Thought we had this decision made, but after seeing all three tents this weekend we're even more confused - any help from people who've been through the same decision process gratefully appreciated!
Just handed back our Morpheus 8 after a few minor issues, full refund towards a new large tent, needs to be in budget (500-600), fully sewn in, and ideally with an enclosed porch without having to invest in a separate extension.
Outwell Vermont XLP
Our favourite before we went to view one, and the best reviews on the web, but, in the flesh it wasn't all that impressive. No questioning the quality but the sloping doors at the front take away quite a bit of space from the porch, and in the rain look to make the front entrance practically useless, also the least versatile on the bedroom front with only 3 compartments vs the 4 provided in the Hi Gear and Vango, we've got one on reserve for £625 but this won't include a footprint or carpet which will eventually set us back another £150-200. On the plus side it will hold it's value, so there's always the option of resale next season...
Vango Monte Verde 900
Seems to have it all, more usable space than the Outwell when you see it in the flesh, quality looks good (or better than the Hi Gear), black out bedrooms which is great for our 3 kids but the reviews aren't great, and we're a little concerned about all the complaints surrounding the air vents, price wise we've seen 1 within budget at £599 and it comes with a footprint, but are we being silly considering this at the same price as the Outwell which has an RRP over £1100???
Hi Gear Corado 8
The wildcard, doesn't have the enclosed porch, but it's a huge tent with the best bedroom layout and we could get one now for only £350, leaving us more than enough to upgrade our camping equipment... however, the quality isn't as good as the others, velcro over the windows (we know this wears out quite quickly), no enclosed space for cooking and no option to add one next season (not that you'd find a campsite that would accomodate!)
Common sense keeps pushing me back to the Outwell but I'm really concerned about the sloping front, and given all the rain we have I can't understand why more people don't take issue with this... (please tell me I'm being stupid!)
Comments pls! (or to really mess things up... other tent suggestions!)
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Youve obviously done your homework and in the end the final decision is down to which one suits you best. As I have never owned either the Monte Verde or the Corado all I can do is comment on the Vermont
With regards to the sloping front yes you do loose a bit of space at the front, but not as much as you think as you cant put anything infront of the door, and yes you do get a bit of rain in when you open it but in windy weather you will be glad it slopes as this is the best design for deflecting wind. Ours has stood up to some really horrendous weather 60mph winds and torrential rain. Also in hot weather the whole front can either be rolled up or king poled up to form a canopy giving an open front. We bought ours new in 2007 its seen lots of use nothing has broken bent or fallen off yet. I did wonder when they redesigned it as as the "P" why they didnt include a rainsafe door but this would have entranced into the living area (wet carpet) rather than the porch.
One tent you havent included in your list is the Kampa Studland 8. Kampa quality is excellent as is their after sales service. Att the moment if you shop around Kampa are including a carpet and footprint. Also available is a vestibule to close off the open front canopy
Post last edited on 26/08/2012 09:35:49
------------- 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
Dismissed this one because I couldn't find it in budget, and without the vestibule it's twice the price of the Corado for essentially the same set up... might have to have a dig around for some more deals.
Keeps coming back to the Vermont, and you make a valid point with the weather, we were going to venture into Winter camping this year and I suspect the Outwell is the only one to trust in bad conditions!
Have you got any links for the Kampa package in budget?
Delta (ground anchors) pegs are a good investment for when its windy
You wont get any real deals on Kampa tents because spec wise they are very reasonably priced anyway and the Studland has a thicker flysheet so should last longer but at the moment you get the carpet and footprint thrown in
Another thing to watch with fixed open canopies is they are notoriously bad in the wind with the Kampa canopy you can roll it back and tie it to the front of the tent
Good luck with making a decision
------------- 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
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
Hi, I am following this thread with interest as I am in exactly the same position and have those three tents on my short list too. Where have you reserved your Vermont? That is a good price x
Tents 4 less are waiting on stock for the Vermont at 600, so I contacted Winfields (where the morpheus just went back to) and they agreed on an exchange if we made it up to 625. With a bit more time available you could probably go as low as 540 if you find one for 600 and ask go outdoors to price match (they knock another 10% off)
Didn't wait around today... Went on an impulse and picked up a Corado 8 for 300 quid from Go Outdoors after some negotiations (and a torn pole bag which we'll repair ourselves), definitely not the "best" tent of the 3 but at 300 notes I couldn't say no... We'll do the Outwell thing next summer!
I have been looking at tents4less but they are out of stock, have you been told they are getting more. They were in stock last week and Go price matched to 566 but that offer has now expired and they are collection only from the stoke or Bristol shops which are too far for me.
------------- Tania
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I know it’s pushing your budget a bit but the Kampa 8 Classic (Polycotton) is going for £799 including carpet and footprint on EBay with Capmerite Leisure
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I have the Vango Monte Verde and have only used it twice so far due to work restrictions and lack of free camping weekends. Once in St Andrews in Fife for a long weekend and loved it and second for 3 weeks mid and south of France and again loved it. The vents havent caused us a problem in fact in France we left the main door open all day and night - its really just like an awning but has flexibility to close off in bad weather - it was so hot the vents were not big enough!! I'd say its a great tent all over - lovely and big, flexibllity of rooms, the main parts can be closed off so if you are using it out of season and havea heater of some kind then you can heat a smaller area rather than the whole area which would obviously be quite ineffective due to the footprint and sheer size of the monster!! The mesh doors are great for evenings keeping bugs out. Very secure in winds and high hh for rain. I'd buy another one when this wears out I love it so much. It is big to transport but then you know you have a solid tent which wont let you down. If you hav any questions ask away.
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Topic: HELP! XLP vs Corado 8 vs Monte V 900
