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We are 'hardened' campers and in 2 weeks time we have convinced the in-laws to come camping with us (something to which the are not best amused!) They are Camping novices and do not even know what they are missing!

In order to fit us all in and create what we think will be a 'home from home' atmosphere for them we have decided to embark on purchasing a new tent. After many  weeks of looking at reviews etc we have fallen in love with the Vango Apsen 700DLX and think this will be perfect for us not only in a few weeks time but to be with us for many years and house our hopefully expanding family aswell as 4 season camping.

Problem...

Where to get one? I believe Vango no longer sell the Aspen model and have replaced it with the Zambezi to which i believe is a pretty shocking tent! Does anyone know of any retailers which have any or anyone who's selling? Our Budget is about £200 -£250 (including shipping). If not, does anyone suggest a similar tent? Our main specs required are;

- Sewn in/Bucket Groundsheet

- Seperate porch for wet weather gear etc

-3x bedroom (2 need to be double size)

HELP! :)

have had a look and on first glance does look brill and comes in a nicer colour than the vango...

then i read the reviews! Hmm.... not convinced. We were thinking about taking our daughter to France next year for a 2-3week trip camping at various locations including the south of France in the Snow. Not quite sure the Rage would stand up to anything bar a sunny mild day! Was interesting though to see that the designs are not restricted to just one company.

I am sorry but why is the zambesi so bad ?I know they are pitched outer first but didn't know there were issues.

I bought my 500dlx from these guys http://www.outbacktrading.co.uk/ they do a lot of vango gear, it may be worth speaking to them about a 700 or having a look round for an alternative.

Sorry, it's not the Zambezi it's the Rage tent i was referring to which is a company which have copied the design of the Aspen. The Zambezi is good and would get it if they hadn't taken out the door inbetween the porch and the living space. As we would be going camping in winter this would just make it to drafty for us and our young daughter.

Referring to your Aspen 500DLX, how big are the single rooms? Would the tent fit 4x adults and a child? (2x double air beds & 1x childs ready bed) as this is also an option for us?

Thanks x

I find the side pods claustraphobic and only just take single beds(95cm), my kids love them though saying that. one side is bedroom / wardrobe. I actually sleep in the lounge area now which is fine, like u say the extra door helps. I agree i wouldn't want a zambesi either if that middle door is out. My kids are 11 and 18 so we are almost a group of four adults and the tent is just right, one more could be ok.

I suppose really it depends on the length of stay and how much stuff you want to put in it. The porch is great for the emergency kazi   and I have considered rigging a porch, canopy or some sort of awning on the side as the width allows it (3.7m) not sure if its possible.

Its a fantastic tent but for not for two couples i'm afraid.

One thing that could be possible is a cheap 2 man pop up tent in the living area to give an extra bedroom. The living area is 3.7 x 2.5m so half of that would be used i guess, take it down in the morning if u need the space.

Would need to test run that idea but if worst came to the worst pitch the pop up at the side just to sleep in if your in laws take to camping they will eventually buy their own kit.

Thanks for the advice barabbas. I think i will try and get the 700DLX (if i can by the 2nd Oct!) as it would be a good investment and i like the idea of having 3 double rooms for sleepovers and trying to convince our non camper friends that it is the way forward!

I am just get tooo excited as this tent ticks all of our boxes for what we are after. Cant wait to finally get one (hopefully) and pitching it for the first time :)

jr leisure at radcliffe (along way from you i know) are doing the zanbezi 700dlx for £299 ,my wife and i had a look at it and liked it but then i read the reviews and went off it a little.

link :- http://www.jrleisure.co.uk/brand/vango/5/0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0/3

Paul.

sean after having a second look at the zambesi photos i noticed the porch ground sheet was sown/taped in where as in ours it isn't. In some bad weather in wales last year this became very annoying because wind was blowing everything around in there.