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Topic: Sunncamp Evolution 400

Blister69

06/1/2009 at 2:56pm
Location: North Wales
Outfit: Sunncamp Evolution 400

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Hello,

I've been reading the forum for some time now as I'm in the market for a new tent. It only has to be a weekender, we normally only stay 3 nights tops. We had a Wynnster Shrike 6 last year and whilst camping in Barmouth the tent was subjected to some very strong winds. In the night the top of the tent was touching my face. So I wanted something around the same size but much sturdier. Whilst reading around I found an article that said geodesic tents were normally stronger and could withstand higher winds. That led me onto the Evo 400. I have read the reviews on the site but not many of them touch on the wind issues. If anyone has one, could they tell me how sturdy are they? I'm also planning to use Delta pegs this time. Or is there another make/model I should be looking at? I can spend £300 max, but would like it to be easily errected and have some good headroom.

Many thanks,

Blister

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carole 38

06/1/2009 at 6:42pm
Location: chatham kent
Outfit: Vango amazon 600 . evoloution 400

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Hi Blister and welcome to the forum

we have an evo 400 for weekends. I have only camped once in it when it was windy and rainy and it was fine. We have used deltas from day one on both our tents and have never had any problems.

Hubby is over 6 foot and has never complained about headroom. All in all it is a good little tent and very easy to use .

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Carole

KevRayner

06/1/2009 at 6:43pm
Location: Lincolnshire
Outfit: Outwell Bear Lake 4 & Sunncamp Evo 400

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Hi Blister

Can thoroughly recommend the Evo 400, I have used ours for weekends in strong winds & held very well, Even saw one last year when we was away for week with our other tent, In 70 mph winds & no guide lines pegged & it still stood still, (think it was only weight of things inside tent that stopped it from blowing away).

Also the Evo 400 is easy & quick to pitch, takes me about 15 mins on my own.

Kev

Blister69

06/1/2009 at 10:22pm
Location: North Wales
Outfit: Sunncamp Evolution 400

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Thanks for the replies.

I'm nearly sold, I would just love to see one in the flesh so to speak before I buy. Everyone is out of stock, and Sunncamp aren't re-stocking until February. They are not changing the model for 2009, but are going to introduce a canopy to fit the Evo 400. I just hope I can get one at 2008 prices. They are sending me a 2009 brochure, so if they have pictured the canopy I'll post it here first.

Are there any alternatives I should be looking at?

Blister

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stormchaser2005

07/1/2009 at 2:55pm
Location: a galaxy far far away
Outfit: None Entered

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This is my feeling on that particular tent. You will need to scroll down to the last post.

evolution 400

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never argue with an idiot........ they will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience

Blister69

07/1/2009 at 9:03pm
Location: North Wales
Outfit: Sunncamp Evolution 400

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Doh!

Any ideas for something similar then?

Ta

KevRayner

07/1/2009 at 9:20pm
Location: Lincolnshire
Outfit: Outwell Bear Lake 4 & Sunncamp Evo 400

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Blister

I wouldnt be put off by just the one bad report of the Evo 400. If there was several bad reports, i would say think about it.

Why it took the person so long to put tent up I dont know, when everyone else says it takes only minutes, & are thoroughly pleased with the tent in all aspects.

As I have said previously, it only takes me a maximum of 15 minutes to erect the tent from start to finish, including pegging out. I have no problem with rain getting in, or any problem with very strong winds. In fact i would say they are one of the most stable tents in the wind i have owned.

Kev

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stormchaser2005

08/1/2009 at 1:58am
Location: a galaxy far far away
Outfit: None Entered

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The rain came in through the mesh at the top of the window after the wind blew the flap open although I didn't actually check whether it leaked anywhere else. As for wind if your tent has been fine in those conditions you are lucky as it is not designed to withstand them. The instructions actually state "This tent is designed for light use in normal weather conditions. It is not suitable for storms, gales, sub zero or tropical conditions."
The way mine flapped about I am surprised it didn't snap more poles. The wind was pretty strong at easter but plenty of other tents on the same site coped with no problems and I was camped behind a line of caravans so sheltered from most of it, the tents that seemed to cope the best were in fact the tunnels although they all did a fair bit of "flapping." My jamet was a large tunnel and it stood up to wind far better than the evo. The rest of the weekend was windy but the worst was the first night and that's when the damage was done. Once I taped the pole up it was fine but it wouldn't have stood another night like that. I didn't say how long it took for me to put it up only that it wasn't easy. As for reviews there is at least one on here where the tent leaked and had to be replaced.

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never argue with an idiot........ they will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience

stumpjumper

08/1/2009 at 10:34am
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Assorted Tents

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Quote: Originally posted by Blister69 on 07/1/2009
Doh!

Any ideas for something similar then?

Ta

Have a look at the Wynnster Curlew 6, it's a larger tent but from what i've seen when pitched in the wind at Winfields the wynnster is slightly more stable than the evo due to the cross over poles at the ends of the tent.

I'm on my second curlew and can't rate it highly enough. As with all fibreglass poles you will get the odd split one, but i've never had one totally give up in this tent even in the worst conditions.

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Current tents in use: 5m Bell, Obelink Palamos 6, Vango Tornado 300 Vango Force 10 Mk3, Hypercamp Eldorado & Orange Raclet

stormchaser2005

08/1/2009 at 2:17pm
Location: a galaxy far far away
Outfit: None Entered

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Quote: Originally posted by stumpjumper on 08/1/2009

Quote: Originally posted by Blister69 on 07/1/2009Doh!

Any ideas for something similar then?

Ta

Have a look at the Wynnster Curlew 6, it's a larger tent but from what i've seen when pitched in the wind at Winfields the wynnster is slightly more stable than the evo due to the cross over poles at the ends of the tent.

I'm on my second curlew and can't rate it highly enough. As with all fibreglass poles you will get the odd split one, but i've never had one totally give up in this tent even in the worst conditions.

Oddly enough I was going to suggest the same tent as a possibility. I've never used one but saw one at an outdoor display and it looked very stable (it was a fairly windy day). The other thing is that the evo is lacking in living space because of the shape whereas the curlew has plenty of room although the measurements look about the same it is misleading as the evo loses a lot with having that long nose. Fibreglass poles do split and because of their nature they will flex and bend in wind so whatever tent you buy you will get some movement from them.

Blister69, another thing to consider is either trying to find somewhere with an indoor display with the evo or waiting until the outdoor displays start and sticking with your current tent until you can see others set up to compare and decide on what you want. It may be that you hate the evo once you see one up or that you still like it but see something that would suit you better

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never argue with an idiot........ they will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience

Lynne+Steve

08/1/2009 at 4:57pm
Location: Dorset
Outfit: Kampa Carbis 5 Sunncamp Evolution 400

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We have an Evo 400 and love it. It's fine for two people. We were camping at Whitsun last year when the wind and rain were horrendous but the tent never leaked and stood up to the wind really well. It's really quick to put up and well made. We've no regrets about buying it at all. I would be interested in a purpose built canopy though as last year we bought a Coleman Canopy which worked fairly well, there's a picture in our gallery.
We're going for a week this year, just have to be organised! By the way, Steve is 6ft 2 and had no problems with headroom.

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Blister69

08/1/2009 at 11:16pm
Location: North Wales
Outfit: Sunncamp Evolution 400

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Sunncamp now have a picture of the new canopy on the website so here it is:-

It's only a tiny one though.

I'm going to go for the Evo 400. Thanks for all the comments they were very helpful, and I really appreciate the input stormchaser. Even though you are not so keen on the tent, it seems to tick all the boxes for me. I just hope I don't run into problems, time will tell I suppose. I looked at the wynster, but the Shrike I have is made by them and I've really lost confidence in the build quality of Wynster tents since my last outing.

I'm hoping for 4 outings at least this year so that should give it a good test. The first one is booked in Cardiff at the end of April. I'm already getting excited, and just hope we have a good summer this year.

Right now to order some Delta Pegs....

Blister

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