Message Forums

Hi guys, so i'm new here but have used this ite as a guest for a few months now so thought it was time I joined.

I am looking to buy my first tent but have been looking for a few months now researching etc etc here is but a few I have nearly bought

Royal biarritz 6-----felt it was too big

Khyam tourer 400-----decided against not having a sig

Lichfield arapaho 6dlx------same as above no sig

Vango diablo-----to many say poles break in bad wind.

My heart realy wants a royal biarritz 6 as so many say they are incredibly strong etc. But have also read a few reviews saying they are a bit big for an average pitch size.

After going to a tent display in ashburton devon, i'm now torn between these:

Sunncamp Shadow 800 (2008)----great looking tent big living space, 4 good bedrooms or can split into 3, ( I have 3 children) sig, some good reports so far, also 2000hh.

Khaym Ontario 8  (2008)----almost identical to the sunncamp but a smidgen bit bigger, main differances are it is 5000hh, so loads more water proof. but it wieghs for some bizarre reason nearly 4.5 kg heavier.Okay so I can see that khyams are a well know make and brand, i've not heard much or sunncamp.

They are both the same price. Please please please can someone give me some advice, I feel i'm getting far to picky now and I just want to be done with it and buy a decent first time tent for no more than £200 tops, as we have everything else to buy.

Big thanks in advance

David

If the khyam is 5000hh and 4.5kg heavier, its probably a thicker fabric and thicker poles that are making it weigh more.

as both are similar designs and size , for the same price , if you've seen both tents and still can't decide,

I'd say, or for the khyam 's higher HH . with all the kit you'll have with 3 kids 4.5kg isn't going to make a huge difference in the weight you'll be carrying.

I have that one, i have posted in the tent review section , I can't fault it . Quality is excellent, the carpet really does make a huge difference to the warmth of the tent. i've camped for 10 years, this is the first carpet i've had and i'm so impressed,  i won't camp without it again. i use it in my other tents too, even though it's too small for them. .

The nevada was used first time last bank holiday in 60 -70 mph gales and came to no harm, a few scary moments when we thought it would take off, the wind was so bad it was lifting the tent off the ground.  but 2 other tents with us had broken poles and collapsed. its a doddle to pitch. half an hour and its done. the bedrooms are already attached inside too.

Just realised you are a new member, welcome .

how old are your kids ? do they need seperate bedrooms?

The reason I ask is because a bigger living space is better than big bedrooms if your kids are very young in my opinion. They need more room to play if its wet, than they do to sleep in. 3 kids can sleep very comfortably on a double airbed.

If you have young ones the sunncamp global 600 is a brilliant tent . It comes complete with a front extension to cook in or shade from the sun. the living space is huge, and it has a seperate storage area on the side for loo and clothes storage.

It has one big inner bedroom across the back of the tent  with a dividing curtain, so is ideal if you have little ones.  The quality is just  as good as the outwell. and it has steel poles which are sturdier than fibreglass. And the price is £250.from outdoor megastore

Is it better than the nevada xl? I'd say yes,  because of the front extension.

You shouldn't cook inside a synthetic tent, especially if you have young kids around . The canopy will give a nice sheltered place to relax in the shade too.

I use a utility tent with the nevada, no need for one with the global.

My friends have just bought it and used it last weekend.