time has come for us to upgrade from our trusty little Khyam Sherpa 2 to something larger. I really have my mind set on a geodesic tent (as they are the best against the wind), but sadly there aren't many of them about! And with our budget of £150-300 (really we'd only want to spend £300 if it was truly stunning) the choice is tough.
First thing's first, our criteria:
- 4-6 man tent in a geodesic design (we're a family of 4),
- 2-3 separate sleeping pods,
- min 3000HH,
- lots of good reviews!
OH also likes the idea of a door that flaps out like a canopy, and we don't want too large a footprint - 6m long max, but ideally a bit smaller.
Basically we started by weighing up Hi Gear Voyager 6 (£240, http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-voyager-elite-6-family-tent-p286234) but they don't deliver it (WTF?) and as we speak, the nearest store with stock has "moved" from 30 miles away to 75 miles! So unless they get more stock near us that's a no
Another option is a2zcamping.co.uk who sell factory seconds and ex-display. They have a Sunncamp Vulcan(£275 with extras) and a Sunncamp Evolution 600 DL (£200). Both have fairly good reviews on here (but Evo is said to leak sometimes which isn't cool!). Vulcan seems to tick all the boxes, it's only about 4.5x4 m which is really small for a 6-man tent! Besides, it comes with canopy poles, footprint and carpet (OH would love a carpet). A bit pricey, though. Crucially, he's not too keen on the idea of a "factory second" I've done some research, A2Zcamping don't have many reviews (despite, as they claim, having been in business for 40 years???) but those I did find all seem positive, e.g. here
Has anyone got any experience with A2Z?
The last option would be this obscure new Chinese make. Looks a bargain at £130 but NO REVIEWS of this tent, or any other tent by this crowd! I'm pretty sure the design is a rip-off of a Sunncamp, but that's no quality guarantee is it. Of course World of Camping being a reputable seller you'd hopefully have some comeback if things went wrong, but then again we're only going away for a weekend this summer, and what's to stop it falling to pieces next year!
Basically I'm stuck! I'd go for the Vulcan but for the fact the seller has so few reviews... all a bit uncertain!
Any insights greatly appreciated
Post last edited on 11/08/2014 02:34:24
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Quote: Originally posted by rebelpants on 11/8/2014
...despite, as they claim, having been in business for 40 years???...
Sounds about right...a2zCamping.co.uk is part of Tent Hire Limited (formerly Tent Hire Warehouse) which has certainly been located at 105A Edward Street in the Birchills/Reedswood area of Walsall for many years.
It's what I'd describe as a "proper" Camping Shop.
I have never owned a Geodesic tent but I did help somebody who was struggling to erect one quite recently and all I can say is that you will struggle to do it single handedly. Because the poles go in all directions it takes at least two and preferably more people to get it erected. Erecting it in the wind, which it is designed to withstand, would be a nightmare in my opinion.
For ease of erection and stability I would go for a metal poled tunnel tent.
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that's a thought!
There are two of us, but with two young kids we'll be getting distracted.`
There's time yet, we've got till the end of August to decide, but thanks for the advice.
Any particular models you'd recommend?
The Coleman De Gama won an award last year, has metal poles and has got design features such as a short pole sleeve so it's easy to thread the pole through (and clips to hold the rest of the fabric to the pole) and a small and a big bedroom pod so you can leave one out making a bigger living area.
Quote: Originally posted by rebelpants on 11/8/2014that's a thought!
There are two of us, but with two young kids we'll be getting distracted.`
There's time yet, we've got till the end of August to decide, but thanks for the advice.
Any particular models you'd recommend?
I am a bit out of touch with current models. Vangos and Outwells are possibly market leaders at the moment. My Coleman Da Gama 6 is a 2013 model which was an ex display model and for which I dug deep and paid thirty-five quid but it seems a pretty good tent and if I could afford a brand new one I wouldn't hesitate in buying one.
It was a young couple trying to erect the geodesic tent I mentioned but because the wife had her hands full with a toddler the poor chap was struggling on his own with poles waving about all over the place. After I stopped laughing I felt obliged to lend a hand
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Hi
A few years ago we looked at the Evolution as a weekend tent but were put off by the design of the doors as if its raining when you open either door you will let water in the tent which meant the litte door canopies would have become a necessity for us at extra expense plus we thought the pointed front meant a lot of waste space.
Have you contacted GoOutdoors as they are sometimes willing to move non sale items from store to store so may be willing to move Voyager to your local store.
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Quote: Originally posted by arsenaldes on 11/8/2014
Have you contacted GoOutdoors as they are sometimes willing to move non sale items from store to store so may be willing to move Voyager to your local store.
Hi, thanks for the insight, unfortunately the Voyager is a sale item and the few remaining tents are going quick!
We've looked at the Da Gama (thanks for the tip-off, lads! )
Outdoor Mega Store have it up for sale, the 5-man version (which is probably best for us) is only £200.
I've also emailed A2Z to ask for some details about the Vulcan. I think we'll end up with either Vulcan or Da Gama.
Quote: Originally posted by Bob61 on 11/8/2014
because the wife had her hands full with a toddler the poor chap was struggling on his own with poles waving about all over the place.
I'm pretty sure the last time we went camping (2 years ago mind, and only one kid back then) we managed to do some of the erecting together (in between snarling at the offending little tike who was having a great laugh out of stealing various tent bits!) but mostly we took turns TBH.
Now that offending tike is big enough to "help" (or if we're lucky, could even be talked into minding his little sis!), whereas the sis is generally quiet anyway. That said, we'd be silly to count on them leaving us to pitch in peace!
My experience of A2Z camping (tent hire limited) has not been that positive. I understand that the item I got was a return/seconds tent. However, the description did not match the item on their site. They wanted me to burden the cost of return postage but under legislation they have to pay for the cost as item is not as described. I will not be using this company again.
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Topic: Geodesic tent - any advice on A2Zcamping?
So unless they get more stock near us that's a no 
I've done some research, A2Zcamping don't have many reviews (despite, as they claim, having been in business for 40 years???) but those I did find all seem positive, e.g. 
I'd go for the Vulcan but for the fact the seller has so few reviews... all a bit uncertain!
Will try and talk hubby into it then 
)
