We started camping this year - just my son and I as my partner isn't keen on camping. We've had a great time in our Vango Ark 400+ which has been big enough for us as we pack lightly. We had some great weather but also torrential rain. On our last trip we were grateful that friends had a caravan awning to shelter in as it's cramped in the tent when you can't stand up. Some rain did get into the tent as the groundsheet is linked not sewn in and we used two camp beds which only just fit into the bedroom and made the bedroom touch the outside material.
My partner has decided to come camping next summer when we're planning on going with family. So, on a limited budget, I'm looking for a fast pitch tent (after this trip I may well be pitching it alone again), which has plenty of room for staying inside/cooking in wet weather and we can stand up in. It needs to be weather proof, and extendable if my partner does get the camping bug. The bag also needs to be big enough to pack away easily. I was set on a Vango Icarus 500 but am now confused because the Coleman Galileo 5 looks very similar and has a sewn in groundsheet. Any recommendations/reviews?
As there are the three of you, a five berth is the minimum size you should go for in order to give you sufficient room both for sleeping arrangements and for reasonable living space. Also as your partner isn't overly keen and you want him to get the camping bug then you don't want the experience to be one that puts him off!
How big is your budget likely to be as this will determine precisely what you are able to get for your money?
If a tight budget then I guess an air tent will be out of the question and it will be a poled tent you are looking at.
Will you be cooking outside or inside? if outside you may want a tent that has an attached front porch or a model where you can add a canopy or fully enclosed front extension/vestibule.
Of the two tents you mention, the Galileo 5 has the bigger overall footprint but you can purchase a front extension for either tent. There is an Icarus 500 Deluxe that is exclusive to Go Outdoors and which they have in their sale for £199.
If you can provide a few more details regarding budget and how you intend to use the tent then the lovely people on this forum will probably be able to come up with some other suggestions.
I was hoping for something under £200. Both tents are in the sale at GO at the moment. I cook outdoors but want the capacity to cook under cover in rain. I was thinking that if the tent was a hit with my partner, we would buy an extension later to make it a bigger space. We'll probably only use it four or five times a year for 3 or 4 nights each time. In the summer we're hoping to go to Devon if I can find a good site and stay for a full week.
There is an ex display Vango Kalix 600 tent on fleabay being sold by Vango's clearance business, Nearly New Tents. This a 6 berth and has a pre attached canopy, which, with the addition of some windbreak,s could give you your sheltered outside cooking area.
It's on at £249 with no bids and ends in 18 hours time
You could always put a tarp over the front as a cheap option for a cooking area whilst you decide if you need the porch. They are both very similiar tents. As campasarow said the Galileo is slightly bigger than the Vango, but the Vango does have a higher hydrostatic head (water proof rating).