Went to the NEC show yesterday - we are looking for a large family tent and i originally came up with a shortlist (see my other thread!)...and have found the list completely change.
Concluded the following....wasnt so impressed with Sprayway / Coleman quality of Tent.
Kampa's looked nice but croyde a bit small, they have discountinued studland. Stduland looks to be ver similar to the Outwell Bahia 7, and I realise a few places have these still available, but we arent in a position to buy immediately.
Really impressed with Outwell, roomy, good quality, great designs.
So....we are now looking at the Vermont XLP and Bahia 7 (Bahia 7 being a very new design - my wife loves the 'add on pod' idea).
Any alternative tents to these?
Also, would Polycotton be a worthwhile investment in a tent of this size?
Have to say im put off a little by some of the comments from one of the sales reps regarding Polycottons...saying they are require more thorough drying and care (therefore space and time) that the polyester equivalent. That is quite a big consideration for a busy family without much room to be messing about with a tent after return from a holiday!!
Granted though he may have had his own agenda...the brand he worked for have just discontinued their polycottons - somewhat driven by their risk of having to buy large orders from the far east.
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The Bahia is a nice tent, and I agree the pods are handy. It's a lot of money though, when you consider the price of the main tent and each pod.
To add on to JAAB's suggestion. The Corado range of tents from Hi Gear are discounted. So you will chave to be quick to get a new one (if indeed Go have any left), or buy a 2nd hand one.
The Bahia is a nice tent, and I agree the pods are handy. It's a lot of money though, when you consider the price of the main tent and each pod.
To add on to JAAB's suggestion. The Corado range of tents from Hi Gear are discounted. So you will chave to be quick to get a new one (if indeed Go have any left), or buy a 2nd hand one.
I hadn't realised they were discontinuing the corado range. I wonder what they'll replace it with, I'd always thought it was one of their more popular tents. Scratch that suggestion then, maybe keep an eye out for what ever replaces it.
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There was an article in the C & CC magazine this month where the Bahia 7 would fit on a standard pitch but if you added the side pod it wouldn't therefore you would need an XL pitch.
Hi
If my experience is anything to go by you won't go far wrong if you choose
to go with the Outwell Vermont ours Vermont L is now in its 7 season and is still going strong, nothing has broken, bent or fallen off and it has never leaked. Kampa is also make good value tents pleased with our croyde 6 plenty big enough for the 4 of us, although quality is in my opinion not quite as good as out well but then you are not paying outwell prices. Shame you can't buy now as there are excellent deals on the studland classic poly cotton and studland
------------- Experience enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
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Thanks for the input everyone, havent discounted the tents from my other thread, namely the Gelert Beyond Corvus / Meridien / Horizon 8, have also spotted the Vango Monte Verde.
However, did love the Vermont, felt like a great space and a step above the ret in terms of quality. I think the Bahia is maybe just a new take on the classic vermont design. Interesting on the pitch size though...but having said that all Jo keeps saying is that we will buy what we want / need to be comfortable...
We went to the nec to decide between the vermont xlp and the Bahia 7 and we went for the Bahia 7! Found it to feel just that little bit more roomy and loved all the different options you have for the tent also found the quality of the finishing touches were really good. We have gone for the cuisine pod as an extra to.
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The Bahia 7 is actually slightly narrower than the Vermont xlp - you lose out on 20cm bedroom width, but then you can fit the pods which i guess helps.
Love the design of the Campa croyde 8 - great shout - thanks - need to see one of these in the flesh now too. Looks to be very similar to the Vermont but about £350 cheaper.
Flexible too with the spare bedroom at the front....
I am going to jump in here as I own both a Croyde and a Vermont.
With the Vermont you have the opportunity to have 2 completely enclosed internal areas or to open it up into 1 by unzipping the central divider however the porch does have a separate bath tub ground sheet so not completely sealed.The one main criticism of the Vermont is that it has no rain safe door so if its chucking it down with rain and you open any door you will get water in the tent. With the XLP a few people have also complained its difficult to get the front sitting right.
With the Croyde you have 1 large living area, bigger than the Vermonts, but the canopy is open fronted and not as big as the Vermonts. Where it does score over the Vermont is the bedrooms are bigger especially the main bedroom and you have the choice of not having the 3rd bedroom up giving lots more usable space and you do have a canopy and a rain safe door so no water in the tent if its raining
Quality wise I have to say the Vermont is better finished, just small details like the curtains fit better, the bedrooms have more support toggles, and the bedroom dividers are zipped on the bottom as I said just little things. The flysheet has a greater HH but to be honest you probably wouldnt notice the difference. Value for money wise the Croyde would win hands down decent enough tent and £350 still in the bank account plus Kampas aftersales is excellent
We bought the Croyde to replace the Vermont but as OH prefers the Vermont, she likes the 2 enclosed areas, and I prefer the Croyde we still have both
------------- 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 that arsenaldes, actually seen the Kampa croyde 8 for £450 yesterday too, so a significant difference.
Im struggling in my own head with the extra value i would get from the Vermont for the extra £500 odd....but then its probably not me who gets the final say ;)
Particularly when the flexibity for sleeping arrangements is so good on the Croyde and you can get the vestibule pack to close the front off.....
You really have to go with the one suits you best which can be difficult if 2 of you are pulling in different directions. To be honest you wont go far wrong with either as I said quality difference is minimal. Kampa do not have inflated retail prices so dealers can offer huge discounts and are selective in who they appoint as dealers as well so if the Croyde is £450 at one dealer its most likely to be the same price at the others. If it were me and the difference was only £100 or so then I would probably go for the Vermont again but not at £500+.
If you like the Croyde then there are still some Kampa Studland Classic polycotton tents around at bargain prices same layout as the Croyde
------------- 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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Topic: Vermont XLP vs Bahia 7 vs...?
