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Hi

I have a budget of around £50 (which I could stretch, but not by much). There's tents aplenty in this price range but, as a camping newbie, I'm finding it very difficult to determine the good from the bad. Can anyone help?

Size wise I'm looking for a 2-3 man (will only be me in it, but I get claustraphobic in very small spaces) which is easy to erect/dismantle on my own and suitable for camping in the Scottish Higlands (i.e. able to withstand a fair amount of wind and rain). Doubt I'll be venturing out in winter but would like to have the option of taking myself off whenever oppertunities arise.

Last year I borrowed a Vango Delta 300 which withstood the rain no probs but struggled with the winds, although that may be due to my poor understanding of the workings of those double guy rope thingmyjigs.. you know, the ones which are attached to the tent at both ends rather than just one end as usual (just as an aside, if anyone could explain how they work I'd be excedingly grateful). Have looked on the net and it would appear that a semi geodesic design would suit my needs better but (of course) they're all pretty much outwith my budget.

I have seen a coleman spirit 3 for £60 which appears to fit the bill. Does anyone know if it's as good as it seems? Or if there's anything out there which would suit. I realise you get what you pay for and so am dubious about my chances of finding what I need at this price.

Any help and advice appreciated.

Many thanks in advance from a very confused would be camper. 

Hi & welcome to the best camping forum on the www.

All I can tell you is that Coleman is a long established well known brand, so I would assume you would be safe going for the Spirit, and £60 seems to be a good price too

However, I'm sure someone who's more 'in-the-know' about Coleman tents & other good quality 2-3 man tents will be along later today to advise you.

Yeomans have it here for £ 44.95 at the moment (plus £ 4.95 delivery unless you are in the highlands then it is £ 6.95.

Bargain of the year I reckon although it is a bit heavy but then geodesics always are cos they have more pole weight but then they are much more stable in wind.

3000 mm hydrostatic head is good for three seasons but October in the highlans might be a bit much.

PS The wettest place in the country is Shap in the lake district,

I cant add to the Tents that have been recommended but can help with the new fangled attached at both ends guide lines.

We have the same guide lines you describe on the Vario 5.What i do is put the peg into the line then stretch the line back into postion ready to be hammered in but before i knock it in i hold the end of the line/lines together so the peg is now in a little loop.

I then twist the peg 10 or 12 times in the line and then hammer it in,now when the wind gets up each line pulls on the peg as opposed to just pulling round the peg in a seesaw kind of movement.

HTH

Wow!

Thanks ever so much for all the replies, am overcome at how helpful you've all been.

Have gone for the coleman at the bargain price of £50.00 incl P&P (thanks winhill) and look forward to many a windy night in it.

LOL at big b and winhill. I dunno, always seems hot and sunny south of the border when I check the weather . Seriously though, I suspect you may be right, is just the bad weather's more consitent in Scotland. Anyway, soon as I have my super sturdy tent it won't be an issue. I may even brave the motorway system and come down for a look see myself.

Surfin, I never thought of that. If this tent has the same design I'll do that for sure (don't appear to be any guy ropes on the picture, but am sure it must have some somewhere). Lost count of the number of ways I tried to set them up and all to no avail.

Anyway, think I've probably waffled enough for now so will take my leave. But, just incase I haven't made it clear how grateful I am, thanks muchly to everyone for taking the trime to reply. What a great site this is.