Francais, a quick question on another matter (if you don't mind), does the Biscaya cotton have a ventilated half-mesh window to the front and both sides of the living area, or is the front one just a solid window panel?
(Am just looking at the Awaya 370 but don't like the solid front window. I realise it's probably like that because the tent canvas is breathable, but would have preferred if it was half mesh, so would appreciate your thoughts please.)
Yep lidds0, all windows have the top half as mesh including the large front window, but have a zip down clear acrylic panel on the outside, for when the rain comes. I would imagine the Awaya is the same as the Biscaya in that respect, but I can't be 100% sure on that Casey's at Chester had the Awaya on display so maybe they could give the definative answer.
In fact we had a middle of the night tropical storm, whilst in the South of France during July last year, I awoke to the clatter of thunder at around 2am, only to find that not a single drop of rain had come into the tent, this was because the open window mesh had channeled the rainwater down into the pockets that the window blinds tuck into on the inside of the tent, these pockets amazingly are 100% watertight, although I am sure they were never designed for holding water.
The pockets were about 75% full of rainwater either side of the tent at each of the 2 side windows, I guess there was about a Gallon! of water in each, which I scooped out with a jug into a bucket.
I was lucky, maybe if I had slept through the storm, my ZiG would have turned into a pond.
The front window was not effected, as the canopy protects it from rain, after that experience we guyed out the side acrylic windows, to prevent the same happening again, as in the past we had just rolled up and fastened back the side acrylic windows.
What I like about the Awaya over the none Cotton Biscaya's is that they use 2mm Thick 28mm diameter Aluminium poles, whereas the Biscaya poles are just 1mm thick albiet still 28mm diameter, and there have been reports of Biscaya poles splitting, on the 440 and 500.
Of course the Biscaya Cotton has 2mm thick 23mm diameter steel zink poles, the only thing that is going to split there is me, when I lift up the pole bag!.
Quote: Originally posted by Francais on 21/2/2013
Yep lidds0, all windows have the top half as mesh including the large front window, but have a zip down clear acrylic panel on the outside, for when the rain comes. I would imagine the Awaya is the same as the Biscaya in that respect, but I can't be 100% sure on that Casey's at Chester had the Awaya on display so maybe they could give the definative answer.
In fact we had a middle of the night tropical storm, whilst in the South of France during July last year, I awoke to the clatter of thunder at around 2am, only to find that not a single drop of rain had come into the tent, this was because the open window mesh had channeled the rainwater down into the pockets that the window blinds tuck into on the inside of the tent, these pockets amazingly are 100% watertight, although I am sure they were never designed for holding water.
The pockets were about 75% full of rainwater either side of the tent at each of the 2 side windows, I guess there was about a Gallon! of water in each, which I scooped out with a jug into a bucket.
I was lucky, maybe if I had slept through the storm, my ZiG would have turned into a pond.
The front window was not effected, as the canopy protects it from rain, after that experience we guyed out the side acrylic windows, to prevent the same happening again, as in the past we had just rolled up and fastened back the side acrylic windows.
What I like about the Awaya over the none Cotton Biscaya's is that they use 2mm Thick 28mm diameter Aluminium poles, whereas the Biscaya poles are just 1mm thick albiet still 28mm diameter, and there have been reports of Biscaya poles splitting, on the 440 and 500.
Of course the Biscaya Cotton has 2mm thick 23mm diameter steel zink poles, the only thing that is going to split there is me, when I lift up the pole bag!.
Post last edited on 21/02/2013 12:47:50
Hello Francais, and thanks for your reply.
Nope, we had a look at the Awaya at Don Valley Outdoors and it has a full plastic panel window at the front (no mesh), which is a shame. It may be my imagination but, it also feels a bit lower than the Biscaya 370.
Hi lidds0.
Well it was always said that the Awaya was a budget version of the Biscaya, so I guess this is the reason for the all plastic window on the Awaya.
I always thought it was a big mistake for Cabanon to drop the "Cotton" Biscaya it is truly a superb tent.
And at the time when we bought ours, you had a choice of 3 canvas types for the Biscaya 370.
All Season Polyester
Rip Stop Nylon (Polyester) SiG model
Cotton canvas (the real deal!)
Of course I benefited with the Cotton 370 going EOL as I bagged a brand new one for £699 from Catterick Caravans back in 2008.
Quote: Originally posted by Francais on 21/2/2013
Of course I benefited with the Cotton 370 going EOL as I bagged a brand new one for £699 from Catterick Caravans back in 2008.
I was right. I'd better ask again: please will you be my financial advisor?
Just tell me what you're going to buy next, how much it costs and where from, okay?!
Yep lidds0.
Well my latest bargain was a 500ml Stainless Steel Flask at £2.10 bought from Sainsbury's that was on Wednesday, in fact I went back yesterday and got two more for the lads at work who had seen mine, bargain they thought for a fiver.
So my Flask now stands me at -£3.70
Great little Flask by the way, which I now use for my morning coffee break at work, as my £2 per day Starbucks habit was getting out of hand. but has now since stopped.
Just adding to this post with a more recent story. Just ordered through the dutch site (thanks google translate!)
That worked out at £147.06 on PayPal. Price on UK site £155 plus shipping. Just letting it settle, then we'll get it switched on.
Here in less than a week, very good service from DPD (he didn't knock hard enough, but came back!)
No more having to race back for 5pm to swap cool packs before the shop shuts-yay!
Post last edited on 24/07/2015 17:59:05
------------- Merthyr Farm, Harlech, here we come!
Hmmm, now we're debating over the plug. We were just going to wire a UK one in, but then thought, what if it doesn't work? So we're looking at adapters just to see if it switches on. They don't all seem to be earthed though, and then presumably our warrantee will be shot if we rewire the plug, but is it safe to use it on hook up with the adapter?
Headache!
------------- Merthyr Farm, Harlech, here we come!
We kept with the Euro Plug, as it makes packing easiar, and we have a UK Plug to 3 way Trailing Euro extention in the tent, for other Euro Plug stuff, Earth is wired, although I guess the C40 is also safe even with no Earth present.
Yep they were doing a deal that if you buy the C40 at the same time as buying the Fridge Stand, you get the stand for peanuts.
I bought the Stand separately for this years trip, and could kick my self for not buying the Stand, when we got the C40 back in 2012 although I don't think the Stand offer was on back then.
The Stand is sturdy and packs down small, and makes a hell of a difference when using the C40, you would be surprised.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Mobicool C40 Fridge/Freezer
