As the title says, I'm looking for a tent for weekends only, at the moment we have an Outwell Georgia 5 with the Awning (9.5 meters long and 4.5 meters wide, without the awning it's just over 6 meters long) even if we left the awning at home the tent itself is huge and takes up an incredible amount of space in the car, so I'd like something smaller just for the odd couple of nights here and there.
The OH has put a few conditions WHICH MUST BE MET!!! LOL
We have a 4 year old little girl so the portable toilet has to come with us.
We have to take the TV and Laptop just in case the weather turns against us and,
We have to take the sofa,
All this along with all the other items we are going to need.
Oh yeah, we will also be taking the dog and her soft basket, not a lot I know!!!! LOL
Anyhow I've been looking at this Vango, it seems ok and enough porch room for the TV, sofa and fridge.
Or this Outwell, yes it's quite a bit more expensive but does have a larger porch area.
Just wondering what your thoughts are on either of these tents or if you could recommend something else that we could be looking at.
Many thanks in advance,
Scooby.
PS. Hope the links work and there aren't many spelling mistooks as for some reason I could not preview the post.
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Firstly the Vango is very low and if you look at the size of the bedroom its really only a two Berth. The Outwell is very nice but again only really a two berth.
Going from the Georgia I think you will find both tents way to small.
Pack size is an issue I see so why not go for a Vango Icarus 500 or better still the 600. Pack size is small, the tent will pitch in 10 mins and you will have all the space you need. I think you are just going that bit to far the other way with the two short listed tents. If you want to stand up then forget the Vango. What will you be sleeping on, if its Air beds allow 70cm per person if you are looking at self inflating mats then allow 60cm per person.
Cheers
Gary Cross
The Eos is barely more than a pup tent, the Outwell is barely bigger than a day room. I'll second the idea of the Icarus 500, it's an incredibly popular weekend tent for just the reasons you list.
I'd leave the sofa and the telly behind, we don't take that sort of thing on a seven week trip let alone a two day one. If he's that desperate to sit on the sofa and watch TV all weekend leave him at home and buy the Eos for just you and DD.
I'd second (or third) a Vango Icarus 500. We looked at the EOS 550 but its small (but bigger than the 350 which you can't stand up in), and the groundsheet isn't fully sewn in so ruled it out straight away. Went for the Icarus and it sleeps 2 adults and a 10 and 12 year old comfortably, so sleeping only 3, you would have room for the loo in the bedroom pod.
GoOutdoors have 10% off til 29th September so that brings the Icarus down to £170.
Post last edited on 27/09/2013 17:11:24
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I have an Icarus 500 and I would recommend going for the 600 as it's not much more money, the pack size is only marginally bigger and heavier, and there's not a lot of difference between their dimensions but that extra little bit can make the difference between adequate and comfortable.
Mine is up in 15 minutes, and that's with me putting it up all on my own!
As an alternative three pole tunnel tent look at the Kampa Oxwich or the Coleman Galileo
The Vango Calisto 600 is £159 at Go (or £144 after 10% off) if you don't mind a blue tent Nice rain safe door on the front... this has to be a downside of the Icarus, it does let rain in with the sloping doors
The Icarus 500 is a nice easy tent to pitch I second that... I too can put ours up on my own in 15 minutes.... and I can't claim to be very much over 5ft
Quote: Originally posted by Jukie999 on 27/9/2013
The Vango Calisto 500 is £159 at Go (or $144 after 10% off) if you don't mind a blue tent Nice rain safe door on the front... this has to be a downside of the Icarus, it does let rain in with the sloping doors
I just use the side door in the rain, it doesn't slope as much. However I agree that extra brow pole on the Kampa Oxwich is quite nice
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Quote: Originally posted by Jukie999 on 27/9/2013
The Vango Calisto 600 is £159 at Go (or £144 after 10% off) if you don't mind a blue tent Nice rain safe door on the front... this has to be a downside of the Icarus, it does let rain in with the sloping doors
Ooops, yes, I should add that it only lets in rain when you open the door, which happens with most sloping doors! I have to say, it's still a great tent
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Topic: Ideas for a weekend only tent.
as for some reason I could not preview the post.
Nice rain safe door on the front... this has to be a downside of the Icarus, it does let rain in with the sloping doors 
