My wife and I recently took the 'deep' plunge and bought a Montana Lake - we love it, and whilst there are some features I am amazed Outwell did not include, all in all it is proving a lovely family tent.
However, the camping bug has really bit us and we are very keen to do some short trips (1 or 2 nights) without kids. At Frensham recently I saw the Outwell Monterey 5 and absolutely loved it - big interior and the front can be completely opened out...with the rain canopy as protection. And no sloping front door :-)
Question is - where are all the owners, or is the tent simply too new? There are 2 reviews on this site, but I thought such a nice tent would have more rave reviews!
May still take the plunge...but need a little forum-encouragement before I do!
PS Red Shoot was fab this weekend - thanks for all the recommendations on here...Simon
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The lack of a sloping front combined with an inbuilt canopy would actually put us off, but then we choose our tents to cope well with the wind. If the wind swings round to the front you're going to get a lot of strain both inwards and upwards as there is no where for the wind to go except head on into the front pole and upwards under the canopy, which will generate a fair bit of lift for the tent to cope with. You will need strong guying at the front and good pegging! But then it seems that many campers are going for upright fronts as they don't like being dripped on - so may be we are in the minority...
------------- Love our set-up and need no more tents or gear, so trying to stop looking!
In reference to Speedcamps comments about straight/versus sloping fronts.
We are in the straight front brigade..we were always use to this having frame tents...Jamet and Cabanon and a Comanche Montana TT(awning had straight front)..then we went for a sloping front...Outwell Minnesota 4,then Outwell Colorado5(straight front),Outwell Sunvalley 6,sloping front(this is a great tent,just a bit awkward zipping down the front from the inside,we combat this by having about a 3 foot piece of guy rope attached to the zipper so you don't have to stretch right into the corner to shut the door),and finally our straight fronted Bear Lake 6..
Having a straight fronted tent would/will be a must for us from now on,saying that our ageing bones are directing us in the direction of a TT in the next couple of years.
------------- Sue & Phil
--------------------- I Love My AeroBed
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Thanks for the replies one and all - I totally 'get' the advantages of a sloping front, and I have to say the view from the inside out of the tent in our Monty Lake is sublime - that door shape frames the view perfectly...BUT, I agree opening it in the wet is interesting to say the least...
Will keep looking for that weekend warrior...mmmm...Trout Lake 4?....decisions, decisions...think it will have to be more lightweight that the TL to be honest!
Quote: Originally posted by sunvalleysue on 30/8/2011
In reference to Speedcamps comments about straight/versus sloping fronts.
We are in the straight front brigade..we were always use to this having frame tents...Jamet and Cabanon and a Comanche Montana TT(awning had straight front)..then we went for a sloping front...Outwell Minnesota 4,then Outwell Colorado5(straight front),Outwell Sunvalley 6,sloping front(this is a great tent,just a bit awkward zipping down the front from the inside,we combat this by having about a 3 foot piece of guy rope attached to the zipper so you don't have to stretch right into the corner to shut the door),and finally our straight fronted Bear Lake 6.. Having a straight fronted tent would/will be a must for us from now on,saying that our ageing bones are directing us in the direction of a TT in the next couple of years.
Added: Sorry - we cross-posted, but might be useful info for someone...
The Bear Lake is a lovely well-designed tent and unlike many upright fronted tents (especially some of the cheaper versions/makes) has horizontal bracing bars that spread the wind forces between all the uprights (as with the horizontal members of frame tents), not relying on the front pole to take all the strain ! Such bracing bars are essential IMHO for upright fronted tents unless some other form of additional support is provided (as with forward stretching side wings).
------------- Love our set-up and need no more tents or gear, so trying to stop looking!
Hi Speedcamp....yes the cross horizontal bracing bars make a massive difference in stabilising the BL6,even the ones on the SV6 do a great job as well.
------------- Sue & Phil
--------------------- I Love My AeroBed
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Topic: Outwell Monterey 5 - where are the buyers
! Such bracing bars are essential IMHO for upright fronted tents unless some other form of additional support is provided (as with forward stretching side wings). 
