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Hi All

I've been trying to decide on the best tent/price combination without success. Can anyone sway me??!!!

I'm after a tent for occasional weekend use from March to October (with unpredicable weather here will need to be quite water tight!)
2 or 3 berth (will be just me, and maybe with my two kids if i go more often)
I like the tunnel tent type as I'd like internal cooking ability and storage
Needs to be easy to put up by one person and flysheet first??

I have seen the following:
Vango Beta 250 or 350
Vango Equinox 250 or 350 (more pricey but seems more waterproof!)
Khyam Sherpa (looks great but everyone is out of stock - if anyone knows anyone who still has them then this is in the running!!)

Does anyone have any experiences with these tents and can advise accordingly???

The Equinox is superior in materials to the Beta- we have a Quest 600 which was a family sized version of the Equinox and is, sadly, no longer made, but it has dealt with some hideous weather over the years.

Not only is the waterproof rating much higher, the poles are alloy rather than fibreglass and so they have a vastly superior strength to weight ratio. If you are wanting a tent that will deal with unpredictable GB climate conditions I would say go for the Equinox if your budget can stretch - alloy poles will take much more punishment, and it could be worth the peace of mind! The Beta is really just a 2 season (i.e. spring and summer) tent, the Equinox is really preferable for camping in March or October and that is the one I would go for.

many thanks for your replies...

I have just come across the coleman Phad x3, which has excellent waterproof ratings and is similar size to the above - not a bad price either - does anyone have any experience with this tent?

Only one personal note on this is that their isn't room for the pasting table we like to take with us..the pointed front was a bit of a waste of space! Looked a nice tent though!! Pete