.

As an aside a number of people have talked about difficulty getting it back into the "oversized" bag. Given it's a new tent I expected to take 3 attempts to get the packing right but folding lenthways into quarters and rolling up tight did the trick. (From the back obviously so the trapped air escapes out all the doors) It was no more difficult to pack away than any other tent I've owned and I got the poles and pegs in the bag too.

Hi Chris,

We did indeed have the extension on the side of the tent. It was a bit of a guessing game but in the end we felt that it was on securely enough but we think we can get it on better!!! We are off again next week and will try it for the second time. Its a shame we can't fit the tent in our garden as then we could play about to our hearts content!!!

Will have another go and take some notes on how we do it and report back.

Hi everybody. Some bad news and some good news.

Bad news... The pink Orchy has basically had it... (That's why I've not been here recently - I've been in mourning! LOL) After nearly 3 years it's developed extensive leaks. When we last went camping for a weekend in August, there was some torrential rain and I ended up with pans all over the place catching the drips. Now I examined the whole tent and discovered something. Yes, the seams are taped, but in some areas, like the windows and where there are extra pieces of material sewn onto the exterior tent material, I think they have sewn OVER the taped seams... well this kind of renders the taped seams ineffective. I think with the amount of wind and pressure put on the seams that it made the stitch holes bigger and caused the leaks. We could send the tent back, but we'd have to dry it and get it sent, we just can't be bothered going through all that...

Good news... We've got a new Orchy for Christmas! OK it's a bit early, but it's a gift (thanks Mum and Dad!) and we won't be camping until next year anyway. We loved the tent so much we just didn't want any other kind and we've got all the accessories to go with it. And we'll have a spare set of poles... Hopefully the new version (it's the blue/smoke colour) will be better. We like the electric cable access that was missing from our old one. And the first time we use it, I'm going over ALL seams with sealant. You learn from your mistakes. I guess we did use and abuse our original tent. But we had some great camping trips in it and it hasn't put us off it, hence the fact we've got another.

I'd suggest to all Orchy owners to check your seams and get them sealed. I think that should fix any potential problems.

Can't wait to go camping in the Blue Palace now!