We're quite new to camping, been a couple times with friends in a 5 man Vango Arlay 500 we picked at for cheap and now we're ready to invest in something more comfortable.
We're considering the Airgo Nimbus 8 package from Go Outdoors which is on sale right now.
£890 for tent, porch, groundsheet and carpet. Will buy through topcashback for a potential 5% cashback.
Hoping to get some opinions/assurances before I hit the Buy Now button.
We're a family of 5 - 3, 5 and 7 years old. I'm partial to the inflatable design because it will allow one of us to sort out the tent while the other handles the kids. We also plan a few single night weekend stays this year and an easy set-up time will definitely encourage us to make the trip.
We've checked out the airgo in-store and like the layout, the colours and bedroom options.
I've read everything I can find on these forums and the internet about the model, which isn't very much (not sure if that is a good or bad sign).
The only gripes I have read are to do with water leaking inside, but I figure those people didn't test their tent before going away. I plan to have it in the garden and put the hose on it for a good while and given the weather recently, I could probably do a live test too. Any problems and it goes back to store.
I appreciate that Hi gear is considered a budget brand and I can certainly see the difference between a traditional hi gear tent and say the Outwell Montana 6p (which is one we considered and tried). However, the Nimbus and the Vango 8 man Airbeam were side by side and to my untrained eyes, I thought the two were on par.
One thing that concerns me is that the tent bag is huge. Assuming the tent swells up to fill it, that is considerable amount of space in our car boot. We are planning on buying a roof box anyway, so hopefully that won't turn out to be a problem.
Any opinions/experiences would be much appreciated. It would be nice to put in the order and have a tent ready to go come spring, but we're not desperate to buy now.
Anyway, glad I found this forum and hope to be posting more in the future.
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I think the main concern is spares for it. Someone on here last year was looking for a spare beam or valve and Go Outdoors said they could not get them. Would be a false economy if you had to bin the tent as spares are not available. If Go can reassure or clarifiy this point I thought they looked perfectly well made compared to the Vango's. Their inflation system is very similar to Outwells.
Thanks for reminding me, I did read that thread and was surprised as the model only came out last year. It would be very strange for Go Outdoors not to make spares available. In fact, I had a look at the pack and it does come with a spare valve and repair kit, so I imagine an extra one of those should be available if needs be.
I'll drop Go a line an let you know what they say.
As extra incentive (to me), Go have just released some new discount codes, including £35 off £350 spend which would bring the price down to £855. I did have problems using it on the pack although it worked on the tent alone. Will ask Go about that too.
This is the response I received from Go Outdoors when I asked about the availability of spare parts.
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Thank you for your enquiry with GO Outdoors.
The tent has a 1 year guarantee, please be reassured that punctures and failures to the tubes are very rare events, in the whole of last year we had no reported punctures.
If there does happen to be a puncture, repair is very simple with the repair patch and instructions.
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Doesn't really answer my question.
In any case, while waiting for Go's response, the sale ended and price went back up.
Fortunately, I found the 2014 Vango Exodus, slightly cheaper here http://www.caseysoutdoorleisure.co.uk/item/Vango-Airbeam/Exodus-V-800-Tent-2014/3IP
£550 after £50 off voucher.
Pitched the Exodus today and like Vango's attention to detail. Initially comparision to the nimbus, I prefer the headroom, the extra windows, extra door, the rain porch an 2 year guarantee. The nimbus has a much nicer colourway and the bedrooms are wider.
I tried to get spare poles for the little porch on my nimble 8 from go out doors,no luck what so ever .shocking really considering how much you spend on it
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Topic: Go Outdoors Airgo Nimbus 8 Inflatable.
