Message Forums

Hi

I already have a Vango Tigris 400 which I’m really pleased with but as I get more holidays than OH I’m looking to buy something which is easier to put up by myself.

I quite like this one http://www.best-buys.co.uk/Tents/proddetail.asp?prod=OutdoorRevolutionStarcamper3

And also the Coleman Coastline 300 and Vango Icarus 300.

Anyone have any personal experience or preferences – or know anywhere offering them at a decent price?

Any other suggestions for something similar would be welcome. I’m not looking for full head height but would like something that I could sit in if it’s raining. Not looking to spend more than £100 – preferably less! (otherwise I would buy an Outwell!!)

Thanks

MB

I've seen pictures of people sitting on ordinary camp chairs inside a Vango Beta 450, so that might be an idea if you can find it at the right price.

The price of tents can vary so much that it's probably a good idea to find the right tent and then wait for it (if you can afford to give it the time) to come down to the right price in a sale or a 20% discount.

Another thought the Easycamp Licata 300 is another three pole smallish tent with full head height and Easycamp are made by Outwell, so you might like that.

What about this one...a little over your budget but it's polycotton!

http://www.outdooraction.co.uk/acatalog/copy_of_Outwell_Baltic_Sea_M_Tent__2009_.html

Ooh I love the Vango Kairos 300 - just seems to be hard to find it in stock. What an interesting design.

My OH is 6'2" but that would do me for my week away on my own and would do us as a weekend tent. Has been worried about getting something too high without a steel pole but thought that would put it beyond my price range.

Thanks for all the suggestions - I will look at them all. And if anyone sees a good deal on a Kairos 300 give me a shout.

I love this site!

MB

Kairos 300 =

http://www.marshallleisure.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=148668&cPath=250#custom £100 free delivery

http://cragandmoor.co.uk/p_details.php?pid=13 £120

Hmm might have to bite the bullet and just order it for £100 as it seems to have been discontinued.

Anyone know why it's no longer available? Makes me wary but it seems to get decent enough reviews and judging by other threads on this forum I'm not alone with this kind of requirement so seems odd to stop making a popular tent.

Thanks for the links speedcamp - much appreciated

Quote: Originally posted by MilneBay on 06/5/2011

---

Hmm might have to bite the bullet and just order it for £100 as it seems to have been discontinued.

Anyone know why it's no longer available? Makes me wary but it seems to get decent enough reviews and judging by other threads on this forum I'm not alone with this kind of requirement so seems odd to stop making a popular tent.

Thanks for the links speedcamp - much appreciated

---

Vango and Lichfield are owned by the same company AMG. Some times designs are moved between the different companies (as they are between Outwell and its sister companies). For 2011 it would seem that all the tied arch designs have been put under the Lichfield banner. They upped the spec and presumably thought that they were improving the design by making the door at the front rather than the side. It was going to be launched as the "Trevone", but in the end it would appear that the retailers did not like the design as much as the Kairos 300 and 400, such that the company has not pursued the smaller tied arch tents.

The closest this year is the Lichfield Findhorn 3 and 4 - which are the evolution of the Kairos 500 with 2 fibreglass poles. You might want to also have a look at these if you have an extra £100. We actually prefer the design of the Kairos 400 and the price.

The Kairos 300 has proven a very popular tent among motorcyclists for example, given its compact size, standup height etc, so much so that you can get the 400 cheaper...

The Findhorn looks nice but getting a bit close to our current set-up.

I'm justifying the new tent because the site I'm planning to go to in July has a single occupancy rate so with a small tent I'd save £8 a night - not sure they would let me away with it in a Tigris and, much as I love it, not sure I can bend the poles into the ring and pin system by myself (weakling 5'2" female that i am!)

Going to have to do a lot of grovelling tonight. The finances hadn't quite budgeted for a new tent this month but the Kairos 300 looks ideal and I'll be gutted if I can't get it later in the year.

How do you find your Kairos 400? Has it been tested in strong winds? We live on the east coast of Scotland so that can be a factor. The Tigris stood up well to some pretty strong stuff in St Andrew's last year and escaped unscathed but the amout of movement in it was a bit frightening. Just wondered if the metal pole helped at all.

Thanks

MB

Quote: Originally posted by MilneBay on 06/5/2011

---

The Findhorn looks nice but getting a bit close to our current set-up.

I'm justifying the new tent because the site I'm planning to go to in July has a single occupancy rate so with a small tent I'd save £8 a night - not sure they would let me away with it in a Tigris and, much as I love it, not sure I can bend the poles into the ring and pin system by myself (weakling 5'2" female that i am!)

Going to have to do a lot of grovelling tonight. The finances hadn't quite budgeted for a new tent this month but the Kairos 300 looks ideal and I'll be gutted if I can't get it later in the year.

How do you find your Kairos 400? Has it been tested in strong winds? We live on the east coast of Scotland so that can be a factor. The Tigris stood up well to some pretty strong stuff in St Andrew's last year and escaped unscathed but the amout of movement in it was a bit frightening. Just wondered if the metal pole helped at all.

Thanks

MB

---

The Findhorn generated the same thoughts for us.

We haven't faced the forces of nature with our Kairos 400 yet, but its certainly quick to pitch by a 5ft 2" female, feels very stable and quiet in use. Other users have testified how solid it is in poor weather.

It has the same poles as our Columbia 600, which has seen some stiff weather and stayed solid. You need to sleep with your head by the inner tent door if you sleep front to back given the slope of the tent at the back. We are using old style rubberised cotton airbeds as our Coleman Comfort airbeds are too tall if you lie front to back (2 people in the tent alternatively could sleep side to side on tall airbeds if wanted). It is a very streamline tent so you can pitch it more to the slope rather than wind direction so sleeping direction isn't an issue.

It has more guyropes than many of the bigger tents, good reinforcing and good ventilation. The bottom of the doors also have groundsheet flaps that can be tucked under the main tent so avoiding drafts and animals getting in. The window also means that you don't feel cut off from the world. It is a shame that there is no 2011 version of the tent, but then I got ours for a bargain £57 new off eBay....

Thanks

Couldn't quite match your bargain price but have just ordered for £95 with free delivery. Oops - wasn't really intending to buy a tent just yet - just to have a look at what was available (always a fatal error!)

Now just need to persuade OH of the need for multiple tent options - he's all for selling the Tigris but no way I'm being parted from it!

Have to plan a weekend not too far from home to give it a test!

Thanks for the recommendation - despite my extensive Googling had completely overlooked that as an option.

MB

I am sure that you'll be very pleased with your new purchase and you'll find that both your tents have their own role....

Happy camping!

I love my Khyam Freelander quick errect tent, however, I appreciate it is outside your price range.

DK