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Quote: Originally posted by breilly74 on 16/8/2010

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Thanks for everyones help, my head is buzzing with tents. I went out yesterday and took a look at a few. I ended up going off the Easycamp Boston as the finish didn't seem as good as other tents but I guess this is reflected in the price. We still loved the space and big windows and the fact the sun canopy was part of the tent.

For this reason we still like the Kampa Croyde but unfortunately there was not one on display where we went. However reviews do seem to be very positive and they get good press coverage as a small but up and coming quality manuafacturer, so I am tempted to take a risk.

My other half loved the Vango Amazon 600 but it is a little over our budget, I did find one company retailing it closer to our budget but when i try to order it doesn't work, I assume its out of stock. The Sungari is a possibility but by the time we purchase the canopy we would be going over our agreed budget of circa £300. The Columbia 600 as mentioned above also has some good deals but I would want cofirmation that all Sungari accessories are compatible as its been discontinued and footprints are no longer readily available.

I still like the Icharus but my other half is adamant he wants an open living space in the region of 300x400. All the Outwells I have looked at it, in the size and layout we want are pricier than other makes - no doubt a better quality tent. I also think the Royal Havana 6 is a possibility but need to work out if there is a sun canopy that can be attached.

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I can confirm that the Sungari 600 carpet and footprint will fit the Columbia perfectly - the tents are exactly the same shape and size. The porch in the Columbia has a separate groundsheet for ease of cleaning so doesn't have a footprint. If you go for a sage Columbia the sage canopy for the Sungari will also fit. Occasionally the Vango Wide Canopy with its steel poles also comes up on ebay (one there at the moment).

For us the Columbia wins over the Montana by miles as it has a number of features that the Montana doesn't, even with the same HH and steel pole combination (the 2/3 bedroom option (we use 1 for storage), the optional TBSII wind bracing system, low level air vent system, zipped window covers rather than velcroed, drop down door thresholds to avoid tripping, doors than tuck under the groundsheet for better draft protection, full or part opening front with doors that my 6ft OH doesn't have to duck to enter. It is also slightly bigger and my husband prefers blue). OK the Monty has more flymesh doors and zip out windows, but with a full-opening front the latter aren't needed and just seem fussy.

BTW - we actually don't bother with a canopy for any of our tents - we use the small Vango Adventure Tarp (£20 and 1.3kg) - which is longer than the roof pole of the Columbia 600 and shields the front sufficiently for a BBQ underneath in wet weather (not horizontal rain though...). Had a lovely BBQ with the front full open a fortnight ago in the Cornish rain. For greater protection, open the right hand side of the front (including the little section to the right of the door) and offset the tarp towards the direction of the weather and add a windbreak. Just use the tent porch poles and longer guyropes.

Good luck with whatever you choose and happy camping!

Helen

Easy Camp are made by Outwell and so quality is excellent but the price is cheaper.

We have the Easy Camp Licata 400 which is a fabulous tent for a couple/small family (I use it with my 2 youngest boys aged 4 and 8)

It stood up to some horrendous wind and rain last week - not a leak or bent pole in sight.

I can highly recommend it as a starter tent - bargain price of £90

Good luck with your new tent. We have the smaller Kampa Bude 4 - excellent tent!

Helen