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Hi all.

WE have been looking at getting a new tent for our two week holiday this year. We cuurently have a Vango Venture 500 which is great for weekends etc. but we have caught the bug and fancy something a little larger and more substantial. We like tunnel tents and particularly the gelert and the sunncamp.

There are 4 of us, two little ones, and we like the idea of the 4+2 layout, we can have the little ones in with us.

The thing is, they are both so similar, the only difference is the price, oh, and the SIG. Am I missing something?

I would like to hear what people have to say about them and if anybody has one, what do they think? Is the Sunncamp worth the extra money? I know there was a previous post on this subject but that was 2 years ago and both models have been updated since then.

Any help and advice etc. would be gratefully recieved.

I  have a lokon vario 6 so you guess what i am going to say lol, We found that without the sig this allows air to come in inder the flaps which keeps the tent cooler in the hot days plus when you put it away you can put the tent away dry and keep the detachable groundsheets seperate.

This is my 2nd season with the Gelert and love it

The old models were so similar it really wasn't worth agonising about the differences in my opinion.  I have an old Sunncamp Vario which I have been very happy with.  The important difference now must surely be the SIG.  I would be interested to know if the Vario 600 is harder to put up than the old Vario 6 because of the SIG - does it make it harder to do the ring and pins?  On the other hand it is probably easier to pitch it straight with the SIG.  It would be good to hear from someone who has pitched both.

On my vario I quite like having no groundsheet and being able to wander in and out without worrying, but a SIG would be good when its cold and wet - the mud flaps on my vario are rather "flappy".  I know people say you should be able to tuck them under the ground sheet if you want to be water and draught free but thats easier said than done, especially if the ground is uneven.  The Outwell Montana seems to have been so popular I have been surprised that the Vario 600 with its SIG does not seem to have been seriously considered as an alternative.

One more thought - we nearly always have to pack up damp if not actually wet so we always have to at least air the tent when we get home which must be harder with SIG.

Our Vango Venture uses the ring and pin system, and although it is a small tent, we have had no problems with putting it up. It takes us about 10-15 mins all in!

I know what you meen about packing damp. We ALWAYS have to air the tent when we get home. At the minute our inner tent bedrooms are attched to the groundsheet anyway so this can be a bit of a pain at times.

I suppose the issue is personal preference and budget. There are pro's and Con's for both, SIG or seperate.

As for the Outwell montana, I do like the tent, but the price? I don't think I can justify it when I can get a similar cheaper tent that would be perfectly adequate for our needs, even if it's not as high tech!

Quote: Originally posted by lisamab on 16/6/2007

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I suppose the issue is personal preference and budget. There are pro's and Con's for both, SIG or seperate.

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As for the heat reflecting groundsheet, I assume that just means its silver coloured like the old one.  I must admit I never took its heat reflecting properties that seriously, its a long time since I actually put it down but I never got the impression that it was keeping us warm but I suppose every little helps.  I guess a SIG in hot weather is always going to be hotter than a non SIG - time for someone to make a zip in groundsheet for a vario.

Thats just reminded me of another difference - presumably the original varios were called varios because you could move the front, obviously you can't do this with the newer Sunncamps.  I have generally not found it that important as a feature as with the front moved back there is too little space in the tent (would probably be better on a Vario 6 plus as its that bit longer) but I do sometimes take the whole front off to let sun and air in, you probably can't do that with the SIG version.

Try pushing the pole in and bunchng the pole sleeve a bit.  As soon as you can see the pole the other side, put it on the pin.  Carefully, push the rest of the pole in. (You will need somone to make sure that the pole doesn't come off the pin at the other end).

Tried this a while ago and the poles went through without snagging and were in the erected position in under two minutes.

Hope that helps.

I have found that when pushing the poles through, a little at a time works best. Also bringing the sleeve over the pole rather that pushing the pole through. As Afbowman said, bunh it up and pull it along.

I have also found (If you have two people) that not putting the pole fully together first helps. Putting the pole together as you get it through the sleeve.

A few more goes and you'll be an expert!!

Lisa

Just to chip in, we loosely peg it down one side and pull tent out so that the sleeves are as straight as possible, then feed poles through. Agree its easier to put the poles together as you feed it. Then once each pole is through we put pin in ring. Then its a case of doing each pole in turn, front to back, with a child in place to hold pin in ring and adult to do other end. Once first poles up, peg it out with guys at the back, then move on to the next til the front.

We have the sunncamp vario 900 (2006 model) and had problems with leaks but have a replacement flysheet now, although we haven't tested it yet. It is a great tent in terms of space, ease of pitching, etc. and ideal for longer trips. Only design fault I think is the support poles that run along the inside, tied in place. If its windy and raining, they touch the fly and the drips start to come in. I haven't taken the new fly out the bag, but I'm guessing it will be the same. Would've been better to have pole sleeves. Also, because the front door is flat, when it rains and you open the door it comes straight in. Would benefit from an awning type porch thingy, although you can get a canopy but I didn't think they looked too clever, although I might be wrong!

Many thanks for the tips everyone, looking forward to putting them into practice!

Also, thanks for bringing up the support poles - without a lot of tent experience, I was also a bit concerned about them touching the inside of the flysheet. Did you notice if the drips came from just where the ties are, or all along? Does anyone else with a Sunncamp Vario have the same problem? (without wishing to change the thread topic..) 

Our old non-SIG vario has separate sleeves that go over the side poles but I have never bothered putting them on (perhaps I'll try them out next time!).  Have maybe had the odd drip from the poles but nothing of great significance and we have certainly experienced plenty of rain.  I suppose any drips are noticed more in a SIG tent.

For what its worth we put ALL the main poles in THEN do all the ring and pins THEN lift the whole tent, spread it out and peg it.