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Hi and Hello to all

Had a search and lots of useful advice in these forums but wanted to see if anyone has got some other info.

We are brand new to camping and have four small boys under 10.  I am interested in a couple of tents Coleman Michigan (I think), Vango Colorado600DLX and Eurohike Ullswater.

Being new to this and with young kids ease of putting up is important.  We kind of assume if we all like this that in a few years we will let the older ones sleep in their own two man tents we already have.  If weather really bad we would probably not go, although we are just getting into Scouting so may be forced to go regardless.

Hope my ramblings have made sense, and what I am after is any input from people with views on the above tents or any others they would recommend.

Ideally we want to spend as little as possible and definately not much over £200.

Finally is there anyt difference between year on year models as the Vango has a difference in price of £40 whether it is last years model or this years.  I cannot see any difference as a newbie other than colour?

Thanks in advance

Murray

Hi and welcome

Have you considered the Campus Indiana 8? £199.00.  With a family your size it would be ideal.  We have two children who have a bedroom each but they are easily big enough for two beds.  We have the large bedroom with a high rise airbed and room for bags/changing.

It also has a good sized living area which I think is important with young children especially if you get poor weather.

It has a good height too, my husband is almost six foot and can stand up anywhere in the tent.

Anyway, we love ours, so just thought I'd see if you knew about it.  Here's a link, have a look and see what you think.

http://www.oswald-bailey.co.uk/eshop.asp?wci=product&wce=51109801&desc=CAMPUS+INDIANA+8+FAMILY+TENT&

Regards

Trace x

Thanks for the input so far.  Always good to hear other possibilities as I really dont know. 

Cannot really tell what makes any one tent better than the other.

I think it's down to personal taste really.  The best thing to do if you can is go to a display.  The Indiana wasn't even on our shortlist (selected elsewhere and internet) when we went and as soon as we walked inside the erected one we fell in love with it.

Regards

Trace x

We have a Vango Diablo 600, this is a 6 berth but as we only have 2 children find it quite spacious. I think 3 people in each sleeping compartment would be a bit uncomfortable though, however the diablo has a large inner living area which could double as a sleeping area and just move mattress into one of the sleeping compartments during the day to create more space.

With regards to tent prices the best advice (as with most things) is to shop around, look on internet and see if you have local camping superstore or such like as they often have a field with a range of tents pitched for you to look round, you'll be suprised how different they look to the brochures when you actually see them.

If anyone is interested I went today and looked and now reckon the choice would be between the Coleman Columbia (reckon Michegan too small), Indiana 8, Aztec Cantera 9, and an unseen Vango Colorado 600 DLX. 

Loved the Indiana 8 but really quite like the idea of sewn in groundsheet, which seems to mean inner pitching first.  Unless its the Vango however not seen a Vango up.

What do campsites charge a berth based on, ie is there any difference from a two man to a 12 man tent?

The point I made earlier is actually important to me.

Can anyone let me know what the situation is on most campsites with respect to the larger size dome/tunnel tents?  The Indiana, whilst fairly spacious seemed much smaller in terms of "berth" than the Aztec Cantera 9 or similar style 9 berth tents such as Harford XL etc.

Thanks in advance