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Subject Topic: Khyam Freelander in the rain? Post Reply Post New Topic
21/8/2006 at 9:31pm
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Thanx to the advice on here I'm probably going to buy a Khyam Freelander. I haven't actually posted before, but I have been reading a lot of earlier posts. What a great site & lovely people.

I wanted a tent to stand up in (being close to 50 I don't bend like I used to!) which I could use on my own but have space for OH too. We hope to use it for the occasional weekend and for me to use at events like the Wag and Bone show, meeting up with friends.

My only concern is the possible draughts/water from the porch area, because although I intend to buy a groundsheet I think it could leak if very wet. My problem will be that if I've agreed to attend something to help friends with a stall then I can't back out if the weather is bad!

Has anyone used one of these in very wet weather?

Pam


21/8/2006 at 9:44pm
 Location: Irvine
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Hi there PamJade! Sorry but not got an answer for you, but I just wanted to welcome you to probably the best camping/caravanning web site in the world. Plus I also wanted to get rid of your sad little blue face! Rest assured, someone will reply soon with a proper answer!
Have fun!

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David


21/8/2006 at 10:33pm
 Location: Surrey UK
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I can only comment in general as I have not put up a Freelander (but seen 'em).

I doubt it is any difernt to most tents of that syle and design, in that you might get a bit of water coming in, but with a good ground sheet in place you should be OK.

Other similar tents you may want to consider would be the Vango venture 500 (cheaper at around £80), as it has a riser groundsheet which would give a bit more protection. Then there is the Easycamp Napoli 500, which has a fully sewn in groundsheet (and slightly cheaper than the Freelander).

Both the Napoli and the Venture would also have better height in the bedroom, meaning you would not have to crouch down, like in the Freelander.



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Big Bunny
Robens Valley Lodge & Cabanon Pyramide 6
"... kids you distract the bear, while I run to the car...."


22/8/2006 at 8:06am
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Thank you David - I was indeed a very sad blue person

BB - many thanx for your suggestions. I should have added that I'm trying to restrict the weight to around 10kg for the odd occasion I'm travelling by train. My backpacking days are long over, but I can wrestle a couple of bags for short distances to rv with pals.

I wavered over the Vango TBS Oregon 400 and discounted it because of the weight, but that and the Wynnster Mallard 4 are on my short list. Easycamp I haven't looked at so I will investigate some more.

Despite the price I liked the Freelander, it attracted good press on here, albeit for shorter stays, and looks very easy to fight alone.

Thanks for the suggestions, all advice much appreciated.

Pam


22/8/2006 at 8:18am
 Location: Surrey UK
 Outfit: Too many again! no more.
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Quote: Originally posted by PamJade on 22/8/2006
BB - many thanx for your suggestions. I should have added that I'm trying to restrict the weight to around 10kg for the odd occasion I'm travelling by train. My backpacking days are long over, but I can wrestle a couple of bags for short distances to rv with pals.

Despite the price I liked the Freelander, it attracted good press on here, albeit for shorter stays, and looks very easy to fight alone.

Understand. In that case forget the Napoli, it is a lot heavier.

The freelander has always had good reviews on here so if you like it, go for it - it seams to be on sale for around £150, so you should be able to hunt out an end of season bargain.

http://www.cave-crag.co.uk/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/2033/groupID/20/categoryID/44/

http://www.outdoorgear.co.uk/eshop.asp?wci=product&wce=51190701&desc=KHYAM+FREELANDER+FLEXIDOME+TENT3+PERSON

 

 



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Big Bunny
Robens Valley Lodge & Cabanon Pyramide 6
"... kids you distract the bear, while I run to the car...."


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22/8/2006 at 8:24am
 Location: Surrey UK
 Outfit: Too many again! no more.
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... ps

if you want to save a bit more weight (it is jsut under 9kg) and still stand up - but pay a bit more (sorry) - I can strongly recommend the Robens Valley Lodge (I use one).

http://www.robens.de/Tent.aspx?b=Robens&bid=1&lid=1&l=en-GB&ID=101&pid=1

However, unless the extra 1.5kg is really import the Freelander looks the better value.... but thought it worth mentioning.



-------------
Big Bunny
Robens Valley Lodge & Cabanon Pyramide 6
"... kids you distract the bear, while I run to the car...."


22/8/2006 at 9:33am
 Location: A quiet pitch with a lovely view
 Outfit: Cabanon Noumea
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Hi, I have  a Freelander. It is a good quality weather proof tent ( I have camped in it during one very bad rainstorm that I can remember)  and  it is easy peasy lemon squeezy to put up the standing  height dome on your own. On the other hand, it is not particularly light weight or cheap and it only has one door - the full width flap-type door at the front which is not brilliant to use if it does rain. But on the third hand (!) , I have not yet seen another tent which does what it does as well and has a door arrangement that I would prefer.

A tent I would be interested to look at, and which others rate, is the Outdoor Revolution VRX 330S http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/membershop/bd_VRX330S.asp. This looks very very easy to put up, weighs only 7.5 kilos and costs only £63. It is less than standing height, but if your're only shortish like me then 150 cms in the living area is doeable for a day or two and the shortage of windows would be OK for that length of time too. I suspect the bedroom might be higher in the OR than the Khyam but don't know that.

For a longer stay tent that one can put up v.v. easily but would be equally comfortable for two, I suggest a Cabanaon Pacific. Pricey new but super duper to camp in and they do come up regularly on Ebay. MT

 



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Tackling life the Western District way


22/8/2006 at 10:23am
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Thanx again BB.

The Robens looks great and a HH of 5000, but a bit too pricey, however well worth the mention thanx. I really wanted one under £100 but was tempted up to £150 for the slightly higher HH (2500) and easy set up. Khyam have them for £150 so I was hoping other sites might drop a bit more  cos there's still another £20 for the groundsheet.

The Wynnster is still a contender but hasn't had the same good reports on here as the Khyam is quoted more often. Tis cheaper tho which is always good!

Pam



22/8/2006 at 10:34am
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MT, I've looked at your comments before as well, like BB they have been very informative thank you.

I was wondering if we could sneak in & out of the Freelander at the side bit where the window is, but from your comments I guess not. I looked at the VRX330s but thought it was too claustrophobic if I got stuck in it for a few hours and I'd really like to be able to stretch upright.

If we end up doing lots of camping as a couple then I might invest in a better tent.

Many thanx.

Pam



22/8/2006 at 10:56am
 Location: Surrey UK
 Outfit: Too many again! no more.
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A couple of others you might want to consider:

  • Easycamp Torino 500 - inner height 185cm, 7kg weight, £60
  • Outwell Arizona L - inner height 195, 9.7kg, £110 (same design as the Robens)


-------------
Big Bunny
Robens Valley Lodge & Cabanon Pyramide 6
"... kids you distract the bear, while I run to the car...."


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22/8/2006 at 12:23pm
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Now the Arizona is on my shortlist!  I think I need to shorten my short list again. I like the door options on this one. Back to haunt the boards for comments - I'm learning a lot though, thanx folks.

Pam



22/8/2006 at 12:32pm
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Arizona 2006 is now slightly larger and 13.4kg, still a contender. 3000HH too

Pam



22/8/2006 at 12:39pm
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: Cabanon Guadeloupe Zephyros3
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Hi Pam and welcome!

Just a few further thoughts that may or may not be helpful!

The Arizona offers standing height in the bedroom, unlike the Freelander.

I  looked at the freelander a couple of years ago when it was first out, but decided against it because the bedroom looked low and a bit pokey. I got an end-of-line Khyam Conquest 400 instead. This is a vis a vis style (i.e. double bedroom at each end) and weighs about 10kg. We have been very happy with this as a weekend tent, as we leave one bedroom out to make more room, and have made our own groundsheet that covers the whole footprint of the tent. It has been out of production for a while now but I have found it for £140 here from a company that does Khyam seconds, but I don't know anything about that particular seller.

One other point I would make about  the larger Khyams with the rapidex poles is that their packed size tends to be long and thin due to the pole structure, so it may impact on how portable they are for lugging on trains etc.



Post last edited on 22/08/2006 12:45:21


22/8/2006 at 9:24pm
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Thanx Foggers, more food for thought!

Pam



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