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So, who's got this tent?

I had a good nosey around a Vango Breckenridge 600 today and it really does look a nicely made synthetic.

I like the fact that you can remove bedroom inners, and the one on display had two inners in opposite ends of the tent, leaving a large space between. I had never really thought of the Breckenridge as anything but with three adjacent inners, so this arrangement did show other options for it and it might be a good model choice for a family who only need two inners (but don't want them to be next to each other) and want oodles of space, without the potential pitch size problems and pitching techniques of a sprawling dome tent. Living space is 6m x 2.5m, even with all x 3 inners in place!

I like the three entrances, all with mesh, and the front windows (with mesh vents at the top). It was a bit faffy fastening up the window covers, but I guess easier rolling them down to open them, than it would be if they fixed the other way around (ie had to be rolled up each morning).

I like the way the inners fastened up (fasteners similar to the TBS on the Oregon etc, rather than toggles) but was a bit concerned that the SIG seemed to pull up where the inners fastened to it, despite that it was pitched on a level floor, at an indoor display. I tried to reduce the tension on the strap which suspended the inner (to it's maximum, in fact) but still the groundsheet was lifting, which is a bit strange. It's as if the straps on the inner could do to be a bit longer, so there is potential for a bit more adjustment.

This is a tall tent so it feels spacious inside and the almost vertical walls are good for storage. I wonder about the roof potentially collecting water, since there isn't a lot of slope, and it would have been more interesting to see one pitched outside (a rainstorm would be convenient, to judge this point ). There is a huge skylight panel in the roof, which was interesting (don't know if it is necessary though, since the interior seemed light enough anyway, nut that is just personal choice I guess and someone else might - and probably will - deem it a plus).

The porch is permanently attached, and should be great for keeping rain and wind off the front door without catching the wind too much. It is a nice size for kicking off shoes etc, and perhaps stowing some stuff, but not huge enough to house a table and chairs for a family. I believe an optional canopy is also available.

Those steel poles will take some lifting,  but then there are only x 4. The additional porch poles and window canopy poles (still don't like those canopies, which seem a bit pointless to me, sorry!) will mean that pitching of tent this isn't super-fast. There are a lot of guys to contend with (but then, that applies to all the big family tents really, doesn't it?).

I'll bet an equivilent sized frame tent could be pitched in the same time (and probably with more ease, since you put the canvas on when the frame is on it's knees, then lift the legs upright). Nevertheless, if I had to choose a synthetic tent right now this one would definitely be a contender. It has a nice 'feel' to it (for a synthetic  ). It weighs in at 41.5kg, so no lightweight, but this is a sizeable tent with steel poles, so I suspect it will stand up to the worst of the British weather without too much effort.

I haven't used one, of course, so this opinion is only based on very limited experience (a nosey!) so, if anyone out there owns, or has used one, please do post and let's hear what you think of this model, which might just help somebody out there who is thinking of buying one.

Hi Liddenham, your appetite for tents seem to have no limit!  I have previously posted about the Vango Breckenridge having had a look around two examples in the rain at P.J. camping in Romford and St Albans.  Both seemed to have leaking where the porch met the main tent over the door.  It didn't get into the living area that I saw, but still I consider it a worry,

They appeared to be massive, and water did appear to puddle on the roof.  Not that I would read too much into the puddling, I would say being part of the permanent display and not fully guyed out would have something to do with that (puddling also seemed to affect other tent including the Coleman Galileo)

Personally,  I was concerned by the spacing between poles- feeling it might be too great.

Having tested my new tent on the first sunny weekend for a month, an having a canopy with it, I am now an absolute convert to the need for a canopy.  The Breckenridge offers huge living space - but you are not going to sit inside on hot days. It is a great use of pitch space I am not denying that, but to me a better compromise would be the Outwell Indiana 6, marginally cheaper with a good compromise between indoor space and canopied area.  

If space is what you are after, I was quite impressed with the solution I saw last weekend.  I met some people who used Sunncamp Sprint and Day tent pitched in such a way that the door/canopies overlapped giving a large area of shade. The cost would be comparable with greater flexibility (leave the day tent if you don't need it).

Personal opinions of course, but if debate ensues thought this might add to it.

Quote: Originally posted by Not for a few years on 09/6/2007

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Hi Liddenham, your appetite for tents seem to have no limit! 

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