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It was me - sorry for sending you on a bit of a goose hunt!

Yes, I have seen in it the flesh - I beleive it has windows in the porch area, but not a skylight. However, I certanly do not remember it as a dark tent.

I would also ask the shop, if you are interested in it, to confirm it pitches outer-first. I am 99% sure, but my memory can fail sometimes, so it is worth checking.

If you do have reservations over it - don't buy just becuase it well priced. I would hate you to get it, becuase of us and you hate it for some reason or other.

I remember seeing one on the Yoemans stand at the NEC last year. It was a burgundy colour if I remember rightly. Didnt seem too dark, although it was darker inside than the Montana 6 because I remember comenting on it at the time. (But then again it was indoors in a show hall) We opted for the Montana 6 purely because we were expecting our first and wanted side-by-side bedrooms. It did have an excellent porch with windows in. And it had a sewn-in groundsheet, which was our reasons for considering it. Being of the sewn-in-groundsheet variety means it definetley goes up outer first. Its a superb tent. Just dont tell my wife because at £189 its an absolute bargain. Coleman tents are fantastic quality. Although we opted for the Outwell it was only because of its practicality, and on that fron its unbeatable, however its not as well made as a Coleman. (We had to have our Montana replaced under warranty because it started leaking) Sorry for waffling on, but its tents y'know. They bring out the Nomad in us all.

In essence...go get one. trust me you wont be dissaopointed. Just be prepared for the next few months to drag by slowly as you wait for the weather to improve so that you can use it...!!!

LOL, they all seem to be excellent tents.... I think we'll go to Camperlands in Manchester (we're on the Wirral) at the weekend and have a look. Went to Outdoor Direct in Liverpool last weekend and saw the Vango Colorado 800 DLX (or whatever it's called) and the Breckenridge Deluxe, but as far I as I remember they didn't have the Coleman one on display.

Can I just ask a (maybe silly) question: What is the advantage of "inner first" - all I seem to hear is that it can be impractical when pitching in the rain, but why does a big tent like e.g. the Breckenridge then pitch inner first - why don't they all pitch flysheet first, if you see what I mean?!

Oh, and one more thing while I'm at it - we noticed that the Vango doesn't have a raised edge at the entrance (which is great 'cos that means your toddler won't trip over it constantly!), but doesn't that mean that the rain will come in if it's really pouring down? Sorry I know I'm not explaining myself very well here!

Thanks!

Quote: Originally posted by mawu on 24/1/2007

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Can I just ask a (maybe silly) question: What is the advantage of "inner first" - all I seem to hear is that it can be impractical when pitching in the rain, but why does a big tent like e.g. the Breckenridge then pitch inner first - why don't they all pitch flysheet first, if you see what I mean?!

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Very little if anything, it is just as a consequence of the frame design. Better handling of condensation is one of the reasons commonly quoted.

It does mean that the inner will stand up as a structure on its own. This is useful in hot climates, where you would prefer just an insect net over you. You often see smaller expedition and US made tents doing this, where the flysheet is just a "bikini" top on the tent. However, in the UK, once the flysheet is on, it generally stays on given teh change in weather we can have.

The reason they don't all pitch flysheet first, is that if the tent has a SIG it means the flysheet and SIG have to be all one. This is more expensive to make than a lose flysheet and the SIG being connected to the inner (inner-pitch-first). I.e. generally, if the SIG is connected the outer flysheet, it goes up outer first, if it is conencted the inner, then the inner goes up first.

There is a case to be made, with synthetic tents, that having the SIG on the inner is better for condensation. I.e. the condensation hits the out flysheet and runs down and away, and not into the tent. If the SIG is connected to the outerflysheet, the condensation would stay inside the tent and run on to the SIG.

Quote: Originally posted by mawu on 24/1/2007

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Oh, and one more thing while I'm at it - we noticed that the Vango doesn't have a raised edge at the entrance (which is great 'cos that means your toddler won't trip over it constantly!), but doesn't that mean that the rain will come in if it's really pouring down? Sorry I know I'm not explaining myself very well here!

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I dont think camperlands have the magellan up but we saw the magellan erected at a place called Atlas Leisure in Stretford it certainly is a very dark tent also if you check reviews not sure if it was on here but those tents I  am sure had a fault and had to have the porch poles replaced am sure there was a post on here last year about that when we were looking for a new tent but would certainly make sure you see it up first.  The Atlas Leisure is about 15 min drive from camperlands and it was up and we were offered it las year for abut 200 pounds.  If your going to camperlands go outdoors not a million miles from there either happy shopping

Lynles

Hi there- Just come back from our first trip camping with a Magellan 9 - and loved it. Its not too dark inside as it has a large skylight which can be coveered at night -No windows in the the bedrooms though but ingenious fly screen covered vents which found good enough, although we do spend most of the time outside the tent.

The whole inner tent is brownish but i didn't think it too dark.

 The only problem i found was the front, it doesn't have a lower zip on the front porsch so the front of the tent has to be tucked under the ground sheet otherwise its cold and windy through the gap  (Welcome any other suggestions on what I'm doing wrong)

Also has 2 large proch windows which I'm going to add velcro too as they close via bottom toggles only so can 'waft' abit and let light in.

Other than this had a lovely time in my new tent and 5 stars to Deer Glades site - its amazing!!!

OH THIS IS A GREAT PICTURE - 3D INAGE THING http://www.worldoftents.co.uk/coleman-magellan-tent-p-290.html