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I am a fan of the Darwin myself but like you we're struggling to decide between three models for 2 of us + two dogs. We've narrowed it to the Vango Breckenridge 400, Khyam Ontario 6 and Coleman Darwin 5.

Rules out the Minnesota 4 as i didn't like the way it slopes and reduces available space indoors as a result.

Tough to choose, innit?

I know what you mean about the Monty/Minnesota 4s being compromised by the sloping front. Have you thought about a Minnesota 6? Just a little bit wider but maybe enough to make the difference?

Darwins look like a bit of a jumble to me! MT

They do, and I must say I wouldn't have even looked at one as a possibility until I saw one at an exhibition doing a good job of standing up to the elements (being a dome presumably) and being surprisingly roomy inside.  I didn't expect the layout to be a spacious-feeling and adaptable as it was, and really like the storage area behind the bedrooms.

I like the dimensions in regard to fitting on pitches too - that aspect of the Ontario 6 is a concern as it's a very long tent.

I have looked at the Montana 6 but I think it's a smidge too big for us and the dogs which was why we looked at the Minnesota 4 and were a bit disappointed that it was so significantly smaller because of teh sloping wall.

If I were better off I'd go straight for a Bear Lake 4!

Basically we're trying to get a tent that uses space well rather than being just "big" if you see what I mean   I would ideally like to be able to have the option to add a small cooking tent to a pitch later without ending up using too much ground space.

Quote: Originally posted by MarciaA on 08/8/2007

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They do, and I must say I wouldn't have even looked at one as a possibility until I saw one at an exhibition doing a good job of standing up to the elements (being a dome presumably) and being surprisingly roomy inside.  I didn't expect the layout to be a spacious-feeling and adaptable as it was, and really like the storage area behind the bedrooms.

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Yes, that's true. The Darwins do look stronger than the average tent and I've seen and liked that back passage (!) area on other Coleman's and thought it looked useful.

Last year we chose an Outwell Indiana 4 over the Monty 4 for various reasons, one being that the Indi's flat front made it a lot more spacious inside. The Indi is a great tent if you are not restricting your choice to tents with SIGs - it has a very practical and effective toggle-in riser groundsheet. MT

One day I would like to throw caution to the winds and get a canvas tent with no sewn in groundsheet - I'm not dead set on them by any means BUT we have dogs and they do seem to be better behaved in tents with SIGs as they can't smell tantalising things under the flysheet

I do like the Indiana and can see why you would favour it - I wish I had a bit more experience with toggle/riser/mudwall groundsheets so that I was confident I could put them in neatly and the dogs would not be able to sneak under,

Unfortunately I had a bad experience trying to help a friend with her tent last year and being completely unable to figure out how the groundsheet worked and where the flaps were supposed to go (it was a Gelert Vario which are now struck off our list)  - one of her dogs did escape as a result

In the old days and in the TA we had no groundsheets at all so I am a bit clueless I'm afraid, and don't know anyone to ask!

Quote: Originally posted by kate w on 08/8/2007

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If you go for a good old frame tent you can go for having no groundsheet at all in the living area and tether the dog to a tie out stake in the tent on a long line so he can go so far but not escape. 

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Quote: Originally posted by kate w on 08/8/2007

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If you go for a good old frame tent you can go for having no groundsheet at all in the living area and tether the dog to a tie out stake in the tent on a long line so he can go so far but not escape. 

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If I did that with ours they would wind themselves round the furniture and cause mass destruction

They're not dead set on escaping, and we never leave them alone in a tent, but I know how curious the are and if they could see or smell bunnies they'd jolly well try to chase.  Out of sight out of mind with our two for the most part.

I  purchased a Coleman Darwin 5 in July and took myself and three kids to Filey during some severe weather.  Heavy rain and on the last night strong winds.  This is the first tent that I didn't have to adjust the guy ropes or pegs during the whole week.  I used the pegs that came with the tent as the Delta pegs I had ordered didn't arrive in time.  Most of the pegs were pushed in by hand as the ground was soft but they still didn't budge.  Disappointed in the weather as I haven't managed any more camping and the kids are now back in school.

I love the quality of this tent, the space and the height.  I had my 5 in 1 sofa which I used as my bed with my daughter (7) and my boys had a double airbed in the smaller bedroom. Tons of living space and I cooked with the side door open.  Plenty of ventilation and the SIG is great.

Can't wait for next year or hopefully October week if the weather is good.

Fiona