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We were looking at the outwell montana 6, but went to the caravan show at NEC and was looking at other tents, we where in a vermont XL and another couple where in the same tent and told us they had one for sale including carpet and footprint agreed price of £350 bargain!!

We where as the right place, at the right time, very pleased with it it's MASSIVE look out for secondhand on here or eaby.... you could get yourself a better deal if brought secondhand.

I am not sure that it is a straightforward contrast:

Both Outwell and Vango's steel poles are good quality and have stood the test of time (although both have on occasion been caught out by high winds). Outwell have added their velcro based wind stabilising system for 2011, but the design of their guying is otherwise very similar. Both Vango and Outwell have had some quality control issues. Outwell tends to go for more windows (but windows can be one of the weaker area of tents) and more features - e.g. peep windows in inner tents. Both Vango and Outwell use the same 75 denier of polyester. Kampa's Ultimate range uses 100 denier (their Endurance range uses the standard 75 denier), which adds significantly to the strength and UV longevity of the tent. Vango this year have added more windows to some of their tents and added flymesh, darkened inner tents, etc. They have upped the features while maintaining value for money.

Each make has advantages and disadvantages and it rather depends on your preferences, the particular features of the tent designs relative thereto and their price point relative to your budget...

Although for us we preferred the design of Vango's version of the Montana (the 2009 Columbia with its 2/3 bedrooms, full or part opening front etc), for us the open more flexible space of the Montana type design is preferrable....but that is just down to how we camp as a family.

Quote: Originally posted by vw man on 02/5/2011

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 you could get yourself a better deal if brought secondhand.

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...but be warned. 75 denier polyester tents only have an estimated UV life of 6 months or so continuous camping (could be less! or more), so a used tent may not have the lifespan you expect. Also there are plenty of examples of people on the forum buying second hand only to find that the previous owners did not take care of their tent with mould an issue and the waterproofing tape lifting etc.

If you go down this route you need to be confident in what you are buying...

Quote: Originally posted by SAL73 on 12/5/2011

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well after viewing the tents in question we are now looking at the Outwell Vermont L and XL. Due to the built in awning as apposed to the Montana 6 then having to purchase the extra awning seems to be a better option! After reading on here it seems the pitch sizes vary from each campsite, but will either of these be generally a single pitch on average?? It seems the XL is wider by apx 65cm but the same in length!

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I was recently looking for a porch for my old Vango tent but decided to buy a Vermont L instead, I'm glad I did as it makes a great family tent. The size and shape is designed to get the maximum out of pitch spaces designed for caravans, some big sites are still awkward and charge extra even though the width is less than a caravan and awning but it just fits on C&CC standard pitches.

IMO the extras on the Outwell are good (I like the built in wardrobe) but I don't know what the Vango equivalent has. I was happy with both brands and the Vango lasted well, if I didn't need more space I'd still be using it but now I have the Outwell I'm glad I spent a bit extra and got something designed to be a bigger tent rather than sticking with an extended smaller one.

The one extra that frustrates me is the peep holes in the bedrooms (So you can look out and see what the weather is doing from bed), the kids use them as escape hatches to sneak out of the bedroom in the evening. I also got the sun canopy for the front but the jury is out on that one, I think it may have been a waste of money.

HAve had both Vango and Outwell in the past, never had any problems with either, but would say Outwell was slighlty better quality.

Now have a Kampa Pendine 8, well it's ordered and on it's way - very excited.