Went to our 'local' (95 miles round trip) Yeomans at Handcross on Friday to see if they had any tents up and saw the 2011 Vango Icarus 500. We have the 2010 Icarus 600 and it was interesting to see the differences 'in the flesh':
The new 3000HH fabric is noticeably more robust than our 2000HH. Not that we've had a problem with ours in any way but I guess it would probably hold up a bit better in a really strong blow.
The arrangement at the bottom of the doors is different, with a lip of tent fabric above the upturned groundsheet. The main door still zips straight down the sides but has velco strips along the bottom to attach to the lip. The two mesh flyscreen doors zip all the way round to totally enclose the openings, as you would expect. The front door mesh is new for this year. There is no provision for cross-pegging the bottom of the front door zips as far as I can recall but, with the new lip arrangement, this shouldn't be necessary.
The inner tent ('bedroom pod') is a totally separate item, rather than being sewn in to the groundsheet. I personally prefer this arrangement as a)it provides more insulation from the ground and b)it can be removed for cleaning, repairing or whatever if required. The inner is made of thicker material than the 2010 model and appear a lot darker inside (Vango call this feature 'lights out'). Useful if you don't want to be up with the lark every morning!
We were impressed with the new model. So much so that we ordered the 600 in Moss there and then and should be receiving it on Tuesday.
We had already purchased the new encosed canopy in Moss for our 2010 tent and had, in fact, received it a couple of days before. Now we seem to have bought a tent to match the canopy! Actually, we were quite happy with the combination of Moss canopy and Laurel/Meadow tent; it was the new material and features that swung it for us.
So if anyone is looking for a 2010 Icarus 600 with matching canopy, all being well with the new one, ours will be in the free ads next week.
------------- Regards,
Richard
2011
May: Crowborough (*****)
June: Oldbury Hill (*****)
July: Rother Valley (*)
August: Gate Lodge (Cancelled)
September: Graffham
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I was going to buy the 2010 model but after reading your review I plumped for the newer model. Ours should arrive this week and I must say we are looking forward to trying it out and to see the difference in quality fron our old orchy/icarus 400..
Quote: Originally posted by gil16e on 19/4/2011
I was going to buy the 2010 model but after reading your review I plumped for the newer model. Ours should arrive this week and I must say we are looking forward to trying it out and to see the difference in quality fron our old orchy/icarus 400..
I'm sure you wont be disappointed.
According to the email I received from Yeomans this morning, ours will be arriving between 10:46 and 11:46 so looking forward to a test pitch later this week.
The only problem I have now is selling the old one, especially if everyone does the same as you!
------------- Regards,
Richard
2011
May: Crowborough (*****)
June: Oldbury Hill (*****)
July: Rother Valley (*)
August: Gate Lodge (Cancelled)
September: Graffham
hi i managed to sell my 2010 model and canopy on ebay and bought the 2011 model also enclosed canopy, really like this tent cant wait to try it out at the Moto GP in june. you never know you might be lucky.
barbara
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
Serves me right. I didn't research properly. I got the 2010 model today as a weekend tent, but didn't realise there was a newer version out. Oh well, I'll try to take it back tomorrow (not been out of the bag so hopefully should be okay) and get the newer one.
GoOutdoors are selling Icarus 500 for £149.99 and for tomorrow only at £129.99 with coupon. They've had stacks of them in store for weeks and presumably are 2010 models or they would be stating 2011. I was considering one but need to save first.
------------- Mavis
It is easier to smile than frown so share a smile every day
Hi well done for buying the canopy/extension first and then the tent afterwards. I have been saying for ages that is the best way to do.
Good luck with your new tent
------------- Experience enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
Everything has been said before, but since nobody ever listens we have to keep going back and saying it all over again and again and again
Thanks for the review with the differences in this tent. I have been keen to see how much of a difference there is for a while so thank you for the info!
Arsenaldes: Well, it wasn't intentional but actually worked out rather well.
DavLong: Glad you found it useful.
We've had three outings in it so far this year and are very pleased with it. The enclosed canopy with it's separate groundsheet is really very practical. In wet weather (and we've had plenty this year) we turn the door into a canopy with a couple of king poles and fold the front of the groundsheet back a foot or so, so that the rain that inevitably comes in at a angle doesn't pool on it.
The only problem we've had is one of the toggles that holds the rolled-up canopy door has come adrift but I shan't be losing any sleep over it. A couple of minutes with a needle and thread will sort it out.
------------- Regards,
Richard
2011
May: Crowborough (*****)
June: Oldbury Hill (*****)
July: Rother Valley (*)
August: Gate Lodge (Cancelled)
September: Graffham
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Topic: New Vango Icarus
