Just back from a trip to Go Outdoors Cardiff, they have 4 airbeams on display. I was super cynical about these tents but they are amazing, really strong and super smart!
Apparently not all GO stores are stocking them though.
Thinking that I might have to have a revisit and take the old credit card along as I really really want one.
I was very impressed to be honest and I was expecting not to like them. Its good how they have 4 different ones,especially so you can compare between the 600 and 800.
The GO staff I spoke to in Cardiff were all really enthusiastic about them and their quality.
Wow, I just love the idea of no heavy poles to faf about with. Seriously tempted by these tents. But could I afford one? Hmm, best start saving my pennies now.
The reviews on here are enough to put me of, the price is more airborne than the poles, The idea is good but I'll keep threading my poles through the sleeves for a while longer.
we bought one of the first ones back almost 2 years ago - best thing we ever did. Amazing tent, ours is great quality, I think the teething problem tents that some people sadly got have been eliminated, the product now looks even better.
Initial reviews are not that great but you have to put it into context. What we don't know is the total sales for the year for that item. It may have been high so the reported level of problems may have been low in comparison (or vice versa).
My biggest stumbling block is the additional premium that you have to pay in higher prices. If they were the same as pole tents then I would consider getting one.
I think the price will fall, as with all new ideas the makers are well on the make, once the must have the latest brigade have them the rest of us can have them at more sensible prices...........providing they prove they are worth having.
Fully agree, prices may align more closely with traditional pole tents. Which personally makes me think why pay a higher premium now unless the modification is that good. Of course by the time I decide to buy prices of tents in general may have increased again.
We all have diverse expectations and budgets. Some may find prices reasonable others may not. It will be interesting to see reviews of the various new models though.
I dont know about prices falling - we bought our Infinity 800 for £750 2 years ago, and the side extension was another £295.
Same tent now, identical, is £150 - £200 more. up to £950 with some retailers, although most have it at £900. So its gone up quite a bit since we bought - for the same exact model and spec.
the prices have risen for these tents and the demand has still increased.
I dont see a fall for a while, until the other manufacturers really start to roll out a complete range to compete against them, rather than just 1 or 2 designs.
Due to fitness issues I am hoping to have a look at the evoque 600 as an easy pitch option. 150 denier polyester sounds interesting too. Hope Vango have sorted out all previous issues as it will be a comsiderable investment for me.
I was looking also at the Infinity 800 at GO yesterday. I think that the price of inflatable (not just vango) tents is too high and I can't see that the production costs can be any more than normal poles. They talk about new technology but tyre tubes have existed for years.
I do like them though and love the idea of blowing up the tent with no fuss, and it probably warants the cost if it makes your hols more fun and easier. If I could find the right layout I would buy one. the 800 infinity has too smaller sleeping pods as we all use camp beds and I dont think that 4 camp beds in one pos would leave much room to move. We have a Kalari 10 and if I could buy this in the same form i would happily pay extra for the inflatable.
If I bought one I would insist on at least 1 spare tube incase of malfunction. I know they supply a puncture repair kit but I dion't fancy messing around fixing ountures in the middle of the night, or at anytime for that matter. I also think that the Vango system is simpler and probably easier to deal with if you do have a problem than the kampa and outwell versions which have a one point inflation. At least with the airbeam if it does fail you are dealing with one pole at a time.
Go have the 800 infinity on offer soon- can't remember how much but I remember thinking it was a good deal, they sent me a catalogue recently with the offer inside.