Message Forums

Hiya, 

Another newbie, another "which tent should I buy?" post!  The time has come for us to finally buy our own tent and we've waaay outgrown the funky little Coleman 3 man affair I brought into our marriage.  At the moment we're 2 adults and a 2 year old but we need a) room for growth and b) room for lots of stuff (we don't travel light!). 

Sooooo...I've spent the past 4 hours reading previous posts (which has helped a lot - brilliant site...I didn't know there was so much to know!) and have narrowed it down to 3:

1. Wynnster Mercury 9 Excel http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/redirect.asp?redir=http://www.allweathers.co.uk/index.asp?function=DISPLAYPRODUCT&productid=576

2. Gelert 2007 Michigan 10 http://www.worldofcamping.co.uk/shop/Detail.asp?ProductID=1790

3. Gelert 2007 Tahoma 9 http://www.worldofcamping.co.uk/shop/Detail.asp?ProductID=1914

Any/all feedback would be massively appreciated. Hubbie hates being cold and damp, therefore not too keen on camping, so comfort is essential.  I don't like bugs so would prefer an SIG.  Need enough space in each sleeping compartment for a double mattress or a travel cot.  And we'd rather not sleep right next to the little un...Ease of erection is important as we'll mostly be going on weekend trips in the UK.

Thanks loads and loads in advance

Laura :-)

*bump* 

Please help...I need to buy something before the end of the weekend to get it before the Bank Holiday!!  Unfortunately due to family commitments we can't go and see anything in person before we buy...so I'm really dependant on your advice!!

Sorry cant help on the ones you've listed but our gelert is easy to put up ( do need to practice first though) and stays nice and warm with the SIG. There was a gelert appreciation thread a while back so it looks like a good and not too pricey make.

Think about pitch size as well do you need 9-10 berth if its going to restrict where you can go although again there another thread with loads of sites that accept the larger tents. Ours is an 8 berth an easily accomodates us and 3 kids.

*bump*

From what you say you want a comfortable quick-up-and-down weekend tent with two sleeping areas. Personally, I wouldn't worry too much as to whether your 3 cms or 3 meters away from your little one - there really is no such thing as audio-privacy in a tent! Also, you don't want to spend too much as your husband may fail to be convinced.

If I was you I'd buy something like a Vango Idaho 600 (which does have a curtain http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-1428744-10475506?url=http://www.outdoormegastore.co.uk/acatalog/Vango_Idaho_600_Tunnel_Dome_Tent.htmldividing the sleeping area into two) 

or the similar but bigger Outdoor Revolution StarCamper 5.

http://www.outdoor-revolution.com/starcamper5.php

And also buy an Outdoor Revolution Outhouse for cooking in safely away from your little one and also storing a lot of your stuff out of the main tent. 

http://www.outdoor-revolution.com/outhouse.php

All of those  tents would be very fast up and down as I suspect your husband might not be too thrilled to be imbroiled in putting up some sort of over-complex spread dome type tent.  The Idaho and StarCamper both have sewn in groundsheets  to minimise drafts and have good headheight in the living area where you need it.MT

We've got the wynnster mercury 9 excel and love it, no there is not a sig but this has not been a problem for us. there is loads of room , we have a spare pod for the toilet and clothes and we set up kitchen in the rear porch area. It is easy to erect and get down, fits in the bag a treat and all the pods have pockets on the side for bits and bobs and well as two the the main living area, I would recommend it to anyone.

Karin

Hi we just got hold of a wynnster cyngus 8 and its brill.  its last years model so picked it up for £170.  Its a large dome with two HUGE 4 birth bedrooms and SIG to keep the beasties out and the heat in.  Has a large porch and is surprisingly easy to put up with practice.

Anyway good looks its a hard choice init!