Either the Vango Icarus 500/600 plus canopy, or the Outwell Virginia 5 with the Icarus 500 canopy (fits perfectly). There are more windows in the Outwell, but they are very similar tents otherwise.
I've heard only good things about the Vango Icarus, though.
I think that the quality of tents is about the same, according to price range. That is, I think Vango and Gelert are likely similar in quality. The HiGear (Go Outdoors store brand) is manufactured by Gelert and is of similar quality, perhaps slightly flimsier (that's my guess.) Outwell has a good reputation for quality. But, Outwell cost significantly more than Vango for most tents.
The Outwell Virginia is in your price range, athough by the time you buy the canopy, you're above £250.
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You will read the occasional bad report on every make of tent; the bad news stories always grab the headlines. I have one or two issues with the designs of Vango tents but their quality is no more an issue, I think, than any other maker in that section of the market.
By the way, the Virginia now comes with its own canopy (click here) though stock is not due until the end of May.
If I were you, I would get to a display and see some tents in the flesh and decide what designs you like, before making any decisions. You could then come back with more useful questions: vis-a-vis vs pods vs rectangular with 1/2 bedrooms at the back etc.
we have been and looked at a vango carus 500 but then we read some bad reports on here and now we are in two minds weather to buy one or not hence the post.
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I've just had a quick look through the reviews and there are one or two poor ones for the 500. But that has happened with other brands and models. It has an 8.86/10 average rating which is better than my tent which I am very happy with.
You are right to read all reviews, especially the poor ones. But how many poor ones are there out of 109 that have been posted so far? Plus there are no bad ratings so far for tents made this year....though the year is young, I admit.
We are really pleased with our Virginia 5, I know it has been highlighted that with the canopy it will be out of your price range though. This may seem silly but how many people is it for? I know you are after a 5/6 man tent, but I doubt the Virginia or Icarus could comfortably sleep more than 4 (adults).
We had an Icarus 500 and had no problems with it as did several of our friends. As others have said its the bad reviews that stick in your mind. For the price the Icarus is probably the best value tent around.
If you dont mind buying a used tent then consider the Outwell Nevada M we sold our Icarus and bought one of these and to be honest I think its a much nicer tent, but you pays your money and takes your choice
------------- 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
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We recently bought the Icarus 500 2011 model and used it for the first time over the Bank Holiday. Excellent tent and the canopy gives so much extra space however our tent had a manufacturing defect with one of the zips not sewn in properly and the canopy had a fault in the material which gave it the effect of laddered tights.
We bought from Go Outdoors who were actually quite good at swapping them and we now have two new replacement items. I wouldn't say it's put me off but I will be checking them both when we put them up next.
Quote: Originally posted by Stu99 on 28/4/2011
We recently bought the Icarus 500 2011 model and used it for the first time over the Bank Holiday. Excellent tent and the canopy gives so much extra space however our tent had a manufacturing defect with one of the zips not sewn in properly and the canopy had a fault in the material which gave it the effect of laddered tights.
We bought from Go Outdoors who were actually quite good at swapping them and we now have two new replacement items. I wouldn't say it's put me off but I will be checking them both when we put them up next.
Hello and welcome to the forum. First post!!
I would suggest trying out the replacement sooner rather than later.
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Topic: which 5/6 man tent with porch
